Courses, Travel & Tee Times

Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North: The proof is in the formula

The big attractions at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale are the nearby golf courses at Troon North, which can be reached in a couple of minutes with the on-resort shuttle. Staying at the Four Seasons, which pays attention to every detail, merely completes the experience, Mike Bailey writes.

The Padre Course at Camelback Golf Club in Scottsdale is more than a walk in the park

Laid out in the shadow of Camelback Mountain, the Padre Course at Camelback Golf Club is unique among golf courses in the Scottsdale area. Wide fairways, water hazards and plenty of grass rule the day, making the Padre Course a solid play in an area full of great golf courses, Mike Bailey writes.

In Phoenix on business? Top golf courses for entertaining clients and colleagues

The greater Phoenix area is paradise for the business traveler -- and his or her clientele. The Valley is awash in great golf courses, from the pricey and challenging layouts in north Scottsdale to resort courses that are meant to be enjoyed rather than suffered. So if you're in Phoenix on business and want to host colleagues or clients, here are just a few of the courses that would make for an ideal business/golf outing ...

West side story: A tale of great value just outside Phoenix-Scottsdale

When sizing up golfing locales in the Phoenix metropolitan area, west will never be considered best. That doesn't mean there's no reason to find out what's on the other side of I-17. The West Valley can't compete in terms of quantity, but courses such as Golf Club of Estrella, Quintero, Raven at Verrado and Trilogy at Vistancia stack up with what's being offered across town. If you're building a golf trip on a budget, your buck will go a lot further "way out west."

Get to know Jack Nicklaus Jr. at the Golf Club of Estrella in Goodyear

Opened in 1999, the Golf Club of Estrella is Jack Nicklaus Jr.'s only solo effort in Arizona. The greens don't have the wild undulations that have become synonymous with the Nicklaus name, but there's no doubt the eldest son of the 18-time major champion likes to serves up a hearty portion of intimidation from the tee, just like his old man. Wes Gilbertson has more from Goodyear, Ariz.

You can see for miles at Raven Golf Club at Verrado west of Phoenix

It takes about 35 minutes to put Phoenix in the rear view mirror en route to the Raven Golf Club at Verrado. It takes approximately the same amount of time -- or even a few minutes less, if you keep your ball on the short stuff -- to climb up to the third tee and catch another glimpse of the downtown skyline. If value is important, the Raven at Verrado should be on your list of must-play Arizona golf courses.

Quintero Golf Club has its ups and downs -- and that's a good thing

Rees Jones constructed a layout that is undeniably difficult but eminently fair at Quintero Golf Club, which despite having numerous elevation change seems to play uphill on every hole except for the four par 3s. And the four par 3s are unforgettable and unmatched anywhere in Arizona, Scott Bordow writes.

The Phoenician: 27 holes of scenic, resort golf in Scottsdale

The 27-hole layout at The Phoenician, located in Scottsdale, Ariz., hardly feels like desert golf at times. The three nine-hole courses also feature many ponds, manicured fairways and mountain views, depending on which layout you're playing. Jason Scott Deegan has more on The Phoenician.

Play north Scottsdale's best golf courses

There's only one thing wrong with planning a Scottsdale golf vacation: It's hard to find enough time to play all of the city's great courses. Phoenix may be the capital city, but there's no question Scottsdale -- north Scottsdale in particular -- is the golfing nexus in Arizona.

Arizona's West Valley offers diversity near Phoenix

When it comes to sports, the West Valley area of Phoenix is known for being the home of NFL and NHL teams. But there are also several golf courses in the area. They're not as bunched together as those in north Scottsdale, but they're also not as expensive. In fact, given the quality of the layouts -- from Wigwam Resort to Quintero G.C. -- and the lower-priced tee times, they're some of the best bargains in Arizona.