Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain

When the top golf players of the present day agree that a golf course is beautiful, then it must be. Home to the Annual World Golf Championships – Accenture Match Play Championships, where 64 of the best and top ranked golfers compete , The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain is perhaps the best there is to Tucson Golf. It combines the best in golf as well as the best in amenities making it the complete golf vacation destination.

The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain is all 27-holes of Jack Nicklaus design perfection, set in the beautiful high Sonoran desert north of Tucson, Arizona with the stunning Tortolita Mountain Ranges as its backdrop. Jack Nicklaus made optimum use of the desert’s terrain to give the course an edge in character – encouraging daring but fun play from each golfer. The holes are divided into three nines: the front Saguaro nine, back Tortolita nine, and the spare nine, the Wild Burro, which is the designer’s personal favorite. The premiere golf trip haven is abundant in beautiful views and indigenous desert flora and fauna.

And, as is characteristic in anything that bears the Ritz-Carlton brand, the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain offers the best in golf vacation amenities. From the elegant suites to the excellent sports and fitness facilities to the world-class clubhouse service, the golf course doesn’t come short of amazing. Golfer, pro or not, would definitely agree why this is the best golf course in Tucson and maybe in the entire Arizona: it combines nothing but only the best in playability, scenery, and high class amenities.

Canoa Hills Golf Course

“More than meets the eye” is perhaps the most apt statement to describe the Canoa Hills Golf Club in Green Valley, AZ. There’s definitely more to this medium length golf course than just the usual beautiful desert views that most Arizona courses offer. The perfect combination of fun, challenge, and beauty all work in the entire course to give each visiting golfer a unique and unforgettable golf trip.

The 18-hole, par-72 course stretches to only 6,610-yards from the longest tees but the golfing adventure at the Canoa Hills Golf Club never comes short. The Dave Bennett layout works through the natural contours of the desert terrain, all the while incorporating strategic contouring of the fairways and placement of the holes to give the course an edge over other golf vacation destinations. That, and the natural desert vegetation and wildlife that are preserved well in the course blends well with the difficulty of the course. The course’s signature #2 hole is considered one of Tucson’s “Top Ten Great Holes” according to Arizona Daily Star Newspaper, a hole that will challenge every golfer’s resolve at how far or big a risk he can take – but the reward is an overwhelming neat score.

Most of the holes in the Canoa Hills Golf Club are pretty – with breathtaking vistas of the surrounding mountains, but have the capacity to break golfers’ hearts into a thousand tiny pieces if he is not careful. It is almost a crime to think that golf vacations at the Canoa Hills are easy and easily forgettable. It’s like saying no to the best golf experience this side of the planet!

Tonto Verde Golf Club – Ranch Course

How do you define beautiful when it’s flanked by equally gorgeous things? This is a question that could not seem to find an answer at the Tonto Verde Golf Club. Each course at this top Arizona golf vacation destination is a beauty in its own, and to define beauty according to the characteristics of one would be injustice to the others. So what makes the Ranch Course at the Tonto Verde Golf Club beautiful? How is it set apart from its sibling courses, the Peak and Vista Verde?

 Tonto Verde Golf Club’s Ranch Course is beautiful for quite a number of reasons. It could be the natural desert terrain that gives the course its elevation changes – fairly easy and forgiving, though with a touch of classy drama, thereby making the game challenging. It could also be the bunker placements, which – like the course’s elevation – are made to give that golfer’s heart skip a beat once in a while. Its length – stretches at 6,988-yards – could also be a reason for its being beautiful, perfect for those who love long shots. The scenery surrounding the Ranch Course is also a huge factor that makes it beautiful and ideal for golf trips, with an unparalleled view of the mountains around the course, including that of the majestic Four Peaks mountains.

So the question remains: what makes the Ranch Course at TontoVerde Golf Club beautiful? Its combined picturesque quality and fun but challenging layout makes it an ideal venue for the most memorable golf vacations – it’s one that everyone can enjoy. So maybe, the course in its totality makes it beautiful, as beautiful as its sibling courses.

Tonto Verde Golf Club – Peaks Course

Older doesn’t necessarily mean less better. Neither does being smaller mean less enjoyable. These are two things that the Peaks Course of Tonto Verde Golf Club can prove all too easily. Next to its sibling course at the Tonto Verde Golf Club, the Ranch Course, the Peaks Course is older by almost 10 years and is shorter and narrower. But it equals the younger course in its scenic quality, as well as excellence in playability. If anything, Ranch course could learn a thing or two from the older course on how it became one of Arizona’s best golf vacation destinations.

The Peaks Course of the Tonto Verde Golf Club stretches to only 6,744 yards compared to the more than 7,000-yards of the Ranch course. But the Peaks Course never falls short in delivering the dream desert golf trip. Its designers, Gary Panks and David Graham designed its layout to follow the dictates of the North Scottsdale desert terrain to bring that authentic Arizona desert feel to the game.

What golfers most enjoy here are the 5 sets of tees that make the course enjoyable for everyone. The 18-hole, par-72 Peaks Course at the Tonto Verde Golf Club joins forces with nature to make every game quite a challenge. A panorama of golden desert and the Mazatzal mountains combined with pristine man-made lakes will make for the perfect backdrop in that golf vacation photo album. And, even though the Peaks Course is relatively older, and more seasoned, it still is capable of surprising its visitors – either by its stunning views or excellence in playability, or both.

Legacy Golf Resort

History- and heritage-rich Legacy Golf Resort in Phoenix,AZ has seen way too many good things in its long lifetime. It has witnessed the glory days, as well as the hey days of Old American West as the ranch of Dwight B. Heard. And today, it stands witness to countless glorious golf vacations spent here – all the while, having Arizona’s majestic South Mountain standing sentinel behind it to perfect the view.

Legacy Golf Resort‘s architects made sure that Dwight B. Heard’s legacy will be retained, even after it has transformed into one of the premiere golf resorts in the State. Some of the original Spanish-style structures remained untouched, adding only some amenities like the sparkling pool and health-spa facilities. Its 18-hole championship course was designed by no less than Gary Panks, and every little element of the course was strategically placed to capture the surrounding mountains’ views as well as each golfer’s heart. Its lush fairways, perfectly manicured greens, slight elevation changes and rough hazards all contribute to make the golf vacation destination a perfect breed of challenge and fun for players of all handicaps.

Because of its picturesque quality and excellent playability, Legacy Golf Resort has earned for its name not only a loyal following of avid golfers but of various golf publications as well. For one, it has been awarded one of the “Top 10 Places to Play in Phoenix” by Golf Digest. It has also proven itself competition worthy when it hosted the LPGA Standard Register Ping Classic in 2000. As it continues to improve itself, in the golf course and off with its world class roster of amenities, Legacy Golf Club will surely continue to be part of many more memorable golf trips in the future.

Faldo Course at the Wildfire Golf Club

There are many things that make the Faldo Course at the Wildfire Golf Club stand out amongst its neighboring courses in Arizona. For one, it is designed by a three-time Master’s and three-time British Open Champion – Nick Faldo, from whom it was named after. Two, it has 106 bunkers. Three, it sits on a beautiful golf vacation destination in Wildfire Golf Club at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa, standing next to an equally outstanding Arnold Palmer course. Nowhere else in the entire state of Arizona can these qualities be combined except at the Faldo course.

The medium length, 18-hole, par-71 course stretches to 6,846 yards of golf. Its most prominent feature is its 106 bunkers that are all over The Faldo Course at the Wildfire Golf Club. That, set on the flattish desert terrain of this side of the desert gives the course an edge to every play. The links-like effect of the flat ground sets it apart from its neighboring courses, and the many bunkers on the course gives it an Australian sand-belt feel to it. The golf vacation package is completed by the breathtaking views of the McDowell Mountains that serve as its backdrop.

A golf trip to the Faldo Course at the Wildfire Golf Club is capped off at the Resort and Spa. The most outstanding quality of the Faldo Course, perhaps, lies in its totality. It is a desert course – complete with all the visual delights of the Sonoran desert, but it gives a links/sand belt vibe to the game. It combines fun and challenge in just the right amount in its fairly challenging layout that can be enjoyed by golfers of various handicaps, and it concludes the game with a relaxing round at the Resort and Spa.

Vista Verde Golf Club

The Sonoran Desert holds so many wonderful things in its midst, and some of it remain a secret that only a privileged few get to discover and enjoy. Within and around its many red canyons, golden mountains, and huge thousand-years old boulders, the Sonoran Desert nestles Arizona’s best golf vacation destinations. One of those that is yet to be discovered is the Vista Verde Golf Club in Rio Verde, AZ. The newest of the three courses in the Verdes Complex, Vista Verde brings out the best features of the desert and the best experience anyone can have in his game of golf.

The 18-hole, par-72 regulation course stretches out 7,219 yards from the longest tees and has five sets of tees to accommodate players of various handicaps. Its designer, the renowned Ken Kavanaugh of the Pinehurst #2 fame designed the golf course to follow the dictates of the natural desert terrain as its own. The result is a premiere golf course of gently rolling fairways that carries an attitude of making the game challenging for the low handicap player, but very fun for the average one. That and the picturesque quality of Vista Verde Golf Club makes golf trips enjoyable for just about everyone.

Anyone who gets to spend their golf vacations at the Vista Verde Golf Club know why it is a prized discovery. It has all the beautiful elements of desert golf: from the many Mesquite and Palo Verde trees to the giant cacti all over the course, to the breathtaking views of the Sonoran Desert and the Four Peaks and Mazatzal Mountains. Vista Verde might exactly be the best kept secret of Arizona golf, and it’s just waiting to be discovered and enjoyed.

Superstition Springs

Superstitions are always wrong but not this one. Believe it, it’s for real. Bring the whole family to this golf club and for sure, they’ll never ever forget their encounter to this one of a kind golf club. A full-packed, challenging and risk-reward round of golf makes Superstition Springs a must visit golf course in Arizona. It’s not just rumors – there’s really a lot more to discover on Superstition Springs’ golf vacation packages.

 Course architect Greg Nash sculpted the existing topography in the design of Superstition Springs golf club to create an extensive and striking mounding, expansive bunkers, and a variety of attractive yet strategically-placed water features. Smooth and consistent undulating greens keep satisfaction throughout players’ round, while hundreds of palm trees, mature pines, and eucalyptus trees keep them shaded from the Arizona sun. To meet the needs of every golfer from beginner to the tour professional, the golf club provides instruction programs which utilize the latest teaching and learning techniques – programs include school, clinic, corporate tutorials, and private instruction. A golf vacation at Superstition proves to all level of players how wonderful and flexible the club is.

 Unquestionably,Superstition Springs is a highly recommended golf trip for guests who wish not only to play golf but also have a relaxing holiday vacation. Before or after rounds, visitors may relax and enjoy the delightful restaurant and lounge serving breakfast, lunch and cocktail indoors.The club’s staff is very friendly and accommodating; they treat visitors with first class service. Dining and private meeting rooms can be reserved for personal and business functions which include seminars, corporate meetings, team building groups, wedding receptions and other celebrations. Superstition Spring is not just another “okay” golf club; it’s a full-packed club that provides every need of the guests – from the ideal, well-designed course up to its outstanding features and amenities.

Foothills Golf Club

18 holes, 7000 yards, 60 bunkers, 3 lakes, 4 sets of tees, 4 stars from Golf Digest – the numbers alone can never truly describe the prestige and excellent playability of this picturesque golf course at the foothills of Arizona’s South Mountain. The Foothills Golf Club is the perfect equation that sums up desert golf at its most beautiful state. It is a golf vacation destination that not only is the best, but brings out the best in each golfer.

The par-72 medium length Foothills Golf Club is the result of the aggregate effort of world class designers Tom Weiskopf and Jay Moorish. They made the course to follow the natural contours of the rugged ridges and buttes of the South Mountain, as well as capture the most picturesque views of this part of Arizona. It may be known to be beautiful, but it is more than meets the eye. Golfers who are planning to head this way for their golf trips must never for one second think that it’s going to be easy – IT’S NOT. They would have to battle the dramatic elevation changes as well as the bunkers and water hazards all over the course. But then again, the more difficult it is, the more satisfying it will be at the end of the day.

The course’s various world class amenities and superb customer service, however, will make up for the difficulty on the course. Off the course, they can truly relax and bask in golf vacation goodness. The Foothills Golf Club of Arizona will never come short of delivering one memorable golf experience to each guest. It’s a simple equation: fun plus challenge plus breathtaking views equals a happy golfer.

Stonecreek Golf Club

The image of enjoying the luxury of countryside tranquility and serenity, basking in the friendly air of dining with friends and families at one of Arizona’s most elegant restaurants is a dream of visiting Stonecreek Golf Club. Make this imagination a reality by personally experiencing the golf club’s breath-taking fairways and beautifully elevated greens. A golf vacation at this 18-hole Arthur Hills designed golf course showcases panoramic vistas of all areas of the course. This golf course travels through meandering dry creek beds that come into play in 15 of its 18 holes. These creek beds feature loose stones and light desert brush. Stonecreek is a great choice for a traditional mix of average level of golfing.

 The course is laid out over 165 acres of land, with lakes, four wetlands, and forty-three bunkers. The back nine has a Northwest style while the front nine is more links-style. The elevated greens and wisely placed bunkers adds tough challenge for experienced golfers. When having a break, “Kennedy’s at Stone Creek” is an excellent place to dine that features a variety of dining from daily lunch and dinner specials to banquet and group facilities. Stonecreek Golf Club ‘s welcoming staffs serve every guest with special attention and professionalism to provide high class experience. Every visit to this golf vacation destination must be special and Stonecreek never fails to meet and even exceed the visitors’ expectations.

 A first visit to Stonecreek Golf Club definitely won’t be the last. From its almost surreal scenery, perfectly designed course, and satisfying accommodations, there’s nothing more to ask for. This golf experience really makes every guest feeling satisfied at having made their dreams of an ideal golf vacation a reality.