Category Archives: Top Golf Courses

Tonto Verde Golf Club – Ranch Course

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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.

Legacy Golf Resort

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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.

Vista Verde Golf Club

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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.

Foothills Golf Club

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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.

Sedona Golf Resort

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Sedona Golf Resort is one great place to spend a lasting taste of a golf getaway. Blending the challenging golf course with the natural beauty of Red Rock of Sedona, this golf course features elevations ranging from 3,960 up to 4,260 feet. A golf trip to Sedona offers players with a mixture of perfect scenery and a challenging round of golf full of elevated tees, raised greens, and challenging approach spots.

 Each hole presents its own unique set of circumstances to make it challenging. Players will surely find something new to the place’s surprises. Sedona Golf Resort is located in the heart of Arizona , a unique destination known for its spectacular scenery. The course winds around the astonishing red rock cliffs and spires of Sedona. It makes for a picturesque scene of emerald greens set amid towering crimson sentinels. The Gary Panks-designed course is surrounded with terrific hotels where guests can spend their rest time comfortably. Consistently rated four starts by Golf Digest, this rare red-and-green golf course is a must-visit. This makes for the ideal golf trip for golfers who want to play in the Grand Canyon.

 This thrilling 6,646 yard, par-71 golf course is widely considered to be one of the world’s most unforgettable golf vacation destinations. The wide array of world class spa treatments, lap pool, and spa therapy makes it more interesting. Sedona Golf Resort , with its extraordinary beauty, can be compared to the seven wonders of the world – a perfect vacation destination where guests could feel one with nature while enjoying their favorite sport.

The Duke at Rancho El Dorado

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Originally opened in 2003, the Duke at Rancho El Dorado features 7,011 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. The course rating is 72.4 and has a 120 slope rating on Rye grass. The Duke, designed by David Druzinsky, is fashioned for the golfer with a sense of discovery. This makes every guest’s golf vacation an adventurous trip.

The Duke at Rancho El Dorado resembles a desert-filled area splashed with green and gold highlighted by broad fairways – undulating and usually hard to read greens where the Santa Rosa Wash snakes through the layout. The impressive mountain views as well as the open field can make one reminisce the Old West. The club recently opened the doors to its new ranch-style clubhouse. Consistent with the Western theme, the 6,000 square foot clubhouse gives the taste of an Arizona territorial lodge which instills a warm and comfortable ambiance. Up to 60 days of reservation, corporate outings, receptions, group events, and other celebrations now serve as its specialty. A comprehensive practice facility with PGA instructional programs is on site as well as a fully stocked pro shop. Providing a great golf trip at very reasonable rates, Duke golf club provides guests the extraordinary round of golf.

From its fascinating environment which covers the epic mountains to its open-air true desert area, the Duke at Rancho El Dorado is a must visit place for golf enthusiasts. It’s a player-friendly golf club which brings the sporting spirit alive. As the centerpiece to the master planned community of Rancho El Dorado, a golf vacation at Duke is a best retreat for families and friends who seek for a sporting recreation.

Dove Valley Ranch Golf Club

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With respect to the natural surrounding, Robert Trent Jones designed Dove Valley Ranch Golf Club to preserve the ancient beauty of the area. Located in the middle of a residential community, Dove Valley was purposely toned down in consideration to the residents near the golf course. It is indeed a golf trip experience for beginners which is uncommon for a Jones design.

 Just as many have testified, Dove Valley Ranch Golf Club is a desert style golf club with hints of tradition. Its ample fairways and subtly contoured greens with openings in front feature a low, rolling mix of holes of varying difficulty – it has tough spots for those who crave for challenge. The layout is easy to play but also requires strategy to test the course-management skills of the players. Aside from its player-friendly course is its unsurpassed natural beauty. At every turn, brilliant greens with desert’s muted palette mesmerize the eyes of the viewers. A well-manicured course maintaining its traditional views, Dove Valley enhances the guests’ entire golf vacation through its friendly staff in the club house and pro shop.

 Unlike Arizona’s typical “target” golf courses, Dove Valley Ranch Golf Club is player-friendly, with manicured transition areas that allow its guests to recover without any penalties. Jones has put a premium on strategy and variety, which translates into a challenging yet refreshing round of golf. This golf club gently shifts between panoramic openness to the intimacy of lush foliage along Willow Wash. A golf trip to Dove Valley will surely enhance the golfing skills of the beginners as well as give them the taste of classic.

Poston Butte

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Poston Butte golf course is one great place to spend a memorable golf vacation. Managed by Troon golf, it provides golfers of all skill levels a fun experience with its 5 sets of tees ranging from 5,300 yards to 7,300 yards. An 18-hole championship golf course designed by Gary Panks, the course is well known in the region for its beautiful environment.

 Poston Butte lives up to its reputation as one of the finest desert golf courses in the area. A wide waterfall welcomes its visitors at the course entrance, giving them an idea of how magical the course is. The front 9 is wide open to the desert while the back 9 provides the lucky homeowners the amusing view of golfers along with brilliant landscapes. A club house with pro shop and snack area will surely serve the guests with sumptuous meals. The golfers may practice their skills in the training facilities – which includes a targeted, double ended grass range, short game area with sand bunkers plus 10,000 square foot putting green. A golf trip here is worth the drive.

 An HD camera might be necessary to capture the brilliance of the place. All of its aspects are good – the relaxing atmosphere, the strategic golf course, and the new amenities. Poston Butte golf course will offer more than a quality golf experience but a place the guest would want to call home. Without a doubt, this golf vacation package will give golfers a true golf spirit.

McCormick Ranch Golf Club – Palm Course

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Opened in 1972, McCormick Ranch Golf Club – Palm Course has a traditional style golf course with beautiful water holes and fascinating palm trees. There’s no second guessing during holidays if the course is open or close to the public because it’s available every day of the year! It provides golf vacation package that tends the guests to want more.

 The club’s attractive features and amenities give it a lasting appeal. McCormick Ranch Golf Club – Palm Course features four sets of tee boxes so that golfers of all skill levels will enjoy. Its superb characteristic gives the palm course an edge over other the area – it has vast numbers of trees on both layouts. A traditional layout, with trees and bunkers, provides obstacles to par. Also, there are various doglegs to challenge the golfer’s shooting skills. Even amateurs have a chance to finish a round with a neat scorecard for they won’t have to battle forced carries. However, if inaccurately hit, the ball may tend to sit precariously among the trees that line the fairways. A family-oriented course, McCormick Ranch golf club has large practice facilities where families and friends can learn and practice golf. This serves the visitors a fun golf vacation as well as amusing bonding time with their loved ones.

 McCormick Ranch Golf Club – Palm Course, known for its large palm trees, offers a memorable golf vacation for friends and families with its picturesque views and scenery, and traditional but high class facilities. Every drop of sweat in playing makes an enjoyable and unforgettable experience. This course gives no break of excitement and challenge for their daily guests.

Ocotillo Golf Club

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Also known as one of Arizona’s finest daily-fee courses for providing its guests with high standard course condition and customer service, Ocotillo Golf Club offers an extreme golf vacation experience. A getaway experience from the urban world, this golf club provides a refreshing and unique setting – from the award-winning facilities, wide rolling fairways, strong mature tees, to the different mountains, hill views, and many more. This undisputed golf club has many interesting wonders that’s worth more than a praise.

The three 9-hole courses of Ocotillo Golf Club played in combinations with various ranges of yardages give the golfers challenging rounds. Aside from the gaming aspect of the club, it also features the luxurious facilities associated with an elite private golf facility. When craving for aesthetics, the golf resort has lots of colorful flowers and other epic views such as the gigantic mountains, dark blue waterfalls, and mirror-like lakes which will absolutely feed the eyes. Ocotillo golf resort exceeds the expectations of a typical golf trip. The facility is a wise choice to create indelible memories for weddings, birthdays, anniversary celebrations and class reunions.

No wonder why it has received awards and recognition. The club is listed as one of the top 50 resorts of Golf World Magazine 2009, top 100 golf shops of Golf World Business Magazine 2006, and rated four and a half stars by 2008 Golf Digest Magazine’s Best Places to Play. Its breathtaking scenery, top golfing facilities and a challenging desert course layout make golf trips at the Ocotillo a heavenly retreat for golfers anywhere. Ocotillo Golf Club never fails in providing the guests with high class recreational experience. It’s really worth a visit for golfers who wish to encounter a one of a kind vacation.