by Marc Phillippe Babineau

Created on: May 28, 2008   Last Updated: June 05, 2008

In Scottsdale, Arizona, golf is like a religion. For a City known for its' upscale shopping, there are more golf courses than major shopping malls now in Scottsdale, Arizona. For such a beautiful State, full of lakes and rivers, the desert, beautiful mountains, the Grand Canyon, and more, why would so many people spend all day in 125 degree, extra-humid weather playing golf all day? The scenery, unless you are playing within the City proper, is second to none. I had so many things planned, what with Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, the Hoover Dam, even Los Angeles and the Gulf of Mexico all within a half-day's drive, my weekends were pretty much planned out, but the aircrew I was working with had other ideas. On the weekends, the mornings were always spent at a lake, on a boat or cottage deck, and the afternoon to sunset was spent on a golf course. It was more of a religion than a sport.

If it is your first visit, and you are in Scottsdale for a short time, you should do your research first. There are enough golf courses within a few hours' drive to play two a day for two weeks and not play the same course twice. Spas and five star hotels are available, as well as many one star hotels. The same goes for the golf courses, where the variety is as great, and the playing conditions are quite relative to the greens fees and accomogations. You can play on PGA approved and used courses, for about $165 a round, to a basic course for about $35 a round. From rolling sand and pebbled desert ground with man made puddles to perfect Bermuda grass and stunningly beautiful hazards, the tree-lined or cacti filled courses can leave you breathless, either from the scenery or from the fact that you are playing golf, in the midday sun, in 125 degree weather. There is a golf course for every budget in Scottsdale, Arizona, but the five-star getaways are just the most stunningly beautiful this side of Hawaii.

So, for your playing pleasure, here is listed my Top Five Golfing Destinations in Scottsdale, Arizona:

1) The Players Club. A PGA approved and played course, with Bermuda grass, sloping vistas and daunting hazards. The course is laid out over more than 7500 yards. This is golf as it was meant to be played, on immaculately mancured Bermuda grass, stunning hazards and first-rate accomodations, service and amenities. What you would expect from a PGA course.

2) The Orange Tree Golf Club. Located in a converted Orange tree grove, with stunningly beautiful water hazards, pleasant scenery

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