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Arizona's sizzling desert climate makes it a haven for winter golf, with courses sprouting up throughout every town, including some top courses to challenge your nerves and your slice. Here is our pick for the top five most challenging golf courses in Arizona:

TROON GOLF CLUB MONUMENT COURSE
10320 E Dynamite Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85255

For many this is the class of Arizona golf, believing that playing the Troon Monument Course is akin to a religious experience. This Tom Weiskopf/Jay Morrish course is carefully placed through dazzling landscape and maintained by a world-class staff. It is a challenge everywhere, to every club from the driver to the putter. At the end of 18 holes you will be exhausted but wonderfully refreshed, all at the same time.

GOLD CANYON DINOSAUR MOUNTAIN
6100 S Kings Ranch Rd
Gold Canyon, AZ 85219
480-982-9449

This is a course you don't have to fight through crowds. In fact, you'll be amazed at the flourishing wildlife that abound here. You are more likely to see broods of jackrabbits and grumpy javelinas with a wealth of roadrunners dashing across the fairwaus than have to wait for slow golfers.

But the remote siting of this course, nestled in the midst of the Suerstition Mountains east of Phoenix, also challenges your short game. Bring an accomplished hand to wield your iron or don't come at all. This dazzlingly picturesque course offers sharp elevation changes, tiny greens and miniscule landing zones. Accuracy and control are your watchword here, with no forgiveness of a wayward slice. Keep your driver and errant fairway woods packed away on this 6,481 yard Par 71 (back tees).

ARIZONA NATIONAL COURSE
9777 E Sabino Greens Dr
Tucson, AZ 85749

Robert Trent Jone's desert masterpiece, this desert course flows naturally through the rugged landscape of Tucson's Santa Catalina foothills. This is target golf, with every swing calling for a tough decision. But while it will penalize a poor decision or bad swing, it is never unfair, so it's 6776 yards will give everybody's golf game a stern test.

The real nerve tester is the Par 5, 625 11th. You will have two nervy shots over desert-scrubbed dead areas which are just waiting to suck your balls into oblivion.

SUN RIDGE CANYON GOLF CLUB
13100 N SunRidge Dr
Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
800-837-5929

Another Phoenix area course, Sun Ridge is a crafty witch that starts easy before turning evil on the back nine to leave you exhausted. This is another course that puts a premium on driving accuracy and a firm putter. Greens and

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