Dropping temperatures and shorter sunlight hours often represent the closing of the season for most amateur golfers.
Yet in one sun-baked corner of the United States, golf is very much a year-round sport. Arizona, with its 300 days of yearly sunshine and cactus-lined desertscapes, has quickly developed into one of the United States’ premier golf destinations.
Heat-seeking golfers far and wide travel to the southern state to play on its pristine courses and unwind in its world-class resorts.
To help give you a taste of what the region offers besides its wonderful weather, we’ve come up with a list of three reasons to visit.
World-Class Courses
Arizona offers up its fair share of traditional parkland courses, but it also has plenty of desert-framed designs to keep things interesting.
What makes the region stand out is its large number of highly regarded 36-hole properties that are open to the general public.
One such example is We-Ko-Pa Golf Club in Fort McDowell. The club has two courses: Cholla and Saguaro. The latter is ideal for walking, with the greens all close to the tea.
Both benefit from the stunning backdrop of the Four Peaks Mountain, and as the club is built on tribal land, there are no houses or roads nearby to distract from the views.
Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale stretches over 7,000 yards from the back tee. Its par-72 course includes rolling hills, deep bunkers and greenways that are shaped by high-rising cacti.
A few miles down the road at Boulders Golf Course, players come face-to-face with huge rock formations that give the course its name. Such is the course’s close proximity to Mother Nature, it’s not uncommon to come across bobcats and coyotes when searching for a ball in the rough.
Child-Friendly Activities
With many resorts in Arizona offering a number of relaxing amenities, golfing in Arizona is an attractive proposition for the whole family.
The fantastic weather means outdoor activities, such as tennis, rock climbing and horseback riding, are on offer all year round.
The Copper State also provides numerous golfing schools, so children can practice their swing while their parents visit the spa.
Outdoor Fun
There’s plenty more to Arizona than just its golf. Whether you’re thinking of a quick weekend break or a three-week vacation, the state’s stunning landscape means you’ll never be short of things to see.
Grand Canyon National Park, one of the world’s natural wonders, can be explored by air, water or on foot. Then there’s the spectacular Monument Valley -- one of the most photographed places on the planet and a must visit for fans of film.
Away from the great outdoors, you’ll find an array of gastronomy options. Tucson in the south is the only UNESCO World City of Gastronomy. There’s also over 85 different breweries and 40 vineyards spread out throughout the state that are open to visitors throughout the year.
Finally, any visit isn’t complete without a trip to Chase Field to take in a game of Major League Baseball.
