Golfing in Arizona

What Makes Arizona a Coveted Golfing Destination?

As the epicenter for desert golf, Arizona attracts millions of enthusiasts of the game. According to the Arizona Office of Tourism, the state hosts 12 million rounds of golf every year. Cities in Arizona have become home to touring professional golfers. The state has become a popular retirement destination – not only for the tax advantages but for golfing as well.

Golfers are drawn to the Grand Canyon State to vacation, live, and retire – for many valid reasons:

The Weather

Winter in Phoenix and other parts of Arizona is like summer in the southeast, only without the humidity. Most days are dry and sunny with cooler evenings. Major cities enjoy sunshine more than 250 days a year. Peak golf season in Arizona is from January to April, although players still find their way to the fairways during the hotter summer months.

The Views

Arizona is home to Grand Canyon National Park, Red Rock State Park, and the Sonora Desert. Visitors and locals enjoy spectacular views and breathtaking scenery. The Phoenix area offers a number of scenic spots, including:

• Camelback Mountain — so named for its resemblance to a kneeling camel
• Hole-in-the-Rock in Papago Park — where wind and rain have eroded two large holes in a red sandstone hill
• Dobbins Lookout – a stone ramada at the edge of a 2,330 ft. vantage point located at the highest accessible point of South Mountain Preserve

Golf Tournaments and Events

Arizona hosts numerous golf events, including charity, opens, and championships. Major golf tournaments include:

• The President’s Cup
• PGA Frys.com Open
• European Tour
• LPGA Tour
• Champions Tour
• PGA OHL Classic
• PGA McGladrey Classic

Special Local Events

In addition to fabulous courses, golfers in Arizona have the opportunity to enjoy local special events, including:

• Cactus League Spring Training: The season gets underway in February with catchers and pitchers from 15 major league baseball teams, with the rest of the team joining them 4 or 5 days later. After a week of workouts, spring training games begin. The Phoenix area is home to 10 stadiums and 15 teams.
• Tucson Folk Festival: This is a draw for Boomers who want to get back to their roots in the 60s, and for younger people who love live Bluegrass, Irish, and old C&W music. This is one of the top folk festivals in the country, with more than 10,000 music lovers attending.
• The Arizona State Fair attracts more than 1 million people to Phoenix every year. It offers rodeos, concerts, racing, livestock, and tasty food.

Dining and Nightlife

When you are golfing in Arizona, you may have the opportunity to experience the nightlife and fine dining as well. Scottsdale’s club scene heats up as the sun sets and the moon rises. Cool jazz hideaways, trendy cocktail lounges, cozy wine bars, and numerous live bands make it a Mecca for people who like the night life. For fine dining, Old Town Scottsdale is a destination for visitors and local food lovers alike.

Nightlife in downtown Phoenix is busier than ever, with new clubs, lounges, and late night attractions opening in the last decade. Phoenix nightlife attracts people of all ages, locals and visitors, city dwellers, and suburbanites alike. Phoenix also offers a selection of fine dining restaurants that will cater to your dining expectations in gracious style.