Beyond breathtaking views and expert design, these Valley resorts offer golf experiences and amenities that add an extra dose of fun or precision to your game. Whether you get to your tee via horseback or Segway or you spy some bobcats or don a kilt while playing, these one-of-a-kind offerings are pretty tee-rrific.
GLOW SHOW: THE RITZ CARLTON, DOVE MOUNTAIN (pictured above)
A super-fun option for parties or group events, offers The Glow Golf Experience. Glow Golf lets groups of golfers play under the stars and compete in Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin events. Players also get to enjoy a glow-in-the-dark putt-putt course, complete with special lighting and the use of glow golf balls to navigate the lighted holes.
TOAST TO THE TEE: FAIRMONT SCOTTSDALE PRINCESS
Toro Latin Restaurant & Rum Bar, overlooking TPC Scottsdale, offers a delicious opportunity to savor rum tastings after a round of golf with help from the restaurant’s very own Rum Princesa. Golfers should also keep an eye out for special events, like rum-and-cigar-pairing dinners or saki- and sushi-making classes, to round out a day on the course.
TECH TRICK: THE PHOENICIAN
Perfect for golfers who prefer to walk the course instead of hitch a ride in a cart, The Phoenician offers remote-controlled Stewart XIX Follow Carts for total hands-free ease on the greens. The carts are designed to follow the player’s lead using Bluetooth technology. The electronic carts can even seamlessly navigate through shifts in elevation and changes in pace of play. Pricing is an additional $40 for 18 holes; $20 for nine holes.
ALL IN THE FAMILY: FOUR SEASONS RESORT SCOTTSDALE AT TROON NORTH
Even junior golfers have a chance on the course as Troon Golf offers the Troon Family Golf program, meaning juniors (ages 15 and younger) play for free at Troon North after 3 p.m. when playing with a paying adult. The young players even receive complimentary instruction when taking a lesson with a paying adult and Callaway rental clubs to use during their round. EXOS Golf Experience Powered by Troon also recently made its debut and is geared toward helping amateur golfers improve their game. The training facility welcomes golf students for a three-day, intensive evaluation, including personalized golf instruction at Troon North. The resort even provides special rates to complement the programming.
STAY AND PLAY: POINTE HILTON TAPATIO CLIFFS (pictured on opening page)
Through 2017, guests are invited to take part in the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs’ Stay and Play package that not only includes a round at the resort’s 18 holes of championship golf at Lookout Mountain Golf Club, but breakfast for two and a one-night stay in the resort’s all-suite accommodations.
WILD THING: BOULDERS RESORT & SPA
Wildlife lovers are invited to hightail it to Boulders Resort & Spa to witness tailed friends on the resort’s courses. Coyotes, rabbits, quails, roadrunners and even a stray javelina or bobcat can be spotted along the green. The “Coyote Rule of Golf” was even started at the resort: If you suspect a coyote has run off with your golf ball, you may drop one. For a truly luxe time on the links, players can consider The Boulders Elite Golf. Perfect for a day with your buddies or for sealing a business deal, the program includes ample time and privacy on the course; concierge assistance before, during and after play; personal coaching; a post-round catered barbecue with rare Scotch and custom-made cigars; and top-of-the-line golf gear.
PLAY ON—AND ON: JW MARRIOTT DESERT RIDGE RESORT & SPA
Via the Unlimited Golf package at JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa’s Wildfire Golf Club, players not only get to experience—as the name suggests—unlimited golf on the Palmer or Faldo courses, but also get to enjoy breakfast at stonegrill restaurant; use of the practice facilities; advanced tee times; golf bag storage; and 20 percent off at the golf, spa and tennis retails shops.
TRAVEL IN STYLE: THE WESTIN KIERLAND RESORT & SPA (pictured above)
Boasting one of the most innovative golf offerings in the country, The Westin Kierland Golf Club is the only golf club in Arizona at which golfers can choose to play the course on a Segway, Golf Bike, GolfBoard (similar to a skateboard) or a four-seater golf cart (of course, players can walk or ride in a traditional cart, as well). To savor The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa’s Scottish programing, players can opt for the Scottish Golf Experience, which will provide golfers with a kilt and all the trimmings.
IF THE CLUB FITS: JW MARRIOTT SCOTTSDALE CAMELBACK INN RESORT & SPA
At Camelback Golf Club, the pros are prepared to fit you with the perfect clubs. Once you have an efficient swinging motion, the club-fitting process can commence, and Camelback Golf Club has teamed up with Cool Clubs to ensure to best custom fitting.
GET A KICK OUT OF IT: WIGWAM ARIZONA (pictured above)
Footgolf, a mix between soccer and golf, just debuted at The Wigwams’s Patriot Course at the start of the winter season. While no clubs are required, a soccer ball is available at the golf shop.
IT TAKES TWO: ARIZONA BILTMORE, A WALDORF ASTORIA RESORT
Arizona Biltmore Golf Club hosts Biltmore Buddies Golf on Thursday afternoons, making it the perfect way to break up the workweek with a little fun on the course. For $35, two players can enjoy nine holes of golf, two drinks and a sleeve of golf balls.
SADDLE UP: SHERATON GRAND AT WILD HORSE PASS
Koli Equestrian Center offers the chance to hitch a ride to Whirlwind Golf Course, on property at Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass, in a truly unique fashion. Before hitting the green (36 championship holes, to be exact), a guest could begin their morning with a guided horseback ride through the desert.
INTRODUCING THE SHORT COURSE When the highly anticipated Mountain Shadows makes its debut this month in Paradise Valley as will its Short Course, with 18 diverse, par-3 holes. Designed by golf course architect Forrest Richardson, the course will suit the playing needs of all golfers—those of all ages and all levels of expertise. The 34-acre Short Course will be among only a very few 18-hole, high-end, par-3 golf courses in the world that are open to the public.
