The Ultimate Arizona Golf Vacations Guide: Best Courses & Resorts

No time to read now? Click here to download as a PDF.

With spring in full swing, the rising temperatures make it the perfect time to plan Arizona golf vacations and escape to world-class courses under the sun.

If lingering winter weather has kept your clubs in storage, a trip to the desert might be the ideal way to enjoy pristine greens, breathtaking landscapes, and unbeatable playing conditions.

Read more to discover what makes this destination a golferโ€™s paradise.

Arizona golf vacations
Swing in the sun โ€“ Plan perfect Arizona golf vacations.

CONTENTSโ€”In this article, you will discover the best of Arizona golf vacations, including:

Desert Views and Perfect Swings: Why Arizona Is a Golferโ€™s Paradise

With spring officially sprung, the warming weather gives many people the itch to break out their clubs and hit the golf course. If the snow is not melting quite as quickly as you would hope in your area, then it might be time to plan a โ€œgolfcationโ€ and escape to warmer weather. 

Enter the Phoenix/Scottsdale area.

With pristine desert views and countless courses from which to choose, it’s easy to understand why Arizona is a golferโ€™s paradise. 

Here are 7 reasons to inspire you to plan your golf trip to Arizona.

1. World-Renowned Courses

Letโ€™s keep the main thing the main thing: Arizona is a golferโ€™s haven because few areas in the United States can match the sheer quantity of elite courses. 

Between Phoenix and Scottsdale golf courses, there are over 200 prime venues. Whether you are a novice or a professional-level player, you’ll discover multiple options from which to choose.

TPC Scottsdale, Troon North Golf Club, and Grayhawk Golf Club are just a few of the most notable courses in the area, regularly hosting high-profile PGA and NCAA events. 

2. Luxury Accommodations

Part of a first-rate golfcation is being able to kick back and relax in between rounds.

With premier luxury Arizona golf vacation rentals on par (pun intended) with its world-class golf courses, the Phoenix/Scottsdale area is the ideal venue for a comprehensive golfcation experience.

Top-tier luxury Arizona rentals will feature sprawling dimensions for even the largest parties, such as:

  • Resort-style backyards
  • Endless interior amenities
  • Plush designer-inspired furnishings

Among the concierge services available, you’ll choose from some of the best golf packages in Scottsdale. They’ll help you sort through the hundreds of courses in the area to identify the best tee times at the most favorable rates, and offer ideas for dining and entertainment before/after the round. 

3. Year-Round Warm Weather

Golf is a warm-weather sport. Not only is playing in calm, sunny conditions more enjoyable, but it is safer and facilitates sharp play. 

As such, it is strictly a seasonal sport in most areas.

Not so in Arizona. 

With approximately 300 days of sun each year, conditions in the Phoenix area are perfect for golf more often than not.

And when winter causes some courses throughout the country to ice over and close down, the low 70s average temperatures in The Valley keep the tee shots flying year-round!

4. Premier Spa Treatments

Arizonaโ€™s finest golf course
Indulge in Arizonaโ€™s finest spa retreats.

To the casual observer, golf may seem like a sport in name only. After all, what is so challenging about riding a cart and occasionally swinging a club?

Try playing 18 holes.

Golf is uniquely exerting. It requires a level of concentration unlike any other activity. Combined with the up/down, on/off style of play, and a full 18 holes is flat-out exhausting.

The incessant Arizona sun creates additional challenges. Without proper sun protection and ongoing fluid intake, golfers โ€” especially those from out of town โ€” can quickly enter a state of dehydration.

This makes the burgeoning mobile IV therapy scene in the Phoenix area particularly enticing if you’re looking to get your fill of golf. 

“Golfers lose more fluids than they think, especially under the sun. A quick IV drip can restore hydration, boost energy, and keep them sharp through all 18 holes,” says Vanessa Cabrera of Phoenix Mobile IV Therapy.

In addition to mobile IV treatment, the greater Phoenix area is home to some of the worldโ€™s most renowned spas and wellness retreats.

On your Arizona golf vacations, consider booking:

  • Massage
  • Yoga session
  • Acupuncture

All are great ways to recover between rounds.

5. Scenic Desert Backdrop

Arizona Desert Beauty
Desert beauty is everywhere, and stunning scenery enhances every golf game.

One of the great things about golf is its multifaceted nature. Few sports can match its versatility.

For some players, it facilitates fierce competition.

For others, the game itself is secondary to just being outside, spending time with friends. If this sounds like you, you’ll love the scenic desert backdrop. It’s perfect for creating unforgettable memories.

Think: Red mountains, colorful sunrises, and textured canyons. Those are just a few of the stunning features adorning the desert landscape.

Even if a career-best round is not in the cards, a top-notch photo opportunity is a hole-in-one. 

6. Rich Cultural Setting

As already mentioned, the time between rounds is an important component of a golfcation.

When youโ€™re not hanging out at your luxury estate or receiving a world-class spa treatment, The Valley offers countless dining and entertainment options.

Whether you’re indulging in Southwest-inspired eateries or browsing through one of the dozens of local artisan shops in the area, Arizona offers a unique opportunity to take in a dose of the areaโ€™s rich cultural appeal in between rounds. 

7. Diverse Flight Options

Travel is a top priority when planning a golfcation.

Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is one of the nationโ€™s busiest facilities, with hundreds of direct flights servicing all corners of the country.

For more budget-minded travelers, check out the Mesa Gateway Airport.

It’s a smaller terminal that serves as a hub for Allegiant Air, which provides direct flights to other smaller airports throughout the nation. 

Final Thoughts on Arizona Golf Vacations

With year-round warm weather and stunning desert views, Arizona is one of the worldโ€™s premier golf destinations.

So donโ€™t wait: look into luxury accommodation options and start planning your Arizona golfcation today!


Jackie Gately at the beach


About Jackie Gately, editor-IN-CHIEF

I'm Jackie Gately, your travel confidante and the creative force behind Enjoy Travel Life, awarded the "Best Casual-Luxury Lifestyle Blog (USA)" in Travel and Tourism by LUXlife Magazine for four consecutive years.

With 25 years of published expertise, I'm a seasoned writer, editor, and photographer curating inspiring travel guides and lifestyle tips for empty nesters. I hope to kindle your spirit of exploration, encouraging you to overcome obstacles and turn your dreams into reality.

Learn to minimize your pre-travel angst and maximize the joy of exploration with insights from my experiences. Let's make every adventure a celebration of this exciting phase of life! 

Follow my social channels for more inspiration.

Next Steps

For more on Arizona travel adventures, read these articles next: