Luxury Golf at Bargain Prices - Places To Play

Written by: Charlotte Wells

12:24 PM PST - 10/2/2008

Does the phrase “high-end value golf” tickle your fancy? Have you always thought that the two were mutually exclusive (meaning you couldn't have your cake and eat it too!)?

Well, you can have both as long as you are willing to play it a little 'hot' in the Arizona desert in the summer.

The traveling foursome set out to discover the beautiful (and most of the time expensive) golf courses that we longed to play but not pay……….that is pay a lot! We decided on three that we had heard so much about: TPC Scottsdale Stadium course, Troon North's new Monument course, and The Boulders North course.

The TPC Stadium course is the home of the PGA Tour's FBR Open. You remember, it's the tournament where Tiger hit a hole-in-one that produced a roar from hole #16 that the pilots in the blimp could hear! It's also where Andrew Magee had the only ace on a par-4 in PGA history at the 339-yard par-4 17th hole. Very few places in the country allow the general public to play a course where a professional golf event is regularly held.

We envisioned ourselves playing in front of the record crowds that the FBR Open attracts and even tipped our hats and waved to the phantom crowds a couple of times.

Surprisingly, the TPC Scottsdale is a very playable course off the tee, with the main challenge being on and around the greens. TPC Scottsdale attracts the summer golfer with several specials. The one we think is extra special is one that runs throughout the month of August that offers 36 holes for $99! Play a morning round at TPC Champions Course, lunch at Champions Grill, and finish with an afternoon round on the TPC Stadium Course. Good Sunday through Thursday, this is a sweet summer deal.

Upscale golfing doesn't get any better in Scottsdale than at Troon North Monument course and Pinnacle course. Tom Weiskopf and Jay Moorish designed both the courses here and each has received recognition as a Top 100 course by Golf Digest, Golfweek, and Conde Nast Traveler. The courses wrap around the northern slopes of the landmark Pinnacle Peak and present unmatched Sonoran desert and mountain views.

We played the Monument course during our visit, and it was in immaculate shape. With five tee boxes ranging in yardage from 5099 to 7070 every golfer is accommodated. Although the greens were fast, they were true. With special rates in the summer, you just gotta go! For example during high season (February to April*) the weekend rate is $295 per round. The summer season (June to September*) the rates drop to a range of $90 to $45 depending on time of day.

The breathtaking scenery award goes to The Boulders Resort. The courses (North and South) are located on 1,300 acres of pristine Sonoran desert and are set amid 12-million-year-old boulders and hundred-year-old Saguaros!

We also found the North course greens to be fast but true. It's not an easy test as the slope ranges from 137 to 124 for the men and 131 to 114 for the ladies even though the distance ranges only from 4900 to 6811 yards. The fantastic facilities and course conditions made for a wonderful round of golf.

The Boulders is truly a destination resort with the award winning Golden Door Spa and wonderful dining. Their summer packages include golf and spa or just golf specials for both courses. For instance, one special lists the room rates as low as $129. Summer golf rates (June to September*) range from $90 to $55 based on day of the week and time of day.

The traveling foursome has but a few suggestions to make summer desert golf the most enjoyable as well as thrifty golf you'll experience: Stay hydrated. Wear a hat. Apply plenty of sunscreen and lip balm. HAVE FUN.

*Check websites or golf shops listed below for actual dates and rates.

TROON NORTH

10320 E. Dynamite Blvd.

Scottsdale, Az. 85262

888-876-6687

http://www.troonnorthgolf.com

THE BOULDERS RESORT AND GOLDEN DOOR SPA

34631 N. Tom Darlington Dr.

Carefree, Az. 85377

866-397-6520

http://www.theboulders.com

TPC SCOTTSDALE