Golfing around… Phoenix

1. THE BOULDERS

• Where is it? 50km north-east of Phoenix.
• What’s it like? The Boulders is an exclusive Waldorf Astoria desert hideaway resort. As the name suggests, it’s located among dramatic rocks, where the Sonoran desert meets the fringes of the sprawling city. This is wild animal territory, home to coyote, rattlers and even the occasional bobcat. Local lore has it that if a coyote runs off with your ball, you get a free drop at the point of departure. Meanwhile, the rabbits nibble on, even as you tee off a couple of metres from their heads – not so surprising, given that fairways and greens are succulent oases in such an arid environment. The development is property-led, with low-rise homes along the courses and long cart paths. Strategy is vital to avoid the dry washes – dried up water beds filled with scrub – that split up many fairways. The hotel has spacious rooms and a choice of restaurants, with Palo Verde ideal for less formal meals.
• Contact 34,831 North Tom Darlington Drive, Carefree; tel +1 480 488 9028; thebouldersclub.com
• Price US$175-275 Dec-Apr; seasonal reductions at other times.
• Club hire Nike VR Pro, US$70.
• Club hours 6.30am-7.30pm summer, 7am-6pm winter.
• Minimum handicap None
• Facilities South: 18 holes, 6,726yds, par 71. North: 18 holes, 6,811yds, par 72. The Boulders Academy, driving range, practice area and putting greens.
• After the golf Bogey’s (6.30am-9pm) is a classy 19th hole. The hotel has a spa, eight tennis courts, four pools, and can arrange activities such as biking.

2. LEGEND TRAIL

• Where is it? 56km north-east of Phoenix.
• What’s it like? A well-maintained public course with similar terrain to Boulders, at a lower price. Dominated by Pinnacle Peak, it has a variety of tee boxes to provide a fair test for players of all levels. With no on-site accommodation and an Old West ambience, it is more like a British golf club than most nearby.
• Contact 9,462 East Legendary Lane, Scottsdale; tel +1 480 488 7434; legendtrailgc.com
• Price US$125-170 Fri-Sun; US$110-150 Mon-Thurs. Buggy included.
• Club hire Nike, US$55.
• Club hours 6.30am-6pm (8am in winter).
• Minimum handicap None
• Facilities 18-hole course, 6,845yds, par 72. John Jacobs/Shelby Futch golf academy, driving range, practice area and putting green.
• After the golf The Cantina bar-restaurant (7am-4pm) has a log fire that is popular on chilly winter mornings, as well as a terrace.

3. GRAYHAWK

• Where is it? 40km north-east of Phoenix.
• What’s it like? With two public courses, Talon (1994) and Raptor (1995), Grayhawk is at the top of the list for local low handicappers. One of the first to play here was US pro Phil Mickelson, a student at Arizona State University when he became friends with the owners in the 1990s – Phil’s Grill is a testament to their affection. With raised greens and water on a couple of holes, Talon is a typically American test. Tom Fazio’s Raptor is predominantly desert, with undulating fairways lined with saguaro cacti and mesquite trees and a large lake at the 18th.
• Contact 8,620 East Thompson Peak Parkway, Scottsdale; tel +1 480 502 1800; grayhawkgolf.com
• Price April-Sept: 18 holes US$60-185, twilight US$60-100, 36 holes US$95-260. Check online from next month for Oct-March rates. Includes buggy and range balls.
• Club hire Ping, US$65.
• Club hours 7am until sunset (8am in winter).
• Minimum handicap None
• Facilities Talon: 18 holes, 6,973yds, par 72. Raptor: 18 holes, 7,135yds, par 72. Driving range, practice area and putting green.
• After the golf A choice between Phil’s Grill and Quail Creek Café (both 11am-9pm). Early birds can catch breakfast at the snack bar from 6.30am.

4. TOURNAMENT PLAYERS CLUB

• Where is it? 32km north-east of Phoenix.
• What’s it like? The Waste Management Phoenix Open is not the most glamorous of titles, but crowds of half a million justify its nickname, the Greatest Show on Grass. The PGA tournament is played on the Stadium course, designed for the purpose by Jay Morrish and Tom Weiskopf. As the leaders tackle the final stretch, the party at the 16th hole rises to a crescendo that would horrify British officials. For the remaining 51 weeks, the public course is open to the likes of you and me. And very enjoyable it is too – a varied test with a full complement of water hazards set against a mountain backdrop. The Champions course, designed as a cheaper alternative for local residents, is a rewarding option for higher handicappers.
• Contact 17,020 North Hayden Road, Scottsdale; tel +1 480 585 4334; tpc.com
• Price Stadium: US$75-160 May-Oct; US$199-299 Nov-April. Champions: seasonal rates US$60-139. All rates include buggy, practice balls and strokesaver. Stadium winter rates include a forecaddie (one compulsory per group Nov-April). Personal caddie US$100.
• Club hire Callaway/Taylor Made/Nike, US$75.
• Club hours Daylight hours – approximately 6.30am-7pm in summer, 8am-6pm in winter.
• Minimum handicap None
• Facilities Stadium: 18 holes, 7,216yds, par 71. Champions: 18 holes, 7,115yds, par 71. Driving range, practice area and putting greens.
• After the golf The Grill has a long bar and wide terraces overlooking the 18th green.

5. THE PHOENICIAN

• Where is it? 13km east of Phoenix.
• What’s it like? Flowerbeds don’t come more splendid than those around the Phoenician’s clubhouse, a riot of tropical colour that is echoed by palm-fringed fairways on the Oasis and Desert courses. The Canyon is hillier, but the three loops represent resort golf at its most manicured. Impressive water features give players with ball extractors the chance to gather ones abandoned by the hackers who went before them. The immaculate green-keeping fits in with the ethos of an ambitious resort close to the city. The hotel has 643 luxurious rooms, many with views of Camelback Mountain. The afternoon tea, served in the lobby from 2pm, is beloved by Phoenix families. Golf widows hang out in the Oasis Pool Bar and Grille, while lads gather in the Thirsty Camel for cocktails and jazz (3pm-1am).
• Contact 6,000 East Camelback Road, Scottsdale; tel +1 480 423 2450; golfthephoenician.com
• Price 18 holes from US$60 May-Oct; from US$199 Nov-April.
• Club hire Callaway, US$65 (includes six new balls).
• Club hours 7am until dark.
• Minimum handicap None
• Facilities Three loops of nine: Oasis 3,202yds, par 35; Desert 3,060yds, par 35; Canyon 3,008yds, par 35. Driving range, practice area and putting green.
• After the golf Relish Burger Bistro has terraces overlooking the course. The extensive Phoenician tequila collection provides raw material for the daily happy hour (3.30pm-6pm). At ground level, the 19th Hole serves breakfast from 6.30am.