Scottsdale Blog - Things to do in Scottsdale, Arizona » Golf

A weekend with Natalie Gulbis at Fairmont Scottsdale

Josh Kenzer — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:20:43 +0000

The sensational Fairmont Scottsdale and the TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course are the venues for an amazing weekend of golf with one of the best athletes on the LPGA Tour. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Book today.

Package includes:

• Two nights in a luxuriously appointed Fairmont guest room
• Two full American breakfasts
• Golf demonstration with Natalie Gulbis
• One round of golf at TPC Stadium, where Natalie will play several holes with each foursome
• One welcome reception with Natalie Gulbis at Stone Rose Lounge
• One dinner at BOURBON STEAK with Natalie Gulbis
• Discounts on golf at the TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course
• Discounts on treatments at Willow Stream Spa
• Welcome amenity from adidas

Book Now

What is Overseeding?

Josh Kenzer — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:09:30 +0000

This time of year, many of Scottsdale’s quality golf courses are closed for a week or so for overseeding. So what exactly is overseeding?

When Scottsdale’s summer comes to an end, the bermudagrass that worked so hard in the hotter months starts to go dormant. In order to maintain attractive, well manicured courses, ryegrass seed is laid on top of the bermudagrass. The ryegrass starts to take hold and flourish as the bermuda goes completely dormant. This will happen again, in reverse, in the spring. This process is usually a six week process, but most courses will stay closed for only a week or two.

Tips for playing during overseeding:

Call ahead and make sure the course is not closed during your planned trip to Scottsdale
Due to the process of overseeding, expect the course to be well watered, and therefore play slower than normal
Expect greens to be well sanded and play slower as well

Many times, due to these conditions, courses will offer a discounted rate. Be sure to ask!

For more information on Scottsdale’s golf courses, check out our Golf section on ExperienceScottsdale.com.

Cactus on the Course

Josh Kenzer — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:42:40 +0000

A selection of flickr photos showcasing the beauty that desert cactus provide on Scottsdale golf courses. Just look out, they are a literal golf hazard.

Stan Utley Bends a Wedge in the Golf Shop

Josh Kenzer — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:32:41 +0000

You happen to be walking through the Golf Shop at Grayhawk and what do you see…Stan Utley bending a wedge for a customer!

Tee up at McCormick Ranch Golf Club

Mitchell Tay — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:03:01 +0000

McCormick Ranch Golf Club

If you’re looking for a challenging but enjoyable golf course consider the McCormick Ranch Golf Club conveniently located on Scottsdale Rd and McCormick Parkway. The Palm and Pine course each offer championship tees totaling more than 7,000 yards. But whether you’re a novice, amateur, or professional these courses are very playable for any skill level.

Josh, Josh (not a typo), Lauren, and myself made it out to the Pine course on a lovely but warm morning. You’ll notice the names of these courses are not random as the Pine course is filled with Pine trees and the Palm course has many Palm trees (go figure!). McCormick Ranch Golf Club has a large practice area for putting and pitching as well as a nice driving range which I unfortunately didn’t have time to check out since I arrived without any practice time. Basing my judgment off the score card the Pine course seemed to be slightly easier to play. Playing the Pine course’s many holes were relatively forgiving on the fairways if you had a bad tee shot and decent size greens. I did find the GPS distance reader from the hole on each of the golf carts to be helpful. Just drive the golf cart near where your ball is and the device will inform you how many yards away you are from the green. There were also five water holes which made the course more exciting and challenging. I would have to say my favorite hole on the Pine course is #15. This 470 yard hole has two areas in which you need to clear over the water. However, the green, though slightly padded by the rough, is almost completely surrounded by water so be cautious. Overall, this course definitely gave me a challenge but I’m definitely looking forward to playing the Palm course another day.

McCormick Ranch Golf Club also offers a restaurant and lounge in the clubhouse and a convenient hot dog stand for a mid- or post-game snack. Additionally the clubhouse can accommodate private parties of any size with a banquet room and large outdoor pavilion.

From now until Sept. 10, McCormick Ranch Golf Club is offering 18 holes for $34 before 11:00am and only $29 after 2:00pm. That’s a deal for such a great course.

Calling All Ladies! Need a “Girls” Golf Trip?

Josh Kenzer — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:46:30 +0000

Join OB Sports in Arizona for the OB Sports Women’s Scottsdale Shootout held at Eagle Mountain Golf Club and Longbow Golf Club on September 9 – 11th, 2009. Twenty two-person teams will have the opportunity to participate in the OB Sports Women’s Shootout! Packages include tournament fees, lodging and much more.

Download a PDF with all the Details or visit the Official Site.

Scottsdale’s Golf Celebrity Connections

Josh Kenzer — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 22:50:43 +0000

With nearly 200 area golf courses, 330 days of sunshine per year and an extensive list of award-winning clubs, Scottsdale draws golf lovers from around the world looking to play on the greens where their favorite pros have left their mark. Hit the links on courses designed by some of the biggest names in golf like We-Ko-Pa Golf Club’s Saguaro Course, created by golf legend Ben Crenshaw and architect Bill Coore and winner of numerous awards like Golfweek magazine’s “Top Public-Access Course in Arizona.” There’s also Troon North which was designed by Tom Weiskopf and helped the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale garner the title of one of the “Top 10 Best Golf Resorts in the World” by Travel + Leisure Golf.

And the big names aren’t just building courses – they’re playing them, too. Celebrities of the Hollywood kind have graced the greens of several Scottsdale courses. Each year, you can find the likes of Justin Timberlake, Kevin Costner and Bill Murray working on their swings at TPC Scottsdale for the annual FBR Open Silver Pro-Am. Other stars that have taken their rounds on area courses include Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley and Wayne Gretzky. And then there are those who love Scottsdale so much that they decided to call the world’s finest golf destination home. PGA TOUR professional Gary McCord lives in the Valley and can be seen putting at Grayhawk Golf Club, where he and Peter Kostis teach golf skills at the learning center. Other golf pros that can be spotted around town include Andrew Magee, Gary McCord and Kirk Triplett.

Scottsdale Golf, Spa Packages Right on Par

Josh Kenzer — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 21:42:52 +0000

InterContinental Montelucia

The InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa may not have a golf course on property but that doesn’t mean you can’t have the Ultimate Golf & Spa Getaway. Test your skills with two rounds of golf per day at some of Scottsdale’s top courses including Troon North , Talking Stick , We-Ko-Pa and Grayhawk golf clubs or pamper yourself with two 60-minute spa treatments at Joya Spa each day. Also included is a guided hike up Camelback Mountain, daily breakfast for two and a fourth night of accommodations for free. The package starts at $310 per night and is available thru Dec. 31, 2009.

The Practice to Pamper package is the perfect combination of indulging and coaching to improve your game. Women golfers enjoy luxury accommodations at the Fairmont Scottsdale, a two-hour lesson at TPC Scottsdale’s TOUR Academy followed by a relaxing 60-minute golf performance massage at Willow Stream – The Spa at Fairmont Scottsdale. The package starts at $489 per person and is available year-round.

Fairmont Scottsdale

The Suite Golf & Spa Experience at Gainey Suites Hotel showcases some of Scottsdale’s finest in golf, spa and dining with a round of golf at Starfire Golf Club, McCormick Ranch Golf Club or TPC Scottsdale; a 60-minute spa treatment at the Spa at Gainey Village; and a $50 food voucher for the Village Tavern. At the hotel, enjoy studio suite accommodations, daily breakfast, and an evening beer and wine reception. The package starts at $259 and is available thru Dec. 31, 2009.

Scotch, Music and Caddies – Not Your Father’s Golf Game

Josh Kenzer — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 21:37:23 +0000

Scottsdale courses are putting a hip, young spin on the traditional game with cool offerings such as the Scottish Golf Experience at Kierland Golf Club. To honor Scottish immigrants who helped develop Arizona and make the game truly authentic, don rented kilts and enjoy Johnnie Walker beverages while perfecting your swing. Finish your round as bagpipes signal the end of the day and the start of the Scottish Pipes at Sunset Series, where Bagpiper Michael McClanathan creates the melodic tunes of Old World Scotland at the Dreamweaver Canyon fire pit.

Hole 7 overlooking Kierland Resort and Hole 9

If there was one course in Scottsdale deemed edgy, Grayhawk Golf Club would be it. Not only can you swing to rock music on the practice range, but the course also has featured live tunes by EastonAshe on the patio. If clothing is your thing, check out the pro shop offering the latest golf threads from PUMA and Oakley. And coming soon to a television near you, the newest commercial from Scottsdale-based domain company Go Daddy was filmed at Grayhawk Golf Club. Stay tuned to see if it is as scandalous as their Super Bowl advertisements.

Wanna play like the pros at the FBR Open, A.K.A. the “Greatest Show on Grass?” Hit from the same tees as Phil and Tiger on TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course with the Forecaddie Experience and find out what it’s like to be a TOUR player. Caddies carry your bags, offer shot selection advice, rake bunkers, read greens and much more. Plus, get the insider’s perspective of the history and heritage of golf and the TOUR. And don’t miss the plaques inside the clubhouse commemorating the top moments of the Open’s history – JB Holmes monster drive on 18 two years ago, Tiger’s “loose impediment” that took help from the fans to move and Andrew Magee’s hole-in-one on a par four, just to name a few.

TPC Scottsdale

Frys.com Open: Get Close to Greatness With Fall PGA Event

Josh Kenzer — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:28:37 +0000

The PGA TOUR returns to Scottsdale this fall for the Frys.com Open at Grayhawk Golf Club Oct. 21-25. All four rounds of the Open will be broadcast on The Golf Channel with Cameron Beckman returning to defend his 2008 championship title. The $5 million purse includes $900,000 for the winner of the 132-player tournament. This year, Frys.com is adding a third Pro-Am event, the Fry’s and Friends Fore Adoption Pro-Am – the first-ever couples event of its kind to be played on the PGA TOUR taking place on Oct. 19 with proceeds benefiting the Fore Adoption Foundation. And if you’re an Arizona resident or company looking to get in on the action, make sure to take advantage of the 15 percent discount on all Pro-Ams, skyboxes and Greenskeeper packages that the Frys.com Open is offering through July 31.