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

Local Luminaries: Stan Utley

Josh Kenzer — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:18:24 +0000

Each year, Experience Scottsdale profiles a selection of local celebrities, from restaurateurs and sports figures to artists and adventurers for our Destination Guide. We invite you to meet this year’s luminaries and find out what they have to say about living, working and enjoying life in Scottsdale.

Stan Utley is golf instructor at Scottsdale’s Grayhawk Golf Club.

Request your free destination guide for Scottsdale, Arizona today!

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.

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.

Great Time to Golf at Westin Kierland

Mitchell Tay — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:05:34 +0000

For those of you who haven’t golfed at the Westin Kierland, this is one course to put on your list to play. The Kierland Golf Club provides a superb golfing experience with three 18-hole combinations to choose from, a shaded driving range (which is especially great during the summer time), golf carts with air conditioning or Segways with golf bag holsters.

Josh, Adam, and myself made some time to check out the beautiful course over at the Kierland Golf Club. We were all pretty excited to test our skills on this champion style golf course, but I wouldn’t call any of us great golfers. Any first timer golfing at Kierland should play their Acacia 9-hole course. The ‘backyard’ of the resort overlooks holes 7 and 9, which best showcase the green. The scenery from those two holes is absolutely beautiful. The other two 9-holes are Mesquite and Ironwood. These courses are very hilly, which can be fairly forgiving on some holes and fairly challenging on others, yet still very enjoyable to play. Kierland is definitely a course to check out if you’re from out of town or even a local Arizona resident! I definitely recommend it!

The Kierland Golf Club also offers other great services and experiences such as golf instructions and fitness, club fitting, family clinics, and even a Scottish Golf Experience!

Summer rates are really attractive. From now until September 13, 2009 rates are:
$70 Monday – Thursday
$80 Friday – Sunday
$45 “Day of” 9-Hole Rate
$55 Twilight after 2:00pm
$35 Super Twilight after 4:00pm

Please call the Kierland Golf Club for details and other specials they have going on at 480-922-9283 or visit their website

Here are some photos from day:

Here are a few more photos posted on Flickr.

Swing Into Summer With New Callaway Package at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North

Josh Kenzer — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:31:07 +0000

Swing Into Summer With New Callaway Package at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North

Players can elevate their golf game this summer – while keeping value top of mind – with the new Callaway Golf Getaway package at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North.

The Callaway Golf Getaway package includes:

Two-night stay for two in casita guest room accommodations
One round of golf per person at Troon North Golf Club
One personalized club fitting per person at the Callaway Performance Center
$300 credit in Callaway equipment per person, featuring items such as drivers, irons, wedges and putters

June 1 – Sept. 13, 2009 - Rates start at $270 per night, single occupancy, $420 per night, double occupancy.

For additional information on the Callaway Golf Getaway package, call (480) 513-5039 or toll-free, (888) 207-9696 or book online at www.fourseasons.com/scottsdale.

Golfweek Features Troon North Golf Club

Josh Kenzer — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 20:54:59 +0000

Troon North Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona

Josh Kenzer — Wed, 27 May 2009 17:14:46 +0000

The Phoenician Tees up Great Value for Resort Guests and Local Residents With Summer Golf Package

Josh Kenzer — Fri, 08 May 2009 18:14:20 +0000

The Phoenician, Arizona’s premier AAA Five Diamond resort destination, is teeing up exceptional value and unforgettable experiences with its new Summer Golf Package for two.

Available seven days a week from June 1 through Sept. 7, 2009, the offer includes luxurious guestroom accommodations; a convenient grab-n-go breakfast or lunch each day; and daily unlimited play on The Phoenician’s USGA Championship course. Rates start at just $199 per night.

To book the Summer Golf Package, please call (480) 941-8200 and mention promotional code “LOCPKG2” or visit www.thephoenician.com.

Recipient of the 2007 World Travel Award as North America’s Leading Golf Resort, The Phoenician is home to a USGA Championship course that offers both challenge and diversity. In addition, 27,000 square feet of first-class practice facilities provide golfers with a variety of resources for improving their game, including a full-service driving range, a chipping green and oversized putting green. Golfers can also take advantage of The Phoenician Golf Academy, which features private and semi-private instruction with state-of-the-art video and computer analysis.

New this year is The Titleist Performance Institute Experience (TPI), which combines golf instruction with physical fitness. Led by The Phoenician’s PGA- and TPI-certified Director of Instruction Michael Lamanna, students receive a comprehensive golf-specific fitness evaluation; a golf swing evaluation; a take-home CD and practice plan; and a personalized golf fitness program to improve performance. The 1.5 hour program is offered at $200 per person.