- Golf is big business. Golf is a big economic engine for Scottsdale and the state, pumping $3.4 billion into Arizona’s economy annually. The Arizona golf industry employs nearly 20,000 people, and golf generates approximately $80 million a year in taxes (Arizona Golf Industry Economic & Environmental Report). The largest golf event in terms of attendance, the PGA TOUR’s Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, accounts for approximately $222 million of the annual business and raised more than an estimated $7.1 million for Arizona charities in 2014.
- Scottsdale has a lot of golf courses. Made up of more than 220,000 people, Scottsdale has 51 golf courses within the city limits and more than 200 in the surrounding area. In fact, 14 of the top 30 golf courses in the state (according to Golf Magazine’s2012“Best Public Golf Courses in Arizona”) are located in Scottsdale, a larger portion of the state’s top-ranked courses than any other municipality in the nation.
- Golf in Arizona is a better steward of the land than you might think. According to the Arizona Golf Industry Economic & Environmental Report, Arizona’s approximately 340 courses account for just 2 percent of the state’s water consumption. The golf industry invests hundreds of millions of dollars on water-saving measures, devices and products. Plus, Audubon International has recognized several Scottsdale courses for their efforts to protect the environment by enhancing precious natural areas and wildlife habitats, including TPC Scottsdale, Kierland Golf Club, Talking Stick Golf Club, Camelback Golf Club and Troon North Golf Club.
- Scottsdale hosts the “Greatest and Greenest Show on Grass.” The 2014 Waste Management Phoenix Open was held Jan. 27 – Feb. 2 at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course, the tournament’s host since 1989. The golf course’s innovative stadium-style seating provides ample unobstructed views of the action that helped the tournament grow into the most-attended event on the PGA TOUR – each year hosting more than 500,000 golf fans. The 2014 event set a new overall tournament and PGA TOUR attendance record of 563,008, as well as a new single-day attendance record during Saturday’s 3rd round with 189,722 fans on hand. As the galleries swelled, the fun-filled lifestyle aspect followed suit with entertainment at the Birds Nest, where thousands of fans rock out to national headline music acts and local bands. But don’t forget about 132 of the world’s best professional golfers who were there slugging it out for their share of the $6.2 million purse and the $1.16 million first-place check.
- It’s a great place to fine-tune your game. Scottsdale’s expert in the equipment side of performance enhancement, Cool Clubs, provides the same custom club fitting services enjoyed by professional golfers with the ability to identify, recommend and custom-build the right equipment for any golf swing. You can also find an incredible array of top-notch golf instructors in Scottsdale. The city is home to six of “The Best Teachers in America,” according to Golf Digest’s 2013-14 list. They include No. 3 Jim McLean at SunRidge Canyon Golf Club, No. 14 Stan Utley at Grayhawk Golf Club, No. 17 Pia Nilsson and No. 25 Lynn Marriott at Talking Stick Golf Club, No. 31 Peter Kostis at Grayhawk Golf Club, and No. 35 Mike LaBauve at Kierland Golf Club.
- Home to “Top 100 Courses You Can Play.” Scottsdale is home to six of the“Top 100 Courses You Can Play” according to Golf Magazine’s 2012 rankings. Grayhawk Golf Club’s Talon Course was ranked at No. 99. Thanks to the renovations by Tom Weiskopf, both Troon North Golf Club courses made the list. The Monument Course came in at No. 52, and the Pinnacle Course was ranked No. 20. Both We-Ko-Pa Golf Club courses made the cut as well; Cholla ranks No. 37 and Saguaro No. 40. Lastly, The Boulders South Course came in at No. 93.
- We cater to the luxury golf traveler. Scottsdale boasts an impressive array of luxury golf resorts, more than any other golf destination in North America. The Phoenician, centrally located in Scottsdale’s downtown, hasthree 9-hole tracks. The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, adjacent to Kierland Commons, also incorporates three 9-hole courses. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is home to the famous TPC Scottsdale, host of the PGA TOUR’s Waste Management Phoenix Open. And in North Scottsdale, you’ll find the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North and The Boulders, A Waldof Astoria Resort. Both offer 36-hole facilities with courses that regularly rank as Arizona’s best.
- There’s plenty of action off the course. Scottsdale provides the perfect sun-filled playground for kicking back at a luxury resort, unwinding at a relaxing spa, hiking and biking in the Sonoran Desert, or checking out one of the city’s hip bars and nightclubs. Described as “a desert version of Miami’s South Beach” by The New York Times, downtown Scottsdale is urban chic and the place locals go for entertainment. Here, you can experience chef-driven restaurants, sizzling nightlife, fine art galleries and unparalleled shopping. Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter (across the street from Kierland Golf Club) also provide plenty of nightly sizzle for even the most discerning visitors.
- Golf in Scottsdale isn’t your father’s game. As the times change, so does the golf in Scottsdale. In November 2013, the 18-hole Ambiente debuted at Camelback Golf Club as the destination’s newest high-end course. It follows on the heels of McDowell Mountain Golf Club (formerly Sanctuary Golf Club), which was purchased by Phil Mickelson and Steve Loy and completed a minor course renovation and major clubhouse overhaul. The ever-hip Grayhawk Golf Club added another inviting food option – Isabella’s Kitchen – featuring American Italian favorites. And for the kids who play, Troon North Golf Club and the Boulders Golf Club are growing the game with their Monument Express and Pebble Tee programs, effectively shortening the course using a new set of tees to encourage a fun experience.
- You can save a buck or two in the shoulder seasons. Every vacation market on the planet has a peak season when demand and rates are at their highest. For Scottsdale, it’s January through April. Those wishing to experience the city’s golf on a budget can take advantage of excellent values in the shoulder seasons. Mid-October through December marks the fall shoulder season when a lush green blanket of new ryegrass covers the golf course, cool fall temps have replaced the heat of summer and lodging rates have yet to climb to their peak-season levels. Late April through mid-June marks the summer shoulder season, at which time the Bermuda grass starts to take hold. This can result in some browning, but the overall surface is still very good and the lack of humidity results in moderate weather.
