There’s a moment on a pristine Arizona golf course, just as the early morning sun crests over the desert mountains, when the world feels perfect. The air is cool and crisp, the emerald fairways stand in stunning contrast to the rugged desert landscape, and the only sound is the satisfying thwack of a well-struck drive. As a golf travel writer who has had the privilege of playing the world’s most iconic courses, I can tell you that Arizona offers a golf experience that is simply unparalleled. But the secret to unlocking a truly great Arizona golf vacation isn’t just playing a great course; it’s about crafting a seamless, immersive, and value-packed experience. This is the world of golf resort packages in arizona, and this is your definitive guide to mastering it.
The “Stay and Play” Advantage: Why a Package is the Smartest Bet
The first mistake many golfers make is booking their hotel and their tee times separately. An Arizona golf package, often called a “Stay and Play” deal, bundles your accommodations and your golf into a single, often heavily discounted, price. This integrated approach offers a wealth of advantages.
The Power of the Package: Unlocking Value
- Significant Cost Savings: Hotels and courses have a symbiotic relationship. The hotel wants to fill its rooms, and the course wants to fill its tee sheet. By partnering, they can offer a bundled rate that is almost always cheaper than booking each component à la carte.
- Preferred Tee Times: Resorts that own their own courses or have strong partnerships with nearby clubs can offer their package guests access to the most desirable morning tee times, which are often blocked off from the general public.
- Convenience and Simplicity: A package deal is a one-stop shop. It eliminates the hassle of coordinating bookings at multiple venues. Your resort’s golf concierge handles all the details, leaving you free to focus on your game.
Deconstructing the Offer: What’s Included in a Golf Package?
A standard arizona golf packages stay and play deal will typically include:
- Nightly accommodations at the resort.
- One round of golf per person, per night of stay.
- Green fees, cart fees, and often range balls.
The best packages go further, bundling in extras like a daily breakfast, a resort credit for dining or spa services, or club storage and cleaning.
Who Are These Packages For?
While perfect for the dedicated golf traveler, these packages are also fantastic for:
- Couples: Many resorts offer packages that combine golf for one partner with a spa treatment for the other.
- Corporate Groups: They provide a simple and impressive way to organize a corporate golf outing.
- Buddy Trips: A package is the easiest way to coordinate a multi-day golf trip for a group of friends.
Scottsdale: The Undisputed Epicenter of Desert Golf
Scottsdale is to desert golf what St. Andrews is to links golf. It is the heartland, a world-famous destination with an incredible concentration of immaculate courses and luxurious resorts. This is the prime territory for finding the best scottsdale arizona golf resort packages.
The Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale
The Boulders is an experience in itself. The resort is seamlessly integrated into a breathtaking landscape of ancient, 12-million-year-old granite boulder formations.
- The Vibe: Serene, spiritual, and deeply connected to the desert landscape.
- The Golf: The resort features two Jay Morrish-designed championship courses. The South Course is famous for its dramatic holes that play directly through and around the massive boulder formations, including a green set against a stunning “Boulder Pile.”
- The Packages: The Boulders is renowned for its excellent stay and play packages, which often include breakfast and access to the resort’s world-class spa.
The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort
After a massive redesign, The Phoenician now boasts a stunning, cohesive 18-hole course that flows through the property at the base of Camelback Mountain.
- The Vibe: Grand, polished, and impeccably luxurious.
- The Golf: The new course is pristine, challenging, and offers fantastic views. The convenience of having the first tee just steps from the hotel lobby is a major advantage.
- The Amenities: A stay here gives you access to a stunning multi-tiered pool complex, a three-story spa, and multiple high-end dining options.
Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North
Perched in the high Sonoran Desert, the Four Seasons offers a more secluded, residential-style experience with privileged access to two of the most famous courses in Arizona.
- The Vibe: Understated elegance, flawless service, and breathtaking desert vistas.
- The Golf: The resort has a partnership with the legendary Troon North Golf Club, giving its guests preferred access to the Monument and Pinnacle courses, both consistently ranked among the best public courses in the country.
- The Packages: The resort’s golf concierge can create bespoke packages that include multiple rounds at Troon North and other top-tier Scottsdale courses.
Tucson and Beyond: Exploring Arizona’s Other Golf Havens
While Scottsdale gets the most attention, fantastic golf resort experiences can be found throughout the state.
The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain (Tucson)
Nestled in the Tortolita Mountains just north of Tucson, this resort offers a secluded and dramatic desert golf experience.
- The Vibe: A luxurious and tranquil desert sanctuary.
- The Golf: The resort features three nine-hole loops designed by Jack Nicklaus, which were the former home of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. Playing the same holes as the PGA Tour pros is a huge draw for serious golfers.
The Wigwam, Litchfield Park
A historic landmark near Phoenix, The Wigwam offers a more traditional, parkland-style golf experience, a rarity in the desert.
- The Vibe: Classic, historic, and family-friendly.
- The Golf: It is the only resort in Arizona with three 18-hole championship courses, including two designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones, Sr. The famous Gold Course is a true classic test of golf.
A Comparative Glance at Arizona’s Premier Golf Resorts
| Resort | Location | Vibe | Course Style | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Boulders | Scottsdale | Serene & Natural | Dramatic Desert Target Golf | A unique, landscape-integrated experience |
| The Phoenician | Scottsdale | Grand & Luxurious | Pristine Resort Parkland | Convenience and luxury amenities |
| Four Seasons Scottsdale | Scottsdale | Secluded & Upscale | Access to top-ranked public courses | The ultimate “golfer’s getaway” |
| The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain | Tucson | Tranquil & High Desert | PGA Tour-level challenge | Serious golfers, a quiet escape |
| The Wigwam | Litchfield Park | Historic & Traditional | Classic Parkland | Golf purists, variety of courses |
Finding Unlimited Golf Packages Arizona
For the truly obsessed golfer, the holy grail is the “unlimited golf” package. This offer allows you to play as many holes as you can fit into a day for a single, set price.
The Summer Secret: The Best Time for Unlimited Deals
The key to finding unlimited golf packages arizona is to travel during the summer. From June to September, the Arizona heat is intense, and the courses are much less crowded. To attract players, many resorts will offer fantastic deals that include:
- Unlimited golf for the day (often after an initial morning round).
- Deeply discounted room rates.
- Resort credits to be used for food and beverage.
Where to Look for These Deals
- The Wigwam: With its 54 holes, The Wigwam is famous for offering some of the best summer unlimited packages in the state.
- Westin Kierland Resort & Spa: This Scottsdale resort often features summer packages that include unlimited play on its fun and inventive 27-hole course.
- Check Direct: These offers are almost always found on the hotel’s own website, under a “Special Offers” or “Packages” tab. They are rarely available on third-party booking sites.
The Best Arizona Golf Packages for Couples
A golf trip doesn’t have to be just for the golfer. The best resorts are masters at creating packages that cater to couples with different interests.
The “Golf and Spa” Package
This is the classic and most popular couples’ package. It typically includes:
- One round of golf for one person.
- One 50- or 60-minute spa treatment for the other person.
- Often includes a daily breakfast for two.
Resorts That Excel for Couples
- The Boulders: The spa here is world-class, offering a tranquil desert sanctuary that is the perfect counterpoint to a day on the links. This makes it a top choice for arizona golf packages for couples.
- Sanctuary Camelback Mountain: While it doesn’t have its own course, this ultra-romantic resort has partnerships with several nearby courses and one of the best spas in the country, making it easy to create a custom golf and spa getaway.
Finding Value: The Quest for Cheap Arizona Golf Packages
While Arizona is known for luxury, it is possible to find fantastic golf vacations on a more modest budget.
The Shoulder Season Strategy
The “shoulder seasons” of late spring (May-early June) and fall (October-November) offer a fantastic balance. The weather is still beautiful, but the peak season crowds (and prices) of the winter and early spring have subsided. You can often find packages for 20-30% less than you would in February or March.
Look Beyond Scottsdale
While Scottsdale has the highest concentration of famous courses, you can find incredible value by looking at resorts in other parts of the state. The courses and resorts in the suburbs of Phoenix (like at The Wigwam) or in Tucson often offer a similar quality of golf and accommodation at a significantly lower price point.
Conclusion
An Arizona golf vacation is a pilgrimage for any serious player. The combination of perfect weather, stunning desert landscapes, and an incredible collection of world-class courses creates an experience that is second to none. But the secret to elevating that experience from a series of tee times into a truly seamless and memorable escape lies in the power of the golf resort package. By bundling your stay and your play, you unlock not just significant financial value, but the priceless luxury of convenience. From the dramatic beauty of The Boulders to the historic charm of The Wigwam, your perfect desert fairway awaits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best time of year for a golf trip to Arizona?
The absolute best weather for golf is from February to April. The temperatures are perfect, and the courses are in pristine condition after overseeding. However, this is also the most expensive time. For the best value, consider the shoulder seasons of October-November and late April-May.
What does “overseeding” mean and how does it affect my trip?
Overseeding is the process where desert courses, which have summer-dormant Bermuda grass, are seeded with winter rye grass to keep them green and lush during the peak season. This process typically happens from late September to early October. During this time, many courses will close for 2-4 weeks, or operate on a “cart path only” basis. It’s crucial to check a course’s overseeding schedule before booking a fall golf trip.
Do I need to rent a car for an Arizona golf trip?
Yes, renting a car is highly recommended. Arizona, especially the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, is very spread out. While you might stay at a resort with an on-site course, a car will give you the freedom to explore other top-tier courses in the area, visit different restaurants, and experience everything the region has to offer.
Are golf clubs available for rent at the resorts?
Yes, all of the resorts and courses mentioned offer high-quality rental sets from top brands like Titleist, Callaway, and TaylorMade. While it’s always nice to play with your own clubs, renting is a convenient option if you want to avoid the hassle and expense of traveling with your golf bag.
What is a “cart path only” rule?
This rule means that you must keep your golf cart on the designated paved paths at all times and are not allowed to drive onto the fairways. It is most common during and immediately after the overseeding process to protect the new grass, or after heavy rain. It involves a lot more walking and can slow down the pace of play.
