Time to Plan Your 2012 Golf Travel

As the New Year begins, most people consider how to make next year a better one than last year. That is, after all, the purpose of New Year’s resolutions – to make things better. This year, make those weight loss and fitness resolutions a lot more fun – resolve to schedule more time for golf travel and take more golf trips to help you improve your game and enjoy your favorite sport. Not sure where to go or play? We’ve got some top suggestions for lesser-known Arizona golf courses that any golfer will enjoy.

Why Arizona? The Phoenix-Scottsdale area boasts more than 200 golf courses, many of them well-known, in demand courses at high-end resorts. Famous names like Troon North and Boulders attract golfers from all over the world, but the big name courses aren’t the only game in town. Smaller, lesser-known golf courses benefit from the same conditions that make golfing in Arizona such a pleasure – sunny, dry days and stunning scenery among them. These smaller courses make Arizona golf travel worth the trip even if you don’t stay at the high-end resorts and immerse yourself in luxury.

Saguaro Course at We-Ko-Pa

Scott Miller’s Cholla Course at We-Ko-Pa steals all the attention, but We-Ko-Pa’s other course, the Saguaro, definitely deserves a mention as well. Built in 2005-2006, the course was designed by golf architect team Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, who were tasked with creating a course that was completely different from the older Cholla course. They came up with a traditional style golf green that’s a pleasure to walk and a challenge to play.

Trilogy at Vistancia

Golf Digest awarded a coveted 5-star rating to Trilogy Golf Club at Vistancia, and Golf Arizona senior staff writer Mike Bailey calls it “sneaky good.” The budget-priced golf green rewards you with stunning views, tricky shots and holes that offer golfers a variety of options and decisions that keeps play exciting and fresh. Like the Saguaro, Trilogy isn’t the typical desert target golf course – but it’s not exactly a traditional green either. Its unique configuration and playability contribute to an overall flow that turns an afternoon of golf into a memorable and treasured golf experience.

Ocotillo Golf Resort

Located in Chandler, Arizona, Ocotillo is a 27-hole championship course with three separate 9-hole layouts that you can play in several different 18-hole configurations. Each of the combinations of the Blue, White and Gold courses presents unique challenges – the Blue 9, for example, involves water features at every hole. Rated among Golf World’s Top 50 resorts, Ocotillo carries a 4.5-star rating from Golf Digest.

Arizona golf is like golf nowhere else in the world, and these three lesser-known golf courses definitely rate a place among your list of 2012 golf travel destinations. If you haven’t started planning your golf trips for the year yet, keep in mind that many clubs offer a discount if you book your tee times early, so don’t miss out.