Great buddy golf trips

Las Sendas Golf Club - Mesa, AZ

If you're a golfer like us (and you probably are if you're taking time to read this) you've seen the Top 100 course lists by the big golf magazine's that come out every year. I'm going to add our two cents worth and make some suggestions for buddy golf trips to take and provide some "birdies" and "bogey's" about the different places we've played and hope you'll be able to take the information and pick the best golf trip for you and your buddies.

1st destination...Phoenix AZ.
Each year the lists hit the news stands, I'm always surprised when I don't see two or three courses from Arizona on a list. Always considered a great golf destination, there are several, and I'm talking 30 to 40 courses within an hour and a half of downtown Phoenix, that are flat out great courses. There are a few that are at the top of the list.

 1) Troon North. Two extremely nice courses, great staff, food and 19th hole. With all the golf trips I've been on I can't see how it doesn't rate a top 50 public course in the US? It's in North Scottsdale and runs in the mid $250 range during winter and early spring so that could be a drawback. If you can stand the heat, summer rates go down to a much more reasonable price at all the courses in Arizona. Some are less than half the winter rates. Tee off early and drink a lot of water if you're going there during summer.

2 ) We-Ko-Pa, Just east of Scottsdale. All the best of desert golf! No homes on either of the 2 courses and some stunning desert views, very challenging, great design and layout. All the best things about golf and there is a hotel/Casino next to the course. Don't be fooled, these courses are not "resort" courses that have giant fairways and flat greens. They are very challenging and really give you a "fix" for desert golf. Around $225 during peak winter season. Again, summer discounts are great but be wary of the heat. Lot's and lot's of water and try and get a very early tee time.

3) TPC Scottsdale. I find it a "one time" must because if you've watched the Waste Management tournament on TV, playing 15, 16, 17 and 18 is a pretty cool experience. The course itself is not so much desert golf and the fairways and greens are not all that difficult but for a one time thing, it's worth a $300 investment to play the last four holes. Again, once, then try some of the other great courses in the area once TPC is off the "to do" list.

4) So many other great courses. Get online and check out Las Sendas, The Boulders, Gold Canyon, Grey Hawk, Wildfire and, well, you get the point. My favorite outside the above three is Las Sendas Golf Club. A Robert Trent Jones Jr course in East Mesa (Less than a half hour from the airport) that is beautiful, well maintained, has a very nice 19th hole with a nice menu, happy hour and great staff. The peak season rates are about $140 per round and they have crazy good prices in summer and early fall. The farther away from Scottsdale the more likely to find decent prices but again, it gets really hot...And, I mean really hot starting the end of May through end of September.

Where to stay? If you're flush, stay in Scottsdale at one of the resorts. They have everything from expensive to really, really expensive. If it's just a bunch of dudes doubling up in a room to save some money for after golf activities, then find a national chain close to where you're going to play and go that route. If you can afford it, stay at a Scottsdale resort...They're quite nice.

After golf activities? If you're young or young at heart, there is a nice bar/restaurant scene near Arizona State University when school is in session. If you're tastes are a little more mature (but not much) check out Old Scottsdale. Great food scene and nightlife with free golf cart rides to keep things safe and help you get back to the hotel after a night of fun.

Catch a late flight out of town and play The Phoenix Raven. Once done, it's only about 10 minutes to get to the airport on a weekend.

Next up for buddy golf trip suggestions...This year US open site, Pinehurst, North Carolina.