Golf Phoenix for less

Set in the ridges and buttes of South Mountain, it has wide, rolling fairways, is 6,500 yards long and not as penal as many desert courses.

The drawback is its popularity - it hosts about 56,000 rounds a year and so sometimes gets a little haggard. For more information, call (800) 841-6570.

The TPC Desert course may be one of the best deals in Phoenix, where locals can play for $50 in peak season and non-residents only $55. It also has mid-twilight and twilight rates, with junior and senior rates. It's not as challenging, obviously, as its big brother, the Stadium course but Tom Weiskopf designed it so locals in particular could enjoy quality, affordable golf. They are enjoying it -- 80 percent of the course's play is local.

"It's got a great view of the mountains, and actually has a little bit more of the desert in play than the Stadium course," said TPC Marketing Director Russ Norris. "It's only 6,400 yards, and it's friendly for kids and seniors. And you can walk it, unlike the Stadium course."

For more information, call (800) 426-6148.

GO WEST, YOUNG GOLFER

The West Valley, where real estate prices are drastically lower than elsewhere in the Valley of the Sun, has some newer, more affordable courses.

Palm Valley Golf Club in Litchfield Park has 36 holes - the Palms and Lakes courses - and has been rated among the state's best public courses - its par-5 ninth hole makes a lot of "bests" lists. Located in Goodyear and designed by Arthur Hills, it has fall and winter rates of $35 weekdays and $45 weekends, and $25 and $35 after 2 p.m. For more information, call (800) 939-7998.

Estrella Mountain Ranch is run by Troon Golf and is the first daily-fee course in Phoenix designed by Jack Nicklaus. The course is 7,102 yards long, in the shadow of the Sierra Estrella Mountains, and rates May through October are less than $100, with twilight rates less than $100 year-round.

The club also offers annual passes: $3,000 for individuals or $5,000 for families, that allow unlimited play with certain time restrictions.

For more information, call (800) 841-6570.

The Wigwam Resort has three courses, two of which were designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. The gold, recently redone, is the toughest, a parkland-style course with well-protected, pedestal greens. The blue course is short at 6,130 yards and the red is wide open.

Golf Digest named it the top resort course in Arizona, and the locker rooms have whirlpool and sauna rooms. Rates are $130 in the winter, but drop to $34 in the summer. For more information, call (800) 426-6148.

Our golf bloggers spend a great deal of time traveling from course to course (what a life!). Here’s a selection of their top tips for travelers - where to stay, great restaurants, over-rated destinations, and more!

This article provided through Golf Publisher Syndications.

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