Bobby D's Insider Guide To Scottsdale

By: Bob Di Cesare on 04/23/09 04:21 AM

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It's no secret that Scottsdale, Arizona is one of the world's finest golf destinations.

And the early spring months of March and April are still a great time to experience this wonderful vacation spot and enjoy its warmth and beauty before the sizzling heat settles in.

If you're planning an upcoming trip to the greater Phoenix area, here's a personalized Top 10 list of things to consider – David Letterman style.

Bobby D's Insider Guide To A Spring Golf Trip In Scottsdale

10. Get A Good Deal On A Set Of Wheels.

Before you even land at user-friendly Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix, you need to be savvy when reserving a rental car. Phoenix is harsh when it comes to airport rental taxes and fees compared to other large metropolitan areas because you're helping to fund its new sports stadiums. In addition to high rental rates, total charges for taxes and fees are in the $75 range, so even motor club or rental-car company discounts don't help much. You can get a better deal by offering a bid at priceline.com. I saved $84 off the lowest advertised rate presented to me, but beware that you have no flexibility in making any changes after you negotiate your deal.

9. The Wonder of Sedona

If you are planning a 5-to-7 day visit, take some time off from the golf course and travel north on I-17 to experience the enchantment of Sedona. The red rock monoliths are natural wonders and there are also some great trails to hike and Hummer tours through the surrounding desert. It is an especially awe-inspiring experience for first-time visitors from the East Coast.

Sedona may be 124 miles away from Scottsdale, however, you'll get there in just 1 1⁄2 hours instead of 2 hours because the speed limit outside city lines is 75 m.p.h. (that means it's OK to do 80 m.p.h. and everybody else will still pass you in the left lane). The town also features plenty of shopping and eateries. I strongly recommend a visit to the Oak Creek Brewing Company for handcrafted microbrews and upscale pub fare.

8. But It's a Dry Heat . . .

OK, 90-to-100 degree temperatures from May through September is HOT, regardless of whether it's dry or humid conditions. However, blue sky and pleasant warmth can be expected for most of the rest of the calendar year. The latest figures show that there are 329 days in a year with at least some sunshine. They don't call it the Valley of the Sun for nothing. Worst-case scenario is a fleece jacket or sweater for cooler mornings, although many men prefer a sweater vest on the course. Best-case scenario is khakis, polo shirts, and shorts.

7. March Also Means America's Pastime

This is a great time and place to catch Major League Baseball spring training games. 2009 also happens to be one of the longest spring training periods in recent years (until April 4). Ticket sales are a little slower because of the economy, but prices are also more reasonable.

There are 14 MLB teams which call the greater Phoenix area their spring training home. There's the hometown Arizona Diamondbacks , but there's also a new addition, the Dodgers, who are spending their first spring in Glendale after many years in Vero Beach, Fla. The other teams playing in the area include the Cubs, White Sox, Indians, Giants, Athletics, Brewers, Rockies, Royals, Rangers, Angels, Padres, and Mariners.

Many of the club's facilities are close geographically, so you could see several teams play over the course of a week without driving too far.

6. Eat, Drink, And Be Merry

Golfers who also happen to be "foodies" will be delighted with southwestern cuisine, along with numerous other dining options. I'm going to recommend a few places that are in the "can't miss" category.

The Rusty Spur Saloon on E. Main Street in the Old Town section of Scottsdale bills itself as the area's last real cowboy saloon. First opened in 1951, it's a registered historic landmark that takes you back in time (think TV show "Bonanza"). Food, drink, and entertainment – go hang your hat!!

Just a couple of blocks away on E. Main Street is the Old Town Tortilla Factory, featuring a firewater patio and a tequila bar that offers 80 premium tequilas. Built from a historic 75-year-old adobe home, the place possesses a charm and atmosphere that exemplifies the essence of the Southwest.

A great place to unwind and enjoy a few drinks after a round of golf is O'Donoghue's Irish Pub on N. Hayden Road in North Scottsdale, which is located within minutes of several of the most popular golf courses in the area.

There, you'll find a place filled with real, historic Dublin authenticity in decor and design. The pub features many distinctive Irish recipes, and the best in beers and Irish spirits. Don't be surprised if you see Gaelic football being played on the TV screens.

5. At Your Service

The people of Scottsdale know a good thing when they see it and embrace their visitors. I can't say enough about my experience at the Xona Resort Suites. Every member of the staff made eye contact and offered a pleasant greeting. If you had your hands full, they would stop what they were doing and assist you to either your car or room.

Same kind of treatment in town. The local UPS Store couldn't have been more helpful in gathering packaging materials that I needed to ship my golf goods before my departure from Arizona. If you like to shop when you travel, I strongly suggest shipping packages either UPS or US Postal Service right to your home. It can be both cheaper and easier than paying extra baggage fees at the airport and lugging your goods around.

Golf course attendants are meticulous in whisking away your golf clubs when you arrive and setting you up on a cart, and likewise cleaning your clubs upon return and moving them to the bag drop for your convenience.

Sometimes it's the little things that go a long way in helping to remember the good times away from home.

4. Go Ahead, Pamper Yourself

Some of us are not as young as we used to be. If you're planning to play three-or-four consecutive days of golf, there's a good chance that you'll feel a few aches and pains.

Scottsdale has more than 25 resort and day spas that can take the art of pampering to new heights. If money is not a problem, you may want to treat yourself to a southwestern experience, complete with Sonoran Desert ingredients mixed into the treatments.

My boss and I like a good deal, therefore we're partial to the Hand and Stone Massage Spa of Scottsdale. Ask for the $39.95 introductory special, in which they'll amazingly twist and turn your body like a pretzel – and you'll love it !!! Or, opt for the more luxurious hot stone massage for $59.95, which is really worth double that price. Either way, your body will love you later when you're ready to crank it up again on the golf course.

3. Oh Yeah, Let's Not Forget The Golf . . .

Golf, golf, and more golf than you have the time or days for. Imagine over 200 courses in the Scottsdale area alone, plus more in other neighboring towns.

Xona Resort Suites specializes in golf vacations with a Golf Bank program that partners with 27 golf courses at 18 properties, some of them the finest in the world. The Golf Bank allows guests to "custom fit" their Scottsdale golf experience with preferred tee times, reduced rates, complementary breakfast buffet, dinner reservations, and leisure activities.

2. Decisions, Decisions, Decisions . . .

Our itinerary included Legend Trail, We-Ko-Pa (Saguaro Course), The Boulders (South Course), and Papago Municipal, with a little side trip to Troon North (Monument Course). What we got in return was a wide variety of layouts ranging from challenging, target-style desert designs to a solid mix of traditional, tree-lined courses, and all come with scenic mountain views.

Just like the restaurant scene, there will be people who'll say that Camelback, Desert Canyon, The Golf Club at Eagle Mountain, Grayhawk, The Phoenician, Sanctuary, TPC Scottsdale, and Trilogy are a must.

Do some homework and cater your golf course selections to your playing ability in order to get the most enjoyment. Also, keep in mind that The Boulders South Course is consistently rated among the top three courses in the country for women based on user-friendly course design and beauty.

1. We-Ko-Pa Golf Club is the Favorite Pick

Located on land owned by the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, the Saguaro Course at We-Ko-Pa was designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, who integrated design elements not commonly seen on most courses in the area.

The emphasis here is on serenity since there are no homes, roads, or commercial development on the property. The Saguaro course is much like the older, traditional courses, where the layout follows the natural movement of the land, making it very walking friendly. A complete repertoire of shot-making skills is needed to find solutions to its challenges. Nowhere is that more evident than the par-5, 513-yard, 14th hole, which features a double fairway. Pick your poison.

The combination of cacti, thorny underbrush, and desert flora line both sides of nearly every fairway, giving the course a pleasant feeling of isolation. There's also the commanding views of Four Peaks Wilderness Area in the background that'll keep your camera constantly within reach.

There's something about this place that oozes charm and personality everywhere you look, and a golf course that you'd love to play again - even though there's dozens of other courses in the area that you want to, but haven't, played yet.

Then again, there's always next year . . .

(Bob DiCesare is the golf writer for The Enterprise in Brockton, MA, and is a member of the International Network of Golf)