The Inside Scoop

In this video, Dave, our cameraman, takes you along as he and his friend Mark get geared up at Cool Clubs, play some of Scottsdale’s outstanding desert courses and check out a couple of great 19th hole options.

If you’ve already been to Scottsdale, you know this city offers some of the finest desert golf in the land. If you’re visiting for the first time, well, all I can say is get ready for the round of a lifetime. And whether you’re a regular or a newbie, you’ll also find great places to gear up and wind down.

Cool Clubs
Phone: 480-284-7766
Website: www.coolclubs.com
For our first stop,... 

Mark and I headed over Cool Clubs, where the mission is to help you play better golf. Period. They do this using an arsenal of specially built machines, proprietary software and a team of expert fitters and club builders who will analyze your swing dynamics, pair them with matching equipment performance characteristics and create a unique club that will elevate your game (which hopefully includes getting rid of Mark’s pesky slice).

The Boulders Golf Club
Phone: 480-488-9009
Website: www.theboulders.com
The Boulders Golf Club:... 

The Boulders’ North and South courses, both designed by Jay Morrish, are considered among the most demanding in the Southwest and are known for their amazing desert views. Refine your technique with instruction from Don Crawley and his team of PGA and LPGA-certified instructors at The Boulders Golf Academy.

Kierland Golf Club
Phone: 480-922-9283
Website: www.kierlandgolf.com
Kierland Golf Club:... 

Kierland’s Scott Miller-designed course boasts 27 fantastic holes embellished with lakes, lush arroyos and challenging bunkers. For an upscale, out-of-the-box experience, hop on a Segway Golf Transporter or, if the weather’s on the warm side, opt for an air-conditioned cart.

Grayhawk Golf Club
Phone: 480-502-1800
Website: www.grayhawkgolf.com
Grayhawk Golf Club:... 

Rock tunes playing on the driving range are the first clue that you’re in for an extraordinary experience at Grayhawk. Among their highlights, the club’s desert-wrapped courses serve up a variety of outstanding par 3s, like Talon’s 11th, called the “Swinging Bridge,” and Raptor’s eighth, called “Aces & Eights.”

TPC Scottsdale
Phone: 480-585-4334
Website: www.tpc.com/Scottsdale
TPC Scottsdale:... 

Play where the pros play at TPC’s Stadium Course, home of the PGA TOUR’s Waste Management Phoenix Open. You won’t have the tournament rowdies at the 16th hole to cheer you on, but you’ll have an exhilarating golf experience nonetheless. While you’re there, treat yourself to a round on TPC’s lesser known Champions Course. The recently revamped layout is known for a quartet of challenging finishing holes.

We-Ko-Pa
Phone: 480-836-9000
Website: www.wekopa.com
We-Ko-Pa:,... 

Jaw-dropping views are the hallmark of We-Ko-Pa’s 18-hole Cholla and Saguaro courses. Both courses have earned plenty of kudos, including slots on Golfweek’s list of “Best Resort Courses” for 2011. Developed by the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, We-Ko-Pa (Yavapai for “Four Peaks”) is located on land that will never be used for residential or commercial development, so you’ll enjoy the same pristine views every time you play.

The Grill at TPC
Phone: 480-585-4848
Website: www.scottsdaleprincess.com
When it comes to places to rehash,... 

the day’s round over a great meal, Scottsdale offers more options than you can swing a club at. After our round on the Stadium course, we headed to The Grill at TPC for their nightly Lobster Fest. A steal at $45 per person, this feast includes seafood chowder, a salad of organic greens, a steamed whole lobster, vegetables, braised potatoes and a peanut butter tart, as well as a glass of “sommelier’s choice” wine.

Don & Charlie’s Restaurant
Phone: 480-990-0900
Website: www.donandcharlies.com
For our next 19th hole expedition,... 

we chose Don & Charlie’s in downtown Scottsdale. This place is a virtual shrine to sports memorabilia with signed bats, balls, magazine covers and photos covering every inch of wall space. The specialty here is meat, and lots of it. Barbecue ribs, broasted chicken and prime steaks and chops are the menu’s MVPs. Plus, every dinner starts with Don & Charlie’s signature chopped liver plate. Add a glass of wine, a “Cactus League” beer or specialty cocktail, and it’s the perfect end to a day on the course.

For more things to see and do in Scottsdale, check out the listings on this site or call Scottsdale's friendly concierges at 800-782-1117.