Putting on the Ritz
Guide to the Valley's Best Golf Resorts

iy Danielle D'Adamo

With 325 days of sunshine, mild weather and more than 200 golf courses, it's no wonder Arizona is known as the Golf Capital of the World. But today, golf enthusiasts are looking for more than just a 27-hole USGA championship golf course. To make a significant splash in the golf world, resorts are now boasting luxurious amenities, first-class spa treatments and pristine surroundings. Anything else just makes these grownup playgrounds seem subpar.

Phoenix's thirst for golf began in 1929 with the Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa in Litchfield Park and the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa in Phoenix. The Wigwam has become an Arizona landmark as it is still the only resort in Arizona to feature three 18-hole championship golf courses, two of which were designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones, Sr. Yet it's world-class luxury extends far beyond the island green as visitors can indulge at the Red Door Spa-a 26,000 square foot full service spa that mirrors the resort's rustic adobe elegance.

The only existing hotel in the world with a Frank Lloyd Wright-influenced design, the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa rightfully boasts two 18-hole courses nestled around its cottages and the foothills of Piestewa Peak. This "Jewel of the Desert" features eight swimming pools, seven tennis courts, and a full-service European spa, salon and fitness center.

The Boulders Resort and Golden Door Spa in Carefree is another Valley favorite as the course architect Jay Morrish created a stunning 36-hole paradise to complement the unsurpassed beauty of the Sonoran Desert.

The Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa in Chandler, designed to be an authentic representation of the Gila River Indian community's culture, includes two 18-hole Troon-managed golf courses, a 17,500 square foot spa and a 111-foot waterslide modeling the ancient Casa Grande Ruins.

Incorporating convenience and lifestyle enhancements, golf resorts have significantly raised the bar on quality golf conditions. To balance the rigors of golf recreation, resorts are now providing its guests with rest and relaxation amenities such as spas, clubhouses, swimming pools, fine dining, even daycare. Atmosphere is everything, and even if you're not an avid golfer, these local golf resorts offer exceptional courses with deluxe amenities and service.

Danielle D'Adamo is the Assistant Editor of New Homes & Lifestyle.