Golf the Desert Magazine Sample

The Magic of Troon North The Monument and The Pinnacle

Win Free Golf! Tune In To Golf the Desert Radio Every Tuesday 2-4 PM on KXXT 1010 AM

Celebrate Golf in Comfort and Style at Scottsdale’s In Celebration of GolfHow To Teach Your Kids To Play Golf - And Have Them Love It

Beat the Slow Play Blues - 18 Ways It CAN Be DoneGet the Inside Track On This Year’s FBR Open

Inside the Gates of Encanterra Golf Club ...and Much, Much More!

Inside:

Golfers - why just play golf when you can play golf with

a chance to win $10,000,000?

The world’s largest and most exciting golf Hole-in-One contest has finally come to the Valley of the Sun, and from now on you have the chance to play for golf’s larg-est prize - Ten Million Dollars - each and every time you tee it up. Assuming you play one of the participating Dream Shot Golf Trail courses, that is.

Dream Shot Golf offers golfers the chance to take their shot at making a hole-in-one on several of the top courses here in the greater Phoenix/Scottsdale area. Each golfer com-ing by the Dream Shot hole while it is in operation has the option to enter the con-test for $10, then if they make a hole-in-one they win an instant $5,000 in cash plus a fantastic trip to Las Vegas next October where they’ll take life’s ultimate Dream Shot - one shot to win $10,000,000!

In addition to being offered on some of the best golf courses around the Valley, the Dream Shot Hole-in-One contest is also of-fered at the driving range at CrackerJax, where anyone can enter to take their shot at making a hole-in-one on the brand new Dream Shot Green - a mere 155 yards from the Dream Shot tee box! This is the perfect opportunity for golfers to enter the contest as many times as they want, with every shot capable of winning the instant $5,000 cash prize and trip to the Dream Shot finals.

You may not think you have a great chance to win the $10,000,000, but the best part of Dream Shot is that everyone who enters is an instant winner!

The cost to enter the Dream Shot Hole-in-One contest is $10, and when you en-ter the contest you get your shot at win-ning the great prizes, but you’ll also be given a deluxe package of gift certificates and gift cards worth around $100 to some of the most popular restaurants, entertain-ment venues and events in the Valley of the Sun! Every entry is also entered into Dream Shot’s Monthly Mulligan Prize contest, where they pull one lucky name from ev-eryone who played Dream Shot that month and award a prize worth around $500. As if that wasn’t enough, Dream Shot also offers a bonus of a sleeve of balls just for hit-ting the green, and an instant “Scratch-n-Win” card offering im-mediate dis-counts or bonuses at the Dream Shot partic-ipating golf facility at which you played.

The Phoenix Dream Shot Golf Trail is currently offer at the following courses:

Dream Shot Golf has room to add a few more courses to their valley of the Sun Dream Shot Trail, so make sure you mention the contest to the Head Pro at your favorite course and have them call Keith James at 602-561-1198 to find out how they can get involved. Check out everything you want to know about Dream Shot at their website...

www.dreamshotgolf.com

Participating Golf CoursesWill Be Listed Here. There

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Contents08 The Positive Side of Golf by Marcus Blake

10 The Best Way To Teach Your Kids How to Play Golf and Have Fun Doing It by Kathryn Stafford

13 ASU Golf Is Among the Best In the US. Let Us Introduce You To Two Reasons Why, Azahara Munoz and Scott Pinckney by Michael Cavaleri

16 18 Resolutions to Make 2009 Your Best Year Ever, At Least When It Comes To Golf by the Staff

17 The Valley is Home To the Greatest Golf Shopping Experience on Earth. Join Us for A Tour of Scottsdale’s In Celebration of Golf by Keith James

24 Discover the Beauty, Challenge and Class of Arizona’s Top Rated Troon North by Keith James

30 The FBR Open is Known As “The Greatest Show on Grass. Here’s Why! by Marcus Blake

34 Inside the Gates of A Very Special Private Country Club That Wants To Sell Some Memberships and Make Some Money!

38 Slow Play is Killing Golf. Here Are 18 Ways You Can Help Speed Up the Game - and Save Your Sanity.

40 Golf the Desert’s Guide to Great Golf For a Good Time...Play Any of These!

42 Out of Bounds with Wil Barnes Our Irreverent Troubadour Takes A Look At the State of Golf In 2009

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Published by Golf the Desert5125 N. 16th Street, A-121

Phoenix, AZ 85016602-561-1198

www.golfthedesert.com

Publisher - Keith JamesAdvertising Sales - Marcus Blake

All Rights Reserved.

13

Contents You AreCordially Invited

To Join the GreatestGolf Membership Club

In the World!

Discover How You Can Improve Your Life by Joining Golf AmericaEarn More Money w Have More Fun w Play More Golf

Visit www.GolfAmerica.biz and Join Today!Referred by Golf the Desert Magazine

The Positive Side Of Golfby Marcus Blake

The Positive Side Of Golf

This SpaceFor Sale

So you’ve made the decision to get your child involved in this crazy game you love. Congratulations! I’m not saying it will be the easiest journey you’ll ever

embark upon, but I can promise you it will definitely be the most rewarding. Along with the blisters and sunburns that await you are tiny trophies, new friends, and memories you and your children will share for the rest of your lives.

When I was six months old my parents bought me a tiny white visor that read, “Future Golf Pro.” Although the cocky prediction never came true and my parents were joking when they purchased the hat, several unexpected accomplishments did come true. I went on to play in numerous junior events including group clinics and tournaments. Countless tournaments, lessons, and a few years later, I was playing for my high school team. Upon graduation I went on to receive a scholarship at a Division One school and served as team captain my senior year

More importantly however, aside from the accolades, I’ve walked away with a cultivated appreciation and respect for the game, life-long friends, and the indescribable sense of happiness I experi-ence from past and present rounds with my family and my parents who taught me how to play.

Now fasten your seat belt as I take you through a crash course in how best to introduce your youngsters to the game.

The most important thing for parents to do is to keep it fun. Too often parents can get excited in a child’s progress and get too caught up in the competition. At the junior level, especially for beginners, it is premature to heave a demanding practice schedule on any child. Often parents think they have the next Tiger Woods or Annika Sorenstam and they kick their child’s practice and play-ing schedule into overdrive. Nothing is more heartbreaking than when a child who shows talent or potential burns out simply be-cause they were pushed too hard or too far at an early age.

If your child is an absolute novice/newbie to the game, start by bringing them to chip and putt or hit range balls at a practice facility or nearby course. We’re taking baby steps here but it’s important not to get ahead of yourself or overwhelm your new student. Keep sessions relatively short and fun.

The more you can simplify the game the better. It is hard for children to grasp the complex and sometimes mechanical thought process of the swing, let alone course management. When my father, who was a former athlete, teacher and coach was first teaching me to play, he would slowly and rhythmically count aloud, “One...two...” He would do this to help me understand the tempo of my swing and to realize that the speed of my backswing should match that of my follow through.

If you feel ready to take your child out on the course, an excellent time to play is right before dusk. Most players will have already finished or will be heading home for dinner. With the course to yourself you don’t have to worry about distractions or holding up play. At first, it may be difficult to keep your young student interested and not dis-tracted with all the excitement of being on the course. No more than 9 holes is a good place to start.

If you do not belong to a club, or your club does not offer junior programs, there are still a plethora of options for juniors of all ages and skill levels.

If you have a little tyke on spikes the Itty Bitty Open is an ideal way for the youngest of players to get their feet wet. (It was also yours tru-ly’s very first tournament outing) Sponsored by the JGAA, the Phoe-nix Parks and Recreation Department, and The Thunderbirds this free tournament is open to 3, 4 and 5 year olds only. All players receive a complimentary set of plastic golf clubs, bag, balls and a visor. You and your child will learn the basic skills of golf from a PGA or LPGA pro-fessional followed by a fun non-competitive tournament.

For children a little older, The City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department offers a youth golf program for children ages 8-17. Inex-pensive, year-round golf lessons are available at Phoenix’s six municipal golf courses. These courses include Aguila, Maryvale, Cave Creek, En-canto, Papago, and Palo Verde. Certified PGA professionals instruct all the classes, and equipment is provided for students who need it.

By Kathryn Stafford

Not only is swing instruction offered, but also included are lessons in course management, etiquette and the rules of the game.

Once your young player has started to improve a little and has a grasp on the rules, etiquette and course management, it’s time to put the practice to work.

The Junior Golf Association of Arizona (JGAA) is hands down the best way for young golfers to sharpen their playing skills for both a social and competitive environment.

Assistant Executive Director of The JGAA, Sean Ferris, explains the relative ease parents can get their children involved in the JGAA. “Prox-imity of courses to where a child lives always makes getting involved easier,” says Ferris. “Finding courses that are closest to you and then choosing a program most suitable depending on price, playing ability and age is the best way to get started.” Ferris also stresses the importance of new players beginning in group clinics rather than one-on-one in-struction or tournament play.

“The worst thing parents can do is to throw their children into competition right away,” says Ferris. “They need time to develop and progress before being put into a com-petitive atmosphere. Golf can be difficult and frustrating and it can be intimidating and uncomfortable for children to be in a one-on-one in-structional situation. When they are in a group environment with other children of comparable ages and abilities, they see that other children are going through their same experiences.”

For players to get started in the JGAA, they must attend Linkster clinics for beginners ages 5-14. Juniors suitable for the Linkster pro-

“The most important thing for parents to do is to keep it fun.”

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gram must be between the age limit, have no prior tournament experi-ence and show a desire to improve at golf. These clinics allow junior golfers to interact with PGA and LPGA professionals through group clinics and one-on-one instruction at numerous courses around the val-ley. After receiving a free ½ hour lesson with the instructor of their choice, students are allowed to attend introductory clinics offered all year. Once they have completed the criteria for the course ready check-list, juniors are permitted to play in tournaments through the JGAA Boys Golf Club or the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf Club.

For the little lady in your life, the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf Club is an excellent way for young girls to get involved in the sport. Often it can be intimidating for girls to get started in the game with so many male participants. The fun and inviting atmosphere of the Girls Golf Club is a great way for girls to build confidence, improve their game

and make friends. Director of the Girls Golf Club, Kathy Knadler, has

done a wonderful job of creating a friendly environment for young girls involved in the game. Holiday-themed

tournaments are held throughout the year, along with luncheons, priz-es, award banquets and instructional clinics, making this organization indispensable for teaching young girls the social and competitive as-pects of the game.

Whether or not your child decides to continue to play competitively or incorporate golf into their life, they will undoubtedly gain a sense of humility, perseverance, sportsmanship, proper etiquette, exercise, patience, control of their emotions, social interaction, friendships and memories that few sports can boast.

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Arizona State University has long been the colle-giate home for big name professional golfers. Players such as Phil Mickelson, Paul Casey, Tom and Paul Purtzer and Grace Park have donned the maroon and gold and given current players a high standard to live up to.

After a Pac-10 championship in 2007-2008 for the men’s squad, expectations are high with a preseason ranking of ninth from Golfweek.

Men’s coach Randy Lein said he expects under-classmen such as sophomore Scott Pinckney to help defend their Pac-10 championship and lead the team to match play at the NCAA Finals. Pinckney already has a top ten individual finish through two events this year.

“Scott brings a wonderful work ethic and a youthful enthusiasm to learn,” Lein said, “I am expecting him to earn All-American honors this year.”

The men finished sixth in their first two events this season, the first at the Olympia Fields in Illinois be-hind a top ten finish from Pinckney and the second at the Inverness Club in Ohio. The men have a break until events continue in February of 2009.

The women are expecting a strong showing this season after having a preseason ranking of second from Golfweek.

Women’s coach Melissa Luellen said leadership from senior Azahara Munoz should help the team compete for the NCAA championship. Luellen expects victories from Munoz and her teammates.

“Aza is our team leader. She leads by example ev-ery day,” Luellen said, “She practices hard daily so she can compete.”

Munoz’s work on her game 100 yards and in has really paid off in the last year, Luellen added.

“It is important that Aza as an individual win during the regular season to confirm that she can continue her good play and get the right breaks,” Luellen said.

The women won the NCAA Fall Preview at Caves Valley Golf Club in Maryland in early September with three top ten finishers including Munoz, and placed fifth at the Mason Rudolph Championship in Tennes-see in late September. The women have one more event at the end of October in Alabama before taking a break until play resumes in February.

Sun Devil Golf is Red Hot!

By Michael Cavaleri

ASU’s Azahara Munoz is poised to have a great final year, leading her team by example as she works hard every day to prepare for a run at an NCAA Championship.

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GTD: What’s your favorite food? SP: Teriyaki chicken and rice.

GTD: What’s your favorite movie? SP: Old School and Wedding Crashers.

GTD: What is your dream foursome?SP: Me, Tiger Woods, Ben Hogan and Jack Nicklaus.

GTD: Who is your favorite professional athlete?SP: Tiger Woods.

GTD: Do you have any rituals before a tournament?SP: I listen to my iPod when I’m warming up to stay calm and focused.

GTD: What are your goals for this season?SP: I want to win some tournaments, win the NCAA’s and be an All-American.

The men’s golf team at Arizona State University and sophomore Scott Pinckney are off to a strong start to the 2008-09 season. Pinckney finished seventh individ-ually at Olympia Fields, Ill. , while the team finished sixth. Golfweek gave ASU a preseason ranking of ninth after winning the Pac-10 Championship in 2008 and with only one upperclassman starting, it will be an ex-citing year to watch as the team gains more experience. Golf the Desert intern Michael Cavaleri recently had the chance to catch up with Sophomore Scott Pinckney.

Golf the Desert: Where are you from? Scott Pinckney: Anthem, Ariz.

GTD: What’s your major? SP: I’m a Kinesiology major.

GTD: How did you get into golf ? SP: My dad one day brought me to the range with him when I was 8 years old and I just had a natural talent.

GTD: Where do you want to go with golf ?SP: I want to play professionally and be the best in the world.

GTD: What is your schedule like?SP: I’m up every morning at 5:30 or 6 a.m. Monday through Friday. I have morning classes Monday through Friday so I can practice after school and a little bit in the morning.

GTD: Why did you come to ASU? SP: Because of the golf program and because I love it here in Arizona.

GTD: What is the best thing about ASU and Arizona? SP: Everything. I love it here.

GTD: When and where was your best round of golf ever?SP: At Grayhawk’s Raptor Course. I shot 66 and qualified for the U.S. Junior Am.

GTD: What’s your favorite course you’ve ever played? SP: Cypress Point in California.

GTD: Is there a course you’d like to play?SP: Augusta National and St Andrews.

GTD: What is your favorite part of playing golf ? SP: Everything.

GTD: What’s your best club in your bag?SP: All of them.

GTD: What’s your least favorite club in your bag? SP: None.

GTD: Besides golf, what do you do for fun? SP: I like to work out, hang out with my friends and go out at night.

Arizona State University Senior Azahara Munoz looks to lead the women’s golf team this year after a strong junior campaign. Munoz won the 2008 NCAA individual cham-pionship, draining a 25-foot putt in the first hole of a playoff. She was the runner-up at the 2008 U.S. Women’s Amateur. Munoz was a 2008 NGCA Academic All-Ameri-can, earning the Edith Cummings Munson Award, which is given to an Academic All-American with the highest grade point average. In 11 appearances in 2008, Munoz finished no lower than twelfth and had 10 top ten finishes.

Golf the Desert: Where are you from?Azahara Munoz: Malaga, Spain.

GTD: What is your major?AM: Psychology.

GTD: How did you get into golf ?AM: In my hometown, there were free public golf lessons for kids for one hour every Saturday and I used to go with my friend.

GTD: Where do you want to go with golf ?AM: Hopefully be able to live from it. I want to play profes-sionally.

GTD: What is your schedule like?AM: I golf for about four hours a day, work out for about four hours a day, and have five classes.

GTD: Why did you come to ASU?AM: I played in a junior golf tourna-ment at Grayhawk and loved it here. I don’t like cold weather, and I knew Alejandro (Canizares) and Charly (Simon) from the golf team too.

GTD: What is the best part about ASU and Arizona?AM: Everything…the people, the golf, the school.

GTD: When and where was your best round of golf ever?AM: 63 at Guadalmina in Spain.

GTD: What’s the favorite course you’ve ever played?AM: Whisper Rock in Scottsdale.

GTD: Is there a course you’d like to play?AM: Augusta National.

GTD: What’s your favorite part of playing golf ?AM: Playing in tournaments.

GTD: What’s the best club in your bag?AM: 8 iron.

GTD: What’s your least favorite club in your bag?AM: 7 wood.GTD: Besides golf, what do you do for fun?AM: Go out, go to movies.

GTD: What’s your favorite food?AM: Spanish food.

GTD: What’s your favorite movie?AM: Why does everyone always ask me this question…I don’t know.

GTD: Just say Caddyshack.AM: (laughs) Sure…Caddyshack…I don’t know…The Notebook.

GTD: What’s your dream foursome?AM: Sergio Garcia, Tiger Woods and Lorena Ochoa.

GTD: Who is your favorite professional athlete?AM: Rafael Nadal.

GTD: Do you have any rituals before a tournament?AM: There’s a little book of tips I have that I read over.

GTD: What are your goals for this season?AM: Win nationals as a team and play the best we can. A

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18 Golf Resoltions for 2009!

A Passion For the GameJoin Us For A Tour of the Greatest Store In Golf...A Store That Was Created In Celebration of Golf!

18 Golf Resoltions for 2009!

You’re Up On the First Tee... Welcome To the Celebration!

Celebrating the Game In Style!By Keith James

A lthough it happened almost eight years ago, I still remember my first encounter with Scott-sdale’s In Celebration of Golf like it was yes-

terday. I was in the Valley of the Sun on assignment for the golf magazine I was working for at the time, Affluent Golfer. My job was a tough one, to review a new private country club about 45 miles northwest of Phoenix which had been designed by Reese Jones, along with a public course his brother Robert Trent Jones, Jr. had designed in nearby Cave Cree. As you can imagine, I was delighted to have drawn the short straw for this one!

As usual, I quickly became friends with the market-ing director of the private club, and as we played our way around the beautiful course Reese had designed we started talking about some of our favorite things about golf. We talked about the honor of the game, the history, the beauty, the art, the great passion peo-ple develop for golf, people who want to incorpo-rate the game into as many facets of their lives as possible. Then he told me of this amazing golf store located over in Scottsdale which celebrated all of the great things about golf we had been discussing. It was named, appropriately enough, In Celebration of Golf. Once I heard his description of the store and everything it had to offer anyone interested in the game of golf, I knew I’d be headed there before the day was done.

Want To Look Your Best? Look No Further Than In Celebration of Golf!

I followed his directions, arriving at the Seville Plaza in Scotts-dale about 3:30 that afternoon, and I was soon enveloped in the most amazing collection of golf oriented goods I’d ever seen. Although I’m a notoriously impatient shopper, I took my time ex-ploring this store. I saw golf knick-knacks I’d never seen before. Dishes and glasses, serving trays and greeting cards, napkins and chess sets, stools and tables and chairs and decorations, books and tapes and CDs and collectibles and memorabilia and clubs and statues and antiquities and shirts and coats and sweaters and more shirts and slacks and belts and racks and racks and racks of ladies apparel (a good selection of which is usually hard to find)...and then I found shoes and more shoes and even more shoes, and more collectibles and knick-knacks. The selection was almost exhausting! I headed back to the center of the store, thinking I had seen it all...and then I found the art! Two hours later I found myself dazed and confused and overwhelmed and impressed and absolutely in awe of the greatest collection of golf art I’d ever laid my eyes upon. I found out later that In Celebration of Golf offers the largest collection of golf art available anywhere, in-cluding access to highly prized pieces by many of golf ’s greatest artists. For those looking for a truly unique piece, you can even commission a one-of-a-kind piece created just for you by one of In Celebration of Golf ’s participating artists.

In Celebration of Golf is the brainchild of Roger Maxwell, a golf aficionado who knew there was a lot more to the game of golf than just hitting a ball with a club. There is a mystery, a passion, a history, a fashion...and most of all a love for the game which transcends any other game or sport. He utilized his own personal passion for the game to create a shopping experience which feels more like a trip through a museum than a trip to a cash register.

I’ve been to the humongous PGA Merchandise Show nine of the last ten years. This is the golf industry’s largest showcase, bringing together thousands of vendors and tens of thousands of individuals connected to the game. As you wander the miles and miles of endless booths at the show, you become convinced that everything ever created for, by, about or relating to the game of golf is available at that show. But you’d be wrong. I have found more incredible items celebrating the game of golf by wandering through the displays of In Celebration of Golf than I have at that show in Orlando. When I asked Roger about this he told me it was because most of the thousands of items found in his stores have come through different sources. He and his staff of buyers are constantly searching the globe for high quality items of inter-est to anyone who loves the game of golf, and he told me that only a few of his main suppliers show their wares at the Orlando show. This type of dedication is how excellence is achieved in anything you might do, and for those who love the game of golf, there is no better place to shop for excellence about the game of golf than at In Celebration of Golf.

In Celebration of Golfoffers the Largest Collection of Golf Art for sale that I’ve ever seen!

In Celebration of Golf has two showcase stores, the original 13,000 square foot Celebration lo-cated at 7001 North Scottsdale Road in the luxurious Scottsdale Seville Plaza, and a slightly smaller store in the north Scottsdale area, located in the Kierland Commons. There are also several boutique locations in five major airports, includ-ing Phoenix Sky Harbor, San Antonio, Houston, Austin and Nashville.

Whenever your travels permit, make plans to visit one of the In Celebration of Golf stores, allow-ing enough time to completely immerse yourself into the history, passion, love, appreciation and celebration of the game of golf you’ll find at the greatest golf store on earth. You can also visit them online at www.CelebrateGolf.com.

Scottsdale Seville480-951-4444

Kierland Commons480-948-1766

www.celebrategolf.com

It’s Your Move!

Troon North is the Golf Facility Credited with Creating the Upscale "Daily Fee" Concept in Golf, and Now They Have Made the Best of Public Golf Even Better!

Awesome

Awesome

Troon norTh

musT PlAy

Troon norTh

musT PlAy

Place a round of golf at Troon North on your “Must Do In 2009” list.After all, we only go around once in life!

Troon North Golf Clubwww.troonnorthgolf.com 10320 East Dynamite Blvd, Scottsdale 480-585-5300

By Marcus Blake

Schedule of Events Goes Here

Golf Events Party Events

This SpaceFor Sale

Inside the Gates

Inside the Gates

Inside the Gates

Inside the Gates

Slow Play is Killing Golf!

But What Can We Do aBout It? (hoW to play faster WIthout hurtIng your partners or your sCore)

ccording to massive amounts of research I’ve done on the subject of why golf is dying (or at least showing serious flu-like symptoms), there are three major reasons given by most of the golfers who are playing less rounds than before. The reasons are that it costs too much, it takes too long, and that it's too hard or frustrating for most people to get good.

Here in Arizona the costs are rather hard to lower since most golf courses are strug-gling to turn a profit as it is and water costs a fortune, especially during the tough sum-mer months when it takes around a million

gallons of water a day to keep a golf course alive and only a few dozen brave souls ven-ture out to enjoy it.

The fact that golf is hard is actually a bless-ing for most people who appreciate a good challenge, but not on courses that stretch out to over 7,000 yards and have greens keep-ers who often seem to suffer from a maso-chistic personality disorder with their tricky or tucked pin placements. So that leaves the objection that seems to come up more and more often as we all rely more and more on our labour and time saving devices - reduc-ing the amount of time it takes to play 18 holes of golf.

In Scotland many courses require a round of 18 holes to be played in less than 3-1/2

hours, and some want a three hour pace. Somehow, they manage to do it every day, and that's with most of their clientele walk-ing instead of riding in carts. Contrary to popular opinion, carts can often slow down a round of golf, especially on a tight, short course with tees that are close to the greens. Many golfers actually play better when they walk or use a pull cart rather than ride, but of course it is a lot harder to carry your beers.

There are numerous ways to speed up a round of golf, and if we all implement these time saving tactics and tactfully request that every one we play with does the same, may-be we can actually get the average round of golf here in Arizona down below 4 hours rather than close to five!

A

Slow Play is Killing Golf!

18 Tips to speed up play:

1. Start thinking about your next shot when you see your current shot come to rest. Be confident about your next shot, and be ready to hit when it is your turn.

2. Don't always wait until everyone is ahead of you to take your turn. Play "ready golf" whenever possible, which is most of the time. For instance, if you're playing on a cart path only day and your ball is five feet from the cart path and 20 feet ahead of your friend's ball on the other side of the fairway, go ahead and hit while he or she is walking to their ball. This can save a LOT of time.

3. Everyone in your foursome should watch each others balls, and help search for them whenever necessary. Make sure you limit your search to five minutes!

4. Walk to your ball whenever practical, don't just sit in the cart for several minutes waiting for your cart partner to hit, then wait until they're back in the cart, then drive over to your ball. Grab a couple clubs you think will cover your shot selection, then head over to your ball and prepare to hit as soon as you can.

5. Make sure you know the rules of golf well enough to avoid any lengthy discussions as to where you or your partners take relief.

6. Whenever you think you might have hit a ball out of bounds or into a tough location, hit a provisional ball before proceeding. This saves time going back to hit another ball, which many of us don't do any way.

7. Always keep up with the group ahead of you, but try not to hit into their group too many times. Fisticuffs on the fairway are rarely likely to speed up play.

8. If you just can't keep up with the group ahead and the group behind is pressing you or hitting into your group, don't head back to them and question their mother's military shoe wear selection, just let them play through with a smile on your face and pleasant wishes for a good round.

9. Park your cart behind the green whenever possible, and towards the back at all times. Heading back to get a cart 50 yards in front of the green while the next group is trying to hit into the green is a great way to get a golf ball sized lump on your forehead.

10. Bring your putter and wedges or any other club you think you might need with you when you go to play your ball on the far side of the green. I can't tell you how many times I've watched a fellow golfer head to the far side of the green with his sand wedge to get out of a bunker, then walk all the way back to the cart to grab his putter since he didn't bring it with him. I'm rarely impressed with the intellect of these people.

11. Likewise, when you're playing on a cart path only day make sure you bring all the clubs you might need with you when you walk to your ball. I've even played with guys who bring their entire bag. It might be heavy, but it sure is quicker than walking back!

12. Write down your score after you get to the next tee, not while you're still next to the green.

13. Check the time when you tee off on the first hole, and allow no more than 15 minutes per hole, and preferably closer to 12 minutes per hole. If everyone played at a 12 minute per hole pace golf would take less than 4 hours to play 18 holes!

14. Save all your practice putts and other shots for the range. Nobody likes to stand and watch some clown in the group ahead miss 3 or 4 more putts while they're waiting to hit to the green.

15. If you're just learning the game, or maybe just not very good, don't be afraid to pick up your ball from time to time to keep up with the group. Nobody minds playing with a bad golfer, but we all hate playing with a slow golfer.

16. Rake bunkers and fix ball marks while waiting for others to play their shots. Bring the rake into the bunker with you to avoid having to go back and forth and making more footprints to rake.

17. Line up your putts while other members of your group are putting, but make sure you are quiet and still while they are actually mak-ing their putt. Nobody likes to watch anyone walk back and forth and around the green, plumb-bobbing every putt from three differ-ent angles, then leaving every putt three feet short of the hole. Although this can be great fun once or twice, doing it ten or twelve or eighteen times usually leads to the need to find a new foursome for your next round!

18. And finally, quickly leave the green after taking off your hat and shaking hands at the end of your round. Settle your bets in the 19th hole, not on the 18th green!

Golf the Desert’s Guide to Great Golf!

Course Telephone Website

Arizona Golf Resort (18) 480-832-1661 www.azgolfresort.com

Arizona Biltmore (36) 602-955-9655 www.arizonabiltmore.com

The Boulders (36) 480-488-9028 www.theboulders.com

Bougainvillea (18) 602-237-4567 www.bvgolf.net

Club West (18) 480-460-4400 www.bvgolf.net

Camelback (36) 480-596-7050 www.camelbackgolf.com

Desert Canyon (18) 480-837-1173 www.desertcanyongolf.com

Coldwater (18) 623-932-9000 www.coldwatergolfclub.com

Eagle Mountain (18) 480-816-1234 www.eaglemtn.com

Dove Valley Ranch (18) 480-488-0009 www.dovevalleyranch.com

The Foothills (18) 480-460-4653 www.thefoothillsgc.com

GC of Estrella (18) 623-386-2600 www.estrellagolf.com

Grayhawk (36) 480-502-1800 www.grayhawk.com

Gold Canyon Golf Resort (36) 480-982-9449 www.gcgr.com

Kierland (27) 480-922-9283 www.keirlandgolf.com

Hillcrest (18) 623-584-1500 www.hillcrestgolfclub.com

Las Sendas (18) 480-396-4000 www.lassendas.com

Kokopelli (18) 480-926-3589 www.kokopelligc.com

Legend at Arrowhead (18) 623-561-1902 www.legendatarrowhead.com

Legacy Golf Resort (18) 602-305-5550 www.legacygolfresort.com

McCormick Ranch (36) 480-948-0260 www.mccormickranchgolf.com

Longbow (18) 480-807-5400 www.longbowgolf.com

Orange Tree Golf Resort (18) 480-948-3730 www.orangetreegolfresort.com

Ocotillo (27) 480-917-6660 www.ocotillogolf.comVa

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(These are the Courses we recommend to our Friends and Family whenever they come to visit us because they are tired of shoveling 7 to 10 inches of Global Warming off their driveways and sidewalks back home!)

Save Up To 70% Off Your Green Fees at www.GolfAmerica.biz!



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(These are the Courses we recommend to our Friends and Family whenever they come to visit us because they are tired of shoveling 7 to 10 inches of Global Warming off their driveways and sidewalks back home!)


Papago (18) 602-275-8428 www.phoenix.gov

Palm Valley (36) 623-935-2500 www.palmvalleygolf.com

Pointe at Lookout Mtn (18) 602-866-6356 www.pointehilton.com

The Phoenician (27) 480-423-2449 www.thephoenician.com

Rancho Manana (18) 480-488-0398 www.ranchomanana.com

Poston Butte (18) 520-723-1880 www.postonbuttegc.com

Raven at Verrado (18) 623-215-3443 www.ravenatverrado.com

Raven at South Mountain (18) 602-243-3636 www.theravensouthmountain.com

Sanctuary (18) 480-502-8200 www.sanctuarygolf.com

San Marcos Golf Resort (18) 480-963-3358 www.sanmarcosresort.com

Shalimar (9) (perfect for families!) 480-831-1244 www.shalimarcountryclub.com

Scottsdale Silverado (18) 480-778-0100 www.scottsdalesilveradogolfclub.com

Stonecreek (18) 602-953-9110 www.stonecreekgc.com

Starfire (27) 480-948-6000 www.starfiregolfclub.com

Superstition Springs (18) 480-962-4653 www.superstitionspringsgc.com

SunRidge Canyon (18) 480-837-5100 www.sunridgegolf.com

TPC Scottsdale (36) 480-585-3939 www.tpc.com

Talking Stick (36) 480-860-2221 www.talkingstickgolfclub.com

Viewpoint Golf Resort (27) 480-373-5555 www.viewpointgolfresort.com

Troon North (36) (our top pick) 480-585-5300 www.troonnorthgolf.com

Whirlwind (36) 480-940-1500 www.whirlwindgolf.com

We-Ko-Pa (36) 480-836-9000 www.wekopa.com

Wildfire (36) 480-473-0205 www.wildfiregolf.com

Wigwam Golf Resort (54) 623-935-3811 www.wigwamresort.comVa

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Arizona National (18) 520-749-3636 www.arizonanationalgolfclub.com

GC @ Vistoso (18) (our top pick) 520-797-9900 www.vistosogolf.com

El Conquistador (45) 520-544-1800 www.hiltonelconquistador.com

Omni Tucson National (36) 520-575-7540 www.tucsonnational.com

Grande Valley (18) 520-466-7734 www.gvrgolfclub.com

Tubac Golf Resort (27) 520-398-2021 www.tubacgolfresort.com

Starr Pass (27) 520-670-0400 www.jwmarriottstarrpass.com

Ventana Canyon (36) 520-577-4015 www.thelodgeatventanacanyon.com

Lake Powell National (18) 928-645-2023 www.golflakepowell.com

Elephant Rocks (18) 928-635-4935 www.elephantrocks.net

Sedona Golf Resort (18) 928-284-9355 www.sedonagolfresort.com

Oakcreek CC (18) 928-284-1660 www.oakcreekcountryclub.com

StoneRidge (18) 928-772-6500 www.stoneridgegolf.com

Bison G&CC (18) 928-537-4564 www.bisonhomes.com

Apache Stronghold (18) 928-475-7800 www.golfapache.com

Silver Creek (18) 928-537-2744 www.silvercreekgolfclub.com

Emerald Canyon (18) 928-667-3366 www.golakehavasu.com

El Rio G&CC (18) 928-577-0123 www.elriocountryclub.com

The Refuge (18) 928-764-4653 www.siennacorp.com

London Bridge Golf Club (36) 928-855-2719 www.londonbridgegc.comAro

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Prescott/Sedona/Northern AZ

Globe & Show Low

Western AZ/Colorado River

Golf the Desert’s Guide to Great Golf!(These are the Courses we recommend to our Friends and Family whenever they come to visit us because they are tired of shoveling 7 to 10 inches of Global Warming off their driveways and sidewalks back home!)




This SpaceFor Sale

Out Of Boundsby Wil Barnes

Out Of BoundsThis SpaceFor Sale

This SpaceFor Sale(Back Cover!)

Documents

Golf the Desert Magazine Sample