Great Golf Getaways

2026 Travel Guide | Nevada, Utah, and Arizona

1. COYOTE SPRINGS

Coyote Springs is a 50-minute drive north of the Las Vegas Strip and a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Late fall and early winter are when Coyote Springs really shines. Temperatures moderate, with highs in the low 80s in October and the 50s and 60s through the end of the year. For players looking for a change of pace from the courses around the strip, they can find few better options than Coyote Springs.

The Jack Nicklaus-signature 18-hole golf course is challenging and a great vacation or long-weekend option. The course is the cornerstone to a residential and lifestyle community that is growing in the beautiful landscape.

THE GOLF

The course is designed to give a fair experience to all levels of golfers. Five tee box options stretch the course from 5,300 yards to more than 7,400.

Like many of Jack’s greatest courses, the 18-hole tract rolls out like a story with different chapters. The opening holes offer generous landing zones and make it possible to start off with some red numbers on the scorecard. By hole No. 5 – dubbed “The Nickel” – a divided fairway on the long par 5 rewards players who make a smart plan in advance and stick to it.

Bunkers throughout the course are placed near landing zones but still give plenty of elbow room. A few choice ponds are strategically placed to bring real zip into some of the par 3s, as well as all of the final five holes.

Course conditions are routinely excellent, and the course does not aerate or over-seed in the fall, giving fall visitors the perfect conditions they expect.

The club offers its popular annual membership Coyote Club program – $159 in 2026. It gives members a year’s benefits including one complimentary round, five guest passes at “Coyote Club rates, discounts off the dynamically priced resident rate, and other benefits.

A PLACE TO CALL HOME – AND MEAN IT

Coyote Springs will be a community where life is in full motion, with a character of soul-stirring beauty, pioneering independence, interaction with the outdoors, and sharing the rhythms and richness of nature.

Visit CoyoteSprings.Com for more information.

2. SUMMERLIN

West of the Las Vegas Strip lies the quieter enclave of Summerlin, home to great golf, dining and entertainment, with easy access to the parks and wide-open desert landscapes west of the city.

ON THE COURSE

Highland Falls pairs excellent conditions and memorable holes. A two-time Las Vegas Review-Journal Best of Las Vegas winner, the course is known for sweeping city views, highlighted by the panoramic scene from the 14th hole.

Palm Valley offers a traditional layout across gently rolling terrain, with well-conditioned fairways and greens. Mountain views provide a scenic backdrop throughout the round. For golfers short on time, Eagle Crest Golf Course delivers a full 18-hole experience in under three hours. The executive course features six par 4s and 12 par 3s, along with mountain, valley, and Las Vegas Strip views. Golf Summerlin’s lowest rates also make it an approachable option for any budget.

THINGS TO DO NEARBY

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area offers hiking, scenic drives, photography, and spectacular desert landscapes just minutes from Summerlin. Cooler temperatures make winter an especially appealing time to explore. Downtown Summerlin features outdoor shopping, restaurants, entertainment, events and performances. It’s also home to Las Vegas Ballpark, where the Las Vegas Aviators offer an affordable night of minor-league baseball.

RESTAURANTS

Each course offers convenient on-site dining. Miller’s Tavern at Palm Valley serves American tavern favorites in a casual setting, while The Tavern at the Falls at Highland Falls is an easy stop for a quick bite before or after a round

3. GREATER ZION

Fourteen golf courses sit within a 20-mile radius in southwest Utah, each routed through some of the sport’s most dramatic terrain. Red sandstone cliffs frame the fairways; black lava fields become natural hazards; Zion National Park sits close enough for a morning tee time and afternoon canyon hike on the same day. With 300-plus days of sunshine a year, winter isn’t a break from the season. It’s the season. While courses across the Rockies and Midwest sit under snow, Greater Zion’s greens stay open, ready for golf elevated.

PLAY

The courses range from championship-caliber layouts to impressive municipal tracks. Black Desert Resort hosts the Bank of Utah Championship, a PGA TOUR FedExCup event; Sand Hollow Golf Club features three holes ranked among Golf Digest’s America’s 100 Greatest Holes; and Copper Rock Golf Course delivers dramatic elevation changes. Coral Canyon and The Ledges consistently rank among Utah’s favorites, while Sky Mountain and Dixie Red Hills prove you don’t need a club membership for a memorable round. Explore them all at GreaterZion.com.

STAY

St. George, Ivins, and Hurricane put golfers close to the courses. Resorts offer full amenities and short drives to the first tee, while short-term rentals give groups room to spread out, with kitchens and space for clubs. For something different, glamping and RV sites put you closer to the desert without sacrificing access to a tee time.

DINE

In Greater Zion, a round rarely ends when the ball drops in the cup. Settle in for lunch with a view, grab a drink after the 18th, or head downtown to discover a local favorite. From Southwestern flavors and barbecue to Indian, Thai, and chef-driven creations, Greater Zion turns local ingredients, big flavors, and Utah originals into meals worth remembering.

EXPLORE

Golf doesn’t have to fill the whole day. Ride an e-bike past petrified dunes and lava fields at Snow Canyon State Park, soak in Zion Canyon Hot Springs, or book a sunset jeep tour for desert views you won’t see from the fairway. Add a Zion National Park hike, and a golf trip becomes a complete vacation – even for the non-golfers who tag along

4. TROON GOLF ARIZONA

From Scottsdale and Phoenix to Tucson and the East Valley, Troon Golf Arizona offers an incredible variety of courses and experiences for golfers looking to make the most of their next Arizona getaway.

Play amid Arizona’s striking landscapes at AkChin Southern Dunes Golf Club, The Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale, Dove Valley Ranch Golf Club, and Eagle Mountain Golf Club. Enjoy expansive desert scenery and mountain views at courses throughout the Valley, including Golf Club of Estrella, Grass Clippings Rolling Hills, Las Colinas Golf Club and Longbow Golf Club. Or tee it up at iconic area courses including Lookout Mountain Golf Club, Power Ranch Golf Club, The Phoenician, The Westin Kierland Golf Club, or Troon North Golf Club.

Looking to venture beyond the Valley? The Club at Starr Pass in Tucson and SaddleBrooke TWO in Oro Valley offer even more opportunities to experience Arizona golf. Whether you’re planning a dedicated golf getaway, escaping the winter cold, or simply looking for a few memorable rounds while visiting Arizona, there’s a Troon course ready to welcome you.

With courses across the state, Troon Golf Arizona makes it easy to discover your next great round this fall or winter. Explore more at TroonGolfAZ.com.

TROON RESORTS & COURSES

• Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club: AkChinSouthernDunes.com
• Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale: TheBoulders.com
• Dove Valley Ranch Golf Club: DoveValleyRanch.com
• Eagle Mountain Golf Club: EagleMtn.com
• Golf Club of Estrella: EstrellaGolf.com
• Grass Clippings Rolling Hills: GrassClippingsAZ.com
• Las Colinas Golf Club: LasColinasGolfAZ.com
• Longbow Golf Club: LongbowGolf.com
• Lookout Mountain Golf Club: LookoutMountainGolf.com
• Power Ranch Golf Club: PowerRanchGolfClub.com
• SaddleBrooke TWO: GolfSaddlebrooke.com
• Sedona Golf Resort: SedonaGolfResort.com
• The Club at Starr Pass: TheClubatStarrPass.com
• The Phoenician: GolfThePhoenician.com
• The Westin Kierland Golf Club: KierlandGolf.com
• Troon North Golf Club: TroonNorthGolf.com

5. WE-KO-PA

The We-Ko-Pa golf courses northeast of Scottsdale are longtime favorites for Coloradans seeking to escape the grey and cold of winter. The two courses – Cholla and Saguaro – have elite pedigrees and the course conditions are perennially fantastic.

In 2001 the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation built one resort course, which they named Cholla, at the same time as they opened their new We-Ko-Pa casino and resort nearby. Then in 2005 they added the Saguaro Course from the design team of Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore. The two quickly became a popular overnight or day-trip destination for golfers from Colorado visiting Phoenix and Scottsdale.

The courses make use of the region’s natural arroyos – the channels cut by the sudden rainstorms which can bring torrents of water to bone-dry land seemingly out of nowhere. The result is courses that allow players to focus on the challenge, the experience, and their playing partners.

CHOLLA COURSE

Chollas are the spiny cacti that dot the land in the Valley of the Sun, and the course and the cacti are both cut from the same cloth. Both are at times narrow, floral, and welcoming with their natural beauty, but exacting for visitors who do not know how to handle them.

Cholla, a Scott Miller design, turned 25 years old last winter, and the course has matured magnificently. The course begins with desert washes fronting the tee box on No. 1. Most of the holes require a good swat to clear a wash or desert terrain, but if players choose wisely on which tee box to start from it should become a cause of pride and not consternation. The greens on the first four holes all have knolls and significant contour changes. By the back half of the front nine, greens level out slightly, but some more aggressive bunkering comes into play to offer a new challenge.

SAGUARO COURSE

The Saguaro course is the course that makes all the best-of-Arizona lists and is the one that visiting players want to be good and warmed up for. The Coore/Crenshaw design has welcoming fairways, but driving angles from the back tees can be crucial. The namesake saguaro cacti tower over players throughout the course.

The experience for both courses starts with great design and conditions. Then as players wind through the desert, the world outside slowly fades away. For a few hours, players put their skills to the test and come away feeling as though they have accomplished something special, regardless of their score.

6. VERRADO

VERRADO IS A MUST-PLAY DESTINATION

Nestled in the scenic foothills of the White Tank Mountains, just west of Phoenix, Verrado Golf Club offers two distinctive 18-hole championship courses. Designed by PGA Tour veteran Tom Lehman, these courses – Founder’s and Victory – promise an unforgettable golfing experience for players of all skill levels. Whether you’re drawn by dramatic elevation changes or serene desert landscapes, Verrado is a must-play destination.

THE FOUNDER’S AND VICTORY COURSE

The Founder’s Course delivers a thrilling challenge with its mountainside layout. Massive rock outcroppings, rugged desert washes, and picturesque box canyons shape the course, offering breathtaking views of both the White Tank Mountains and the Phoenix skyline. Measuring nearly 7,300 yards from the back tees, this course caters to accomplished golfers seeking a formidable test. However, with five sets of tees and generous landing areas, it ensures that players of all abilities can enjoy the round. Architects John Fought and Tom Lehman designed the course to be both exciting and accessible – giving everyone a fair shot at par.

As a complement to the Founder’s Course, the Victory Course offers a unique and equally rewarding experience. Designed to embrace the natural rocky terrain, this 18-hole layout combines strategic design with stunning scenery. Immaculate fairways and greens provide a smooth, enjoyable round, while the 18th hole delivers a memorable finish that leaves golfers eager for a return visit.

DINING AT VERRADO GRILLE

After a day on the links, Verrado Grille offers the perfect place to unwind. The Verrado Grille features a vibrant atmosphere, impeccable service, and spectacular Sonoran Desert sunsets. Whether you’re dining indoors or relaxing on the open patio, the menu promises an elevated take on golf-course fare. With a mix of comfort and sophistication, it’s a fitting way to wrap up your experience at Verrado Golf Club.

CLIFF HOUSE

For a quick stop during your round or a peaceful retreat afterward, the Cliff House awaits. Perched on the edge of the course with panoramic views of the Victory Course, this cozy spot serves fresh sandwiches, salads, and more. Whether you’re refueling or simply savoring the moment, the Cliff House invites you to relax and soak in the serene surroundings.

Verrado Golf Club offers more than just a round of golf – it’s a destination where championship courses, stunning scenery, and exceptional dining converge. Whether you’re an avid golfer or simply in search of a memorable day in the desert, Verrado promises an experience you won’t soon forget.

verradogolfclub.com