339: Recapping our Arizona Golf Adventures

There's something almost magical about hitting the road with good friends and discovering unexpected golf treasures along the way. Our recent Arizona golf adventure delivered exactly that kind of experience – from world-class courses to surprisingly delicious roadside burritos, and everything in between.The journey began at 2nd Swing Golf in Scottsdale, where we encountered a scene that would warm any golf enthusiast's heart: dozens of people waiting outside before opening time, eager to explore the incredible selection inside. Once through the doors, we discovered a wonderland of golf equipment – private fitting bays, an expansive putting green with PuttView technology, walls lined with every imaginable brand of used clubs, and even rare Scotty Cameron collections that had us geeking out completely.But the real highlight was playing We-ko-pa's Cholla course, where the conditions defied belief. Despite having been punched just two weeks prior, the Bermuda greens were flawless – a testament to the incredible maintenance team. The course layout perfectly utilized the natural elevation changes, creating a dynamic playing experience that had us all agreeing this might have been the best golf of our trip. Special shoutout to Todd in outside services, whose exceptional attention to detail elevated our experience from great to unforgettable.Our stay in Payson at the Mansion on Main provided the perfect basecamp for exploring private courses, Chaparral Pines and The Rim Club – exclusive venues we accessed through the Beautiful Golf Courses and Fore Hadley Foundation fundraiser. These courses sparked friendly debates among us about routing, scenery, and playability, with The Rim's dramatic "hold my beer" back nine featuring some truly spectacular holes. We're already planning how to bid in this year's fundraiser to discover more hidden gems.The trip reminded us why these getaways matter so much – they're not just about the golf, but about disconnecting from daily responsibilities and reconnecting with what makes this game special. As we told each other repeatedly throughout the episode, if you haven't taken a golf trip with friends lately, do it. Do it for your game, do it for the memories, but most importantly, do it for your mental health.The Golf StopAn indoor Trackman Lounge in the south end of the valley featuring four bays, a snack bar, and beer!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show