Phoenix

When it comes to golf, the city of Phoenix finishes second -- and a distant second at that -- to the almost ridiculous surplus of top-10 courses in north Scottsdale.

But that doesn't mean Phoenix is bereft of quality 18-hole layouts. In fact, golfers can still play terrific venues and not have to shell out nearly as much money as they would to play one of north Scottsdale's finest.

In fact, rates at some of Phoenix's best golf courses can be had for as low as $50 in the winter and $20 in the hot summer months.

Any discussion of the Phoenix golf scene has to start with the Raven Golf Club near South Mountain. It's one of the unique golfing experiences in the Valley. More than 7,000 pine trees were imported to give the course a parkland feel, and the Raven's diversity of holes are as great as any club in the Valley.

Oh, the Raven also has a $1,800 beer mug chiller. Just saying!

Phoenix has more than its share of resort courses, including three nine-hole layouts at The Phoenician, the easy-to-get-around Adobe Course at the Arizona Biltmore, and the quirky Arizona Grand, which features three par 5s, five par 3s and a par-71 course that measures 6,288 yards from the tips.

The suburbs of Phoenix are awash in possibilities. On the west side, golfers can test the elevation changes at Raven Verrado, the 83 steep-faced bunkers at The Golf Club of Estrella in Goodyear, or stay-and-play at the Wigwam Resort, which has three 18-hole courses, two of which were designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr.

The East Valley features a bevy of beauties, from Dinosaur Mountain in Gold Canyon -- it's arguably the most underrated golf course in Arizona -- to Superstition Mountain, former site of an LPGA tournament, and Ocotillo Golf Resort in Chandler, which features water on 23 of its 27 holes.

On the northwest side, head out to Quintero Golf Club. Once a private club, Quintero has the best collection of par 3s in the state.

Weekend hackers can enjoy as well: The Greater Phoenix area has some quality municipal layouts, including Dobson Ranch and Maryvale Golf Course.

Phoenix never will be able to match Scottsdale's cache when it comes to golf. But that's okay. It more than stands on its own.