Scottsdale

There's no other way to say it: Scottsdale -- and in particular north Scottsdale -- is a golfing Mecca.

Nearly 200 public golf courses have been built in the Valley, and it seems like 198 of them are in six-mile square radius in north Scottsdale.

There's Troon North and We-Ko-Pa, Grayhawk and Wildfire, Kierland Golf Club and The Boulders and, just a few miles east, in Fountain Hills, Sunridge Canyon and Eagle Mountain.

Those are just a few of the offerings in Scottsdale. Golfers could plan a seven-day vacation, play 36 holes a day and still not hit all of of the top golf courses in Scottsdale.

The quality offerings come at a price, though. First, properties like Troon North and Grayhawk aren't always easy on the wallet. A winter tee time will run north of $200. But golfers don't seem to mind, given how spectacular both the courses and the surrounding scenery are.

Second, Scottsdale's best courses, like Troon North, aren't for the pitch-and-putt crowd. The desert layouts will tax the most accomplished golfer. It's wise to stock up on sunscreen and golf balls. But, then, if you're going to pay $200, might as well get your money's worth.

Scottsdale does have alternatives for the golfer looking for more affordable tee times, or a higher level of playability. The North and South Courses at the Talking Stick Resort are easier on the scorecard, and McCormick Ranch features two old-fashioned, tree-lined golf courses with plenty of water.

Then, of course, there's the Tournament Players Club of Scottsdale, site of the Waste Management Phoenix Open. No golfing trip to the Valley is complete without standing on the tee box of the infamous par-3 16th hole on TPC Scottsdale's Stadium Course and imagining 20,000 boisterous fans primed and ready to boo if your tee shot misses the green. It's a unique -- and yes, somewhat frightening -- experience.

That's the beauty of the Scottsdale golf scene. There's something for everyone, from the high handicappers who just want to enjoy themselves to the serious golfers who expect the best of everything, from the clubhouse to the course.

Simply put, Scottsdale has it all. The difficult part isn't picking which courses to play, but which courses don't make the cut.