In July of 2010, an Arizona golfer was hit by lightning at Fred Enke Golf Course in Tucson.  The golfer subsequently died of his injuries, a sad reminder of the vulnerability of golfers to unpredictable lightning strikes.  According to the National Lightning Safety Institute (NLSI), 5% of all deaths and injuries from lightning that occur each year take place on golf courses. 

The NLSI recommends suspending all activities on a golf course when lightning is determined to be 6 miles away.  Golfers should move to the closest permanent building or completely enclosed metal vehicle.  Trees should be avoided since they attract lightning strikes.

The NLSI website explains how to determine the distance of lightning and provides detailed safety instructions for golfers.

The Alpine Country Club is located near the Apache National Forest in the “Alps” region of Arizona.  With an elevation of over 8100 feet, the club’s 9-hole golf course is among the highest in the nation.  Dense groves of blue spruce, aspens and ponderosa pines border the fairway.  All types of wildlife, including elk, are a common site on the greens.  The Alpine offers some of the coolest Arizona golf in the warm summer months.  Find out more at the Alpine Golf & Country Club website.

Springtime is coming to the White Mountains near Show Low, but the snow is not gone yet. This inspirational YouTube video shows the beauty of springtime snow in the White Mountains:

Where else but Arizona can you find catci covered with a blanket of snow? We’re looking forward to the thaw and getting back to Arizona golf as the warm weather returns.

Emerald Canyon Golf Course in Parker, Arizona, is a truly unique course. Surrounded by spectacular scenery including red rock canyons and views of the Colorado River, the course features sculpted tee areas and bunkers and immaculately manicured fairways. Emerald Canyon is a great year-round Arizona golf value, with 18 holes and cart costing less than $50. For more information and complete directions, see the Emerald Canyon Golf Course website.

SunRidge Canyon Golf Course, located in Arizona near Scottsdale, offers a challenging Arizona golf experience in a natural desert environment. Topographical features throughout the course create a dramatic effect and put the skills of both novice and advanced golfers to the test. The 6823-yard SunRidge Canyon Golf Course begins at the mouth of a canyon and descends via a series of switchbacks to the canyon floor.

This outstanding course has been enhanced with the availability of ProLink’s GPS system, which provides a full-color monitor which displays a map of each hole, yardage to pin information, playing tips and easy communication with the clubhouse. Tournament scoring and leaderboards cal also be tracked with ProLink.

For more information, visit the SunRidge Canyon Golf website.

The Phoenician Golf Club is set in the spectacular scenery of the Sonoran Desert near Scottsdale, Arizona. Golfing variety is available on three nine-hole courses with challenges for every level of golfer. This luxury resort is located on 250 acres and includes over 500 guest rooms and luxury suites, 120 casitas, 10 restaurant and lounges, a world-class spa and nine beautiful pools. On September 23, the Phoenician is hosting the Four Peaks Beer Fest. For more information about this great Arizona golf course, check out the Phoenician Golf Club website.

The Arizona Golf Association is a great way for amateur golfers to stay connected with the game and to learn more about golfing in Arizona. Two different levels of membership are available. The Recreation membership level includes a subscription to either an Arizona golf magazine or Golf Digest magazine and also provides access to discounts and special offers. The Club membership level allows golfers to maintain a USGA handicap. Club membership requires membership in a licensed golf club, and AGA membership is then automatic.

In October, the AGA is sponsoring an October Fest Weekend event at Mayan Palace in Puerto Penasco, Mexico. 36 holes of stableford competition will be held over the weekend, with awards to low Gross and Net winners. Find out more at the Arizona Golf Association website.

Here’s a great YouTube video called Golf Tricks, featuring a player from the University of Arizona golf team.  This video is similar to a Nike-sponsored video featuring Tiger Woods, but has an extra bonus trick.  If you’d like to learn how  to do these tricks yourself,  check out this instructional golf tricks video:

There are many different types of vacations out there, but a golf vacation in Arizona is one that can best be described as healthy. If golf is your goal and you take advantage of all the area has to offer in terms of fitness and relaxation, you can’t help but have a healthy Arizona vacation. There are a multitude of spas, heath resorts and wellness centers in the Tucson area. Golf is part of the package at many of these resorts. In total, there are more than 50 golf courses in the Tucson area, with a wide variety of terrains and skill levels available. Other outdoor activities to combine with golf include hiking, swimming and tennis. For more information, check out this article.