Phoenix & the Valley of the Sun - American Southwest - page 444

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Rd. ( & 480/488-5261; www.flattirebikes.com). If you'd like a guide for some of the best
biking in the desert, contact Desert Biking Adventures ( & 888/249-BIKE [2453] or
602/320-4602; www.desertbikingadventures.com), which leads 2-, 3-, and 4-hour tours
(and specializes in downhill rides). Prices range from $80 to $100. In Old Town Scotts-
dale, you can rent a bike in Scottsdale at Bicycle Haus, 7025 E. Fifth Ave. ( & 480/994-
4287 ), and head out on the gravel path beside the canal that flows through the heart of
the Scottsdale Waterfront. Cruiser bikes rent for $40 per day or $30 for a half-day.
If you'd rather confine your cycling to a paved surface, there's no better route than
Scottsdale's Indian Bend Wash greenbelt, a paved path that extends for more than 10
miles along Hayden Road (from north of Shea Blvd. to Tempe). The Indian Bend Wash
pathway can be accessed at many points along Hayden Road. At the south end, the path
connects to paved paths on the shores of Tempe Town Lake and provides easy access to
Tempe's Mill Avenue shopping district.
GOLF With more than 200 courses in the Valley of the Sun, golf is just about the most
popular sport in Phoenix and one of the main reasons people flock here in winter. Sun-
shine, spectacular views, and the company of coyotes, quails, and doves make playing a
round of golf here a truly memorable experience.
However, despite the number of courses, it can be difficult to get a tee time on any of
the more popular courses (especially during the months of Feb, Mar, and Apr). If you're
staying at a resort with a course, be sure to make your tee-time reservations at the same
time you make your room reservations. If you aren't staying at a resort, you might still be
able to play a round on a resort course if you can get a last-minute tee time. Try one of
the tee-time reservations services below.
The only thing harder than getting a winter or spring tee time in the Valley is facing
the bill at the end of your 18 holes. Greens fees at most public and resort courses range
from $100 to $185, with the top courses often charging $200 to $250 or more. Some
municipal courses, on the other hand, charge less than $60. You can save money on many
courses by opting for twilight play, which usually begins between 1 and 3pm.
You can get more information on Valley of the Sun golf courses from the Greater
Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau, 125 N. Second St. ( & 877/225-5749 or 602/
452-6282; www.visitphoenix.com).
It's a good idea to make reservations well in advance. You can avoid the hassle of book-
ing tee times yourself by contacting Golf Xpress ( & 888/679-8246 or 602/404-GOLF
[4653]; www.azgolfxpress.com), which can make reservations farther in advance than
you could if you called the golf course directly, and can sometimes get you lower greens
fees as well. This company also makes hotel reservations, rents golf clubs, and provides
other assistance to golfers visiting the Valley. For last-minute reservations, call Stand-by
Golf ( & 800/655-5345; www.discountteetimes.com).
The many resort courses are the favored fairways of valley visitors. Some of my favor-
ites are listed below:
• The Boulders For spectacular scenery, the two Jay Morrish-designed 18-hole
courses at The Boulders, 34631 N. Tom Darlington Dr., Carefree ( & 480/488-9028;
www.thebouldersclub.com), just can't be beat. Given the option, play the South
Course, and watch out as you approach the tee box on the 7th hole—it's a real heart-
stopper. You'll pay $215 to $285 for a round in winter.
• Wigwam Golf and Country Club Wigwam has, count 'em, three championship
18-hole courses. The Gold Course is legendary, but even the Blue and Red courses are
worth playing. The club is in the city of Litchfield Park, on the far west side of the

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