Great — here’s a ready-to-use weekend getaway plan in Scottsdale built around golf and relaxation. I’ve included three resort options (luxury, mid-range, boutique), two suggested itineraries (one for keen golfers, one more balanced with spa time), course and spa picks, dining, transport/booking tips, packing list, and estimated budgets.
Important notes up front
- Scottsdale is a top U.S. golf destination, with peak season October–April (best weather and busiest tee times). Plan and reserve early if you travel during those months. (golfcoursehomes.com)
- I’m recommending courses that are consistently rated among the best in the Scottsdale area: Troon North, TPC Scottsdale, We‑Ko‑Pa, and Grayhawk. (blog.loopgolf.co)
Where to stay (pick one)
- Luxury — The Phoenician (luxury resort with multiple pools, golf access, big spa). Good for full-resort amenities and service. (golfcoursehomes.com)
- Mid-range / Golf-focused — Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North (excellent desert setting, close to Troon North courses, high-end service). (golfcoursehomes.com)
- Boutique / Relaxed Desert Retreat — The Boulders Resort & Spa (iconic desert boulder setting, two distinctive courses, strong spa). (golfcoursehomes.com)
Two sample 2-night itineraries
A. For golfers who want maximum playing time (Golf-Heavy)
Friday
- Afternoon: Arrive Scottsdale, check into chosen resort.
- Early evening: Short warm-up at resort driving range / take a light practice.
- Dinner: Resort restaurant or nearby casual steakhouse.
Saturday
- Morning: Tee time ~7:30–8:00 at Troon North (Monument or Pinnacle) — scenic, challenging desert golf. (blog.loopgolf.co)
- Afternoon: Lunch at Troon North clubhouse; return to resort for a light nap or soak.
- Late afternoon: 60–90 minute spa treatment (massage or sports recovery) at your resort spa to loosen up.
- Evening: Dinner at resort or Kierland Commons (if you’re staying north).
Sunday
- Morning: Tee time at Grayhawk (Raptor or Talon) or TPC Scottsdale — Grayhawk has two acclaimed courses; TPC will please anyone who wants to walk a stadium-style PGA Tour venue (and photo opportunity at the par‑3 16). (scottsdale.com)
- Early afternoon: Quick cool-down at resort pool, check out, depart.
B. Balanced golf + relaxation (Spa-Focused)
Friday
- Late afternoon: Arrive, check in, 60–90 minute spa treatment (full-body or desert-inspired signature treatment).
- Evening: Relaxed dinner on resort grounds.
Saturday
- Morning: Tee time at We‑Ko‑Pa (Saguaro or Cholla) — gorgeous desert views and walkable layout (a calmer, pristine desert experience). (nbcsports.com)
- Afternoon: Lunch, then soak in resort pool and enjoy an afternoon facial or body scrub at the spa.
- Evening: Sunset cocktail at resort, casual dinner.
Sunday
- Morning: Optional short round (executive or par-3) or yoga class at resort, late brunch, check out.
Recommended courses (short notes)
- Troon North Golf Club — Two signature courses (Monument & Pinnacle), classic north-Scottsdale desert landscape. Book early. (blog.loopgolf.co)
- We‑Ko‑Pa Golf Club — Two award-winning courses (Saguaro & Cholla) set in untouched desert; excellent conditioning and views. (nbcsports.com)
- TPC Scottsdale — Famous Stadium Course (Waste Management Phoenix Open home) — fun for fans and photo ops on the 16th. (grandwelcome.com)
- Grayhawk Golf Club — Two excellent courses (Raptor & Talon); good resort/club experience and convenient location. (scottsdale.com)
- The Boulders (if staying there) — Two rugged desert courses surrounded by dramatic boulder formations. (scottsdalegolfweekend.com)
Spa & recovery suggestions
- Book a signature massage or sports massage the day after your longest round.
- Look for après‑golf recovery options: cryotherapy (if available), infrared sauna, deep-stretch or guided mobility sessions at the resort spa.
- Popular types of treatments at Scottsdale resorts: deep tissue, desert-salt scrubs, and hot-stone or CBD-enhanced massages.
Dining & nightlife
- Resort dining (Phoenix/Scottsdale resorts have high-quality steak and Southwestern-inspired restaurants).
- Kierland Commons / Scottsdale Quarter — good neighborhoods for casual or upscale pre/post-round meals and bars.
- If you want a memorable steakhouse or Southwestern fine dining, ask your resort concierge for reservations — weekend slots fill fast.
Logistics & booking tips
- Tee times: book as early as possible. In high season (Oct–Apr) prime morning times fill weeks or months ahead. Look for stay-and-play packages the resorts offer to bundle rooms + tee times. (golfcoursehomes.com)
- Riding vs walking: check each course policy. Troon North and some courses encourage walking but also offer carts; We‑Ko‑Pa is known for walkability.
- Rental clubs: available at most courses/resorts — reserve in advance if you’re not bringing clubs.
- Transportation: Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) is the nearest major airport (20–30+ min to Scottsdale depending on traffic). Renting a car is easiest for flexibility, though many resorts provide shuttles to nearby courses.
- Weather: Scottsdale is generally dry and sunny; bring sun protection and hydrate on-course.
Packing checklist (golf + relaxation)
- Golf essentials: clubs (or reserve rentals), two to three gloves, tees, rangefinder, comfortable golf shoes (and soft spikes if required), polo shirts, hat/visor, light layers for morning.
- Spa/relaxation: swimsuit, flip-flops, lightweight robe (resorts usually provide), water bottle, sunscreen, sunglasses.
- Extras: portable phone charger, small first-aid/anti-chafe, electrolyte tablets.
Estimated budget (per person, weekend)
- Luxury option (Phoenician / Four Seasons): $1,100–2,500+ — includes 2 nights, one premium round, spa treatment, meals (depends on room choice & meals). (golfcoursehomes.com)
- Mid-range / Golf-focused: $600–1,200 — includes 2 nights at a high-end-but-not-ultra-luxury hotel, two rounds (one at a top public course), basic meals.
- Budget-conscious: $350–700 — 2 nights at a moderate hotel, one round at a public course, limited spa time or off-site massage.
Quick timeline for booking
- Choose your weekend and confirm how many players are in your party.
- Reserve your resort first (stay-and-play packages can hold tee times or save money). (golfcoursehomes.com)
- Book tee times at your preferred courses (Troon North, We‑Ko‑Pa, Grayhawk, TPC). Saturdays and mornings fill first.
- Reserve spa appointments for the day after your longest round and dinner reservations for Saturday night.
- Arrange transport (rental car or resort shuttle) and rental clubs if needed.
Extras & personalization ideas
- Add a short guided desert hike or hot-air balloon ride if you want extra scenery.
- For a group: consider booking a lesson with a local pro the morning of arrival to sharpen your game.
- If you want caddies or a local playing partner, ask the course concierge; some clubs offer caddie programs.
If you want, I can:
- Draft a sample booking checklist with specific tee time windows and plus/minus time windows for arrival and departure.
- Compare 2–3 available stay-and-play packages for a particular weekend you have in mind (I can look up live availability/pricing).
Which resort vibe do you prefer (luxury/resort-heavy, golf-focused, or boutique/relaxed)? I can tailor the plan and pull specific tee-time and spa availability for a particular weekend.