There is so much to do at the Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale. While some prefer to take a gamble at the tables or slot machines, others prefer to try their luck on the links. The Talking Stick Golf Club offers a challenging yet relaxing day of play on either the North or South course. Managed by Troon Golf, the leader in luxury golf courses, the club offers perfectly manicured greens, water features, and sand traps making it a splendid oasis in the middle of the desert. Located on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, there are no residential areas that the courses wind through so you can take perfect peace in your surroundings, and yet know that you are only minutes from the bustling downtown Scottsdale area.
The North and South courses were designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, and each offers unique challenges. The North course is a Scottish style course with 18 holes through grassland and well thought out bunkering. The South course is a more traditional style with tree lined fairways, and water hazards on four of the 18 holes. If you want to warm up before your game or just want to practice your swing, the practice facility is one of the best in the valley offering a 17,000 square foot putting green and a driving range that is 150 yards wide by 360 yards long. While you’re here, you’ll want to be sure to visit the golf shop. Named as a 100 best golf shop in Golf World, it’s a must see. Everything you need is here from equipment to apparel for both men and women.
When you play here, you could even become famous! Get a hole in one, tell the golf shop, and get a commemorative flag, have it reported to the local newspaper The Arizona Republic, and have your name and which hole it was published on the golf club’s website. The website has great tools you can use to book your tee time, stay up to date on specials, and have your questions answered. For instance, a big question here is always “What is a Talking Stick?” There are two answers. Some believe it was a stick handed around at meetings, and whoever had the stick, had their turn to talk. A better answer is a wooden stick that had carvings on it symbolizing the seasons, years, events like drought, eclipses and festivals making it a primitive calendar. Talking Stick is proud to be only the 14th course in Arizona to be designated as a “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.” This means that the club has been recognized for environmental excellence in the categories of Environmental Planning, Wildlife and Habitat Management, Outreach and Education, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, and Water Quality Management.
Not only a place to play, Talking Stick is also a place to learn and hone your skills. There are many different classes available from Tim Mahoney Golf Schools, Troon Golf Schools, a Ladies Only class, clinics, and instructional packages. Many notable tournaments have been played here, and if you’d like to host your own, there’s an inquiry form on the website. Hosting a tournament, outing, or other event at Talking Stick is as easy as pie. The kind and helpful staff will make sure to provide all the assistance you need so that your event is as nice and stress free as possible. The grounds are so beautiful, that many couples decide to hold their weddings here as well. Ceremony and reception areas make for an unforgettable day.
When it’s time to eat, The Wildhorse Grille is the spot for a quick dinner, event, or wedding reception. As elegant or as casual as you’d like it to be, Wildhorse hits the spot. Chef Patrick Karvis has crafted some of the most mouthwatering dishes this side of the valley. Open for breakfast and lunch as well as a full bar every day of the week, anytime is a good time to enjoy the Wildhorse. Be sure to sign up to receive information on special events, and the wine dinners that are known to happen there. So come to the only place in Scottsdale where you can play 18 during the day, and hit 21 that evening. There’s no better place to play.