Golf Getaways: Arizona Hot Spots — By Tom Mackin

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Eagle Mountain Golf Club Some visiting golfers drive by this Scott Miller design on their way to other more highly acclaimed courses nearby, but it’s their loss. Located just off East Shea Boulevard in Fountain Hills, Ariz., the course at Eagle Mountain Golf Club is both picturesque and challenging. Opened in 1996, Eagle Mountain flows through canyons and ravines, with fairways often shaped to help funnel errant drives back toward safety en route to huge, undulating greens. Water comes into play rather dramatically on the par-4 closing holes to each nine, with those greens guarded down the left and right side respectively by the hazard. While there is plenty of grass on every hole, there are not many flat lies, so brush up on the proper way to play those tricky sidehill, downhill, and uphill shots. Still, it’s a fun layout and the conditioning is above average. “Eagle Mountain is very player friendly, so you won’t get beat up like you might at a target-style desert course,” says head golf professional Jeremy Hayman. “And the views throughout are incredible.” Those distractions include the downtown Phoenix skyline, the McDowell Mountains, and Red Mountain, which you’ll be facing on the 18th, a par 4 that drops 250 feet from tee to green. Stay The Inn at Eagle Mountain could not be better positioned: within a three-wood of the course, with some rooms offering glimpses of the 10th and 18th holes. Numerous themed suites are available, from a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired version to the Old Mexico style of the......