Arizona Golf Communities

ARIZONA GOLF COMMUNITIES

The renowned Valley of the Sun in the Phoenix-Scottsdale region of Arizona holds its place with any golf destination in the world.

Likewise, its Arizona golf communities have the quality and diversity to dominate many a best-of list, as do the higher-end enclaves of Tucson, Sedona and several other outposts.

On a winter stroll through any airport in the upper Midwest, you’ll see travelers with golf gear and it will be a safe bet they are headed for the Grand Canyon State.

Arizona Golf Communities = Winter Destinations

Their intention is to trade the snow and sleet outside their windows for daytime winter temperatures that average in the very pleasant lower 60s under clear skies on most days.

The more time one spends in Arizona—particularly in the greater Phoenix area—the more accustomed one becomes to the summer heat, which typically rises above 100 degree though with low humidity.

The climate is a mix of arid and semi-arid conditions, producing annual precipitation averages of about 3 inches in the state’s southwest corner and all the way up to 40 inches in the White Mountain region.

The heaviest rains tend to fall during the summer thunderstorm season, sometimes referred to as monsoon season. Stormwater can quickly accumulate, causing flooded streets or, in natural terrain, what are called washes. In Phoenix, the record for one-day rainfall is just under five inches.

Arizona Golf Communities – The Desert Life

The area’s mountain vistas along with the soothing desert ambience enrich a player’s golf experience both strategically and sensually, thus the game’s popularity here.

At last count there were over 370 golf courses in the state, a high percentage of them clustered in Scottsdale, Phoenix and surrounding towns.

The gated Arizona golf community is a highly prevalent form of residential land development. Some of these enclaves are built to accommodate year-rounders who are raising families, while others are designed with the second-home buyer and a retirement residence in mind.

Arizona–Tax Friendly to Retirees

Kiplinger has described Arizona as decidedly tax-friendly to retirees. The state does not levy a tax on Social Security benefits—11 U.S. states do—and its individual income tax rate of a flat 2.5 percent, which took effect in 2023, is relatively low.

In addition, there’s no Arizona state tax on estates, nor any other forms of inheritance tax.

Desert Hiking, Ranches & More

Along with being popular for vacationers and retirees, Arizona is also known for:

• Grand Canyon National Park
• Desert hiking
• Hot air ballooning
• Dude ranches
• Raft rides on scenic waterways both tame and wild

Its world-famous Grand Canyon National Park draws approximately 5 million visitors each year. Many who make the pilgrimage will stop first at the canyon’s South Rim, which is home to Grand Canyon Village, scenic overlooks and several of the most popular hikes.

Pro Sports Flourish

As the state has grown in population and prominence, pro sports leagues have been planting their flags here, giving Arizona golf communities and their residents an exciting entertainment option.

The Phoenix Suns were first to arrive, in 1968, as part of NBA expansion. Twenty years later the NFL came to town in the form of the Cardinals, on a relocation from St. Louis.

The Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team dates back to 1998 and the Coyotes of the National Hockey League have called Arizona home since 2014.

Home every January to the PGA Tour‘s often raucous WM Phoenix Open, The Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale packs in the fans and draws a big television audience as well. All told, these pro sporting events provide Arizona golf community residents with top-flight entertainment year-round.