Arizona Labor Day Weekend - Bearable? What about golf?
 

We've been tossing around the idea of going to an AZ resort during Labor Day weekend for some golf and good food. The prices are sky high for some of these places, and since we're just a couple of 30 year-old working stiffs, i'd like to sit in the lap of luxury for a couple of days while room rates are still rock bottom during the summer. <BR><BR>I've never been to AZ during Aug/Sept so i'm wondering if it's going to be way too hot for us to want to be outdoors for 4 or 5 hours a day. Can anyone give me some input as to course condition, ambient temperature, quality of players during this time? We're not the greatest golfers, but can keep up without slowing down play.<BR><BR>We're looking at a bunch of places. They're all about the same in terms of rates:<BR><BR>The Lodge at Ventana Canyon<BR>Loews at Ventana Canyon<BR>The Boulders<BR>The Biltmore in Scottsdale<BR><BR>What do you all think? Is Tucson a little cooler than Scottsdale? What's Carefree like? <BR><BR>Thanks for the help.<BR>

The heat is about as hot as it gets over that weekend. If you plan on golfing, get a 5 am tee time.

What's your definition of bearable? I personally would get an early tee time. Having said that I see golfers out today and it's 110 degrees.<BR><BR>Carefree is an upscale town north of Phoenix. It is very nice. Tucson is always cooler than Phoenix.<BR><BR>It should be around 100 degrees or so at that time. Do remember that we have very low humidity so I like to tell people that if you are from the midwest you can subtract about 15 degrees for a similar temperature. What is 100 in Phoenix is about 85 in Chicago.<BR><BR>Have a good trip.

My husband golfs 3x a week, year around and tees off at 8:30, off the course around noon and doesn't seem too worse the wear. The places you want to stay are sensational and have superb restaurants, so c'mon out.

I say, go for it. Yes, it will be extremely hot. But if you play golf very early you should be ok. Then hang out in (not at, but in) the pool for the rest of the day. I would recommend the Boulders in Carefree. The Carefree/Cave Creek area is several degrees cooler than Phoenix/Scottsdale. (Still hot but every degree helps).

I was in Arizona over Labor Day in 2000, and the monsoons were bad that week. Temperatures however were only in the upper 90's and the locals were delighted for the break in the heat. My wife and I however were disappointed in all the rain which produced spectacular lightning and flooded roads plus the occasional dust storm. Its a roll of the dice, but definitely expect it to be scorching hot even if it rains. Dry heat my butt, it can be humid if the monsoons are around. By September they can start to trail off, but we were not so lucky. And anyone golfing after noon in that heat is crazy! Otherwise enjoy the pools at the resort. Especially in Scottsdale. Very nice place.