This week, the Swing State series is your typical happy hour guide or demo day drop. I’m flipping the script with some imagination and a lotta heat.

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What If Golf Got Weird in the Desert?

If you think Arizona golf is all sunshine and 18-hole fairy tales, think again.

Welcome to:

The 5 What-Ifs of Arizona Golf.

Because let’s be honest… we all daydream about hitting it pure.

But what if the whole Valley golf scene zigged instead of zagged?

Here’s what might’ve gone down, and why we’re lucky (or unlucky) it didn’t.

What if Grayhawk became a private club?

• Say goodbye to the people’s short game sanctuary.

• No more Phil Mickelson sightings. No more post-round burritos at Isabella’s.

• Every mid-am qualifier would’ve needed a black card and a blazer.

Why it matters:

Grayhawk staying public kept AZ’s golf soul intact. Period.

→ Learn more about Grayhawk

What if Rolling Hills never got lit up?

• No more 9 p.m. birdie chances under the lights.

• Your Wednesday night skins game? Toast.

• No post-sunset putting contests with the squad.

Why it matters:

Rolling Hills isn’t just a course, it’s an ecosystem. Thank the golf gods they turned on the lights.

→ Rolling Hills at Night

What if TPC Scottsdale banned the 16th hole chaos?

• No more beer showers. No more streakers.

• No more legendary hole-in-one roars echoing off the grandstands.

• Just another sleepy par-3 with polite applause.

Why it matters:

Love or hate it, 16 is golf’s version of the mosh pit and Scottsdale’s claim to chaos.

What if Desert Forest hosted a PGA Tour event?

• A minimalist masterpiece finally gets its due.

• Tour pros panic, hitting fairways tighter than downtown parking.

• Golf Twitter would melt down in real-time.

Why it matters:

Desert Forest is for the purists. Seeing pros squirm there? Chef’s kiss.

→ Peek at Desert Forest

What if every muni had a beer sponsor?

Imagine this:

• “Four Peaks Fridays” at Papago — swing, sip, repeat.

• “Michelob Mondays” at Aguila — low ABV, high vibes.

• “Coors Light Closers” at Cave Creek — golden hour scrambles with cold silver bullets.

Every cart is stocked. Every tee sign is sponsored. Every 19th hole is buzzing with branded pitchers and custom koozies.

Even better? Locals would start ranking munis by vibe instead of slope rating.

Golf in the desert hits differently. It could’ve hit way differently if these what-ifs became reality.

But whether it’s the chaos of the WM, a moonlit match at Rolling Hills, or a wedge sesh at Papago, one thing’s for sure:

The Valley always delivers. And The Cactus Club’s got the local scoop.

_{Tracking every shot with Big Game}

Need To Know

🗞️News

• Golf’s grown 41% since 2018, and off-course golf has more than doubled. The game isn’t slowing down. It’s evolving, expanding, and thriving in new ways. (more)

🧰Equipment

• Zero torque putters went from niche to mainstream. PXG’s new Bat Attack ZT builds on the success of the Allan and proves this category’s here to stay. (more)

👕Fashion

• From college football to gait analysis, I learned one truth: the proper footwear changes everything. Runners knew it. Golfers are finally catching up thanks to FitLab. (more)

Fact-based news without bias awaits. Make 1440 your choice today.

Overwhelmed by biased news? Cut through the clutter and get straight facts with your daily 1440 digest. From politics to sports, join millions who start their day informed.

Sign up now!

_{Tracking every shot with Big Game}

In The Know

🗓️Events

• Join us June 22 at McDowell Mountain for the AZ Golf Social Series, 2-person scramble, 80 players, $190/team, great vibes, and Van’s gift card prizes! (more)

• Many Arizona courses partner with Military Tee Times to offer a 15% discount on select tee times for military members. Verification is required, and the discount applies to participating courses across the state. (more)

📰News

• Play the final round at the “Old” Quintero before renovations begin. One exclusive tee time. One historic day. Bid now, proceeds support The Vincere Foundation. (more)

• Thunderbirds Charities raised a record $18.1M through the 2025 WM Phoenix Open, supporting Arizona nonprofits that serve kids, families, and communities across Greater Phoenix. (more)

• Arizona State Women’s Golf finished 9th at the 2025 NCAA Championship, missing match play by one stroke. Four Sun Devils earned All-Conference honors in a strong showing. (more)