Some groups come to Scottsdale for the courses. Others come for the company and want golf in the evenings, in the heat, or on the day the wind picks up. A house with a golf simulator makes all of that possible without a tee time. This is how we would plan it.
Scottsdale is a golf town, but the calendar works against some groups. From June through September, afternoons regularly pass 100°F, and in late September and October many resort courses close for overseeding. A simulator fills those gaps. The group keeps playing, keeps score and keeps the rivalry going without leaving the house.
It also solves the logistics. No early tee times for eight people, no carts to split, and no waiting on a slow group ahead. Players go at their own pace, and a session can be fitted in around dinner.
What to ask before you book
Not every simulator is the same. Before you commit, ask these questions and get the answers in writing:
•Which courses are loaded? Check that the software includes the courses your group knows, and ask how often the list is updated.
•How much room is there? Players need space to swing. Ask about the bay width and ceiling height, and whether two people can play at the same time.
•Are clubs and shoes provided? Ask whether each guest has a set of clubs, or whether your group should bring its own.
•How is it set up? Confirm whether a host shows the group how to start and run the system at the beginning of the stay.
A plan for a group of eight to sixteen
A simple format works best. Run a short shootout on the first evening, then a team format on the second day, with the losing team paying for dinner. Keep each session short so everyone gets a turn, and rotate players so no one sits out for long.
Use the simulator for the rounds the weather would ruin, and save the real courses for the mornings when conditions are at their best.