Who said golfing is only for guys? Plenty of women are now being catered to on golf courses around the globe. (Clipart.com)

PHOENIX -- In comparison to the three beasts who had joined her for this picturesque ride over 18 holes at the opulent Phoenician resort, Anne-Marie was a thing of beauty and we are not referring to her feminine pulchritude, even if she did beat everyone hands-down in that department, as well.

More relevant to the day ahead was her long, fluid golf swing that may not have picked up the same distance as those from her male counterparts, but that didn't matter since she was playing the forward tees and keeping the ball in play.

A dermatologist visiting from Belgium, Anne-Marie and her husband Patrick filled out our foursome upon arrival and although she struggled to an eight on the first hole, she didn't flinch. She valiantly regrouped and even won a hole now and again when shots from the guys frequently went off the fairway.

Her choices about which tee boxes and which golf course to play were wise ones that led to an obviously enjoyable day for Anne-Marie in an area renowned for its high-calibre layouts, many of which fall under the dreaded category of target desert courses that demand both distance and accuracy.

"We have a lot of target golf courses in Arizona, for sure," renowned golf instructor Sandy LaBauve said. "They're very, very beautiful. They're very fun to play. They're attractive. You look at them and you love the way they look.

"On the other hand, what that means for a female golfer is that you have got to have some reasonable distance and you've got to be able to carry the ball in the air," said LaBauve, who advises women to trade in their long irons for hybrid clubs on these courses.

The skill level of the golfer -- male or female -- will determine how good a day someone has on target courses. An alternative is to follow Anne-Marie's lead and play an outstanding resort course such as the Phoenician, Hyatt Regency Scottsdale or Sheraton at Wild Horse Pass.

That's not to say resort courses aren't challenging, but a slightly awry shot won't necessarily mean a lost ball. The bottom line is that punishment is less severe on resort courses, which is a rather pleasant concept for someone on vacation instead of trying to play on tour.

LaBauve's place of employment -- the Westin Kierland -- is one of several such resort courses found throughout the Valley of the Sun. Women's groups are her focus at the resort, which as 27 holes of golf available. She says groups from all over North America are common.

"We get lots of Canadians," LaBauve said. "Canadians love golf.

"I'm teaching mainly private lessons and small group clinics that women put together themselves. For instance, they have a group of friends that are from an area and they want to get together and come out, we can put them up in the Westin hotel, and then I can do an instruction program for them," LaBauve said.

"It's kind of a custom program, so it's nice because we can go on the golf course, we can do some instruction in the morning, we can do a lunch and we can tailor it around their needs," LaBauve said.

And students go home with tips.

"I try to give them a good combination of things," LaBauve said. "They can work on things with me here and they have programs to take home, so that when the weather gets bad, here's something you can do inside that will help move you ahead in your golf game."

Depending on a student's dedication to the game, LaBauve may also send them for golf-specific fitness training at Kierland's renowned ForeMax training program based in the hotel's Agave Spa. It provides another diversion after a long day of golf.

"I think women tend to like to travel together with friends. ... When they go and they take part in a golf school, it's kind of fun when there's the camaraderie and social aspects of being together with people that they know and want to learn with. And they can do some other things in the evening that make a nice balance."

It's that balance that makes Phoenix, Scottsdale and the Valley of the Sun so female-friendly, LaBauves said.

"Golf is booming. It's wonderful. There are great courses, but you can balance your day off -- there's great shopping, there are great restaurants. They can go to the theatre.

"You can create a package that is just amazing and the concierges at the hotels are so good about that. They can create a customized package that not only has golf, but explores some other (aspects of the area), as well," LaBauve said.

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