Golfing in the desert is a duffer's paradise. (Clipart.com)

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TUCSON, ARIZ. -- It's hard to keep your head down playing golf in southern Arizona, when you're always looking up at the Santa Catalina Mountains.

For a golfer who has played more than 400 different courses, this is golf paradise.

It does not get any better.

A group of golf writers from around the world -- Japan, France, United Kingdom, Mexico, Germany and Canada -- were in Tucson for a week in late November on a trip sponsored by the Arizona tourism office and Ultimate Golf Vacations of Toronto.

We played in what was billed as the sixth annual International Media Golf Shoot Out tournament on courses including Loews Ventana Canyon Resort and the Westin La Paloma Resort Spa.

It is fantastic golf, but don't forget your wallet.

You can expect to pay US$500 or more for accommodation and a round of golf.

Some rooms, including golf, will cost upward of US$1,000 a night.

Throw in a native hot stone massage and a couple of nights of decadent dining in the award-winning hotel restaurants and it is safe to say, life is good.

I could spend all winter playing Ventana Canyon one day and Westin La Paloma the next, followed by an afternoon checking the sites from poolside.

Who knows, a Hollywood star might be sipping on a drink in the next lounge chair at the pool.

For me, Arizona's green golf courses and mountains beats looking at Florida golf courses carved out of the swamp, clogged highways, alligator sightseeing trips and dollar-gouging amusement parks.

Canadians are visiting Arizona more frequently and more are expected this winter.

In 2006, 496,300 Canadians spent time in Arizona -- the average trip about five days -- helping the state's sputtering economy.

About 35% came from Ontario. The Canadian total was up 17% from 2005 and double the 255,000 who visited in 2002.

The reasons include a Canadian dollar near par with the U.S. greenback for the first time in 30 years, and discount airlines.

Arizona obviously has more than the Grand Canyon.

And when you suggest a visit to one of the Tucson area's luxury resorts such as the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa or the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa (owned by Pete Ansley of London and his brother Chris) your non-playing spouse probably won't complain,

"Can we ever go on vacation without your golf clubs?''

These resorts offer amenities and side trips to end that conversation in a hurry.

Topping the list, according to Conde Nast Traveler, is Ventana Canyon which recently was rated 52nd in the Top 100 Golf Resorts in North America, the Caribbean, Ireland and Scotland.

Golf Digest rated it 50th in North America in 2006.

Ventana Canyon, with its two Tom Fazio-designed courses rolling through the canyons of the Santa Catalina Mountains and occupying 40 hectares of the Sonoran Desert, is world class in every feature.

The spas, restaurants, tennis, a nature trail and a mountain-sized swimming pool, where you could look up to discover Gene Hackman or Gina Davis sitting a few chairs away on a sunny afternoon, are wonderful places to pass away the day in the lap of luxury.

The hotel has long been a getaway for Hollywood stars and the hotel keeper keeps two guest lists -- one with real names and the other with Hollywood types under assumed names.

Bob Hope and John Wayne were regulars.

Davis came to the hotel for an archery competition.

The hotel features 398 guest rooms, including 26 suites and six restaurants and lounges.

Ventana is "window" in Spanish, with every hotel window designed to bring the outside indoors.

Ventana Canyon was voted by 40,000 subscribers of Corporate & Incentive Travel magazine a Greens of Distinction winner for 2007. It also was awarded a Gold Tee Award from the Meetings & Conventions magazine.

"We are honoured,'' said the hotel's managing director Brian Johnson.

"We strive to provide the very finest in service and facilities and that commitment carries over to the golf experience.''

Ventana's courses, called Canyon and Mountain, were among the first supercourses to appear in the area. The third hole on the Mountain Course is vintage Fazio, who many believe is the best in the business.

It is 107 yards long, but can be ruthless to even the most- seasoned golfer who fails to hit an accurate wedge shot from one mountain top to another mountain top, where there is a tiny green surrounded by a canyon.

At Ventana Canyon, you can study nature on their 3 km nature trail. The trail features 66 types of plants and cacti native to the Sonoran Desert, and you might catch a glimpse of 105 animals, including roadrunners, snakes, cactus wren, bats or cooper hawks. Sights include a 24-metre natural waterfall and koi pond.

Golf dominates the Tucson area.

Although the city boasts a rich history, a distinct culture and old-world tradition, it is golf that lures the crowds.

Mark Lindsey, the director sales and marketing at the nearby Westin La Paloma -- they have a 27-hole Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course along with spas, tennis courts, five swimming pools and luxury accommodation -- says everyone in the tourism business also likes to boast they have the southern-most snow skiing in Tucson.

He suggests skiing at nearby Mt. Lemmon.

The Nicklaus courses are gems carved out of the Sonoran Desert.

Golf Magazine, another top U.S. publication, has selected them on of the Top 25 courses in the U.S. and Mexico.

Golf Digest also rates them among the top 75 resorts in the U .S.

About a half-hour from the Tucson International Airport, Westin La Paloma is as decorated as Ventana Canyon for its service, golf courses, spas, sophistication and the 487 guest rooms all feature the Westin trademark "heavenly bed."

A green fee at Ventana or La Paloma will cost about US$200.