Being a Midwesterner by birth and a East Coaster by choice most of my life, I always regarded that "But it's a dry heat" line desert dwellers throw out there as holding as much truth as "Tastes Great, Less Filling" or a campaign promise.

Only after a recent trip to the Phoenix-Scottsdale area, I can report it's actually valid. Or at least semi valid. Swinging the clubs in 92 degree Phoenix weather isn't nearly as stifling as it sounds to us Northerners. Now, 120 degrees in July is another matter completely.

But 92 in Arizona, not that bad. Almost comfortable. This from an guy with Irish instantly vaporized skin that has me putting in a sunscreen snowsuit. Even with long sleeves and a ski mask, not that bad.

So there's still a good window left to play fun, reasonable courses like Raven at South Mountain. And when it starts skyrocketing way over triple digits, it's always a short 90-minute drive to temperate mile-high Prescott and its surprising excellent courses like Prescott Lakes and Stone Ridge.

Checkout:
http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/chris.baldwin/2005/05/07/but_it_s_a_dry_heat_actual_applies_in_ar