Golf in the Four Corners

Salt Lake City boasts more golf courses per capita than any other major US city, offering plenty of challenges for every skill level. In nearby Logan, players can choose from five golf courses.

Less than an hour from Salt Lake City, Park City is also home to plenty of golf fun. Four public and two private courses welcome players.

From the Salt Lake region, the two of you can head south to the southern corner of the state, home of St. George. Along with its close proximity to many of Utah's national parks, St. George is home to numerous courses. All open year-around, courses include Sunbrook Golf Club, once named the state's best by Golf Digest, and Southgate Golf Club, with a staff of PGA pros.

Another excellent home base for golf tours is Phoenix. Golf is one of Arizona's top attractions, with over 250 courses in the state, over 140 of those within the Valley of the Sun. Statistics show that visitors spend $130 million per year playing golf in this sunny climate.

At 5,400 feet above sea level, Albuquerque's altitude becomes a factor in the tour itineraries.

After golf, couples make stops at the region's many : a ride aboard a hot-air balloon, a ride on the world's highest and longest tram located here in Albuquerque (Sandia Peak Tram), or a visit to the new aquarium/biological park and world-class zoo. If you plan a fall visit, don't miss International Balloon Fiesta, which lasts from the first Saturday in October through the second Sunday. At that time, over 800 hot air balloonists gather and the sky is full of balloons.

Next: Native American Culture in the Four Corners Region

Photo: Golfer teeing off at the TPC course in Scottsdale. Photo: iStockPhoto.com