Golf in Phoenix and the Valley of the Sun is as good as it gets in this lifetime. From the Superstition Mountains in the east to the White Tanks in the west, from Desert Mountain to South Mountain, the tremendous variety of golf courses literally fits-to-a-tee the desires and preferences of throngs of visiting and resident golfers. Of the 200-plus golf courses in Arizona, nearly 120 of them are in the Valley of the Sun. In fact, a recent survey revealed more golf courses per capita in Arizona than any state west of the Mississippi.

Golfers in Phoenix couldn't ask for more variety. And as public demand to play increases - particularly in the winter months - every golf facility in the area works harder to present a competitive product and attract its share of new players by remodeling and updating older club facilities and layouts, and improving and upgrading the playing conditions. From the most private clubs to the cities' municipal courses, quality is top priority.

Some East Coast travelers may still perceive the Southwest as Hollywood's "Wild Old West Show," but the baggage handlers and bell captains here certainly see a different picture as they grapple with the thousands of golf bags that stack up daily at the doors of the Valley's famed resort hotels.

Once dubbed "The West's Most Western Town," Scottsdale used to market the lore of cowboys and Indians in the Wild West, years ago, as its primary tourist attraction. Their new approach revolves around high finance and world-class shopping. Arizona will never set aside completely the reminders of the adventurous - and somewhat fictitious - Old West. But these Western movie images have simply been replaced by images of Southwestern living, and golf is the center attraction.

The winter months are, of course, the high season. The sun shines nearly every day, and the average daytime temperature rarely dips below 70 degrees. The courses are filled, dawn to dusk, with golfers escaping winter's wrath in other parts of the country.

The message is even getting around about the terrific advantages and benefits of summer golf in Arizona. As temperatures rise, it may take a little more grit to step onto a golf course. However, June through September, the tremendous variety of summer golf packages available at drastically reduced prices make these courses surprisingly inviting. Much to the surprise of the majority of summer vacationers, the low levels of humidity make 100-plus degree temperatures tolerable (added to the fact that the savings over the high-season rates are as much as 70%).

A tremendous variety of golf architecture occurs available in every community in greater Phoenix. Golfers are never too far away from their favorite style of golf course or their favorite course designer.

Much of the golf played in Phoenix and Scottsdale is on desert "target-style: courses. Target golf refers to shots that must carry expanses of natural terrain to "targets" of grassed fairways. Jack Nicklaus was the first to put the desert into play. His inspired design of Desert Highlands Golf Club was revolutionary. Nicklaus expanded on the concept in his creation of the magnificent 54-hole complex, Desert Mountain Golf Club.

Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish put their own touches on the two award-winning desert-style layouts at Troon Golf & Country Club and Troon North Golf Club. Pete Dye stepped into desert design for the first time with his stunning work at Red Mountain Ranch Country Club, Gold Canyon Golf Club and the back nine of the Phoenician golf Club are also perfect examples of desert-target layouts.

When and where it is possible, every visitor should experience desert target-style golf, a thrilling approach to the game. While it is a concept unique to this part of the country, only a small proportion actually employ actual target-style architecture. Since the 1980s, designers have shifted back to the more conventional venues, with grassed playing areas extending tee-to-green. For most courses, the term "desert golf: has more to do with climate and dramatic views of the immediate surroundings.

So whether it's the continuing fervor of residents and frequent visitors or the surprise of newcomers - enthusiasm for Arizona golf abounds at fabulous resort courses, residential golf communities, private country clubs, and public courses too numerous to mention. Everyone can play his or her best golf in Phoenix and can discover a style of golf -an aura to the game - that can be found only in the great Southwest.