With Scottsdale, Arizona sold out, during the NFL Superbowl, - make sure you book your golf early for the 2008 MLB Spring Training in Arizona.

Looking forward to Major League Baseball "Cactus League" Spring Training in March 2008? Here's your unofficial guide, combined with comprehensive golf information to give you the best Arizona golf vacation during spring training.

TIP #1: Make Reservations Now

Last year, the Cactus League attracted over 1.2 million visitors. The League will be expanding in 2009 with the addition of the Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Dodgers, who expect to draw record crowds. Hotels, car rental companies, and golf courses are already taking reservations for the 2008 spring training season, and many places will already be booked come Christmas time. To get the best rates and availability, start reserving your room, car, and tee times now.

Tip #2: Golf Early and Near Your Team

Most spring training baseball games are played during the afternoon (around 1:05 P.M.) with only 3 or 4 games scheduled at night. If you tee off by 8 A.M., you'll have time to get in 18 holes and a nice lunch before heading over to the ballpark. Below is a highlighted list of the closest and most popular golf courses in proximity to where your favorite team plays.

EAST VALLEY TEAMS

1. Chicago Cubs, HoHoKam Park, Mesa, Arizona

The Cubs perennially draw the biggest crowds of all Cactus League teams, bringing over 175,000 fans to HoHoKam Park in 2007. The stadium features 2,575 outfield lawn seats in addition to 10,000 regular seats. This one is a hot ticket, so get it as early as you can.

Arizona Golf Courses within a 5-mile Radius:

Kokopelli Golf Club, The Duke at Rancho Eldorado

Arizona Golf Courses within a 10-mile Radius:

Camelback Golf Club Indian Bend / Padre Course, Eagle Mountain, Gainey Ranch Golf Club Arroyo / Dunes / Lakes, Longbow Golf Course, McCormick Ranch Golf Club Palm / Pine, Papago Golf Course, Raven Golf Club at Verrado, Talking Stick Golf Club North / South, The Phoenician Golf Course

2. San Francisco Giants, Scottsdale Stadium, Scottsdale, Arizona

The Giants and Scottsdale Stadium have recently been capturing the attention of spring leaguers and the media alike, following the spectacle of Barry Bonds and his chase (and now achievement) of the home run record amidst alleged performance-enhancing drug abuse. This spectacle may be absent in 2008's Cactus League if Bonds signs with a different team, unless that team also happens to play in the Scottsdale / Phoenix area.

Golf Courses within a 5-mile Radius:

Camelback Golf Club Indian Bend / Padre Course, McCormick Ranch Golf Club Palm / Pine, Papago Golf Course, Raven Golf Club at Verrado, Talking Stick Golf Club North / South, The Phoenician Golf Course

Golf Courses within a 10-mile Radius:

Gainey Ranch Golf Club Arroyo / Dunes / Lakes, Kierland Golf Course, Kokopelli Golf Club, Phantom Horse Golf Club, Raven Golf Club at South Mountain, Sanctuary Golf Club, Stonecreek Golf Club, The Duke at Rancho Eldorado

3. Los Angeles / Anaheim Angels, Tempe Diablo Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

Located in the heart of the Phoenix Valley and central to almost everything, Tempe Diablo Stadium hosts the 2002 World Series Champion. The stadium underwent some major and minor renovations in 2006, including a new sound system and state-of-the-art seating.

Golf Courses within a 5-mile Radius:

Papago Golf Course, Phantom Horse Golf Club, Raven Golf Club at South Mountain

Golf Courses within a 10-mile Radius:

Camelback Golf Club Indian Bend / Padre Course, Kokopelli Golf Club, Talking Stick Golf Club North / South, The Phoenician Golf Course, Whirlwind Golf Club Cattail / Devils Claw

4. Oakland Athletics, Phoenix Municipal Stadium, Phoenix, Arizona

This simple little stadium is tucked away in the hills of Papago Park between the ASU campus to the south and downtown Scottsdale to the north. Area attractions such as the "Hall of Flame" Firefighting Museum, the Phoenix Zoo, and the spectacular Desert Botanical Garden are virtually within walking distance.

Golf Courses within a 5-mile Radius:

Papago Golf Course, Phantom Horse Golf Club, Raven Golf Club at South Mountain, The Phoenician Golf Course

Golf Courses within a 10-mile Radius:

Camelback Golf Club Indian Bend / Padre Course, Gainey Ranch Golf Club Arroyo / Dunes / Lakes, Kokopelli Golf Club, McCormick Ranch Golf Club Palm / Pine, Raven Golf Club at Verrado, Talking Stick Golf Club North / South, The Duke at Rancho Eldorado

WEST VALLEY TEAMS

1. Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres, Peoria Sports Complex, Peoria, Arizona

The Mariners and Padres share the Peoria Sports Complex, and likewise play the majority of their spring training games against each other. It was the first two-team complex built in the country and is considered one of the premier baseball facilities around.

Golf Courses within a 5-mile Radius:

Legend Golf Resort, The Legend at Arrowhead

Golf Courses within a 15-mile Radius:

Dove Valley Ranch

2. Milwaukee Brewers, Maryvale Baseball Park, Phoenix, Arizona

The Brew-Crew draws smaller crowds than the other Cactus League teams, but don't let this mislead you. They provide one of the best in-game shows: the fan-favorite Sausage Race! This is a shortened version of the regular season race between sausages and bratwursts, but still well-worth the price of admission.

Golf Courses within a 15-mile Radius:

Camelback Golf Club Indian Bend / Padre Course, Foothills Golf Club, Legend Golf Resort, Papago Golf Course, Phantom Horse Golf Club, Raven Golf Club at South Mountain, The Legend at Arrowhead, The Phoenician Golf Course, Wildfire Golf Club Faldo Course / Palmer Course

3. Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers, Surprise Stadium, ,Surprise, Arizona

The Royals and Rangers share Surprise Stadium, which is one of the most modern and quaint stadiums in the Valley. It is also one of the most remote stadiums in the Cactus League, located at the far northwest corner of the Phoenix area.

Golf Courses within a 15-mile Radius:

Desert Springs Golf Club, Legend Golf Resort

The Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago White Sox, and Colorado Rockies are also considered a part of the Cactus League, although their home fields are in Tucson. Tucson is a short 1.5-hour drive from Phoenix / Scottsdale, where many golfers prefer to stay and play golf. In the year 2009, the Cleveland Indians will begin spring training in the western suburb of Goodyear in a brand new $56 million facility; the Los Angeles Dodgers will begin their spring training in nearby Glendale where a new complex is being built for several teams to play, possibly including the Chicago White Sox and a couple other clubs who may move from the Florida spring training league.

And why wouldn't they move? Scottsdale and Phoenix offer spectacular weather in March, with temperatures hovering in the 80's during the day with barely a drop of humidity. Fans can enjoy the allure of a promising new season, along with the resort-style golf environment that only Scottsdale and Phoenix have to offer. With the holidays coming up, Spring Training is just around the corner. Make sure to reserve your spot in the sun soon.

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