What lured Joel Dahmen to Scottsdale, Arizona, 16 years ago is no mystery. “Waking up with the sun every single day, you’re just happier,” he says. When he arrived in the desert city in 2010 as a young pro, the hot, arid climate was a welcome contrast to the rainy weather of his native Pacific Northwest. In Scottsdale, he could play and practice nearly every day. Off the course, Dahmen enjoys hiking (when his schedule permits) amid the dramatic landscapes of the Southwest, and as a self-proclaimed foodie, he appreciates that the city’s ever-evolving restaurant scene means there is always a new place to try. “It just felt like home to me from the first time I got here,” he says, “and I don’t plan on leaving.”
“It’s the best housewares store. When we walk in, the sales associates greet us by name, which means we’re probably there a little too much. They have everything that you need, and if they don’t have what you want, they’re going to find it for you somewhere. They’ll even come to your home and help style your house.”
“[Chewing gum magnate] William Wrigley Jr. built the house for his family in 1931, and it’s turned into an incredible brunch and dinner spot. Getting a tour of the mansion, especially after brunch, is super cool. It sits high on a hill [in Phoenix] overlooking the Biltmore area, and the view is absolutely incredible. It’s one of my favourite places.”
Third Hole on the Monument Course at Troon North
“It’s one of my favourite golf holes in Scottsdale. You would think it’s kind of gimmicky, with a 30-foot-tall boulder in the middle of the fairway, but quite a bit of strategy goes into that. It’s kind of in the way, but I just tell the guys I play with to aim at it, because the odds of them actually hitting a ball straight at it are low.”
“I love how the architecture blends into the landscape and the hotel’s surroundings. When you’re at the pool, you don’t feel like you’re in a city anymore—you’ve got views of the mountains and views of the desert.”
“They serve seasonal comfort food. We love to sit at the chef’s counter and talk with the chefs. We’ll ask them questions about what they’re making, and if it’s not busy, we’ll get to taste a bunch of different things. The duck confit is absolutely delicious.”
“It might be my favourite sushi place. It’s kind of dark and moody, and they serve a citrus old-fashioned made with Japanese whisky and yuzu bitters. That Japanese twist with the citrus flavour is unbelievable. It’s the best easy-sipping old-fashioned I’ve ever had.”
Like many visitors, professional golfer Raphaël Jacquelin began coming to the charming French mountain village of Megève for its skiing. A European Tour veteran with four championship titles, Jacquelin would find time between competitions to enjoy the slopes around towering Mont Blanc.
On a summer trip, Jacquelin discovered a gem that’s hidden in winter: the Mont d’Arbois Golf Course. Redesigned in 1964 by Sir Henry Cotton—a three-time British Open champion—it is one of the oldest courses in the Alps. At over 4,300 feet in elevation, the 18-hole layout offers spectacular views of Mont Blanc and the surrounding peaks, as well as lakes that make up what’s known as the Alpine Riviera. But what distinguishes it from other mountain courses is that it’s eminently playable.
The eminently playable Mont d’Arbois Golf Course
“When you have golf in the mountains, it’s sometimes too hilly,” says Jacquelin. “The fairways are really flat here, which means the course is really pleasant to play for golfers at any level.” A PGA-certified coach, Jacquelin now shares his expertise with guests through his Raphaël Jacquelin Academy—Golfzon Leadbetter, based at Mont d’Arbois. His favourite hole: the demanding first, a narrow, tree-lined par 4 that rewards bold drives and punishes wayward ones.
Professionals and amateurs alike descended on Mont d’Arbois from September 3 to 5 for the ProAm at Four Seasons Resort Megève tournament. Beyond the high-quality golf, visitors discover a town that doesn’t shut down in summer—filled with hiking, biking, water sports, and a lively restaurant scene, including at the resort’s La Brasserie Benjamin, named a “remarkable table” by Gault&Millau in 2025. “You can do more things in summertime than in wintertime,” says Jacquelin. “People aren’t here just to ski.”
Peak Fairways
Whistler Golf Club at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler
Swinging for the summit isn’t limited to Four Seasons Resort Megève. The Arnold Palmer–designed Whistler Golf Club at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler in Canada winds through old-growth forests below glacier-capped mountains. At Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, in Arizona, desert fairways carved through massive granite boulders rise into the Sonoran foothills, making the Tom Weiskopf–designed course the ultimate desert-mountain golf experience.
Golf has a way of serving up life’s full emotional spectrum. One moment, I am immersed in the beauty of a breathtaking course, overjoyed after a chip-in; the next, I am ready to launch my 7-iron into the nearest water hazard and swear off the sport entirely (or at least until tomorrow). Unlike other sports, where athleticism and grit often carry the day, golf refuses to be bullied. I am starting to recognize it as less a contest of force and more a finely tuned symphony.
While we can’t control the speed of the greens or the demoralizing rough, there are certain elements we can actually influence on a daily basis: pre-game deep breathing, performance visualization, and post-game recovery. These three factors have a direct impact on physical and mental output, getting us closer to scratch-golfer level by the minute.
Pre-Game Deep Breathing
Nora working on her golf swing.
A physical warm-up has been a long-standing requirement when it comes to optimal performance in any sport. That said, a mental warm-up is equally as important. A short routine—breath work, visualization, and positive self-talk—helps quiet the noise and usher us into a flow state.
According to the National Wellness and Fitness Association, breath work—particularly controlled breathing—can reduce anxiety and enhance mental focus by calming the nervous system. Box breathing, a yogic deep-breathing method, is particularly useful in maintaining composure during high-pressure sports scenarios. The technique signals the parasympathetic nervous system to naturally calm itself by lowering heart rate and reducing cortisol production. Here’s how to practice box breathing:
1. Set a timer for five minutes. Find a comfortable standing or seated position. Relax your shoulders and keep your spine neutral.
2. Take a few regular breaths. You may want to close your eyes.
3. Inhale slowly through your nose for four counts.
4. When you get to four, hold your breath for another count of four.
5. Exhale through your mouth for four counts.
6. Hold your breath again for four counts.
7. Start this cycle again until the timer goes off.
Research shows that athletes who use imagery and self-talk experience improvements in concentration and execution under pressure. The PETTLEP motor imagery model is designed to closely mimic on-course performance by integrating physical, environment, task, timing, learning, emotion, and perspective cues. In one study, golfers who used PETTLEP-based visualization to rehearse bunker shots improved by eight percent, compared to baseline levels. Those who combined PETTLEP imagery with physical practice saw an even more dramatic boost—22 percent improvement.
Use this sequence while standing behind the ball on the first tee:
1. Physical:Take your actual grip pressure (light-to-moderate), feel your feet grounded, waggle once.
2. Environment:Close your eyes and feel the conditions (wind, ambient sound, sun).
3. Task: Keeping your eyes closed, visualize the shot. See the exact trajectory and distance of the ball.
4. Timing: Open your eyes; rehearse the full swing with a comfortable tempo.
5. Learning: Recall one recent cue that worked (e.g., “soft shoulders” or “left-hip post”). Keep it to one.
6. Emotion:Name and embody the feeling you want to carry throughout the game (e.g., relaxed power). Take a deep breath and repeat the statement to yourself.
7. Perspective:See and feel the swing from your own eyes (first person). Optional: a quick third-person “snapshot” of a balanced finish.
The repeated explosive swings and mental concentration required of golf can take a toll. A three-step recovery routine helps restore energy, reduce soreness, and get us ready for the next round.
1. Active Cooldown: Active recovery clears metabolic by-products faster than complete rest, while mobility restores range lost during repetitive swings. Try an easy three- to four-minute walk (clubhouse to car or around the practice green), followed by a set of mobility reset stretches (like those in this restorative yoga sequence).
2. Rehydrate and Refuel (within 60 to 90 minutes): This helps replenish muscles to rebuild after activity, while hydrating cells to bring the body back into balance. Drink at least 16 to 20 ounces of water with electrolytes (sodium, magnesium, potassium) and consume 20 to 40 grams of protein (e.g., grilled salmon, Greek yogurt, or a protein shake) and 1 to 1.2 g/kg of body weight of carbohydrates to replenish glycogen if playing consecutive days. Bonus points for anti-inflammatory foods like tart cherry juice, pineapple (bromelain), or matcha lemonade.
3. Contrast or Cold Therapy: Use this recovery method to speed circulation to the muscles and lower inflammation. Two ways to try it: five to 10 minutes in a cold plunge or cold shower (50 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit or 10 to 15 degrees Celsius); or alternate one-minute hot and cold showers for three to four cycles.
Mastering golf is a never-ending pursuit, but that’s part of the charm. While these tools might not prevent a slice or getting stuck in the sand, my hope is that this module helps support an athletic foundation and propel performance on the course. Go get ’em!
Nora Tobin is a leading authority in high-performance wellness, delivering customized programs to executive teams, professional athletes, and celebrity clientele. She is the CEO ofNora’s Naturals and a certified integrative health coach. As a Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts visiting practitioner, she offers customized retreats and leadership off-sites.
For golf enthusiasts, living on a golf course is the ultimate dream. Even if golf is not your sport of choice, being surrounded by sprawling green spaces and the amenities that come with a golf course community can be enticing. What’s more, those But these perfectly tended lawns offer more than just beautiful views. Property values are typically higher for golf course homes and tend to retain that value over time. Social opportunities and family activities abound, with on-site amenities fostering connection through restaurant experiences, sports offerings and nature adventures.
Four Seasons Private Residences give you the opportunity to access some of the best golf courses – and golf instructors – in the world. Located in idyllic destinations like Cabo Del Sol, Belize, the Bahamas and Las Vegas, these unique communities put championship-level courses right at your doorstep, along with a breadth of off-the-course amenities the whole family can enjoy.
Play on a Cabo Del Sol golf masterpiece
When you look out onto the awe-inspiring mix of desert, mountain and sea found at the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, it’s easy to see why Jack Nicklaus called this the “best piece of golf property I’ve ever seen.” He was, of course, talking about the location for his highly acclaimed Cove Club Course (formerly the Ocean Course), which has been recognized as one of the world’s Top 100 golf courses by “Golf Digest.”
The 9-hole reversible course is the centrepiece of the exclusive Cove Club, where owners at Four Seasons Resort Cabo Del Sol gather to experience one of the area’s most swimmable beaches, sea- and farm-to-table dining, an abundance of land and water sports, and exclusive access to the course itself. Feel like going straight from the beach to the golf course? No problem. And no need to pack your shoes either – you can play barefoot. Be sure to keep an eye out for the specially equipped VW Kombi cruising the course offering up signature refreshments, or stop by the Airstream Bambi located feet from the waves on the 8th tee box for a mid-course taco break. You’ll also find two Chocitas (which translates to “little shacks” in English) – one after the 4th green and one before the 15th tee – each offering curated sweet and savoury treats as well as thirst-quenching delights, adding to the authentic experience in Cabo Del Sol.
For both avid golfers and those who are new to the sport, one of the most rewarding things to do is to spend some time with Cove Club’s renowned golf instructors, Erik Evans and Carly Schneider. Having worked with tour players, professional athletes and corporate executives, they are among the top PGA Teaching Professionals in the world. With personalized instruction, have fun while taking your game to the next level, knowing you’re in good hands.
Horizon-to-horizon views on this Caye Chapel, Belize golf course
“I can’t think of anywhere else in the world you can do what you’re doing in Caye Chapel,” said Greg Norman, champion pro golfer and co-designer of the White Shark Golf Course at Four Seasons Private Residences Caye Chapel, Belize. “The owners today should consider themselves lucky; they bought a piece of paradise.”
Caye Chapel is a one-of-a-kind paradise. This private island resort and residential community offers six miles of pristine coastline surrounded by brilliant blue water, coral reefs and world-class dive sites, including the Great Blue Hole. It’s also the very first private island in the Americas managed by Four Seasons, and as such, it features signature services and an abundance of exclusive amenities. Residents of Caye Chapel will have access to an organic farm and restaurant, a dedicated adventure centre for kids, a full gym and sports complex, an open-air theatre, and a Golf Academy, just to name a few.
For the White Shark Golf Course – which takes its name from Norman’s own moniker “the Great White Shark” – Norman designed a 10-hole course that meanders from horizon to horizon, highlighting stunning ocean views at every turn. “You want to make a player going on a golf course you design to remember every hole,” said Norman. “At Caye Chapel, it’s the Caribbean Sea, it’s the barrier reef system, it’s that fantastic change of water colour as you look out as the sun moves from the east to midday to the west – everything changes with the light.”
A sense of belonging in a Las Vegas golf community
For many golfers, the sense of comradery and connections made while on the course are major draws of the sport. Residential communities with golf courses at their cores often share this focus on social connection. Just 15 miles from the Las Vegas Strip in Henderson, Nevada, MacDonald Highlands is one of those communities. Four Seasons Private Residences Las Vegas – the latest addition to the Four Seasons collection of standalone Private Residences – will soon welcome MacDonald Highlands’ newest residents into the fold.
Residents at Four Seasons will have the opportunity to gain exclusive access to the members-only championship 18-hole golf course, swimming and tennis facilities, and an array of indoor and outdoor activities at the nearby DragonRidge Country Club. And that’s in addition to the abundance of resort-style amenities that owners already have at their disposal.
Entertain friends with a chef-curated dinner on your residence’s private terrace or with a family picnic in one of the multi-level pool’s cabanas. You can also invite your fellow golfers to join you for a round at DragonRidge, then break down the day over light bites and sundowners. A favourite of pro players and amateurs, this course invites golfers of all skill levels to try their hand at its scenic mountainside holes offering panoramic views of the glittering Las Vegas Strip.
Your own tropical paradise in the Bahamas
Looking for a challenge? Residents at The Ocean Club, Four Seasons Residences, Bahamas, enjoy access to the nearby Ocean Club Golf Course. Designed by Tom Weiskopf, this 18-hole, par-72 course stretches over 7,100 yards on Paradise Island. The crosswinds here can be a challenge for even the most experienced players – but that’s all part of the fun.
At The Ocean Club, it’s easy to make golf a part of your everyday. Stop in for private lessons from the PGA-certified instructors at the Ocean Club Golf Academy, get outfitted with the latest gear at the pro shop, and join friends for post-game drinks at one of The Ocean Club’s beachfront restaurants.
When you own one of the private, turnkey luxury residences managed by Four Seasons on Paradise Island, you’ll also have access to sublime residents-only amenities such as a private Lobby Lounge featuring a bar for entertaining as well as a store for light provisions, an owner’s library, co-working centre, private dining room, and a private wine and cigar cellar, along with round-the-clock concierge service.
Peace of mind no matter where you live
Just like the best golf courses, all homes require attention and care. Whether it’s your primary or secondary residence, when you live with Four Seasons, you can come and go knowing full well that your home is in excellent hands. From maintenance and housekeeping when you’re away to securing tee times, making dinner reservations and stocking your kitchen with your favourite items when you return, you’ll always have a dedicated residential team on call for your every need. It’s worry-free homeownership at its most intuitive.
How do you design a home that evokes a unique sense of place? When it came to dreaming up the look and feel of the all-new Four Seasons Private Residences Las Vegas, the answer was to look to the surrounding landscape. “Using the desert as the primary inspiration was essential, in addition to the glamour of the Las Vegas Strip,” says Hussain Kamal, Associate Vice President at Wimberly Interiors, the renowned firm behind the design.
Located on a private 11-acre elevated enclave with panoramic views of the city, the Red Rock Mountains and the iconic Strip, the brand-new standalone Private Residences – meaning not attached to a hotel or resort – provide the perfect amount of privacy and seclusion, along with easy access to the Las Vegas buzz and energy.
Designing a modern desert home
Four Seasons Private Residences Las Vegas is a microcosm of the city itself – an oasis surrounded by the Mojave Desert’s rugged beauty. “The surrounding landscape is the hero of the story,” says Kamal. “The interior design reflects it through complementary colours and detailing, and the spaces emphasize how the interior engages with the landscape.” The design brings in the outdoors with natural materials, different textures and specially selected furnishings. Natural stone and wood set the palette, and touches of brushed metal add to the clean, modern luxury feel.
“The goal was to create a resort-style experience with a seamless flow of finishes from the inside out,” adds Mark Yoshizaki, Senior Vice President of award-winning architecture firm Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo, “and to provide opportunities for outdoor living on the large terraces.” All 171 tower residences feature large outdoor living spaces with amenities such as built-in grills and areas for lounging and dining. Penthouse and Junior Penthouse residences have private plunge pools. And with every floorplan, residents can expect unobstructed views from the expansive windows throughout.
Embracing the luxury resort lifestyle
Because loving where you live has to do with what’s outside as well as inside, the amenities at Four Seasons are just as impressive as the homes themselves.
Residents will appreciate the full-service Spa and Fitness Centre that offers personal training, men’s and women’s fitness lounges, sauna and steam rooms, an indoor lap pool, and private and couples’ massage rooms. And because pets are part of the family, too, they can enjoy some pampering at the pet spa.
Outside, the resort-style multi-level pool lets you relax over unobstructed mountain and Las Vegas Strip views, while dedicated attendants ensure your every need is met. Hot tubs, private cabanas and barbecue areas offer opportunities for entertaining and family fun. Inside, a game room, Topgolf Swing Suite, private theatre and kids’ playroom are perfect for entertaining guests or mingling with neighbours.
Noble Heights, an exclusive restaurant experience curated by renowned restauranteur Elizabeth Blau, is also sure to be a dining hotspot. The restaurant highlights responsibly sourced dishes from local and regional purveyors, along with a selection of fresh seafood, in a modern indoor-outdoor setting. Prefer to dine in? Invite your friends over for an elegant dinner party they won’t soon forget. Four Seasons can help arrange it all, including a custom meal created by a private chef in the comfort of your own home. Celebrate with curated plates and cocktails on your terrace overlooking the moonlit desert landscape, or enjoy a cozy, romantic meal just for two. Whatever you’re in the mood for, the dedicated residential team will make it happen.
Welcoming a sense of community
Four Seasons Private Residences Las Vegas, just 15 miles from the Las Vegas Strip, is set within the country club community of MacDonald Highlands in Henderson, Nevada – a neighbourhood nestled in the Black Mountain foothills and one of the most sought-after area addresses. Four Seasons offers the first and only residential towers in Henderson with dramatic views and a luxury resort lifestyle.
Being part of an established community also comes with its benefits. Residents have the option to access 140,000-plus square feet of amenities provided by the MacDonald Highlands community, including a private par-72 championship golf course. “These additional amenities and services will only add to the overall resort residential lifestyle that our residents are already experiencing with their Four Seasons–branded residence,” says Jim Reilly, President of Azure Resorts and Hotels and developer of the project.
Bringing Four Seasons legendary service home
Las Vegas joins the portfolio of standalone Four Seasons Private Residences around the world, including properties in London, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dubai, and Austin. “Our standalone residential offerings present a unique opportunity to live with Four Seasons in destinations that are appealing to luxury homeowners outside the walls of our hotels and resorts, while still delivering the exceptional care and service to residents that is core to our brand,” says Bart Carnahan, President, Global Business Development and Portfolio Management, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “This new project in Las Vegas is the perfect addition.”
As a standalone property, the community in Las Vegas offers even more privacy and exclusivity to residents. And because it’s managed by an expert Four Seasons team, you can expect the highest calibre of comfort and care. It’s worry-free homeownership at its most intuitive, coupled with premier amenities and exceptional Four Seasons service whenever you need it.
