Spas

BY DIANE BAIR & PAMELA WRIGHT

SPAS FOR GOLFERS

Shake off those bogies with a relaxing massage, facial or body treatment.

SARASOTA, flSARASOTA, FL

MEMBERS SPA CLUB

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota 1111 Ritz-Carlton Dr 941-309-2090
www.ritzcarlton.com

During the Golf and Sports Massage (50 minutes/$145; 80 minutes/$195), scented oils will warm up and soothe your muscles. The customized aromatherapy mixes will leave you refreshed for a round on the hotel’s award-winning course (check out page 82 for more on The Members Golf Club). It starts with a neck and shoulder rub—but not your typical slow-moving Swedish massage. The therapist works hard and fast, combining vigorous deep-tissue work with stretching. (Note: The spa is only open to hotel guests and the Ritz-Carlton Members Club.)

CHANDLER, AZ CHANDLER, AZ
(20 MILES FROM PHOENIX)

AJI SPA

Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa 5594 West Wild Horse Pass Blvd 602-385-5759
www.wildhorsepassresort.com

This property, owned by the Gila River Indian Community, plays up its cultural roots, especially in the rustic elegance of the Aji Spa. Aji is the Pima word for sanctuary, and treatments like the Ho’Dai Gila River Rock Massage ($205-$225) will prove how the spa got its name. Body wraps are the ultimate two-fer. The 80-minute white clay wrap ($195-$215) features an aromatic body mask and a 25-minute massage. As you blissfully doze through the final, sweet-smelling oil rub, you might realize you don’t care if you ever make it to the golf course.

ST. PETERSBURG, flST. PETERSBURG, FL
(24 MILES FROM TAMPA)

AQUASTONE WELL SPA

300 Beach Dr NE 727-823-4636
www.aquastonewellspa.com

With more than 100 golf courses in the area, it’s no surprise that this spa in St. Petersburg is an oasis for sore duffers. If you’ve got kinks from your day on the links, try the 90-minute Exotic Thai massage ($125). Your bend-over-backwards therapist will use her hands, knees, legs and feet to stretch and soothe sore back, shoulder and neck muscles. The cozy spa offers a slew of other options, including body treatments (try the 90-minute anti-stress back treatment), sea salt baths and facials—all enjoyable whether you’re a hacker or a handicapper.

WHAT’S BETTER than a perfect round of golf under a bluebird sky? How about a little pre- or post-links spa action at a fabulous resort? We can’t promise that relaxing treatments will shave points off your game, but it definitely can’t hurt.