Desert Highlands Golf Club

This course is very high on the WOW factor. Target golf for sure, fast great greens. All facilities excellent Pro shop and elite service.

This is a follow up review from the comments I left a few years ago. At the time of the previous review, DH was nearly unplayable - the greens were rock hard and completely unreceptive. I'm happy to say that the situation is now vastly improved. This year (2018) the greens are very soft and hold well-struck shots without a problem. I'd prefer bent grass to the hybrid they have, but I don't think the club has the cojones to admit they made a mistake and redo the greens, now that they are receptive. I've upgraded course conditions to "5 stars" now that the greens are playable.

Some more comments. As a low handicapper (2.5 index), I love the course layout. It's extremely challenging from tee to green, and requires a "risk-reward" decision on nearly every hole. Overall, however, this course is too difficult for the average golfer, or even the better than average golfer. It's designed for pros and low single digit players.

Also, I note that I mentioned the peer courses in the area. I would put on this list a couple of the Desert Mountain courses (including Outlaw), Troon private, Estancia, and the upper course at Whisper Rock. Desert Forest is a notch or two below these others from a course design perspective.

There are a couple points of note in the course description. First off, it mentions water features. There is no water on the course at all (luckily!). Also, it mentions the putting course. It's really great, make sure you set aside an hour when you visit Desert Highlands.

I've played Desert Highlands a number of times since the 90s. I have relatives that bring me as a guest. Back in those days, the course was perfect- certainly the best in AZ and one of the best in the US. It has incredible routing- unique holes that make you consider every shot. You need to bring your best game to DH, as there are no easy holes. Nicklaus should be (and probably is) proud of how well he capitalized on a perfect piece of golf real estate.
Here's the issue- some dozen+ years ago they changed the greens from a bent surface to a hybrid grass. The biggest problem is these surfaces won't hold well-hit shots... they are so unreceptive, even after years. Additionally, the greens are inconsistent and don't roll true. And cosmetically they look awful. Having played almost every private club in AZ, I would rank the quality of the greens last among peer clubs. They are THAT BAD.
It is such a massive shame too... the layout kills every other course in the area. Estancia, Troon, Desert Forest, Whisper Rock- all of these can't touch DH from a layout perspective, but every single one has far better greens.
Earlier this year I sat with some of the other top golfers in the club in the men's grill... they mentioned severe management issues (staff and board). It's too bad, because the club is great other than one major, major flaw.