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Rating Index Rating
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4.0
4017 Reviews (4017)
5 Stars
1244
4 Stars
1816
3 Stars
624
2 Stars
182
1 Stars
151
Conditions
4.0
Value
3.9
Layout
4.5
Friendliness
4.3
Pace
3.8
Amenities
3.9
86.5%
Recommend this course
3470 out of 4017 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.0
117 Reviews (117)
5 Stars
44
4 Stars
47
3 Stars
15
2 Stars
7
1 Stars
4
Conditions
4.0
Value
3.9
Layout
4.5
Pace
3.8
Amenities
3.9
StaffFriendliness
4.3
83.8%
Recommend this course
98 out of 117 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.0
157 Reviews (157)
5 Stars
61
4 Stars
59
3 Stars
22
2 Stars
8
1 Stars
7
Conditions
4.0
Value
3.9
Layout
4.5
Pace
3.7
Amenities
3.9
StaffFriendliness
4.3
84.7%
Recommend this course
133 out of 157 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
San Tan Highlands delivers a highly rated layout with fantastic greens and well-kept fairways that consistently reward golfers seeking a strong challenge. Friendly staff and solid value for money make this course a compelling choice for repeat rounds.

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Style Desert
Par 72
Length 7162 yards
Slope 130
Rating 72.7

San Tan Highlands (formerly known as The Golf Club at Johnson Ranch) boasts a championship course with a front nine that winds through the Sonoran desert and a back nine that finishes at the base of the bordering San Tan Mountains. Naturally, the first half of the golf course is relatively flat and the latter half has a hilly terrain. In contrast to its categorization as a desert course, this course has grass from the tees to the greens but the cactus-filled landscape definitely implies desert. The greens are quite large and undulating and the fairways are fairly open with generous landing areas. Strategically placed sand bunkers and water hazards come into play throughout the San Tan Highlands.

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San Tan Highlands
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Course Details

Year Built 1997
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens Bermuda/Annual Rye
Golf Season Year round
Architect Kenny Watkins

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
GPS Yes
Pull-carts No
Caddies No
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Discover Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed No
Dress code Appropriate golf attire.

Food & Beverage

Restaurant, Beverage Carts

Available Facilities

Banquet Facilities
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Reviews

4.0
4017 Reviews (4017)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 75
Patio Dining 60
Brunch 26
Course Challenges Include:
Elevation Changes 138
Bunkers 103
Undulating Greens 81
This course/club is great for:
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 99
Locals 86
Advanced Golfers 67
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 97
In the 'Burbs 83
Convenient to the City 12

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 13
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 13
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Summer Conditions

The front 9 was in as bad of shape as I have seen this summer. Obviously it is tough during the Arizona summer, but I was shocked at what I saw. The gateways were about a 40/60 split on grass/mud.

The back 9 is a really fun layout and was in much better shape.

I played alone on the front and finished 9 in about 70 minutes. The back 9 took almost 2 1/2 hours.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
First Time Playing

Fairways look like battlefields

The front 9 Fairways are a mess. They had more dead grass and bare spots than green grass. The Cart path concrete is un-even and broken up on many spots. By far the worst fairways I have ever seen. The back nine seems like a different course. Fairways were much better but still lots of bare spots and dead grass. The greens were well watered and played as expected. I expected much better conditions for $90 considering the top courses in Scottsdale are not much more than that this time of year.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
2.0
Previously Played

Overpriced for condition

I’m not sure how management can justify charging $78 for the course in the current shape that it is in. The front 9 fairways are 80% dirt, aim for the rough. Not worth paying more than $50 in these summer conditins

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

New name, same course

The fairways had recently been aerated so they're a bit of a mess right now the greens must have been aerated two weeks ago they were fuzzy and slow but that's to be expected. Staff was awesome very friendly. Practice area we were hitting off of Mats which were in good condition but would rather hit off grass of course.

No beverage cart to be seen during the 4-Hour and 20 minute round. Pace of play with slower than expected especially since this is the summer months.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 125
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 250 Contributor
First Time Playing

Beautiful course

My first time playing here now I know why it’s always so busy. Greens in good shape as well as the fairways. Staff very friendly and attentive made check in a breeze. Will definitely be back to play before summer ends.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 134
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Play faster

Need Ranger to push pace of play. Group in front playing two balls. It’s too hot to lag pace of play. Some tee boxes uneven making it difficult to tee off. No ice in coolers no acceptable conditions for summer heat. No cart to refresh cold drinks.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0

Corse was kinda wet in a few holes but it’s always fun playing here.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 46
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Terrible shape

So disappointed in the condition, don’t spend your money!

Conditions Poor
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Greens need work

Played this course a lot, the greens were in terrible shape heavily sanded , bumpy . Couple that with excessive waiting at each hole , probably contributed to it being Father’s Day but over my worst experience at this course , normally very happy playing there

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Punched/maintenance

Greens recently punched, approach areas recently ripped.. look forward to playing it when it's in better condition. Very fun layout, Devils Drop is a fun one. Lots a scenic holes.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 134
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
First Time Playing

Do not play here!

I’ve been playing golf in Arizona for 20 years and this is hands-down the most poorly managed golf course in the valley. Played with some friends this past Sunday on Father’s Day and was a 5.5 hour round. On the third hole, we noticed there were eight people on the green two groups ahead of us, which then started a significant slower pace of play. On the fifth hole, the pro shop was notified who then sent somebody out there to address the situation and apparently they split them up. There was another significant slow down at the turn and we noticed the same two groups rejoined on 11. Called the pro shop again, who made contact with us and indicate that he wishes there was something more he could do about the situation. Oh and it was $80 to play. This course is maybe a $40 track in the summer. No starter or ranger at all. With all of the golf courses in Arizona to choose from I wouldn’t even have this in consideration.

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Fair
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Greens had more sand than bunkers!

Usually really like the course, but no mention of all fairways being under construction or mention of greens being covered in sand! I understand it’s summer and course repairs happen, but cant charge like course is in good conditions for a course under major maintenance.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
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