McDowell Mountain Golf Club

About
McDowell Mountain Golf Club (formerly known as Sanctuary Golf Course) provides an eco-friendly option in Scottsdale - a pretty setting, too, on the McDowell Mountains' western slope. The golf course was designed by the architect Randy Heckenkemper, who turned what had been the Bureau of Reclamation's storm-water-retention area into a top Scottsdale golf course, with 6,624-yards of par-71 golf laid out over what truly tries to be a sanctuary for the indigenous flora and fauna.
McDowell Mountain Golf Club's signature hole is the 18th, a 516-yard par 5 that allows you finish your round of golf in risk-reward style, with an eagle or birdie practically begging to be attempted - though it might be just as easy to double-bogey. A bunker on the right guards a skinny landing area, while a wicked wash awaits on the left, but, hit that drive right, and you might just make the green in two.
After your round of golf on the golf course, head back to the restaurant, where you can take your breakfast or lunch daily in the dining room or on the patio - and take in vistas of the golf course and Camelback Mountain.
Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
---|---|---|---|---|
Black | 71 | 7072 yards | 73.3 | 137 |
Gold | 71 | 6407 yards | 70.2 | 131 |
White (W) | 71 | 5724 yards | 71.6 | 129 |
White | 71 | 5724 yards | 67.0 | 118 |
Red (W) | 71 | 4880 yards | 68.1 | 109 |
Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Black M: 73.1/133 | 429 | 366 | 225 | 575 | 402 | 394 | 432 | 191 | 542 | 3556 | 440 | 448 | 380 | 532 | 161 | 520 | 339 | 234 | 508 | 3562 | 7118 |
Black/Gold M: 71.4/131 | 397 | 366 | 196 | 541 | 402 | 394 | 404 | 163 | 542 | 3405 | 422 | 421 | 380 | 532 | 161 | 503 | 339 | 201 | 382 | 3341 | 6746 |
Gold M: 70.3/128 | 397 | 331 | 196 | 541 | 374 | 337 | 404 | 163 | 524 | 3267 | 422 | 421 | 353 | 498 | 132 | 503 | 310 | 201 | 382 | 3222 | 6489 |
Gold/White M: 68.4/123 | 368 | 331 | 147 | 541 | 374 | 337 | 360 | 163 | 510 | 3131 | 404 | 390 | 353 | 498 | 132 | 494 | 310 | 156 | 347 | 3084 | 6215 |
White M: 66.7/115 W: 72.2/126 | 368 | 303 | 147 | 503 | 332 | 271 | 360 | 153 | 510 | 2947 | 404 | 390 | 310 | 466 | 99 | 494 | 266 | 156 | 347 | 2932 | 5879 |
White/Red M: 64.8/110 W: 69.5/121 | 336 | 303 | 147 | 461 | 332 | 271 | 308 | 153 | 471 | 2782 | 316 | 309 | 310 | 435 | 99 | 455 | 266 | 156 | 327 | 2673 | 5455 |
Red M: 62.7/107 W: 67.5/113 | 336 | 250 | 109 | 461 | 298 | 240 | 308 | 94 | 471 | 2567 | 316 | 309 | 266 | 435 | 69 | 455 | 239 | 102 | 327 | 2518 | 5085 |
Junior M: 60.0/103 W: 62.6/104 | 265 | 190 | 71 | 368 | 250 | 156 | 304 | 76 | 350 | 2030 | 307 | 229 | 209 | 363 | 63 | 281 | 138 | 102 | 302 | 1994 | 4024 |
Handicap | 3 | 17 | 15 | 5 | 11 | 13 | 1 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 14 | 18 | 12 | 16 | 6 | 2 | |||
Par | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 36 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
RestaurantAvailable Facilities
Clubhouse, Conference Facilities, Banquet FacilitiesReviews
Reviewer Photos
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Photo submitted by Mark6710631 on 10/19/2022
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Photo submitted by Mark6710631 on 10/19/2022
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This is the landing zone on a par 4. Brutal “fairway” lie. Photo submitted by dubjac on 09/05/2022
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Photo submitted by dubjac on 08/29/2022
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Photo submitted by WGAgolf on 05/24/2022
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Photo submitted by ja24martino on 12/09/2021
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Back nine Photo submitted by u314161204123 on 03/11/2021
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Photo submitted by Dansgolf on 03/03/2015
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Photo submitted by Dansgolf on 03/03/2015
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#5 approach shot. Cool shot with the mountain in the background. Photo submitted by ryantjeerdsma on 09/24/2013
Divot problem
There was divots on almost every green. Probably the punk kids playing in front of us.
Course Condition
They are getting ready to overseed but the fairways are in terrible shape beyond what overseeding would require. They clearly haven't watered the grass in weeks because there were a ton of large dirt only areas throughout. The greens were OK. Not worth the money at all - and it's a course I generally like although they have had condition challenges for a while.
Good experience
Course was enjoyable and in good shape considering the brutal heat this summer. Greens and tee boxes are in good shape, with some bare spots on periphery of fairways. Staff was helpful. Will definitely do again.
Good mix of length and precision
I've been. out ro AZ several times on vacation a d always put McDowell Mtn on the list. Great layout and conditions (considering the brutal Summer). Greens rolled true and there was plenty to think about when deciding on your next shot. Staff was friendly a d I had a terrific local beer with my lunch after my round..
Great job by the team at McDowell Mountain, thanks for a great day!
Pass
Really would not recommend this course. Maybe in a month or two. The greens were in very good shape, but that's about it. So many dead spots on the fairways. Areas that were just dirt, as well as very "patchy". For the money, not worth it. Oh, forgot to mention that the bunker(s) were absolutely terrible.

Pass - thank you for your review and feedback. This Arizona summer has proven to be challenging. We appreciate your feedback regarding the bunkers as well. We do hope you will join us again in the near future.
Terrible Course Condition
I get that it is summer in Arizona, but the condition of the course shows that the ownership is not re-investing any money into maintenance or improvements. Hopefully the same management team is not running Grayhawk as they will destroy another fine venue in North Scottsdale.

Hello EJPOO7,
Thank you for your feedback and review. Our apologies for the missed expectations. Summers are certainly difficult and we are continually working to maintain the course. We hope you will choose to join us again in the future.
Good Day for Golfing
The only complaint I have was the greens still showed the waffle effect from punching. This is an issue that we in Arizona have to put up with. The fairways were good, as where the tee boxes. The pace of play was excellent, because we were first out after playing through a 3-some on the number 3 hole. The 19th hole was good, although they did not sell pitchers of beer--a 16 ox was $8. Over all, it was a good day for gol.

plunger5nine5,
Thank you for the review and feedback, we look forward to taking those 4 stars to 5 on your next visit!
Back 9 closed
Decent course, wish it was advertised that the back 9 was closed.

Thank you for the review and feedback. We do our aerification this time of year and apologize if that wasn't clearly explained. We do reduce our rates to reflect the course conditions when doing maintenance. We hope to welcome you back soon and exceed expectations.
Great course
I was the last tee time in the afternoon so I didn’t see another golfer the whole round. The course is lush, greens roll and the desert and mountain views are spectacular. Also enjoyed all the wildlife, bunnies, road runners, quail, just tons of animals. Very fun and challenging course.

Hello scmolmstead,
Thank you for the review and feedback! We hope to welcome you back soon.

dhuhn,
We appreciate your review and anticipate taking the 4 stars to 5 on your next visit!

Thank you for the review, we look forward taking those 4 stars to 5 on your next visit!

Thank you for the review, we hope to welcome you back soon and making it 5 stars!

Hi Waldog41,
Thank you for the review, we hope to have you back for a return visit in the near future!
Not bad
We were the first group out so it wasn't too hot and we played in 3 hrs 40 minutes. Course was in decent condition. Was surprised by how many ball marks were left unfixed on the greens. Usually you just see that on cheap muni courses.

Hello burnzieazgolf,
Thank you for the reply and feedback. Great to hear of the pace of play and course conditions. We hope to see you back in the near future!
Round at 4:45 pm
Had a very nice round although there was a group in front of me that had 2 of the foursome that was learning the game. Think it’s great that new people are getting involved in the sport but they were hitting sometimes 3 balls off the tee, and multiple balls in the fairway. I was eventually able to play through but it would be helpful to have someone from the course drive through maybe once per round.

Thank you for your review and feedback. Our apologies if you did not see a player assistant on the course as pace of play is very important to us. We hope to see you back in the near future!

Thank you for your review, we look forward to having you back soon!

Thank you for the 5 star review! We look forward to welcoming you back soon!

Great to see your 5 star review. We hope to welcome you back in the near future!

Wonderful to see your 5 star excellent review. We appreciate the feedback and look forward to having you back soon.
Gregory9739136,
Thank you for the review and feedback. We hope to welcome you back soon!