McDowell Mountain Golf Club
Rating Snapshot
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: 73.3/137 | 429 | 366 | 225 | 575 | 402 | 394 | 432 | 191 | 542 | 3556 | 440 | 448 | 380 | 532 | 161 | 474 | 339 | 234 | 508 | 3516 | 7072 |
| Black/Gold M: 71.4/134 | 397 | 366 | 196 | 541 | 402 | 394 | 404 | 163 | 542 | 3405 | 422 | 421 | 380 | 532 | 161 | 435 | 339 | 201 | 382 | 3273 | 6678 |
| Gold M: 70.2/131 | 397 | 331 | 196 | 541 | 374 | 337 | 404 | 163 | 510 | 3253 | 422 | 421 | 353 | 498 | 132 | 435 | 310 | 201 | 382 | 3154 | 6407 |
| Gold/White M: 68.5/124 | 368 | 331 | 147 | 541 | 374 | 337 | 360 | 163 | 471 | 3092 | 404 | 390 | 353 | 498 | 132 | 378 | 310 | 156 | 347 | 2968 | 6060 |
| White M: 67.0/118 W: 72.4/127 | 368 | 303 | 147 | 503 | 332 | 271 | 360 | 153 | 471 | 2908 | 404 | 390 | 310 | 466 | 99 | 378 | 266 | 156 | 347 | 2816 | 5724 |
| White/Red M: 65.1/113 W: 69.7/120 | 336 | 303 | 147 | 461 | 332 | 271 | 308 | 153 | 471 | 2782 | 316 | 309 | 310 | 435 | 99 | 314 | 266 | 156 | 327 | 2532 | 5314 |
| Red M: 59.3/100 W: 67.9/114 | 336 | 250 | 109 | 461 | 298 | 240 | 308 | 94 | 407 | 2503 | 316 | 309 | 266 | 435 | 69 | 314 | 239 | 102 | 327 | 2377 | 4880 |
| Junior M: 59.3/100 | 265 | 190 | 71 | 368 | 250 | 156 | 304 | 76 | 350 | 2030 | 307 | 229 | 209 | 363 | 63 | 281 | 138 | 102 | 302 | 1994 | 4024 |
| Handicap | 3 | 17 | 7 | 5 | 13 | 15 | 1 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 14 | 12 | 18 | 2 | 16 | 10 | 4 | |||
| Par | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 36 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 35 | 71 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
RestaurantAvailable Facilities
Clubhouse, Conference Facilities, Banquet FacilitiesReviews
Reviewer Photos
Phil Schmill
So not worth the price point. Should have been a third of the price. 50 bucks would be a fare price. Greens were in poor condition and course is kind of mangy with standing water and dried out areas. Power lines run through the middle of the course. Club house is nice and staff is friendly
Very poor course conditions, especially considering the highest price I've ever paid to play here. Dead fairways, rough greens and several wet areas due to faulty irrigation. I've been coming here for 10 years and quite disappointed.
Hidden Gem!
I played McDowell Mtn for the second time yesterday on 12/10. It was a little rainy in the morning but the course was still in good shape. The greens drained really well and still rolled true. Each staff member we dealt with was unbelievable and truly wanted us to have a great time. The outdoor lounging area looked amazing to relax and enjoy the Arizona weather throughout the year. I highly recommend going to see for yourself!
Nice course
I like this course as it is few mins from my place. After overseeing the course looks great and greens rolls true speed. We were backed up on most of the holes on back nine and took 4 hrs and 35 mins to finish the round. Course lay out is fine and some holes with narrow fairways. Practice range is also nice but it was full today and couldn’t find a spot for 10 mins. Short game and putting green is well maintained. Drink cart came frequently and offered various food and drink options.
Overall, staff is friendly and the restaurant is nice but offers very limited vegetarian options. I would recommend this course to play throughout the year.
Slow play
Sure, cart path only slows the play a little. But, very close to a 5 hour round on a very warm day is uncomfortable. Rangers on the course make no effort to speed up slow play. For over $100, it isn’t worth the experience.
Great day, played in less than 4 hours , dower was the greens were slower than shag carpet and cartpath only meant you had to guess every yardage
did not know they were getting ready to over seed. greens are usually great, todat were bumpy and rough.
Great course and conditions except the greens...
Great layout, holes, staff. Greens were a bit furry and slow, but we’ll be back...
Pretty Good
The course was nice, however several holes were under construction so we had to play around some of that. If you’re a beginner who slices, beware. This course is a ball loser. Rocky, sandy, and brush filled desert surrounds almost every hole. If you’re not accurate with your drives it’s extremely easy to lose your ball.
We were hoping to get some drinks on the course but didn’t see a cart employee through ALL 18 holes. Kinda bummed about that. Was hoping to get water/brews but didn’t get the chance.
All in all I’d give this course a 7 out of 10. Would recommend.
We have been playing the course twice a week for 3-4 years.
OB was as good as the fairways
First time at this course. I was expecting decent conditions considering the price. Yes, it is summer but putting was like rolling a bouncy ball down down asphalt, fairways were beat and dry (I know it’s summer) but when Apache creek is playing like a championship course (fairways, greens) for under half the price.... idc if it’s Scottsdale for that price you would think they could water the grass.
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