McDowell Mountain GC: #18
View of the 18th hole from McDowell Mountain Golf Club
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Rating Index Rating
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4.0
1070 Reviews (1070)
5 Stars
381
4 Stars
452
3 Stars
138
2 Stars
60
1 Stars
39
Conditions
4.0
Value
3.8
Layout
4.2
Friendliness
4.3
Pace
4.0
Amenities
4.1
83.2%
Recommend this course
893 out of 1070 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
39 Reviews (39)
5 Stars
20
4 Stars
14
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.0
Layout
4.3
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.2
StaffFriendliness
4.5
94.9%
Recommend this course
37 out of 39 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.2
59 Reviews (59)
5 Stars
28
4 Stars
20
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.0
Value
3.9
Layout
4.3
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.1
StaffFriendliness
4.4
88.1%
Recommend this course
52 out of 59 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Exceptionally friendly staff and a well-designed layout create a challenging yet fair experience that keeps golfers returning. The practice facility is top-notch, and the course delivers strong conditions and solid value for money.

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Style Desert
Par 72
Length 7118 yards
Slope 133
Rating 73.1

Nestled in the heart of Scottsdale, McDowell Mountain Golf Club offers a premier golf experience surrounded by breathtaking desert landscapes and panoramic mountain views. Known for its exceptional course conditions, friendly atmosphere, and signature Arizona scenery, the club blends challenging play with unmatched beauty. Whether you're here to test your game, enjoy a casual round with friends, or take in the spectacular sunsets from our clubhouse patio, McDowell Mountain Golf Club delivers a true desert golf experience that is both memorable and inviting.

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McDowell Mountain Golf Club
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Course Details

Year Built 1999
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens TiffDwarf Bermuda Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Randy Heckenkemper (1999)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
GPS Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes - "McDowell Mountain Learning Center"
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted Yes
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Dress code Collared shirt required, no denim

Food & Beverage

Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Conference Facilities, Banquet Facilities
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Reviews

4.0
1070 Reviews (1070)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 61
Patio Dining 55
19th Hole Scenic Views 35
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 81
Undulating Greens 55
Elevation Changes 46
This course/club is great for:
Locals 70
Advanced Golfers 62
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 54
This Course's Location is:
Convenient to the City 81
Worth the Drive 45
In the 'Burbs 42

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Awesome day of golf

From the starter to the bartender the entire staff was happy we were there. The course was recovering from over seeding but was still very nice. Highly recommend and will be back soon

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

McDowell was great - GolfNow was not

First, I must say that GolfNow did not warn me that the course was cart path only. In fact, the printout from GolfNow specifically stated that carts 90degrees was the condition. When I got to the course, they told me the truth.

The course is very playable - the greens were exceedingly slow - just coming out of overseeding - they had not been cut or rolled.

But it is a wonderful golf course - very playable for a 14 handicapper and my friends who were 20+. The staff couldn't have been nicer - friendly, helpful and welcoming.

This is a real gem in the Valley.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 14
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Rough Conditions

When we called to be sure they weren't in the process of overseeding, the person at the clubhouse told us the course was in perfect condition for this time of year. Sadly when we got there they were ready to overseed any day. All grass was the same height, mostly dried out everywhere. Best part was the greens, but they were not in the best shape either.

Would have appreciated them telling us the actual conditions before we booked. We did enjoy the layout, but the conditions did not leave us wanting to return any time soon.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great day

Enjoyed it so much we played an extra 9!

Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Good layout - Greens not so much

Cool location and a solid layout.

Golf course and especially greens were really poor especially for this time of the year when greens are usually outstanding.

So overall a bit dissappointing

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Good Condition

Course was in good condition for this time of the year even though it looked like an early start for overseeding on the first hole. Fine elsewhere. Staff is especially friendly and helpful.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 26
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Bumpy greens, hard to read

Course conditions where good except for the greens and a few tees. The greens were quite bumpy and hard to read. Lots of ant mounds on the greens. Some of the tees (back) need to be leveled or at least rolled. Like the layout - a good challenge.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Didn't meet my expectations

I had high hopes for playing at this course due to Phil Mickelson's involvement. Overall I would just call the experience fair. The biggest problem was that the greens aren't great right now due to being aerified on 8/1. I wish I had known this before booking. In 2-3 weeks, the greens will probably be nice again. They were sandy and bumpy which was annoying.

The course had a lot of rain the day before I played so there was casual water in places. I can't fault the course for Mother Nature.

The holes themselves were ok. Fairways nice and bunkers pretty good. But I didn't find them to be all that special. They are just sorta scattered through the desert and there was only 1 hole that was memorable, and that was the par 3, 17th, which was nice to look at from the tee box.

I play 2-3 times a week and am a low handicap. I love a good challenge and a memorable round. I'm not sure if I will return anytime soon but perhaps in the better time of year for greens.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Poor Staff & Customer Service

No one greeted me at bag drop, not welcomed by staff upon entering clubhouse, and hot water in cooler instead of ice. Seemed like cart boys were too busy talking to each other instead of taking care of golfers. I know it's summertime and slow but other courses like Phoenician and Wildfire are still on top their customer service game. No one was there to welcome me back after round our clean my clubs. Experience would have been exactly the same if there was no staff at all. . . . Exception, friendly bar staff.

I won't be back.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Poor
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

great course

challenging course, have to plan you strategy

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 99
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 500 Contributor
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

First Time at Phil's Course

Had a great time playing this course for the first time. Lots of shots selections I would change, now knowing where to hit the ball...fairway bunkers come into play frequently on the tee ball. So a second trip around would be different. Greens were nice...not real fast but good putting speed. Not real busy so got around the course in a little over 3 hours. Water to drink on every other hole and that was nice. Will do it again!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 82
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

not in the best shape..skip it...

I have played this course several times and has always been in good shape so i was quite disappointed when i played and many of the tee boxes were not level...this led to trying to find a place to tee the ball...i dont know what happened but it is like little earthquakes hit many of the tee boxes and pushed up the earth...dont know what could cause this but the course is doing nothing to fix it that i could see...i would recommend giving this course a rest and play elsewhere for now until they decide to put some maintenance into the course...i was surprised to see 3 employees in the clubhouse on a saturday afternoon in 108* temps with only a few players on the course...perhaps they need to hire more maintenance staff and less "door greeters"......

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

1st time playing after Mickelson redo

Golf Course is very playable and in great condition especially considering mid summer conditions - Mickelson made wonderful changes in course including reversing the 9's - course is much fairer with improved landing areas and flow of layout - well marked - enjoyable

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Ehhhh....

Greens were very slow and still recovering from aeration(a month ago!) . No course map was included which had us downloading the course to to my phone. Tee boxes and fairways were in decent shape. They definitely need to work on some signage/markings. Carts have no GPS so it would help to have better distance markers. Cart girl was friendly and appeared often which was a bonus in the heat. Hooe they fix the details because it could be good

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 32
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great course

A nice course to play and enjoy b

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Well run, friendly place, great and accessible practice facility

I have played here many times. Course is very popular with locals. Very comfortable place to play, people are very nice, staff retention is very good. Most holes have very open drive landing areas. Always in very good condition. Excellent practice facility; in fact, it is a very friendly place to go if all you want to do is practice. New clubhouse went up about 3 years ago. Restaurant is very nice with excellent food.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

The greens were horrendous !

It would have been nice if we were informed that the greens were in such bad shape. I will never play here again .

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Fair
Pace Fair
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Jds

Would been nice to know that the greens were punched

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Great Course

Been playing this course for years and they continually make tweaks to make it more enjoyable/playable. Staff is always very welcoming. Foursome played in 3 hrs!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 21
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Great course for the money

Would not have played this course if not for GolfNow. Course is pretty wide open, making it player friendly. I will play this course again and again.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
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