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
1071 Reviews (1071)
5 Stars
381
4 Stars
452
3 Stars
138
2 Stars
60
1 Stars
40
Conditions
3.9
Value
3.7
Layout
4.2
Friendliness
4.3
Pace
3.9
Amenities
4.0
82.4%
Recommend this course
893 out of 1071 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.3
40 Reviews (40)
5 Stars
20
4 Stars
14
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.2
Value
3.9
Layout
4.2
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.1
StaffFriendliness
4.6
92.5%
Recommend this course
37 out of 40 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.1
60 Reviews (60)
5 Stars
28
4 Stars
20
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
3
Conditions
4.0
Value
3.9
Layout
4.3
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.1
StaffFriendliness
4.4
86.7%
Recommend this course
52 out of 60 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
1071 Reviews (1071)

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 1
2.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Pro shop

The lady who checked us in was quite rude. Her Attitude was quite uncomplimentary.

Conditions Good
Value Poor
Friendliness Poor
Pace Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 29
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fun track from thecorrect tees

Played one set forward lots of fun. Took the driver out of play on some holes Used the yardage book and found it very helpful

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 56
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Nice Track in N. Scottsdale

A challenging layout with fast greens, undulating fairways and some difficult bunkers. The course is not as tight as it appears but there are numerous strategically place bunkers that must be avoided if your going to score well. Numerous bronzed status of wild animals are placed throughout the course which add to it's beauty. Great vistas of the surrounding mountains and desert. As a whole, the course was is good condition and has a nice practice facility. A bit pricey but a must play if you can get a good rate.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

McDowell Mountain-First trip

Nice club house, nice course conditions, pro shop staff a bit snooty, carts in good shape but no water for start and no place to dampen a towel, starters were a bit robotic and overly rehearsed, marshals were good but overly enthusiastic, cart ladies were excellent just way too sporadic in appearances and under-supplied each time (no food at all in the middle of the back nine).

Overall though, a good experience and I would go back.
Club house food was good but a smidge slow,

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Add Ons

Overall positive experience, especially course conditions. However- when paying >$100 to play a round of golf, range balls should be included in cost and carts (which were new) should have GPS. Our group included 2 "hackers" so we played from gold tees (6400 yards). Balls run far on fairways so I didn't need a driver AT ALL and still had PW or 9 iron to green on many holes. We teed-off at 10:00 and it was fairly windy.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great Staff

The track was in good condition not too difficult, but a little local knowledge goes a long way. The staff was friendly and accommodating. I'll play this course again.

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

Great experience

Super on top of it staff, I'll play again. Very friendly fun course.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

It was OK

We play all over the valley, was our first time here though. Staff was great, got us off 15 minutes early without us even asking. Marshall and cart girl we saw twice per nine which was nice since it was hot that day. The course itself? Eh, greens were challenging and fun, fairway conditions were acceptable, the course itself though, I guess I just expected a bit more. Views of the valley and mountains were so-so, fairways were challenging, and fair, but just nothing too exciting. I'd play again if the rates were lower, otherwise I think there's better deals to be had.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Favorite Course in this area !!!!!

Loved this Desert Course !!! Phil's Guys did a super Job here !!! Will come back just to play this course, Hands down my Favorite Course !! Really Enjoyed my 4 partners that I was Paired with and this course. Each Hole was a Pleasant Surprise ! Without Golfnow.com I doubt I would have played this course ? Saved lots of $$$ on the. Greens Fee.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Average weather
Used cart

Great for all levels of golfers

Great improvements from when it was the Sanctuary!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Average weather
Used cart

nice venue

First timer. Course is in the wash,somewhat protected from the winds we had. Course was in good shape, greens were starting to green up and grow. It is not the toughest test in town, works for all levels and still is fun for the better golfer. Food was good, nice setting. I still have a problem having to pay for range balls at a course in this price range.
Would return.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

nicer condition and harder than I remember

I recall playing Santuary golf course several times in the past. The course is now owned by a group including Phil Mickelson, renamed McDowell Mountain, and is much improved. Course condition was very good. The greens featured much undulation and were smooth and fairly fast. Fairways and rough were in good to excellent shape. I am not sure if they re-did the greens or not but they seemed much more difficult than I remember.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great place

Very good experience. Target golf and lots of sand but overall fair. Course is in excellent condition and customer service was very good.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Top tier golf course!

Awesome! McDowell Mountain rivals some of the more high profile valley courses. Very challenging layout but fair. Due to the lack of rain, the greens are pretty firm but that's the story for most courses in the valley. That said, they rolled very true with a few deceptive breaks which makes it fun. The tee's and fairways were in fantastic shape! We stopped in the bar for a drink after the round and the atmosphere was fun and the staff was very attentive and friendly. Can't wait to play this gem again!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Used to be The Sanctuary

This course used to be The Sanctuary and was recently purchased by Phil Mickelson and partners. They did add a lot of turf and reduced a lot of the wash areas. These improvements have made the course more playable. We were visiting from Kansas City and noticed that there were a lot of retirees and locals that were playing. The course was packed on a Thursday. We played in just under 5 hours.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 16
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Would play again

Very nice course. I like the layout and desert challenges. Only negative was waiting on every shot, took over 4 and a half hours.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Pace Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fast Undulating Greens

The course is in beautiful shape, but be sure to hit your approach shots we'll short of the flags or you'll likely be off the back of the green or facing a long downhill putt. Below the holes is the ideal location. Great open bar/restaurant for relaxing with a beer after your round. Nice view of the Phoenix area.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 35
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Phil's Thrills

McDowell Mountain is a great test of golf (and is greatly improved since the aquisition by Phil Mickelson and it's reincarnation from its former name, Sanctuary). The greens are true and fast ( and most of them tilt towards the valley). Everybody that I know who come play McD Mtn, don't just play it once!!

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great golf great value

Course was in good condition including greens. Marshall kept play moving. Compared to other similar courses in the area, this is an excellent choice.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Excellent Day

Had friends in town for vacation. Between the four hour round and then the 2-3 hour lunch spent about 7 hours at course. Did not feel that way. Prompt and courteous service. Course was in great condition. Positively would recommend again. Plan on playing again throughout the year even though I live on the NW side of town.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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