Gold Canyon Golf Resort & Spa

First time here. High expectations were unfullfilled. Fabulous location and excellent layout. However my Wed. 11:00 tee time coincided with heavy and unpleasant maintenance crews mowing and watering at least 2 to 3 tractors or motorized equipment on nearly every hole. I did not have a peaceful hole until 16. Very distracting and annoying. Pace of play was very slow. Hitting off of mats and putting greens without holes are things I have never seen outside of the cheapest muni course. After round I asked in pro shop for a free return trip because of maintenance motors buzzing next to me on almost every shot. He refused and said the high quality of course needs to be maintained and golfers need to deal with it. I have just recently played Wildfire Palmer and Faldo and Whirlwind and did not have any distractions from maintenance and to be honest those courses are in much better shape. He could have given me an afternoon slot or even a 9 hole freebie. But he didnt even want to discuss it. The location and design are great but whoever is running it doesnt live up to the hype.

Beautiful location. Fabulous design. I dont think whoever runs facility plays golf. Practice range you hit off of mats, practice putting greens dont have holes. Even the worst muni has those basic features. Maintenance was like a swarm of bees on every shot they were mowing or idleing nearby. Course conditions are average bald spots everywhere. Staff unfriendly they seem to rest on laurels but dont compare to Wildfire or Whirlwind etc.

Played yesterday in a Monsoon. Weather cleared up after 7 holes. I love this course, the views are amazing, the elevation changes are awesome. the greens were not good, very bumpy, but otherwise a great experience.

I rarely play in the heat of the day in summer anymore, but for $22, I couldn't pass it up.
First of all, it is worth it just for the natural beauty. There is no other course I know of with such stunning views.
The course was in very good condition for this time of year. The greens appeared to have been aerated recently and caused a few bumpy putts, but they mostly rolled true.
Fairways and Tee Boxes were in excellent condition.
Hardly anyone on the course, so we breezed through with no delays at all.

My only real complaint is that there are too many areas where carts were not allowed for no apparent reason, requiring some very long walks to the ball. This was especially difficult on the latter part of the course when we were already exhausted from the heat.

Overall, an excellent experience as it always is at Dinosaur Mtn.

What an easy ride out to the course never any traffic on the 60. With two courses to choose from and great stay and play specials this facility was enjoyable. The course was in the best shape of any course I've played though out the valley all year. I can't wait to come back!

Nicest course ive played all year!! Played kierland, lookout mt, Phoenician ect will return!

Gold Canyon has such awesome views that its hard to keep your mind on golf. It is a challenging course with a fun layout. Greens were firm and fast but fair. Some blind tee shots but overall course was fair and fun to play.

Great condition for the summer, helpful staff and a great setting.

The course is in great shape for this of year. The greens were just as good as any other for early Aug and they rolled nicely. The scenery is the most beautiful out here. You're stealing for the fees being charged now.

Tee and fairways were quite good. The greens looked good, but the ball would not roll consistently on these surfaces. A course where local knowledge re: uphill/downhill putts would help a lot. Good putters would be frustrated.
Great scenery here, but unless you are a Sherpa, you may not enjoy this course. The scorecard does not provide total distance from each tee, but instead suggests which tees you play based on your handicap. Really? Can't we do both?

First of all, for such a highly rated course to have to practice off mats was a surprise. Do they have mats in the high season? Practice balls were in poor condition but at least they didn't charge you for them. Greens were not in the best shape. Pace of play was just shy of 5 hours; for a 7:20am tee time, that was very, very slow. The back 9 we were frequently waiting on the group in front of us. When we returned the carts, the staff person cleaned the other players clubs (men) and I was forgotten (as we women often are) until I went to get a wet towel to clean my own. They had valet parking and I saw others being offered to valet and I never was (another way women at courses are forgotten). Also, be warned that there is no water available on the course so you must stock up before you head out; another way that course makes more money, don't provide water so you have to buy it. If you can't hit the fairway, bring extra balls.

Been a iong time since I last played this course. Still think one of the best courses in Phoenix. Greens were aerated about a month ago but they still rolled true and very fast. The views are still fantastic as always. Play this course now. Take advantage of the Great resident rate going on.

Never disappointed with course conditions.
First group off, threesome, played in less than 3 hours.

This is must play course for anyone in the Phoenix area. The view from the tees are breath-taking and you'll not get a better view of the Superstition Mountains.

Hot 'em straight and enjoy.

Course was in great shape. Lots of groundskeepers out on the course keeping it that way. No water on course, so bring fluids. There was a cart person. Greens are a little small, so practice your iron shots.
Good variety of "looks" as you approach each green.

I've played this course many times over my 17 years in the valley and always enjoyed it thoroughly, until today.

THE BAD
1) Pulled up to bag drop, there were 3 employees at the drop off point and not a single one of them could be bothered to help us, they didn't even acknowledge our presence until I started to pull out the bags. So we unloaded our own bags, and then after the round there were 2 employees sitting there, neither one got up to offer to assist in any way, so we loaded our own clubs back into the car.

2) Course conditions were absolutely horrid. I know it's summer, but most courses this year have been great. This place used to shine in conditioning year round, what happened? I don't even know why they were mowing the fairways today, there is so little grass it seems like a waste of fuel. Greens were incredibly bumpy, rolled terrible and worst of all, were really slow. I would have to peg them at about an 8 on the meter, which means you have to bang it hard.

3) It's time to buy some sand guys. Every single bunker I was in today was completely different. One was pretty much dirt, the other was hard as a rock, and the 3rd had enough sand to bury a llama up to it's neck. Consistency in these things is nice. Go take a drive over to Camelback Ambiente and ask them where you can pick some up.

4) Not a single container of water on the course, are you kidding me? The housings for the water are now used to surround trash cans on each tee and still have the water signs on them. Guys, it's the desert, it's hot, what the heck?

THE GOOD
1) Guys in the shop were super friendly and the starter was a really cool guy. Got us going a little early and incredibly friendly.

2) Food in restaurant was good and so was the service from our server, nothing to complain about here.

This course used to be one of the best places to play in the valley, but it looks like those days are either coming to an end or completely gone, not sure which at this point. Sure hope it doesn't continue to degrade further, would hate to see such a wonderful place ruined by bad management and extreme apathy for both your customers and the facility.

I would like to give it another chance, but I won't risk giving them more money for a sub-par experience. Perfection is not expected, but some effort is.

Played on 8/2/2014...greens were punched at the beginning of July-so they've recovered nicely. The course plays fast and firm as most desert courses. Pay close attention to pin placements and keep your ball below the hole as downhill putts are very challenging. The elevation changes and views are stunning. I liken the course to WeKoPa with more forgiving fairways and green complexes as well as a bit more elevation change. Lots of tee box options for all handicaps! Strongly recommended!

Course layout is awesome. Best views. Must Play. More down hill shots than any course I have every played. Very exciting

Gold Canyon Dinosaur Mountain is a treat. The tee box views are second to none. The course is challenging but fair. Definitely worth the trip to Gold Canyon and the value through Golfnow rate
was outstanding.

We had played this course during last year vacations and liked it so for great summer price we did again and worth the experience, yes maybe the Dinasaur its more challenging , good condition for this time of the year , greens were rolling good as well