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Rating Index Rating
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3.9
930 Reviews (930)
5 Stars
323
4 Stars
402
3 Stars
123
2 Stars
52
1 Stars
30
Conditions
3.9
Value
3.5
Layout
4.2
Friendliness
4.4
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.1
79.1%
Recommend this course
779 out of 930 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.1
42 Reviews (42)
5 Stars
14
4 Stars
22
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.1
Value
3.5
Layout
4.2
Pace
4.0
Amenities
4.3
StaffFriendliness
4.6
85.7%
Recommend this course
36 out of 42 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.0
86 Reviews (86)
5 Stars
26
4 Stars
45
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
7
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.0
Value
3.6
Layout
4.2
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.1
StaffFriendliness
4.5
82.6%
Recommend this course
71 out of 86 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Style Desert
Par 71
Length 7072 yards
Slope 137
Rating 73.3

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.

Book a Tee Time at
McDowell Mountain Golf Club
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Course Details

Year Built 1999
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens TiffDwarf Bermuda Grass
Golf Season Year round. Closed: 9/30 - 10/16.
Architect Randy Heckenkemper (1999)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
Clubs Yes
GPS 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

Reviews

3.9
930 Reviews (930)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 60
Patio Dining 55
19th Hole Scenic Views 34
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 80
Undulating Greens 55
Elevation Changes 45
This course/club is great for:
Locals 69
Advanced Golfers 61
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 53
This Course's Location is:
Convenient to the City 80
Worth the Drive 44
In the 'Burbs 41

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 04/05/2023

Thank you for the review, we look forward to making it 5 stars on your next visit!

Played On
Reviews 6
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
Commented on 04/05/2023

We appreciate your review and welcome the opportunity to have you back soon and make it 5 stars!

Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Fun course

Great course, and it was enjoyable as a visitor to Arizona.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 29
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Mountain top

This is a fantastic course giving every type of golfer an opportunity to challenge themselves as much as they want. Course layout is fantastic with great visual treats all around. You can play strategic golf or take as much risk for reward on holes as you dare.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Previously Played

Not great value

Course is overpriced right now (summer) especially for the condition it’s in. Lots of poor conditioned fairways and tee boxes. Better value in summer other places, hope to see the course make a comeback on its condition..

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 08/29/2023

apfister11,

Thank you for the review and feedback. We continue to work diligently to provide a great experience and apologize for any missed expectations. We hope you will choose to join us again in the near future.

Played On
Reviews 2
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great course

Great course in good condition. Complementary range balls is a plus too. Good views and a good pace of play for the weekend.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 08/29/2023

Alullo2,

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

Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 07/27/2023

Great to have you join us, we look forward to welcoming you back soon!

Default User Avatar
Commented on 07/27/2023

Thank you for the review, we look forward to welcoming you back and taking it from 4 stars to 5!

Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Overall good

I didn't feel ripped off and I paid $120. Course was in good shape. Played really early on a weekday so it was a quick pace. Bunkers were tough to get out of. I hate all bunkers.

Conditions Excellent
Pace Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 07/27/2023

Hello ChaseScottsdale,

Great to see your review and feedback! We look forward to welcoming you back soon.

Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice course

Great course!! Nice layout combining desert and green course.
Very challenging but fair.
The employees were very helpful and courteous.
I will play it again and highly recommended!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great layout & scenery

Course was fun, beautiful, and very green. Loved the scenery around the course and driving through the terrain to get to next holes. Greens were a little bumpy but other than that extremely fun time.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Very nice course

Have played numerous times

Very fair and always a good experience

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 89
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fantastic even after the monsoon that delayed us…

Great course! No drainage issues even after the deluge of the storm that hit right before our tee time. Can’t wait to get back!

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