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4.5
314 Reviews (314)
5 Stars
200
4 Stars
82
3 Stars
18
2 Stars
12
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.3
Value
3.7
Layout
4.2
Friendliness
4.5
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.0
99.1%
Recommend this course
291 out of 314 reviews
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Average Rating
Avg Rating
0
5 Stars
0
4 Stars
0
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
0
Value
0
Layout
0
Friendliness
0
Pace
0
Amenities
0
0%
Recommend this course
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
5.0
1 Reviews (1)
5 Stars
1
4 Stars
0
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
5.0
Value
5.0
Layout
5.0
Pace
5.0
Amenities
5.0
StaffFriendliness
5.0
100.0%
Recommend this course
1 out of 1 reviews
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About

Holes 18
Type Resort
Style Desert
Par 70
Length 6653 yards
Slope 143
Rating 71.3

The Dinosaur Mountain course at Gold Canyon Golf Resort is consistently rated among Arizona's top public courses. It offers a one-of-a-kind round in the Sonora. Panoramas feature at tee boxes. There's a test of skills, traveling upwards, downwards and all around Dinosaur Mountain, with tee-green elevations changing dramatically and fairways loping long.

While playing a round on the Dinosaur Mountain course at Gold Canyon Golf Resort, note the back-to-back signature holes, the fourth and fifth.

A round on the Dinosaur Mountain course at Gold Canyon Golf Resort kicks off on the 316-yard, par-4 first, which is tougher than it appears: The fairway heads uphill, narrows and leads to a well-guarded sloping green. The par-5, 514-yard third is one of three long holes; look out for the leftward dogleg, and then, go uphill to a diminutive multilevel green. Finish on the 366-yard, par-4 18th, which features fairway bunkers left and right to keep golfers from trying to wrap up too quickly.

Course Details

Year Built 1982
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens Blue Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Ken Kavanaugh

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
Clubs Yes
GPS Yes
Pull-carts No

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Caddies No
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area No
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex, Discover Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed No
Dress code Collared shirt and bermuda shorts required. No denim.

Food & Beverage

Catering, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Banquet Facilities, Spa

Available Sports

Fitness

Accolades

Reviews

4.5
314 Reviews (314)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 31
Patio Dining 18
19th Hole Scenic Views 17
Course Challenges Include:
Elevation Changes 68
Undulating Greens 50
Bunkers 43
This course/club is great for:
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 64
A Bucket list/Top 100 Pick 40
Advanced Golfers 40
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 57
At a Resort 24
Convenient to the City 11

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 15
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Great course

The course was not extremely busy so able to play a a quick rate. Would play this course a lot more if the price was more reasonable.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
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

Sidewinder Golf Course

My wife and I golfed the course as a pair on Christmas Eve day. The starter was excellent and sent us out early. The course has lots of sand, elevation changes and the greens putted very nicely. We got an excellent price from GolfNow for our round. The views of Superstition Mountain were superb. The absolutely best part of our round was checking the weather back in Saskatchewan, Canada and learning that the wind chill was-55 Celcius.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great course

Great scenery - good elevation changes - some greens had too many dead ball marks , probably typical for a public course . A must play for the views .

Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 71
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Stunning views

Possibly the most beautiful course I've ever played. Lots of elevation changes and uphill/downhill/sidehill lies. Generous fairways.

Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 57
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

VISUALLY MAGNIFICANT !!!!!!!

Each hole is magnificent on its own and could be a signature hole on most other courses.Put them all together on one golf course and it is nothing short of spectacular.You have to pull yourself away from the views to hit the shots.The course is in fabulous shape.Club selection is key from the numerous highly elevated tees.Bunkers are in play for most tee shots and greens are also well bunkered.Playing here is more of an"experience" than it is a round of golf.Fairways and greens are perfect,sand in the bunkers is great and are consistent.Staff are exceptionally friendly and the beverage cart comes by frequently.If you are in Arizona this course has to be on your "must play" list.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

great layout

wife and I were paired with two gentlemen.. one was a member which help for first time playing. had frost delay, so T time was delayed. staff friendly and advised of delay.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 306
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Arizona Advisor
Verified Purchaser
Top 25 Contributor
Previously Played

Well staffed, nice people, great resort

This place is always in great shape, Sidewinder has quite a few greens perched on mounds which makes them tough to hit and there's plenty of contours to the greens so I rarely score well but I love playing here. All the range balls you can hit.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Unprecedented views, superb layout; a must play!

Course architects qualify for a "Gold" medal!
Fairways, tee boxes and greens in great shape. Sand traps could use conditioning- a bit crispy.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Amazing experience

We had a great time. Second time on this course in two visits to AZ. I will return and maybe join the club in the future. Has everything I want in a course. A Plus experience!!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Should be on 90 degree.

Having to wait so long to get to 90 degree is challenging for club selection and pace of play....especially when the course fairway grass seems condition seems like it should be able to take carts!

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

nice condition; great staff

Great course
Driving range sub par. Mats only no drivers.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

greens are fast and true

I enjoyed my time at the course, the starter was helpful, and the gps was accurate. i will return as i had a good golf experience.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 21
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

tough desert golf

nice layout, people friendly, tough course if you aren't straight but overall great day

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 13
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Beauty and Challenge

Tough course and the fairways are in great shape. The greens are slower than normal, but nothing unacceptable. I like this course and will be back. I may wait until the prices drop again though. Pretty expensive, but a great place to play if you haven't before.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fun course, awesome views

Great track, challenging course, lots of wildlife.

Course still recovering from overseeing season. Greens were a bi slow and bumpy.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Beautiful setting.

Our group had a great day on the Sidewinder course.It was manicured to a T and the scenery was terrific. Great choice of tees for all skill levels.Only issue was they had only one beverage cart out to cover both courses.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 36
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Short course... bring yur own beverage!

Although the Sidewinder course was in great shape, there were some peculiarities about this course. For one... the scorecard does not give the total yardage for each side or the total... strange. Having not played the course before, I played the whites and was very disappointed: it was too short. I reached 3 of the par 5's in 2 (one with a 3 wood - pitching wedge). The first few holes have great views; the rest of the course was just average views. Also... there is NO WATER on the course. They DO allow you to take your own beverage from home, so plan accordingly. For the price they usually ask (GolfNow is the only way to go), I thought this course was not worth it. If you are a short hitter, then you'll love the white tees!

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Easy
2d603be9-b00b-5902-9338-2db0e8018150
Commented on 11/12/2013

Thank you for your comments. We removed the total yardage from our scorecards years ago to encourage players to play the set of tees that match their handicap. We also created "combo" tees which are a combination of tees, for example Black/Blue and Blue/White to add variety. The USGA & PGA have recently endorsed this practice with the "Play it Forward" campaign. We do offer seven sets of tees to cover all abilities and from your comments it sounds like you are a fairly long hitter. I would suggest backing up to the Blue tee's or possibly the Black/Blue combo tees on your next visit to Sidewinder. Thank you again for your review and I hope this helped answer your concerns.

Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

It is an interesting course with great views and high tee boxes overlooking the fairways

For us it was great experience. The only negative point was our long drive to the golf course. One hour!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Poor
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Good course

Played Sidewinder Oct 23 2013, had a great round. Front 9 scenery was great. Very nice course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

be prepared..

Very small and punishing domed greens with tough pin placement s. Greens nasty seven for really good golfers

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
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