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3.9
924 Reviews (924)
5 Stars
321
4 Stars
400
3 Stars
123
2 Stars
51
1 Stars
29
Conditions
3.9
Value
3.5
Layout
4.2
Friendliness
4.4
Pace
4.0
Amenities
4.0
78.9%
Recommend this course
775 out of 924 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.1
41 Reviews (41)
5 Stars
13
4 Stars
23
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.2
Value
3.5
Layout
4.3
Pace
4.0
Amenities
4.3
StaffFriendliness
4.6
85.4%
Recommend this course
35 out of 41 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.0
84 Reviews (84)
5 Stars
25
4 Stars
43
3 Stars
7
2 Stars
8
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.0
Value
3.6
Layout
4.2
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.0
StaffFriendliness
4.4
81.0%
Recommend this course
68 out of 84 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.

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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. 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
924 Reviews (924)

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
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/24/2023

So great to see your 5 star review. Thank you for the feedback and we hope to welcome you back again soon!

Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Enjoyed

No complaints, course was in very solid shape, nearly all tee boxes and Greens were great. Pro shop, on course, and restaurant staff were friendly and welcoming.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/24/2023

Thank you for the review and feedback, wonderful to hear our team provided a great experience. We hope to have you back again soon!

Played On
Reviews 4
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Greens were In great shape. Fairways had some burnt areas which is expected this time of year. They need to do a better job with water stations on the course in the summer.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/24/2023

Thank you for the review and feedback. We will take a look at the water stations and ensure availability!

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

Beautiful condition

Good condition, little slow on the golf speed and all the water on the course was empty other then that great course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/24/2023

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

Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/24/2023

Great to see your 5 star review! We hope to see you again soon.

Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/24/2023

Thank you for the 5 star review, we look forward to welcoming you back soon!

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Well Maintained Course

Pace of play and course conditions were great! I went out by myself and they made me share a cart with another person, which I didn’t love since it sure seemed like they had plenty available. They also only give you about 10 balls to hit at the range. For the price I have mixed feelings taking all that into consideration.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/24/2023

Thank you for the review and feedback. Wonderful to hear the pace of play and course conditions were great.

Warm up bags are roughly 20 balls and carts are based on availability. We hope to welcome you back soon!

Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/24/2023

Thank you for the review. We look forward to turning 4 stars to 5 on your next visit!

Played On
Reviews 12
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/03/2023

Thank you for the review and feedback. We look forward to making it 5 stars on your next visit!

Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 07/27/2023

Thank you for the review, we look forward to taking those 4 stars to 5 on your next visit!

Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/03/2023

Hello Parasti,

Thank you for your support of McDowell Mountain Golf Club. We look forward to having you return soon and turning those 4 stars to 5!

Played On
Reviews 20
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Previously Played

Disappointed

We’ve golfed this course several times and this was our worst experience. Arrived early to have lunch before our round only to find out the restaurant was closed for the day. On Mothers Day. We had a 1:30ish tee time and at hole four the beverage cart person informed us it would be last call, she was going home and the clubhouse bar would be closed. When we asked why she informed us that they had staffing issues. Despite that we made it through the front nine in good time. When we started the back nine, there were four groups stacked up on hole 10. The pace ground to a halt on every hole. After hole fourteen we couldn’t take it any more. It was over 100. As we were driving back to the clubhouse we found the problem. There was a threesome on hole 16 and 17 and 18 were wide open. Never saw a ranger once. What a bummer. This used to be a go to for us. Not anymore.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Amenities Poor
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/03/2023

Hello VTBTCB,

Thank you for the review and feedback. Please accept our apologies for the poor experience. I do believe it is an exception to the norm and hope you will join us again in the near future.

Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Nice Open Course

Not the typical desert course. Fairways are fairly wide in my opinion and greens roll true. Good for couples. Tito the starter is an exceptional customer service rep.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
Commented on 07/27/2023

Hi BillyV2n1,

Great to see your 5 star review. We will be sure to recognize Tito!

Played On
Reviews 18
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Previously Played

Disappointment

Nice clubhouse & practice facilities.
The fairways were burnt out in many places, particularly on the front nine. Greens were good, fast.
The bunkers are abysmal, basically dirt & stones, completely devoid of sand

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/06/2023

Thank you for your review and feedback. Great to hear you enjoyed the clubhouse & practice facilities, but please accept our apologies for the missed expectations in other areas. We do hope to have you back in the near future and your feedback will be used in our continuous effort at always improving.

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0

Will not play this course again

Played yesterday and here is my experience. 5 hour round. No water on the course and it was over 90 degrees. No GPS on carts and paid 200 bucks to play. When we made the turn we wanted to get some food, there was none. The straw that broke the camels back was the marshal that drove up as I was on the tee box and basically yelled at us in my back swing about why we were waiting on this short par 4 where at least 2 of us could have drove the green and there was a 4some on the green. Will never play this course again, way too much money, and unbelievable bad course staff. I will say the people in the clubhouse were fine.

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Poor
Pace Fair
Default User Avatar
Commented on 04/29/2023

Thank you for the feedback. We apologize for the missed expectations, but hope you will join us again in the future for what we believe will be a great experience.

Played On
Reviews 16
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/10/2023

Great to see your 5 star review, we look forward to welcoming you back soon!

Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Used cart

review

Good course, in good condition. there was two foursomes in front of us playing what looked like a best ball match which slowed pace of play.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/10/2023

Thank you for the 5 star review. Pace of play is very important to us and we apologize for the missed expectation. We look forward to welcoming you back soon!

Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/10/2023

We look forward to making it 5 stars on your next visit!

Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Review

Challenging, fair course. In good condition. Two foursomes in front of us were allowed to play best ball which slowed play. Good value.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 04/17/2023

Thank you for the 5 star review. Great to hear you found good value. We appreciate the feedback regarding pace of play which is a key focus.

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