McDowell Mountain Golf Club
Rating Snapshot
About
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.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 71 | 7072 yards | 73.3 | 137 |
| Gold | 71 | 6407 yards | 70.2 | 131 |
| White (W) | 71 | 5724 yards | 71.6 | 129 |
| White | 71 | 5724 yards | 67.0 | 118 |
| Red (W) | 71 | 4880 yards | 68.1 | 109 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black M: 73.1/133 | 429 | 366 | 225 | 575 | 402 | 394 | 432 | 191 | 542 | 3556 | 440 | 448 | 380 | 532 | 161 | 520 | 339 | 234 | 508 | 3562 | 7118 |
| Black/Gold M: 71.4/131 | 397 | 366 | 196 | 541 | 402 | 394 | 404 | 163 | 542 | 3405 | 422 | 421 | 380 | 532 | 161 | 503 | 339 | 201 | 382 | 3341 | 6746 |
| Gold M: 70.3/128 | 397 | 331 | 196 | 541 | 374 | 337 | 404 | 163 | 524 | 3267 | 422 | 421 | 353 | 498 | 132 | 503 | 310 | 201 | 382 | 3222 | 6489 |
| Gold/White M: 68.4/123 | 368 | 331 | 147 | 541 | 374 | 337 | 360 | 163 | 510 | 3131 | 404 | 390 | 353 | 498 | 132 | 494 | 310 | 156 | 347 | 3084 | 6215 |
| White M: 66.7/115 W: 72.2/126 | 368 | 303 | 147 | 503 | 332 | 271 | 360 | 153 | 510 | 2947 | 404 | 390 | 310 | 466 | 99 | 494 | 266 | 156 | 347 | 2932 | 5879 |
| White/Red M: 64.8/110 W: 69.5/121 | 336 | 303 | 147 | 461 | 332 | 271 | 308 | 153 | 471 | 2782 | 316 | 309 | 310 | 435 | 99 | 455 | 266 | 156 | 327 | 2673 | 5455 |
| Red M: 62.7/107 W: 67.5/113 | 336 | 250 | 109 | 461 | 298 | 240 | 308 | 94 | 471 | 2567 | 316 | 309 | 266 | 435 | 69 | 455 | 239 | 102 | 327 | 2518 | 5085 |
| Junior M: 60.0/103 W: 62.6/104 | 265 | 190 | 71 | 368 | 250 | 156 | 304 | 76 | 350 | 2030 | 307 | 229 | 209 | 363 | 63 | 281 | 138 | 102 | 302 | 1994 | 4024 |
| Handicap | 3 | 17 | 15 | 5 | 11 | 13 | 1 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 14 | 18 | 12 | 16 | 6 | 2 | |||
| Par | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 36 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
RestaurantAvailable Facilities
Clubhouse, Conference Facilities, Banquet FacilitiesReviews
Reviewer Photos
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Photo submitted by Jim3650172 on 03/01/2024
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Photo submitted by Mark6710631 on 10/19/2022
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Photo submitted by Mark6710631 on 10/19/2022
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This is the landing zone on a par 4. Brutal “fairway” lie. Photo submitted by dubjac on 09/05/2022
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Photo submitted by dubjac on 08/29/2022
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Photo submitted by WGAgolf on 05/24/2022
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Photo submitted by ja24martino on 12/09/2021
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Back nine Photo submitted by u314161204123 on 03/11/2021
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Photo submitted by Dansgolf on 03/03/2015
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Photo submitted by Dansgolf on 03/03/2015
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#5 approach shot. Cool shot with the mountain in the background. Photo submitted by ryantjeerdsma on 09/24/2013
Good Public Course
I am a fairly good golfer, 4 handicap, and have played many courses. I was looking to play something in Scottsdale while there for the Barrett Jackson auction. I was nervous about McDowell as I have never played there. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The course was in good condition...not country club quality, but good condition considering it was a public coures. Typical public course issues, not enough ball marks or divots in the fairway fixed by inexperienced golfers. Howerver, the greens were challenging as was the course layout. Maybe a little pricey for public course, but everything in that area is a lot. I would recommend this to friends.
Arizona Golf
Jimmy in the pro shop was one of friendliest people I’ve met. The starter was helpful. Ranger on the course awesome. Top notch
Thanks for sharing your course with me
Steve Rogers
Thank you for posting your positive review. Our team here at McDowell Mountain Golf Club is committed to providing high-quality customer service, and we’re thrilled to hear that we made a good impression on you. We hope you’ll visit us again soon.
Always a pleasure
One of my must plays every time I visit! Staff is awesome, course is beautiful, good mix of challenging holes and easier holes. Will be back again!
Very enjoyable course
I had played this course just a couple of times prior. They seemed to have improved the range hitting surfaces so there is grass . The tee boxes, fairways and green were in good shape! I don’t recall waiting more than a few minutes any time during the round. If there is one improvement really needed, it’s the bunkers.
Staff was friendly and efficient and price was good for an in season rate.
Great course!
Course was in excellent shape and pace of play was great. Never had to wait to hit a shot and no one pushing us from behind. My go to course in Scottsdale.
Thank you for sharing your feedback. Providing a memorable golf experience for our guests is what we strive for at the club. We look forward to your next visit to McDowell Mountain Golf Course.
Thanks for taking the time to comment. We are glad you enjoyed your experience at the club and look forward to you next visit.
Not worth $150
Always have liked this course
When living in Scottsdale was my home course
1st time playing here in about 2yrs
The Staff was great as always, Greens and Fairways were in great shape
The sand traps here are awful
Watered down, puddled and full of Rocks
And how do you charge $8 for high Noon at bar but at turn outside its $9
Again, good course overall
But def not worth what they charge!
Jewel In The Desert
Course was in great shape. Greens ran true and grass in great shape. Staff is good but pro shop boys could be friendlier. Not much eye contact or sincerity in their demeanor. But I don't let their attitude detract from a great experience. Player Service fellers were awesome, beverage cart was friendly but non-existent as she had to leave early I guess.. that led to no drinks on the back 9.. but I came for golf not drinking.. the food station and #10 was the best. What a cheerful, happy and attentive girl. She said it was her first day, I was surprised. She is a keeper. The starter was good, the course marshal(s) kept pace of play going very well.
All in all a very positive day. I will be back for sure
Fun with the boys
Great course, greens challenging, great condition. Very friendly staff while pushing for speed around the course
Hit it straight
If you hit it straight off the tee, you can score. Fairways and greens in nice shape, the over seed slows down the greens but they roll true. The price was nice and the servers on course were plentiful. Nice value.
Course in great shape, but CPO from overseeding
Course was in great shape. Rough was long as they’ve been letting the new grass grow out. It was cart path only, and there were two groups in front of us that were terribly slow. Round was 4:45. No ranger to police pace on the back 9.
Great shape after reseeding
Only regret is it was cart path only. Need to update website during this time.
Scottsdale North Swing Package
Arizona's Top 100 Package
Troon Trio Package
Putting World Golf Experience Package
Thank you for taking the time to provide us with a review of your experience. We look forward to seeing you again soon and please reach out to us if you need anything!