Ava Romero
McDowell Mountain Golf Club is a premium public golf course located in Scottsdale, Arizona. It is situated in the valley of Arizona's McDowell Mountains and offers stunning views of the surrounding desert landscape. The course has undergone renovations to increase player enjoyment and speed of play, with a combination of challenging and enjoyable holes for golfers of all skill levels. While the course does not currently offer GPS in the carts, there is an Offcourse Golf App that players can use to keep score and track stats for their rounds.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Scottsdale, Arizona, USA |
| Type | Public golf course |
| Course | Par 71, stretches over 7,000 yards |
| Amenities | Restaurant, Rossa Kitchen and Patio |
| Features | Golf boards, annual membership, Players Card, Summer Pass |
| GPS | Not available in carts, but the Offcourse Golf App can be used |
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What You'll Learn
McDowell Mountain Golf Club location and course details
McDowell Mountain Golf Club is located in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA, in the valley of Arizona's McDowell Mountains. It is one of the few premier public golf courses in Scottsdale and offers all the amenities of a private club without any annual memberships, costs, or fees. The golf course is 12 miles northeast of Scottsdale and offers picturesque views of the mountains and the city. It was designed by Randy Heckenkemper and has 6,624 yards of par-71 golf. The course features Bermuda Grass fairways, a modern pro shop, locker rooms, and an impressive patio that looks out over the driving range and practice areas. The signature hole is the 18th, a 516-yard par 5 that allows golfers to finish their round in risk-reward style.
The club also has a restaurant, Rossa Kitchen and Patio, which offers stunning views of the valley and serves appetizers and libations. It is set in the heart of the native Sonoran Desert and provides a unique dining experience.
The course is well-maintained and in good condition, with some reviewers commenting that it is "challenging, but fair." However, there have been some concerns about the pace of play, with rounds taking up to 5 hours. In addition, some golfers have noted the absence of GPS in the carts, ball washers, and other amenities that could enhance the experience.
Overall, McDowell Mountain Golf Club offers a top-notch golfing experience with beautiful views and modern facilities. While there are some areas for improvement, such as course management and the inclusion of GPS, the club is continually working to enhance the experiences and services provided to its guests.
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Course conditions and pace of play
The McDowell Mountain Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, is one of the best golf courses in the state. The course is designed by Randy Heckenkemper and offers picturesque views of the mountains and desert landscape. The greens are TiffDwarf Bermuda Grass, which means they run true, and the surrounding cactus and rocky terrain give the course an authentic Arizona feel. The course is in great condition, with well-maintained fairways and greens. The greens rolled well and were fast but true. The course has a good mix of holes, with a variety of undulations and hole varieties. There are some nice mountain views, and the greens are very fair.
However, some players have expressed concerns about the pace of play at the course. Some reviews mention that the round took longer than expected, with some groups having to wait on every tee box for 10 to 20 minutes. The course has a pace of play rule that states that players should finish their round in 4 hours and 10 minutes, but some players have reported that their round took almost 6 hours to complete. This slow play has been attributed to a lack of course rangers or marshals to move slow players along and the overbooking of tee times.
The staff at the golf club are friendly, welcoming, and professional. They actively work to address any issues and improve the experience for their guests. They provide tips to ensure that groups maintain a decent pace and actively monitor the course to address any concerns about safety and pace of play. The management is responsive to feedback and has indicated that they will review course management to maintain the pace of play and consider upgrades, including the possible addition of GPS to enhance the overall experience.
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Golf cart amenities
Some of the most common and popular golf cart amenities include GPS, which can help golfers navigate the course and improve their game. Other amenities include ball and club washers, either on the cart or at the tee boxes, and cold towels on hot days. Some carts also come equipped with coolers filled with ice and water bottles, and USB charging ports to keep your devices charged while you play.
Golfers also appreciate small conveniences such as shoe cleaners and bag drops, where staff will take care of your bag and clubs, cleaning them after the round. Some courses even offer food and beverage services, with emergency call boxes on the course for golfers to place orders, which are then delivered directly to them.
In addition, some golf courses are part of larger golf cart communities, where residents can easily access various amenities and destinations within the community via golf cart. These communities often feature championship golf courses, expansive clubhouses, pools, water parks, fitness centres, restaurants, retail stores, and even schools. These communities foster a strong sense of community and offer a convenient, active, and easy-going lifestyle.
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Course renovation and changes
In 2011, the McDowell Mountain Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, underwent significant course enhancements and renovations. The original golf course architect, Randy Heckenkemper, oversaw the changes, which included widening many of the playing corridors, creating additional waste bunkers, and adding more teeing areas. The course was extended to 7,072 yards, with the front nine featuring testing par threes, strategic four pars, and a risk/reward par-five ninth hole with a dramatic dogleg left, split fairway. The back nine starts with a renovated straightforward par four and continues to offer more challenges.
The course was formerly known as the Sanctuary Golf Course, designed by Randy Heckenkemper and located on the western slope of Scottsdale's McDowell Mountains. It was turned into a top Scottsdale golf course, with 6,624 yards of par-71 golf, aiming to be a sanctuary for indigenous flora and fauna. The signature hole is the 18th, a 516-yard par 5 that allows golfers to finish their round with a risk-reward style, attempting an eagle or birdie.
The renovations in 2011 were led by PGA Tour great Phil Mickelson and "Coach" Steve Loy, who acquired the operating rights to the course. The goal was to make the course more challenging for skilled players while also providing a fun and enjoyable experience for players of all abilities. According to Mickelson, "We wanted to create an experience for all players that provides an enjoyable round of golf regardless of abilities. We wanted to present demanding shots for the better players but give the average player more shot options."
While the course renovations and enhancements have been well-received, some golfers have expressed disappointment with the lack of GPS in the carts, slow pace of play, and other amenities not meeting expectations for the price. However, the management has acknowledged these concerns and stated that they will review course management to maintain the pace of play and possibly consider GPS for future upgrades to continuously improve the guest experience.
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Membership and costs
McDowell Mountain Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a premium public golf course that offers all the amenities of a private club without any annual memberships, costs, or fees. However, the club does offer a membership option for those who wish to play regularly.
The annual membership is priced at $4,500 and includes unlimited tee times and range balls, with only a small cart fee to pay. Members can also add a spouse to their membership for an additional $3,500. This membership option is ideal for golfers who play a couple of times per month but don't want to pay full price each time.
For those who prefer a more flexible option, the club offers a Players Card, which provides discounted rates at McDowell Mountain and other OB courses in the area. The Players Card ranges from $99 to $139 and is perfect for golfers who want to take advantage of the warm Arizona summers and play on an open course. Additionally, the club offers a Summer Pass for a small fee of $49, which gives a 40% to 50% discount on rounds until the end of September.
While the club does not charge any annual membership or fees, there may be costs associated with using certain amenities, such as the cart fee mentioned with the annual membership. The club also offers discount tee times, providing an affordable option for golfers looking to save on their overall costs.
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Frequently asked questions
No, McDowell Mountain Golf Club does not currently have GPS. However, they have stated that they will review course management to maintain the pace of play and possibly GPS for future upgrades.
The McDowell Mountain Golf Club is located in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA, in the valley of Arizona's McDowell Mountains.
The course is a par 71 that stretches a little over 7,000 yards. It offers a challenging layout for low-handicap golfers while remaining fun and enjoyable for all skill levels.
The club offers all the amenities of a private club, without any annual memberships, costs, or fees. After a round of golf, guests can enjoy appetizers and drinks at the club's restaurant, Rossa Kitchen and Patio, which offers stunning views of the valley and the native Sonoran Desert.
