Gold Canyon Golf Club

Dinosaur Mountain Course

ARCHITECT YARDAGE SLOPE/RATING Ken Kavanaugh Opened: 1996 Gold - 6653 Black - 6323 Blue - 5833 White - 5368 Red - 4833 Gold - 143/71.3 Black - 135/69.2 Blue - 122/66.7 Blue(W) -122/66.7 White - 117/64.7 White(W) - 131/70.7 Red(W) - 118/67.1

Gold Canyon blends the panoramic views of the Superstition Mountains and the natural Sonoran desert setting into a truly unique golf experience. Troon North, Grayhawk and the rest of the Valley's prestigious courses hold nothing over the Dinosaur when it comes to golf with a view. Ranked by Golf Digest as one of Arizona's top-rated public courses, the Dinosaur Mountain course wraps up, over and around picturesque Dinosaur Mountain and offers breathtaking tee to green elevation changes and long, loping fairways. The course has great balance and the holes play in a variety of directions. Expect to use your full array of clubs, because each shot will present you with options for the best path to the green. During your round you are likely to see some of the wildlife that inhabits this area including rabbits, javelina and coyotes. This award winning course has become a popular destination for golfers young and old.

Printable scorecard >

Sidewinder Course

ARCHITECT YARDAGE SLOPE/RATING Ken Kavanaugh Stuart Penge Greg Nash Opened: 1998 Gold - 6509 Black - 6144 Blue - 5779 White - 5399 Red - 4426 Gold - 130/71.9 Black - 125/69.9 Blue - 120/67.6 Blue(W) - 139/74.0 White - 111/65.1 White(W) - 126/70.3 Red(W) - 111/66.3

The Sidewinder Course opened in 1998, and essentially is made up of the old front nine built by Greg Nash at Gold Canyon in 1985, and a new front nine done by the club's superintendent, Stuart Penge. Similar to it's sibling, Sidewinder is also deeply interwoven into the Superstition Mountains. Instead of unwinding up the mountain, it snakes around the base of Dinosaur Mountain, through natural arroyos and dry creek beds. The native cholla and prickly pear cacti, mesquite and palo verde trees that line the course provide challenging twists and turns that will keep you on top of your game. Penge's front nine features the toughest stretch on the course, holes 4 - 7. The back nine is perhaps a little bit more scenic, but much tighter and tougher due to the small, turtle back-shaped greens. Translated: Get your birdies early, when the greens are bigger and easier to access. Overall, the Sidewinder is scenic adventure that will give you a pristine desert golf experience and will bring you back again and again.

Printable scorecard >

Facility and Course Information

Course Style: Dinosaur Mountain (Desert), Sidewinder (Desert)
Green Type: Bermuda
Fairway Type: Bermuda with Rye overseed
Driving Range: Yes
Cart Access: 90 degrees or Cart path only (depends on the time of year)
GPS System: Included with green fee
Rider Fee: $25.00
Twilite Rates: Yes (rates and starting times vary throughout the year)
Shoe Rental: No
Club Rental: $35
Lessons: Learn from the best while at Gold Canyon! Resort Golf Schools is based here and led by Scott Sackett, SW Section PGA Teacher of the Year, one of GOLF Magazine's "Top 100 Teachers," and a regular guest on the Golf Channel's "Golf Academy Live." Whatever your handicap, a few days at Resort Golf Schools will have you swinging with newfound skill and confidence. In addition, lessons are available from the pro shop staff. Rates range from $35 - $50/hour.
Training Facilities: Offers all grass areas and unlimited balls. Also offers practice putting areas and pitching/chipping areas to practice your short game.
Locker Room/Shower Facilities: No
Dress Code: Collar shirts, tailored shorts mid-thigh in length
Spike Policy: Soft spike only

The Club House

Since it is a resort, Gold Canyon offers all the amenities that a guest could ever want. You'll find horse back riding tours, tennis, swimming, overnight camp-outs and overnight stays in unique mountainside casitas with amenities such as wet bars, wood burning fireplaces, spas and private patios. There are also a couple of fine restaurants on the premises called Kokopelli's and Greenwood's Bar and Grill. A well stocked pro shop rounds out some of the amenities at the course. Greenwood's is the spot for a cowboy breakfast or hearty lunch. The French Dip leaves nothing to be desired and the beer is arctic juxtaposed against the Southern Arizona summer. Check out one of the "Theme Night Specials," ranging from pasta to catfish. For dinner, the newly remodeled Kokopelli's is the place to be. A revamped menu and one of the best Sunday brunches in the East Valley keeps guests from straying far.

Awards & Accolades

• Dinosaur Mountain was voted by Arizona Business magazine as the No. 1 public golf track in the state for 2001-02. In previous and subsequent rankings, the course rarely strayed from the magazine's top five.
• Both courses have received 4 Star ratings from Golf Digest

Address and Directions

6100 S. Kings Ranch Road
Gold Canyon, AZ 85218

From Sky Harbor Airport. Follow the exit signs and take Loop 202 East. Exit at AZ-101 Loop South (exit 9). Merge onto AZ-101 South. Exit at US-60 East towards Globe (exit 55). Exit US-60 East at Kings Ranch Road and approximately 1 mile to the Resort on your left.

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