Desert Highlands Golf Club

Scottsdale, AZ • Private

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CJ Gershon

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CJ Gershon

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Graeme Baxter

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Graeme Baxter

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Graeme Baxter

Overview

Host of the first two televised Skins Games in 1983 and 1984 featuring Nicklaus, Palmer, Player and Watson, Desert Highlands is a Jack Nicklaus design sitting at the base of Pinnacle Peak. With stunning views of the surrounding desert, valley and moutains, the course demands precise ball-striking to find the relatively narrow fairways. The course has been previously ranked on our 100 Greatest and Second 100 Greatest rankings.

About

Holes 18

Length 7066

Slope 149

Facility Type Private

Designer Jack Nicklaus, ASGCA

Awards

Ranking history:

100 Greatest: Ranked for 10 years, from 1987-1996.
Highest ranking: No. 25, 1987-'88.

Second 100 Greatest: Ranked for six years, from 2013-'18.
Highest ranking: No. 179, 2015-'16.

Best in State: Ranked first, 1987-'89. Ranked inside the top 5, 1985-'95. Ranked seventh, 2015-'16, 2017-'18, 2019-'20. Ranked eighth, 2021-'22. Ranked 10th, 2013-'14, 2023-'24. Ranked inside the top 10, 1997-2003, 2009. Ranked 13th, 2011-'12.
2023-'24 ranking: 10th.

Panelists

Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists

4.1

100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES

Shot Options

7.1716

Character

7.2606

Challenge

7.2671

Layout Variety

7.148

Fun

6.9454

Aesthetics

7.4164

Conditioning

7.4291

Reviews

1 / 10

Review

“Nicklaus' original desert course and has changed very little since. Very quiet, secluded club surrounded by much more famous clubs--just the way they like it. Awesome clubhouse and range."

2022

2 / 10

Review

“one of the first high end golf/housing developments in the area, Desert Highlands blends the desert fauna and excellent green complexes. If you like desert golf you will love DH."

2021

3 / 10

Review

“A private club so if you get invited here, please go and play. A good variety of hole designs make this course a real challenge and requires quality shots to score well. The course was in good condition when I played it. The greens are a good quality and a player must pay attention to the slope and undulations in order to putt well on this course. I really enjoyed my day here and would go back and play it again."

2018

4 / 10

Review

“One of Nicklaus' best layouts. The holes around Pinnacle Peak are memorable. Great club with a well conditioned course."

2018

5 / 10

Review

“A wonderful course and club. I found it to be exceptionally interesting for a desert course. The fairways were generous, but there are a lot of forced carries."

2018

6 / 10

Review

“Two totally different 9's, one through the hardwoods and the other plays through an treeless field. Great greens and fun to play. Interesting modern clubhouse. Coore/Crenshaw design"

2018

7 / 10