Desert Mountain Club: Renegade Course
Scottsdale, AZ • Private
Overview
We named Renegade one of the most important designs of its decade in a magazine feature in 2010 for its unique versatility. Each hole includes seven tee boxes and two pin placements. There are six double greens with two pin locations, and 12 holes have two greens that are separated by as much as 100 yards. Before the round, golfers can decide the set of tees and pins that are preferred for their skill level. The Renegade was the first of six Jack Nicklaus courses to open at Desert Mountain Club. A recent renovation has ensured Renegade maintains its place as one of the most influential courses in the country.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
100 Greatest: Ranked for six years, from 1991-'96.
Highest ranking: No. 53, 1993-'94.
Best in State: Ranked ninth, 2021-'22. Ranked inside the top 10, 1989-2001. Ranked 14th, 2023-'24. Ranked 16th, 2011-'12, 2015-'16. Ranked 17th, 2017-'18. Ranked 18th, 2013-'14. Ranked 19th, 2019-'20. Ranked inside the top 20, 2003-'05. Ranked inside the top 25, 2007-'09.
2023-'24 ranking: 14th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“A highly unique and versatile course. 6 tees, and every hole has two green complexes. The "white" flag stick is shorter and a much more simple green, while the gold flag will be. bit longer, and a much more challenging green (more undulations, tiers, and false fronts/sides). Fun and challenging to play. If you get a chance to play it, you will have a great day!"
Read More2024
Review
“Renegade was the first course that Jack built when DM was originally opened back in the early 80's. The "Bear" tee's are over 8000 yards and can be a brutal test for even the best players. Rumor has it that Bubba Watson shot a tasty 64 from the Bear tees! I love the shot options, challenge, and conditioning of this course. Renegade has so many different ways to be played (multiple tee boxes and dual pins on each hole) along with the variable wind conditions make this course unique every day. As with all of the DM courses, the conditioning is superb. The fairways are firm and fast, the greens receptive and true. The Renegade team likes to ramp up the green speeds to a normal 11.5 - 12 on a daily basis. The bunkering is not as annoying here as it is on other Nicholas courses while the sand is very consistent throughout the course. My opinion on the layout and character is above average. It reminds me of Jack's work at PGA West and since this was the first course built on the property, it plays to the DM audience. Decent routing and a good walk, the course winds its way through the native desert and the large DM homes. Renegade takes a back seat on course aesthetics when compared to several of its fellow DM courses (Geronimo, Chochise, Chiricahua, Outlaw & Apache), but the views are still plentiful and the natural wildlife roam freely throughout the course. One note of caution, avoid the wild havelina pigs, especially when their babies are present. They are very protective and will charge at you if you get too close. A very fun course to play and the longer hitters will enjoy playing into the YELLOW pin flags."
Read More2023
Review
“I initially wondered whether Desert Mountain Renegade's unique design feature (two pins on every hole, often times with two separate greens) might be too quirky or gimmick-y , but after playing the course I found it be be very well executed. This course scores very high on the "how much do you want to go back to the first tee and play again?" score. Another feature I really liked about this course is that it is common for there to be 5-10 yard wide gentle sandy dry creek bed areas about 5 yards into the desert, which tend to collect errant shots and allow for a recovery shot. This enhances playability and (recovery) shot options greatly vs. other desert courses, where recovery shots are often an issue. Aesthetics were great here... well-framed holes with beautiful desert topography."
Read More2023
Review
“One of the more unique layouts in golf, Desert Mountain's Renegade course allows golfers to first select a set of flags (gold/white) and then a set of tees. The result is a wide variety of lengths and difficulties in green complexes."
Read More2022
Review
“Options for green complex is an interesting mix to the golf course. Good test of golf, and a location that begs to be played several times."
Read More2021
Review
“Easliy the most difficult of the DM courses. Each hole has two flags. Choose your poison. I enjoy this course a bunch."
Read More2021
Review
“The Renegade course at Desert Mountain is a unique concept with two pins on each hole (gold pins are "hard" and white is "normal"). 12 holes have 2 greens, 4 holes have two pins on each green and two holes have a combo gold/white pin. This provides different levels of player with options of playing two different courses in one. Holes of particular interest include 3, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, and 17. Many greens had short grass with run up options giving the player multiple ways of playing the holes. Some of the greens had interesting external contours that allowed players to get the ball near the hole by playing away from it,"
Read More2021
Review
“Conditions were immaculate, some of the purest greens I have ever putted on. Fairways and approaches were consistently firm and bouncy."
Read More2021
Review
“Recently renovated Jack Nicklaus design that has two pins on each hole and multiple tee boxes which allow for each player to pick a course for their skill level. Desert setting provides very nice views."
Read More2021
Review
“Unique concept of having two pins on every green so that you can make the course easier or more difficult based on different tee boxes and flags. The tougher pins are usually tucked behind traps and hard to get to. Huge greens with lots of break also make it tough, but interesting."
Read More2018
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