DINOSAUR MOUNTAIN GOLF CLUB
GOLD CANYON GOLF RESORT - DINOSAUR MOUNTAIN REVIEW
Arizona Golf Course Review
Dinosaur Mountain Golf Club is the premier layout at the Golf Canyon Golf Resort, and has been ranked as the # 1 public golf course in Arizona
(by Ranking Arizona Magazine) for several years running. The resort also
features the Sidewinder, which as the sister course is more of a resort style golfing experience. With two 18-hole
championship layouts as well as practice facilities, plus comfortable upscale accommodations, a swimming pool
& hot tub, a healing arts center, horseback riding and other amenities, Gold Canyon is a preferred Arizona golf
destination. For more info, visit our page for Gold Canyon in our Arizona golf resort listing section by clicking
here.
The main draw of course - is the Dinosaur Mountain championship course - a sprawling high desert design that
is absolutely spectacular. In our four years plus of reviewing hundreds of courses, three layouts particularly
standout out for their captivating environment - Wolf Creek in Mesquite, the White Witch in Jamaica, and the
Dinosaur Mountain course here in Arizona. Many courses in Arizona provide panoramic desert mountain scenery - Dinosaur Mountain plays in the mountains
, with many of the tee areas situated on the cliffs of Dinosaur Mountain itself. The Superstition Mountains are also pictured in many of the photos in this review,
providing some postcard quality backdrops. Wildlife viewing on this course is also a premium, as bunnies,
lizards and quail are everywhere, and birds of prey including hawks, falcons and vultures are frequently flying overhead.
The clubhouse at Gold Canyon services both courses, and includes a pro shop stocked with accessories and
attire, plus two dining areas that serve a variety of fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and all the favorite
beverages in an adjacent lounge. The views from either of these restaurants are simply marvelous. A grass and
mat range are on property, plus two putting greens. The resort pool and hot tub are also located next to the clubhouse.
On course golfers will find yardage blocks at the 100, 150 and 200 yard areas, plus 250 on par fives. The Pro
Link GPS that is standard on all carts takes care of the job of providing accurate information from tee to the pin.
A yardage indicator is also mounted on the rear of the carts. With recent updates, the course now offers 5 sets of
tees, with the tips playing to a challenging 6653 yards with a slope of 143. Alternate sets measure 6323/135
slope, 5833/122 slope for men and 138 for women, 5368/117 slope for men and 137 for women, and 4833/118
slope. The blue or middle tees provide a significant test and are recommended for mid to high handicapped golfers.
The three opening holes are ranked as the 15th, 11th and number 1 handicaps - but depending upon pin
placement may be the most difficult stretch for recording a low score on the course. The first begins from
sculpted tee areas to a rolling fairway that slopes right to left, and plays uphill on the approach to a back to front
sloped putting surface. There is a subtle ridge in the middle left portion of the green that can wreak havoc on
chips or putts approaching softly. After missing short I thought I had hit a perfect chip, only to see my ball roll back
down, and roll back down, and roll back down...My first putt rolled past the pin, which is not a preferred play, as
the one coming back is even more difficult. The rule of thumb on many holes is to keep the approach below the
pin. Hole # 2 affords beautiful views of the valley from an elevated tee, with one club less needed to reach the -
again - back to front sloped putting surface. There is bail out room short on this par three. The par four 3rd plays
over a ravine from the 3 back tees, to an extremely sloped fairway that will guide balls hit off the hill to the left side
of the landing zone. Stay to the right side all the way, as this slope dominates the lay of this hole all the way to the
green. This elevated putting surface features moguls all around and mounding in back - making for tricky up and
downs for shots that miss. There is a ridge running across the center, and the back to front slope is considerable
- stay below the hole! Survive these 3 holes and the putting gets much easier...TIP - spend 10 minutes or so on
the putting green that is situated just before the first tee - it will give you an accurate assessment of the
conditions you will encounter on the first 3 holes. From an elevated tee the par four 4th presents a good scoring
opportunity, as the green at the end of this wide fairway is very putt-able. From here golfers will drive up Dinosaur
Mountain to an elevated tee that drops off a precipice to the green below - with spectacular views of the valley
and surrounding mountains. There is plenty of room in the depressions and collection areas greenside, but pay
attention to the pin location as the putting surface is huge. The elevated tee on six leads to a very rolling fairway.
Long hitters can cut this hole by aiming just left of the cart path to a level landing zone, creating a good
opportunity to reach this long par four in easy fashion. All others should play to the left center and play a longer
approach to a green complex that affords plenty of room for error. The wide fairway on seven ends at a desert
wash about 40 yards from the green. There is a huge bunker on the right side of the fairway and another short left
greenside. The par three 8th is simple, but pay attention to the GPS and go for the flag as the putting surface
here is very large. The landing area is wide on number nine, but a water hazard along the left creeps in towards
the fairway from 180 yards in. The green is well bunkered, with mounding behind.
The back side begins with a simple par three over a desert wash, with plenty of room between the hazard and
spacious putting surface. The photo from the forward tees on eleven provides an example of how the course is
made women friendly, as most of the trouble off the tee is eliminated from the red tee areas. This is true, for the
most part all throughout the course. This hole is ranked as the number two handicap, but a good score can be
had if played as a three shot par five. The elevated tee on 12 plays to an ample fairway that slopes from left to
right, towards the trap on that side. The slightly uphill approach is simple. The bunkers on the left side are in
direct line to the flag on 13, creating the need for a play to the right side. With a large bunker guarding the right
side, the safest approach involves right to left shot shape aimed at the left edge of the putting complex. From tee
boxes situated on a cliff the par three 14th features a downhill shot to a green with swales and slopes all around.
Do not be short here! The par four 15th plays from another elevated tee to a split fairway. The safest route is to
the right side, but the approach is long from here. Those that can negotiate the mountain and land on the left side
from 115 yards in are rewarded with a simple wedge approach and a good scoring opportunity. The par five
16th demands a carry over a desert area, and beckons golfers to cut off as much distance as possible by
challenging the right center of the fairway. Long hitters can reach in two, but the safe play is a lay up to the 70
yard area on the right - leaving an uphill approach to a green well protected by sand bunkers in front. Number 17
is a pretty three par, that plays uphill over a desert area. A huge bunker protects the front and left side, and
moguls to the right create some tricky up and downs. Bunkers and mounds line the fairway on the mid range par
four 18th, which doglegs left near the 120 yard area. A tee shot to the 100 yard area will create a good scoring
opportunity on this closing hole.
Not much left to say...except that anyone traveling to Arizona to play golf who has not yet played this course is
missing out on a great opportunity to experience the best - and to get a true feeling of the grandeur that is
available in Arizona golf. This is how we like to remember it. Summer is actually a great time to visit - and to play
either early in the morning or late afternoon. The 45 minute drive from Scottsdale is well worth it - great deals are
available for golf and for accommodations during the off-season. For more info on Dinosaur Mountain and for a
link to their website, visit our Dinosaur Mountain page on our Arizona golf course listing section by clicking here.
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