Desert Highlands Golf Club
About Desert Highlands Golf Club
Desert Highlands Golf Club is a 18-hole golf course located in Scottsdale, Arizona (85255). The course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and established in 1984. From the Nicklaus tees, the course plays to 7,105 yards with a par of 72. The Nicklaus tees carry a slope rating of 149 and a course rating of 73.7.
Walking is permitted.
With a maximum slope rating of 149, Desert Highlands Golf Club is one of the more challenging courses in Arizona, playing harder than 95% of courses in the state. Golfers should bring their best game and consider playing from a forward tee set for a more enjoyable round.
The course offers 17 tee sets ranging from 3,878 to 7,105 yards, making it accessible to golfers of all skill levels. Choosing the right tees for your handicap is the single biggest factor in how much you enjoy your round.
Arizona offers year-round golf. Winter months (November through March) are peak season with comfortable temperatures and strong demand. Summer rounds often benefit from lower rates and faster pace.
Par
72
Length
7,105
Slope
149
Rating
73.7
Course Difficulty Analysis
149
This Course
130
AZ Average
113
US Average
Based on 234 rated courses in Arizona
Scorecard
| Hole | Slp | CR | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Tot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nicklaus | 149 | 73.7 | 350 | 580 | 450 | 205 | 419 | 428 | 188 | 444 | 564 | 3628 | 406 | 563 | 173 | 394 | 418 | 144 | 242 | 574 | 563 | 3477 | 7,105 |
Highlands | 145 | 73.1 | 350 | 514 | 450 | 205 | 402 | 428 | 176 | 444 | 564 | 3533 | 406 | 545 | 162 | 378 | 418 | 136 | 242 | 574 | 563 | 3424 | 6,957 |
Palmer | 142 | 72.1 | 334 | 514 | 407 | 176 | 402 | 412 | 176 | 436 | 559 | 3416 | 400 | 545 | 162 | 378 | 397 | 136 | 220 | 568 | 515 | 3321 | 6,737 |
Member | 135 | 71.1 | 334 | 514 | 398 | 168 | 389 | 412 | 125 | 403 | 559 | 3302 | 358 | 534 | 140 | 378 | 387 | 136 | 194 | 568 | 515 | 3210 | 6,512 |
Player(F) Palmer(B) | 136 | 70.9 | 312 | 501 | 398 | 168 | 389 | 373 | 125 | 403 | 519 | 3188 | 400 | 545 | 162 | 378 | 397 | 136 | 220 | 568 | 515 | 3321 | 6,509 |
Player | 131 | 70.3 | 312 | 501 | 398 | 168 | 389 | 373 | 125 | 403 | 519 | 3188 | 358 | 534 | 140 | 343 | 387 | 128 | 194 | 530 | 486 | 3100 | 6,288 |
Gentlemen | 127 | 68.9 | 312 | 501 | 359 | 168 | 361 | 344 | 125 | 403 | 475 | 3048 | 294 | 504 | 140 | 327 | 369 | 128 | 194 | 491 | 486 | 2933 | 5,981 |
Back (W) | 141 | 74.0 | 283 | 479 | 365 | 147 | 369 | 341 | 123 | 369 | 480 | 2956 | 298 | 500 | 133 | 306 | 369 | 123 | 177 | 491 | 444 | 2841 | 5,797 |
Watson | 125 | 67.8 | 283 | 481 | 359 | 146 | 361 | 344 | 103 | 379 | 475 | 2931 | 294 | 504 | 127 | 327 | 369 | 120 | 171 | 491 | 438 | 2841 | 5,772 |
Back Combo | 136 | 72.2 | 283 | 481 | 359 | 129 | 361 | 327 | 103 | 337 | 440 | 2820 | 294 | 457 | 127 | 278 | 369 | 120 | 171 | 491 | 438 | 2745 | 5,565 |
Middle (W) | 130 | 71.5 | 278 | 410 | 358 | 129 | 356 | 327 | 101 | 337 | 440 | 2736 | 274 | 457 | 121 | 278 | 340 | 103 | 171 | 471 | 436 | 2651 | 5,387 |
Red | 122 | 66.0 | 278 | 410 | 358 | 129 | 356 | 327 | 101 | 337 | 440 | 2736 | 274 | 457 | 121 | 278 | 340 | 103 | 171 | 471 | 436 | 2651 | 5,387 |
Front Combo | 127 | 70.4 | 278 | 404 | 334 | 129 | 356 | 287 | 101 | 323 | 444 | 2656 | 274 | 450 | 121 | 278 | 295 | 103 | 147 | 454 | 436 | 2558 | 5,214 |
Forward (W) | 120 | 69.3 | 212 | 404 | 334 | 120 | 334 | 287 | 84 | 323 | 444 | 2542 | 248 | 450 | 105 | 278 | 295 | 94 | 147 | 454 | 412 | 2483 | 5,025 |
Green | 119 | 64.2 | 211 | 394 | 336 | 119 | 333 | 285 | 82 | 332 | 435 | 2527 | 248 | 450 | 105 | 278 | 298 | 91 | 147 | 454 | 410 | 2481 | 5,008 |
Short Course | 110 | 63.1 | 205 | 320 | 265 | 110 | 236 | 220 | 75 | 227 | 310 | 1968 | 220 | 350 | 100 | 180 | 205 | 85 | 140 | 320 | 310 | 1910 | 3,878 |
Short Course | 108 | 60.5 | 205 | 320 | 265 | 110 | 236 | 220 | 75 | 227 | 310 | 1968 | 220 | 350 | 100 | 180 | 205 | 85 | 140 | 320 | 310 | 1910 | 3,878 |
| Par | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 36 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 36 | 72 | ||
| HCP | 13 | 9 | 1 | 17 | 5 | 11 | 15 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 16 | 10 | 2 | 18 | 12 | 6 | 14 |
Which Tees Should I Play?
Desert Highlands Golf Club offers 17 tee sets. Choose the tees that match your handicap for the most enjoyable round.
| Tee | Yards | Slope | Rating | Hcp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Nicklaus | 7,105 | 149 | 73.7 | 0-5 |
Highlands | 6,957 | 145 | 73.1 | 0-5 |
Palmer | 6,737 | 142 | 72.1 | 0-5 |
Member | 6,512 | 135 | 71.1 | 5-15 |
Player(F) Palmer(B) | 6,509 | 136 | 70.9 | 5-15 |
Player | 6,288 | 131 | 70.3 | 5-15 |
Gentlemen | 5,981 | 127 | 68.9 | 12-22 |
Back (W) | 5,797 | 141 | 74.0 | 12-22 |
Watson | 5,772 | 125 | 67.8 | 12-22 |
Back Combo | 5,565 | 136 | 72.2 | 20-30 |
Middle (W) | 5,387 | 130 | 71.5 | 20-30 |
Red | 5,387 | 122 | 66.0 | 20-30 |
Front Combo | 5,214 | 127 | 70.4 | 20-30 |
Forward (W) | 5,025 | 120 | 69.3 | 20-30 |
Green | 5,008 | 119 | 64.2 | 20-30 |
Short Course | 3,878 | 110 | 63.1 | 25+ |
Short Course | 3,878 | 108 | 60.5 | 25+ |
Amenities at Desert Highlands Golf Club
Desert Highlands Golf Club features a pro shop.
How to Book a Tee Time
As a private club, tee times at Desert Highlands Golf Club are available to members and their guests. Use Stymie's Group Finder for guest access. You can also book directly through the facility website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Desert Highlands Golf Club a public or private golf course?expand_more
Desert Highlands Golf Club is a private golf course located in Scottsdale, AZ. As a private club, access is typically limited to members and their guests.
How many holes does Desert Highlands Golf Club have?expand_more
Desert Highlands Golf Club is a 18-hole golf course. It was established in 1984. The course was designed by Jack Nicklaus.
What is the yardage at Desert Highlands Golf Club?expand_more
From the Gentlemen tees, Desert Highlands Golf Club plays to 5,981 yards (par 72). The course offers 17 tee sets ranging from 3,878 to 7,105 yards.
What is the slope rating at Desert Highlands Golf Club?expand_more
The Nicklaus tees at Desert Highlands Golf Club have a slope rating of 149 and a course rating of 73.7. A slope of 113 is average difficulty; this course is significantly above average difficulty.
Can you walk Desert Highlands Golf Club?expand_more
Yes, walking is allowed at Desert Highlands Golf Club. Golf carts are also available.
How do I book a tee time at Desert Highlands Golf Club?expand_more
You can set a tee time alert on Stymie to get notified when availability opens at Desert Highlands Golf Club. You can also visit their website directly at https://www.deserthighlandsscottsdale.com/. Stymie monitors tee sheets and alerts you the moment your preferred time slot becomes available.
What amenities does Desert Highlands Golf Club offer?expand_more
Desert Highlands Golf Club offers a pro shop.
Where is Desert Highlands Golf Club located?expand_more
Desert Highlands Golf Club is located at 10040 E Happy Valley Rd in Scottsdale, AZ 85255. You can reach them at 480-585-8521.
What is the difficulty level at Desert Highlands Golf Club?expand_more
Desert Highlands Golf Club is classified as very high difficulty with a maximum slope rating of 149. It plays harder than 95% of golf courses in Arizona. The average slope rating in Arizona is 130. A slope rating of 113 represents average difficulty nationally.
Which tees should I play at Desert Highlands Golf Club?expand_more
Desert Highlands Golf Club offers 17 tee sets. Nicklaus tees (7,105 yards, slope 149) are recommended for scratch and low-handicap golfers. Short Course tees (3,878 yards, slope 108) are recommended for beginners and casual golfers. Choose the tee set where the slope rating is closest to your handicap comfort level.
What is the best tee for beginners at Desert Highlands Golf Club?expand_more
Beginners at Desert Highlands Golf Club should play the Short Course tees, which play 3,878 yards with a slope of 108. This is the most forgiving tee option and provides an enjoyable round for newer golfers.
What would a 15-handicap shoot at Desert Highlands Golf Club?expand_more
A 15-handicap golfer playing the Watson tees (slope 125, rating 67.8) at Desert Highlands Golf Club would have a course handicap of 12 and an expected score of approximately 84. This is calculated using the USGA World Handicap System formula: Course Handicap = Handicap Index × (Slope / 113) + (Course Rating − Par). Sign in on Stymie with your handicap to see a personalized prediction for every tee.
How long does a round take at Desert Highlands Golf Club?expand_more
A typical round at Desert Highlands Golf Club takes approximately 4 hours. Expect 3.5 to 4.5 hours depending on pace of play, group size, and course conditions. Private clubs generally have faster pace of play.