Desert Highlands Golf Club
Course at a glance
Desert Highlands Golf Club is an 18-hole golf course in Scottsdale, Arizona (85255). The course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened in 1984. From the Nicklaus tees, Desert Highlands Golf Club plays to 7,105 yards at par 72. The course offers 17 sets of tees ranging from 3,878 to 7,105 yards, giving players of every ability a comfortable length. It carries a slope rating of 149 and a course rating of 73.7, well above the 113 World Handicap System baseline and among the harder courses for mid-handicap golfers. That ranks it harder than roughly 93% of rated golf courses in Arizona. It is a private club; access is generally limited to members and accompanied guests. Walking is permitted. A pro shop is on site. The course is conditioned with bent grass greens and bermuda grass fairways. Hazards include 41-50 bunkers. Tee times at Desert Highlands Golf Club are not open to the public; play is arranged through a member.
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 93% of rated 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 230 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 CourseWomen's | 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 CourseMen's | 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. Not sure? Use the tee recommendation calculator with your driver distance.
| 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.
Find driving ranges near Desert Highlands Golf Club →
How to Book a Tee Time
As a private club, access at Desert Highlands Golf Club is generally controlled by the club. Contact the facility to confirm its current member and guest policy. You can also book directly through the facility website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Desert Highlands Golf Club a public or private golf course?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
Visit the official course website at https://www.deserthighlandsscottsdale.com/ or call 480-585-8521 to confirm current availability and book. Stymie does not currently show live tee-time inventory; alerts are in development.
What amenities does Desert Highlands Golf Club offer?
Desert Highlands Golf Club offers a pro shop.
Where is Desert Highlands Golf Club located?
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?
Desert Highlands Golf Club is classified as very high difficulty with a maximum slope rating of 149. It plays harder than 93% 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?
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?
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 is the course handicap for a 15 Handicap Index at Desert Highlands Golf Club?
A golfer with a 15.0 Handicap Index playing the Watson tees (slope 125, rating 67.8) at Desert Highlands Golf Club has a course handicap of 12, using the World Handicap System formula: Course Handicap = Handicap Index × (Slope / 113) + (Course Rating − Par). Course handicap is the number of handicap strokes received from that tee — it is not a prediction of what a golfer will score. Enter your handicap index on Stymie to see your course handicap for every tee.
How long does a round take at Desert Highlands Golf Club?
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.