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4.5
314 Reviews (314)
5 Stars
200
4 Stars
82
3 Stars
18
2 Stars
12
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.3
Value
3.7
Layout
4.2
Friendliness
4.5
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.0
99.1%
Recommend this course
291 out of 314 reviews
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Average Rating
Avg Rating
5.0
1 Reviews (1)
5 Stars
1
4 Stars
0
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
5.0
Value
5.0
Layout
5.0
Pace
5.0
Amenities
5.0
StaffFriendliness
5.0
100.0%
Recommend this course
1 out of 1 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
2 Reviews (2)
5 Stars
1
4 Stars
1
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.5
Value
3.5
Layout
4.0
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.0
StaffFriendliness
4.5
100.0%
Recommend this course
2 out of 2 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Resort
Style Desert
Par 70
Length 6653 yards
Slope 143
Rating 71.3

The Dinosaur Mountain course at Gold Canyon Golf Resort is consistently rated among Arizona's top public courses. It offers a one-of-a-kind round in the Sonora. Panoramas feature at tee boxes. There's a test of skills, traveling upwards, downwards and all around Dinosaur Mountain, with tee-green elevations changing dramatically and fairways loping long.

While playing a round on the Dinosaur Mountain course at Gold Canyon Golf Resort, note the back-to-back signature holes, the fourth and fifth.

A round on the Dinosaur Mountain course at Gold Canyon Golf Resort kicks off on the 316-yard, par-4 first, which is tougher than it appears: The fairway heads uphill, narrows and leads to a well-guarded sloping green. The par-5, 514-yard third is one of three long holes; look out for the leftward dogleg, and then, go uphill to a diminutive multilevel green. Finish on the 366-yard, par-4 18th, which features fairway bunkers left and right to keep golfers from trying to wrap up too quickly.

Course Details

Year Built 1982
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens Blue Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Ken Kavanaugh

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
Clubs Yes
GPS Yes
Pull-carts No

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Caddies No
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area No
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex, Discover Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed No
Dress code Collared shirt and bermuda shorts required. No denim.

Food & Beverage

Catering, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Banquet Facilities, Spa

Available Sports

Fitness

Accolades

Reviews

4.5
314 Reviews (314)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 31
Patio Dining 18
19th Hole Scenic Views 17
Course Challenges Include:
Elevation Changes 68
Undulating Greens 50
Bunkers 43
This course/club is great for:
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 64
A Bucket list/Top 100 Pick 40
Advanced Golfers 40
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 57
At a Resort 24
Convenient to the City 11

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 41
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Great course to finish the trip

Loved everything about this course. Beautiful views great conditions challenging yet very fair. Big wide fairways and small greens. Only draw back was hitting off mats at range but really nothing to complain about. Played TPC Stadium 2 days before and quite frankly I liked this place so much better. Made my top 5-10 places to play.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 75
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 500 Contributor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Once Is Enough

Great views and several elevation changes make for a fun day on this course. I did not love the layout, there are some interesting holes, but also some gimmicks. A few of the greens are absolutely tiny, and it can be hard to keep the ball on them when putting.

The conditions were good and the pace of play was consistent throughout the day. Practice facility is not great, mats on the driving range.

I am glad I played this course once, but I would probably not return unless I got a significant discount. Greens fees are on par with the most expensive courses in the area and I think there are better options in Phoenix?Scottsdale overall.

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 41
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Quebec Advisor
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Fun course with great views

This course is, with reason, often mentioned as a great option in the PHX area, with all the standard things you would expect: gorgeous mountains and scenery, saguaro cacti and elevated tee boxes.

Don't let the shorter yardage fool you, this is a par-70 (so 6 par 3s) with several target-style holes, and nothing is over until you putt it in, with the greens having very difficult curves to read.

The service is excellent and courteous, the food options are good as well, and carts are fully equipped with GPS and club+ball washers.

A few downsides, some fixable: the lightning fast and unspinnable greens; given the type of layout, they could be more receptive and a little bit slower. And several of the tee boxes that were not level. Some not-so-fixable: a few too many houses that can come into play on the sidelines of some holes.

But beyond that, it's all fun when you're out there. Go and enjoy!

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Worth the drive

Dinosaur mountain is outstanding, good condition, fantastic views and lots of elevation - it is among the very best in the phoenix area and at a great price. In my opinion, if this course was located somewhere in Scottsdale the fee would be north of 350 this time of year, but can be played for 175 because of where it is situated.

Value Excellent
Played On
Reviews 86
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
North Dakota Advisor
Top 500 Contributor
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

PHX/MESA AREA MUST PLAY

- Great Track
Fun layout
Organized start with good starters and great cart staging area
* Driving Range is mats only and practice green has no cups cut
*Food and Beverage pricing is high, but quality product, must try the Breakfast Buffett on weekends
-Par 3's 2,5, and 15 are scenic mountain down hill with greens that require you to land on the correct tier
-Par 4's #1 is a nice easy up hill to start, but in the first four holes everything goes to the left - on #15 you must hit a straight drive as you must carry the desert and then ride side drop off
-Par 5's 3 and 16 are short -3 you have to make sure you stay right of the drop off on left and your approach has to be on the right level. 15 you have to hit a high approach to clear bunker in front and stop it on a shallow green.
THIS WILL BE AN ENJOYMENT OF A GOLF COURSE FOR YOU.
They over seed everyone on this course for the majority and water regular so you don't have to hit off of hard pan or dry rough like most Arizona courses

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 102
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 250 Contributor
Previously Played
Used cart

One of the Best!

Played this a day before overseeding so the conditions were a little dry and firm. Unbelievable service and the layout on Dinosaur Mtn is one of the absolute best in the Phoenix valley. I highly recommend making this a must play if you are in the area!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

One of my favorite courses in the Scottsdale area. Multiple elevation changes. Great scenery. Course is in good condition. Greens are firm. Only drawback to this course is it is a bit out of the way, but worth the drive.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 102
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 250 Contributor
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great Golf Course!

If anyone is traveling to the Phoenix / Scottsdale area I highly recommend making the drive to Gold Canyon to check out Dinosaur Mtn. The golf course is unbelievable and is a true desert style course with tons of elevation change. Each hole is different and will keep you guessing. I played it a few days after overseed and this course is going to be in amazing shape this year! Must play!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 19
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
First Time Playing

Picturesque/Poor Greens

So, the course is really beautiful. The layout is clever, fair, with lots of elevation changes and some dramatic viewpoints of the Superstition Mtns. Picturesque. The fairways and tee boxes are okay for this time of year. Brown in spots. Understandable, it’s been 110 seemingly every day this summer. The greens....yikes. Dead, bumpy, lumpy, and hard. I wouldn’t come back and play it this summer. I would give it another shot when it comes out of overseed. Hopefully, the transition out of Bermuda, with the cooler days help get this problem under control.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 36
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Dinosaur is Dinosaur, but the Greens? Come on now..

You cannot go wrong if you want a course with beautiful views and a challenging lay out. Greens were a disaster, they were aeriated couple weeks ago, and they bounced all over the place. This is a beautiful course, but play it now before they over seed it and raise the price 5 times what it is now. I'm sure this is a beautiful course during the winter and spring, but will never see me there at that time.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 102
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 250 Contributor
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Hidden Gem

Dinosaur Mtn is one of the most underrated courses in the Phoenix valley. Some of the best views and elevation change you can get from any course out here. The staff is always exceptional and truly wants you to have a good time. I would highly recommend going to try for yourself!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 29
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Great Course +100 deg

Tee boxes great
Fairways great
Traps great
Out of bounds Get a new Ball
Greens “ heat burned “ but nice shape
Thanks to halfway shop attendant
Thumbs up

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 36
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Expectations Met

I've heard a lot about this course from my buddies, when we played it last year they were reseeding and I was not impressed at all, but after yesterday I see why they loved this course so much. If you want to play a course the most amazing views this is the one for you. Paid $48, well worth it , will be back (before they reseed of course).

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 203
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
California Advisor
Top 50 Contributor
First Time Playing

Spectacular Views

Course offers many spectacular views of the course and adjacent Superstition Mountains. The course itself is a fun layout with many elevation changes. Conditions for the most part were good, although some fairways were dry and was wondering if they were getting ready to do some maintenance. Overall a fun, moderately challenging track that I would play again.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 16
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Previously Played

Terrible

Have played Dinosaur for the last 7 years and always been awesome. This time it was terrible. Fairways are in awful shape.

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 102
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 250 Contributor
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Excellent Track!

Dinosaur Mtn course is probably one of the most underrated courses in the Phoenix Valley. Has everything you want to offer for a good desert style course- fun layout, elevation change through, scenic views, and is always in great shape. Would highly recommend to anyone coming to the area!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
Incentivized Review
5.0
Previously Played

Cart path only

Cart oath only due to seeding of course. Still a great course to play. Greens were a slower but understandable. Still a favorite course to play in AZ. Gold card a great option for out of state players like me.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Wet weather
Used cart

ALWAYS A FAVORITE

Dinosaur Mountain is always one of our favorites to play. Everything from the fairways to the greens were in great shape.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 19
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

I'll be back!

Wife and I played this course for the first time. Her game was pretty good, mine was poor. Normally I would call this a lousy day of golf but it was far from it.

A. The customer service was exceptional from end to end. Friendly, helpful and welcoming, all staff. The Marshall spent a lot of time with us leading us up to the practice green, discussing the greens and downhill rolls (the kiss of death this day), and various holes. Wow, what personal service
B. Course conditions - exceptional, especially for this time of year
C. The course - We were alone so we had no one who knew the course with us. This would have been a boon as the ups and downs, and especially the sideways fairways, all need shots placed in the correct spots. I would play it very differently a second time, and no doubt score increasingly better all of the first 5 or 6 rounds. Challenging but very fair, every hole unique. Plenty of elevated tee to green shots, as well as some uphill fairways that will fool you (hit at least one more club).

All in all, an excellent golf course with a PRIMO staff with scenery that makes your eyes pop

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
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