Desert Mountain Club is unlike any other private golf club in Scottsdale — or anywhere. With six Jack Nicklaus Signature courses plus a par-3 course, it offers more championship variety under one membership than any club in the world. One initiation fee gives you access to Apache, Cochise, Chiricahua, Geronimo, Outlaw, and Renegade courses, each with its own distinct character.
That variety comes at a price that has been climbing steadily. The full golf membership initiation fee increased from $200,000 in 2024 to $225,000 in 2025 and is now reported at $250,000 for 2026. Understanding the current pricing and the three membership tiers helps you evaluate whether Desert Mountain delivers enough value to justify the investment.
Desert Mountain Membership Fees
Desert Mountain offers three membership levels with significantly different pricing and access.
Full Golf Membership
| Detail | 2025 | 2026 (Current) |
|---|---|---|
| Initiation Fee | $225,000 | $250,000 |
| Monthly Dues | $2,354 | $2,472 |
| Annual Dues | ~$28,248 | ~$29,664 |
| F&B Minimum | $2,500/year | $2,500/year |
Full Golf membership grants unlimited access to all six Nicklaus courses plus the par-3 course, all practice facilities, fitness center, spa, dining, tennis, pickleball, and the full social calendar.
Seven Golf Membership
| Detail | 2025 | 2026 (Current) |
|---|---|---|
| Initiation Fee | $140,000 | $154,000 |
| Monthly Dues | $1,377 | $1,446 |
| Annual Dues | ~$16,524 | ~$17,352 |
The Seven Golf membership provides access to all courses but with some restrictions on tee time availability during peak hours. It's positioned for members who play less frequently and don't need unlimited prime-time access.
Lifestyle (Social) Membership
| Detail | 2025 | 2026 (Current) |
|---|---|---|
| Initiation Fee | $112,000 | $123,000 |
| Monthly Dues | $1,166 | $1,224 |
| Annual Dues | ~$13,992 | ~$14,688 |
The Lifestyle membership covers all non-golf amenities — dining, fitness, spa, tennis, pickleball, hiking, and social programming. Limited golf access may be available, but this tier is designed for members who prioritize the Desert Mountain lifestyle over regular golf.
Price Trend: Yearly Increases
Desert Mountain has increased initiation fees consistently:
| Year | Full Golf Initiation | Increase |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | ~$175,000 | - |
| 2024 | $200,000 | +$25K |
| 2025 | $225,000 | +$25K |
| 2026 | $250,000 | +$25K |
If this trend continues, joining sooner rather than later saves $25,000+ per year of delay. The $2,500/year F&B minimum and increasing monthly dues compound the total cost growth.
The Six Nicklaus Courses
Desert Mountain's defining feature is course variety. Here's what each layout offers:
Apache Course
The original Desert Mountain course, known for dramatic elevation changes and wide fairways that encourage aggressive play.
Cochise Course
Considered the most challenging of the six, Cochise features tight desert corridors and demanding approach shots to well-protected greens.
Chiricahua Course
A strategic layout that rewards course management over power, with multiple risk-reward options on par 4s and 5s.
Geronimo Course
The most scenic layout, playing through dramatic desert terrain with mountain views from virtually every hole.
Outlaw Course
Desert Mountain's newest Nicklaus design, blending modern design principles with the desert setting.
Renegade Course
A demanding test that combines elevation change with strategic water features and desert washes.
The Value Calculation
At $250,000 initiation for access to six courses, the cost per course is approximately $42,000 — well below the initiation fee at clubs offering a single course (DC Ranch at $250K for one course, Estancia at $350K for one course). If course variety matters to you, Desert Mountain offers the best per-course value in the Scottsdale market.
Beyond Golf
Desert Mountain operates as a gated residential community spanning thousands of acres in North Scottsdale near Carefree. At higher elevation than central Scottsdale, the community offers slightly cooler temperatures and different desert vegetation.
Amenities
- Golf — Six 18-hole courses plus par-3 course and practice facilities
- Fitness — Full-service fitness center with personal training
- Spa — Resort-quality spa and wellness center
- Tennis & Pickleball — Multiple courts with professional instruction
- Hiking — Miles of community trails through undeveloped Sonoran Desert
- Dining — Multiple clubhouses with varied dining experiences
- Social — Year-round calendar of member events, tournaments, and seasonal celebrations
The Community Element
Many Desert Mountain members are seasonal residents who spend winters in Scottsdale. This creates a vibrant social scene during peak season (October-April) with a quieter summer period. Full-time residents maintain activity year-round, and the club's multiple clubhouses serve as social hubs throughout the community.
The gated community includes homes ranging from approximately $700,000 to $5 million+, with most falling in the $1-3 million range. While property ownership isn't technically required for membership, the club is closely tied to its residential community.
Who Should Consider Desert Mountain
Desert Mountain is a good fit if you:
- Want maximum course variety — six Nicklaus courses means you never get bored
- Value the "cost per course" proposition ($42K per course vs $250K+ at single-course clubs)
- Want full amenities beyond golf (hiking, spa, fitness, tennis)
- Appreciate a gated community lifestyle with year-round activities
- Can accommodate the rising costs (plan for $25K+ annual initiation increases)
- Want a non-golf entry point via the Lifestyle membership ($123K)
Consider other clubs if you:
- Prefer a single course you know deeply over variety
- Want a more intimate, limited-membership experience (consider Estancia at ~280 members)
- Need a club in central Scottsdale (Desert Mountain is in the far north, near Carefree)
- Prioritize walking golf (some Desert Mountain courses benefit from carts due to distance between holes)
- Want the lowest possible price (consider Pinnacle Peak at ~$50K)
How Desert Mountain Compares
Desert Mountain vs DC Ranch
costs roughly the same ($250K-$275K initiation) but offers one course. Desert Mountain gives you six. The trade-off: DC Ranch is more centrally located in Scottsdale with a tighter-knit community feel. Desert Mountain is larger and more spread out. For golfers who prioritize variety, Desert Mountain wins on pure golf value.
Desert Mountain vs Silverleaf
at $400K-$500K initiation gives you one Weiskopf course. Desert Mountain at $250K gives you six Nicklaus courses. Silverleaf wins on exclusivity and prestige; Desert Mountain wins on golf volume and value. Silverleaf requires property ownership; Desert Mountain doesn't technically, though most members own in the community.
Desert Mountain vs Whisper Rock
at $100K-$130K is significantly cheaper and offers two courses with strong conditioning. Desert Mountain's advantage is six courses plus full amenities. Whisper Rock's advantage is lower cost and a pure golf-focused experience without the community overhead. If budget and pure golf matter most, Whisper Rock is hard to beat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Desert Mountain membership cost?
As of 2026, Desert Mountain's Full Golf membership initiation is reported at $250,000 with monthly dues of approximately $2,472 and a $2,500 annual food and beverage minimum. Seven Golf membership is $154,000 initiation, and Lifestyle (social) membership is $123,000 initiation.
How many golf courses does Desert Mountain have?
Desert Mountain has six Jack Nicklaus Signature 18-hole courses (Apache, Cochise, Chiricahua, Geronimo, Outlaw, Renegade) plus a par-3 course. This is more championship courses than any other private club in the world under one membership.
Does Desert Mountain initiation fee increase every year?
Yes. Desert Mountain has increased golf initiation by approximately $25,000 per year in recent years ($200K in 2024, $225K in 2025, $250K in 2026). The club typically announces increases effective January 1 each year.
Is Desert Mountain in Scottsdale?
Desert Mountain straddles North Scottsdale and Carefree, at higher elevation than central Scottsdale. The community is approximately 20-30 minutes from downtown Scottsdale. The higher elevation provides slightly cooler temperatures and different vegetation than central Scottsdale.
What is the cheapest Desert Mountain membership?
The Lifestyle (social) membership at $123,000 initiation provides access to all non-golf amenities including dining, fitness, spa, tennis, pickleball, and hiking trails. Limited golf access may be included.
Pricing reported as of February 2026 from multiple real estate and membership sources. Desert Mountain Club's initiation fees have been increasing annually. Contact the club directly for current membership availability and pricing.
Related Guides
Comparing multi-course options? See our guides to ($250K for one course) and ($100-130K for two courses). For a complete overview, read our guide to . Prefer public courses? Explore .
