NOTE: This is Outlaw Golf Course at Desert Mountain in Scottsdale, Arizona—distinct from "Outlaw" courses in New Mexico or Utah.
When Jack Nicklaus completed Outlaw Golf Course at Desert Mountain in 2003, he brought traditional Scottish links golf to the Arizona high desert—and created the most walkable championship course in Scottsdale.
As the sixth and final Nicklaus Signature course at Desert Mountain's exclusive North Scottsdale enclave, Outlaw stands apart from its dramatic desert-style siblings. This 7,107-yard, par-72 layout embraces rolling fairways, 126 deep-faced pot bunkers, and greens up to 14,000 square feet — all on 176 acres bordering Tonto National Forest with zero homes interrupting the view. For Desert Mountain membership details, see our cost guide. Outlaw is one of the top private clubs in Scottsdale.
Scottish Links Design in the Sonoran Desert
Outlaw represents Nicklaus' mature design philosophy after 16 years of working at Desert Mountain. Where Renegade (1987), Geronimo (1989), and Chiricahua (1999) showcase dramatic elevation changes and forced desert carries, Outlaw eliminates forced carries from the tees entirely.
This design approach makes Outlaw the most walkable of Desert Mountain's six championship courses—a deliberate choice that honors golf's walking roots while providing generous landing areas and natural routing across gently rolling terrain.
Pros
- Most walkable championship course at Desert Mountain
- No forced carries from tees—strategic placement over pure power
- Natural setting with zero homes bordering fairways/greens
- Part of world's largest collection of private Nicklaus courses (6 total)
- Bent grass greens provide true rolling surface year-round
- 126 bunkers create strategic variety and risk-reward decisions
- Links-style ground game allows creative shot-making
Cons
- Strictly private—requires Desert Mountain membership or guest invitation
- Guest access extremely limited (6 rounds per individual per year)
- Massive greens (up to 14,000 sq ft) create challenging lag putting
- Wind exposure on links-style layout can make scoring difficult
- Summer heat (June-August) makes walking challenging
Signature Holes
Hole #4 - Strategic par-4 demanding precision off the tee and approach control into one of Outlaw's most challenging green complexes.
Hole #10 - Pure links golf: blind tee shot to generous landing area, followed by approach over a deep collection zone to an elevated green.
Hole #14 - One of golf's most unique putting surfaces, this massive green wraps around a central depression that gathers approaches.
Hole #18 - The second-hardest hole on the course (stroke index 2) brings panoramic views of the McDowell Mountains on this demanding finishing hole.
Course Specifications
| Tees | Yardage | Rating | Slope |
|------|---------|--------|-------| | Golden Bear | 7,107 | 74.7 | 149 | | Blue | 6,509 | 71.7 | 143 | | Copper | 6,312 | 70.6 | 141 | | White | 6,017 | 69.3 | 134 |
Access and Membership
Outlaw Golf Course is exclusively available to Desert Mountain members. As a Platinum Club of America, Desert Mountain maintains strict access policies with no public play.
Guest Policies:
- Maximum 12 guest rounds per month
- Maximum 30 guest rounds per season
- Individual guests limited to 6 rounds per calendar year total
Contact: (480) 595-4110 or [email protected]