Chiricahua Golf Course golf course
4.9

Chiricahua Golf Course

About This Course

When Jack Nicklaus completed Chiricahua Golf Course at Desert Mountain in 1999, he synthesized lessons from 12 years of building championship desert courses—creating a layout that combines the best elements of Renegade, Cochise, Geronimo, and Apache while introducing its own championship character.

As the fifth Nicklaus Signature course at Desert Mountain's exclusive North Scottsdale enclave, Chiricahua Golf Course challenges players across 7,347 yards of championship desert golf with dramatic elevation changes from 3,000 to 3,300 feet. This par-72 layout features a slope rating of 147 from the Golden Bear tees and winds through the Village of Saguaro Forest with eight holes playing downhill, nine uphill, and one sideways across natural Sonoran Desert terrain.

Fifth Course in Desert Mountain's Championship Collection

Chiricahua Golf Course represents the culmination of Jack Nicklaus' design evolution at Desert Mountain. Opening 12 years after Renegade (1987) and three years after Apache (1996), Chiricahua incorporates design principles tested across Desert Mountain's growing collection while introducing unique challenges through the Saguaro Forest terrain.

Elevated green at sunset with cart path and mountain views, Chiricahua Golf Course
Dramatic sunset lighting on signature hole with desert mountain backdrop

The course name honors the Chiricahua Apache, continuing Desert Mountain's tradition of naming courses after Apache tribes and leaders. The routing showcases Nicklaus' mature understanding of desert golf design, with elevation changes that create strategic advantages and dramatic vistas across Metro Phoenix and Scottsdale.

Pros

  • Championship test: 147 slope from Golden Bear tees ranks among Arizona's toughest
  • Dramatic elevation: 300-foot range creates variety and great views
  • Fifth Nicklaus course benefits from 12 years of Desert Mountain design experience
  • Tuscan-inspired clubhouse with Constantino's fine dining and 3,000-bottle wine tower
  • Part of world's largest collection of private Nicklaus courses (6 championship layouts)
  • Golf Digest #12 ranking in Arizona validates championship credentials
  • Multiple tee options (5 sets) accommodate all skill levels
  • Bermuda grass provides consistent playing surface in desert climate

Cons

  • Strictly private—requires Desert Mountain membership or guest invitation
  • 147 slope rating makes this extremely challenging from championship tees
  • Elevation changes demand precise club selection and distance control
  • Guest access limited (6 rounds per individual per year across all Desert Mountain courses)
  • Summer heat (June-August) creates difficult playing conditions
  • Target desert golf requires accuracy off the tee

Signature Holes at Chiricahua

Chiricahua features four official signature holes that showcase the course's championship character and dramatic desert setting.

Stone clubhouse with outdoor patio at golden hour overlooking fairway, Chiricahua Golf Course
Southwestern-style clubhouse patio with spectacular sunset views

Hole #7 - Strategic positioning and elevation awareness combine on this challenging par-4 that rewards players who manage the desert terrain.

Hole #10 - Mid-round test that exemplifies Chiricahua's blend of target golf and elevation changes with outstanding desert vistas.

Hole #14 - Demanding par-3 that showcases Nicklaus' green complex design philosophy with precise distance control required.

Hole #15 - Championship par-5 that tests course management skills across dramatic elevation changes in the back nine.

Tuscan-Inspired Clubhouse at 3,300 Feet

Chiricahua's clubhouse represents a departure from Desert Mountain's other facilities with its Old World Italian design inspired by traditional Tuscan olive vineyards and farmhouses. Perched at 3,300 feet—the highest point on the course—the clubhouse overlooks the 18th hole with panoramic desert views.

Large putting green with dramatic storm clouds and saguaros at Chiricahua Golf Course
manicured green under moody Arizona monsoon sky with desert vegetation

Constantino's offers fine Italian dining anchored by a dramatic 3,000-bottle wine tower, while Angelo's provides casual lunch options for members finishing their rounds.

Course Specifications

| Tees | Yardage | Rating | Slope |

Desert hillside view with saguaros, ocotillo and mountain ranges near Chiricahua Golf Course
Sonoran Desert landscape with native vegetation and distant peaks

|------|---------|--------|-------| | Golden Bear | 7,347 | 74.6 | 147 | | Blue | 6,796 | 72.0 | 140 | | White | 6,289 | 69.4 | 135 | | Red | 5,614 | 66.0 | 127 | | Green | 4,998 | 63.4 | 119 |

Access and Membership

Chiricahua 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 across all Desert Mountain courses
  • Maximum 30 guest rounds per season across all courses
  • Individual guests limited to 6 rounds per calendar year total (all courses combined)

Contact: (480) 595-4000 or [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chiricahua Golf Club private?
Yes, Chiricahua Golf Course is strictly private and available only to Desert Mountain Club members and their guests. Guest privileges are extremely limited—individuals can play maximum 6 rounds per calendar year across all Desert Mountain courses combined.
Who designed Chiricahua Golf Course?
Jack Nicklaus designed Chiricahua Golf Course, which opened in 1999 as his fifth Signature course at Desert Mountain. The Golden Bear completed six championship 18-hole courses at the club between 1987-2003, making Desert Mountain home to the world's largest collection of private Nicklaus designs.
When was Chiricahua Golf Course built?
Chiricahua Golf Course opened in 1999, twelve years after Desert Mountain's first course (Renegade in 1987) and four years before the final course (Outlaw in 2003). The 1999 opening positioned Chiricahua as the mature expression of Nicklaus' desert design philosophy.
What makes Chiricahua course unique?
Chiricahua features dramatic elevation changes from 3,000 to 3,300 feet across championship desert terrain, with eight holes playing downhill, nine uphill, and one sideways. The 147 slope rating from Golden Bear tees ranks among Arizona's most challenging courses. The Tuscan-inspired clubhouse at 3,300 feet houses Constantino's fine dining with its signature 3,000-bottle wine tower.
How many golf courses are at Desert Mountain?
Desert Mountain features seven Jack Nicklaus-designed courses: six championship 18-hole layouts (Renegade, Cochise, Geronimo, Apache, Chiricahua, and Outlaw) plus the par-54 No. 7 course.

Nearby Courses & Guides

Course History

Opened in 1999 as the fifth Jack Nicklaus Signature course at Desert Mountain, Chiricahua represents Nicklaus' mature design vision combining elements from the club's four earlier courses. The 7,347-yard championship layout features dramatic elevation changes from 3,000 to 3,300 feet through the Village of Saguaro Forest. The distinctive Tuscan-inspired clubhouse sits at 3,300 feet overlooking the 18th hole, housing Constantino's fine Italian dining with its signature 3,000-bottle wine tower.

Signature Holes

The course features four official signature holes (#7, #10, #14, #15) that showcase Chiricahua's championship character. Eight holes play downhill, nine play uphill, and one plays sideways across the dramatic desert terrain. The routing provides outstanding Metro Phoenix and Scottsdale views while challenging players with target golf across natural desert landscape.

Pro Tips

Respect the 147 slope rating from the Golden Bear tees—this is championship golf that demands precise club selection with the elevation changes. Play from the Blue tees (6,796 yards, slope 140) for a challenging but fair test. The clubhouse elevation at 3,300 feet affects distance—adjust club selection accordingly on uphill approaches.

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