Gold Canyon Golf Resort - Sidewinder
A Golf Digest 4-star Ken Kavanaugh design at the base of the Superstition Mountains, and one of the best deals in the valley. We book tee times, transport and lodging around it in one quote.
- 4 Stars · Golf Digest
- Best Value Course · East Valley
The course in photos
Tap any photo to enlarge.
Featured photography includes work by Brian Oar.
Why groups book Gold Canyon Sidewinder
Best value 36-hole day. Pair it with Dinosaur Mountain on the same property for an unforgettable double.
Superstition views on every hole. Natural arroyos, dry creek beds and native desert at the base of the mountains.
A full resort stay. Spa, fire-pit patio and Kokopelli's fine dining on property.
About the course
Sidewinder at Gold Canyon Golf Resort is a Golf Digest 4-star championship course in Gold Canyon, designed by Ken Kavanaugh and set against the dramatic backdrop of the Superstition Mountains. The par-71 layout stretches 6,530 yards and snakes through natural desert arroyos, dry creek beds and native Sonoran Desert vegetation at the base of Dinosaur Mountain.
Native cholla, prickly pear, mesquite and palo verde trees line the twists and turns throughout the round. With water features, gently rolling fairways and undulating greens, Sidewinder delivers exceptional value and is widely considered one of the best deals in the valley. It is perfect as a standalone round or paired with Dinosaur Mountain for a 36-hole day.
“Bring your clubs, bring your camera, and we'll bring on one of the best golf experiences you'll ever encounter.”
Course details
Awards and accolades
- 4 Stars: Golf Digest
- Best Value Course in the East Valley
Facility info
- Driving range
- Putting green
- Golf academy with certified instructors
- The Bar and Grill
- Kokopelli's fine dining
- Ledge patio with fire pits
- GPS golf carts
- Beverage cart
- Rental clubs
- Full-service spa on property
Dress code
- Proper golf attire required
- Collared shirts and Bermuda shorts required
- No denim or swimwear
Golf course architect
- Architect: Ken Kavanaugh
- Front nine opened in 1982
- Back nine opened in 1984
Local knowledge
- About 50 minutes from Old Town Scottsdale
- About 35 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport
- Play 36 holes by pairing with Dinosaur Mountain
- Rideshare can be limited, so we book group transport both ways
Scorecard and tees
Par 71 (35 out, 36 in). Six sets of tees from 4,313 to 6,530 yards. Ratings and slopes shown are men's unless marked (W); women's ratings are on the printable scorecard.
| Tee | Out | In | Total | Rating / Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 3,146 | 3,384 | 6,530 | 72.0 / 134 |
| Black | 2,927 | 3,221 | 6,148 | 69.9 / 129 |
| Blue | 2,652 | 2,983 | 5,635 | 67.3 / 122 |
| White | 2,327 | 2,737 | 5,064 | 65.2 / 116 |
| Silver | 2,256 | 2,688 | 4,944 | 64.2 / 112 |
| Copper | 1,899 | 2,414 | 4,313 | 66.5 / 112 (W) |
Gold Canyon Sidewinder FAQ
How far is Gold Canyon Sidewinder from Scottsdale?
About 50 minutes from Old Town Scottsdale in Gold Canyon, near Apache Junction. Rideshare is limited out here, so we arrange group transport both ways.
Can Gold Canyon Sidewinder handle our group?
Yes. We book back-to-back tee times for multi-foursome groups, and with Dinosaur Mountain on the same property a larger group can split across both courses.
Who designed the course?
Ken Kavanaugh. The front nine opened in 1982 and the back nine in 1984.
What is the dress code?
Collared shirts and Bermuda-length shorts, no denim or swimwear.
How much does it cost to play?
Sidewinder is a $ course on our five-tier scale, one of the best deals in the valley. Green fees swing widely by season and tee time, so we price it inside your package quote for your exact dates.
Pair it with
Most groups base in Scottsdale. See our group lodging and the fall overseed schedule before you pick dates.
Build your trip around Gold Canyon Sidewinder
Tell us your dates and group size. We send back tee times, transport and lodging in one itinerary.
Get a group quotePrice tier compares typical peak-season pricing across Scottsdale courses ($ to $$$$$). Exact rates come with your package quote.