The Buzz: About four years after the other courses opened at Desert Mountain, Jack Nicklaus created Outlaw, the final design project, which most definitely was a departure from the others. For starters, it was built about three miles east of the main complex, standing by itself on a 176-acre site adjacent to the Tonto National Forest. It also plays more in the tradition of a Scottish links course than the other five, with striking, unencumbered views of Pinnacle Peak, the McDowell Mountains, Four Peaks and Weaver’s Needle.
Outlaw is also the only course unencumbered by homes and other structures, and the only one that truly is walkable. Due to its separation from the rest, all of which bear prominent Native American names, this one was dubbed “Outlaw.” Nicklaus said he was determined to “Take what nature gave us and try to enhance it,” which he did with desert landscape highlighted by gentle rolling hills, washes and wonderful views.
Bring your ground game, as this course asks that you hit a variety of high, low and shaped shots with a timeless design. It has large greens and, unlike the other Desert Mountain courses that average about 80 bunkers, this one has 126. While there is no Scottish heather or gorse, the links feel is accentuated by purple threon, a wispy, straw-like grass that spreads through the transition areas. Cacti aren’t a good fit with a true links-style course but that’s no problem here, as all of the saguaros on the property were wiped out by fire in the early 1990s. The par-72 course, which opened in 2003, plays at 7,107 yards from the back tees (5,141 from the women’s tees) with a rating of 73.5 and slope of 147.
Nicklaus took care to design the longer holes with wider fairways and larger greens and put a premium on approach shots, with numerous tabletop greens surrounded by bunkers and deep swales. The par-5 second hole, rated as the No. 1 handicap hole, plays to a green that sets at an elevation of 3,450 feet. The 552-yard hole is followed by a downhill par 4 that plays at 512 yards. A clubhouse created by renowned architect Bing Hu fits the Outlaw theme like a comfortable saddle with its ranch house design that features exposed wooden rafters and ceilings, stucco walls and weathered metal and natural stone accents.
Desert Mountain Complex: This private club, which opened in 1986, is the only one of its kind in the country to feature six courses and the only one in the world to feature six Jack Nicklaus signature courses. It has been recognized by the Robb Report as “Best Golf Community” in the country and has been referred to as the “Pinehurst of the West.” Nicklaus called it, “One of the highlights of my career as a golf course designer. I believe it will always be recognized as one of the greatest golf clubs in the world.” In January of 2011 it officially became a member-owned club, and play on its golf courses is restricted to members and their guests. Desert Mountain also sells social memberships, which include privileges to its other facilities, such as restaurants, fitness centers, swimming pools, spas and tennis courts. The property sets among the McDowell and Continental Mountains, skirting the 2.9-million-acre Tonto National Forest. Homes are spread among 32 separate, double-gated villages, with prices ranging from $500,000 to $5 million.
To read our take on the other Desert Mountain courses, click on the links below:
Link to Cochise
Link to Geronimo
Link to Apache
Link to Renegade
Link to Chiricahua
