The Buzz: There is a good reason that Golf Magazine ranked Gold Canyon’s roller-coaster Dinosaur Course as the No. 8 “most underrated’’ golf course in America – this from a list that had Spy Glass Hill No. 1. The six par 3s are among the best in Arizona golf, and the other 12 holes are almost as good even if most of them don’t have the jaw-dropping elevation changes. Many say “The finest golf courses in Scottsdale have nothing on the Dinosaur Course at Gold Canyon, especially when it comes to dramatic views.’’
It’s oh-so true: Gold Canyon looks like it belongs in Scottsdale except it’s better than that. The rollicking ride starts right at the first hole as you have to dial it straight up the mountain. Then it’s up-down, up-down for the next six holes, which include the incredible par-5 third hole that features a green saddled between to hilltop peaks, and the equally mind-bending par-4 fourth, where the 180-degree view of the Superstition Mountains seem to run forever. Oh, yes, and didn’t we mention the par-3 fifth that drops about 100 feet from tee to green.
Our tip for the Dinosaur Course at Gold Canyon, a Ken Kavanaugh design: Buckle up and bring your Nikon.
To read “The Buzz” on Dinosaur’s sister course at Gold Canyon – the Sidewinder Course – please click here.