Superstition Mountain Golf Club

The Prospector Course at Superstition Mountain Golf Club opened in 2000 as the second of two Jack Nicklaus designs at this facility in Apache Junction, roughly forty miles east of Phoenix. Jack Nicklaus collaborated with his son Gary on the routing, which unfolds across high Sonoran Desert terrain at the base of the Superstition Mountains. The course sits at approximately 1,800 feet elevation, where the landscape features saguaro cacti, palo verde, and ocotillo among natural desert washes and rocky outcroppings. The routing takes advantage of the property's natural elevation changes and desert arroyos, with fairways carved through native vegetation and framed by the dramatic backdrop of the Superstitions to the east. The design emphasizes strategic options from the tee, with multiple landing areas and risk-reward scenarios that allow players to choose aggressive or conservative lines depending on conditions and skill level. Water features appear on several holes, contrasting with the arid surroundings, and the bunkering follows Nicklaus's preference for deep, sculptured hazards that demand precise recovery shots. Superstition Mountain operates as a private club serving both full-time residents and seasonal members who spend winter months in the Valley of the Sun. The Prospector plays as the more challenging of the club's two Nicklaus courses, with length and desert carries that test better players while remaining playable for members across different skill levels.