Renegade (White Pins) at Desert Mountain Golf Club

Renegade is one of six Jack Nicklaus-designed courses at Desert Mountain Golf Club in Scottsdale, a private community situated in the high Sonoran Desert north of the city center. Opened in 1987, it was among the earliest layouts at the property and reflects Nicklaus's approach to desert golf during a period when architects were defining how to route courses through native terrain without excessive earthmoving. The course plays across rolling desert topography marked by saguaro cacti, rock outcroppings, and natural washes, with elevation changes that provide views across the surrounding mountain ranges.

The routing takes advantage of the site's natural contours, with fairways often framed by desert vegetation and strategic bunkering that emphasizes placement over pure distance. Several holes feature elevated tees or greens that accentuate the desert setting, and the design incorporates risk-reward decisions typical of Nicklaus's work from this era. The course has undergone periodic updates to maintain conditioning standards and adjust to modern equipment, but the essential character remains tied to its high-desert environment.

Desert Mountain operates as a private club with multiple courses, and Renegade is part of a rotation that allows members access to varied design styles and terrain. The club's facilities include dining and practice areas shared among the courses, and the community itself is known for its residential integration with golf infrastructure. Renegade serves as one of the more established layouts within the Desert Mountain portfolio, offering a representative example of Nicklaus's desert design philosophy.