GOLD CANYON GOLF RESORT
🇺🇸 Gold Canyon, AZ, USA
Designed by Ken Kavanaugh


The Sidewinder course at Gold Canyon Golf Resort opened in 1999 as the property's second eighteen, designed by Ken Kavanaugh to complement the resort's original Dinosaur Mountain layout. Situated in the Superstition Mountains foothills east of Phoenix, the course occupies lower-elevation terrain than its companion, offering a different playing experience within the same dramatic desert landscape. Kavanaugh routed the holes through relatively flatter ground with generous fairways and more forgiving sight lines, making Sidewinder the more accessible of Gold Canyon's two courses.
The design incorporates native Sonoran Desert vegetation—saguaro cacti, ocotillo, and palo verde—as natural hazards and visual framing, while strategic bunkering and water features on several holes add definition to the layout. The course takes advantage of mountain views throughout, particularly toward the Superstitions to the north. Elevation changes are moderate compared to Dinosaur Mountain, though several holes feature enough movement to create varied stances and approach angles.
Gold Canyon Golf Resort operates as a daily-fee facility serving both resort guests and local golfers from the Phoenix metropolitan area. The Sidewinder course functions as a complementary option for players seeking a less demanding round or those new to desert golf, while still providing legitimate challenge from the back tees. The routing returns to the clubhouse at the turn, and the property's setting amid protected wilderness areas ensures the desert character remains intact around the golf corridors.
Reviews
Fun A couple of Great 9’s with the Wife in afternoon Start and Finish with a 5 Par Tight holes is its defense - You don’t need Driver until 18 if you want accurate shots 2 4 7 10 13 - 3 Pars
FAQ
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Sidewinder at Gold Canyon Golf Resort has a Course Vaults score of 7 out of 10 based on 7 explicit golfer ratings.
Sidewinder was designed by Ken Kavanaugh.
Yes. Sidewinder at Gold Canyon Golf Resort is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Sidewinder is 71.
Sidewinder plays 6,533 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Sidewinder is 112.