Sidewinder at Gold Canyon Golf Resort

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.