Public

Sidewinder Course

Gold Canyon Golf Resort

Gold Canyon, AZ, USA
Dhosack821
drewkpelletier9
JZ Sr.
tristan.hogan
rypell67
+20
18 holesPar 716,533 yds71.4/112

About this course

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.

Rankings

Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.

2199

Best in World

1985

Best in USA

65

Best in AZ

Quick facts

Location
Gold Canyon, AZ, USA
Access
Public
Year built
1997
Holes
18
Par
71
Length
6,533 yards
Difficulty
71.4/112
Course Vaults score
7.4

Getting there

The journey to Gold Canyon Golf Resort begins at Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX), roughly forty miles to the west, where the urban sprawl of the Valley quickly gives way to open desert as you head east along US-60. The drive - just under an hour in clear conditions - traces the gradual rise toward the Superstition Mountains, their jagged, rust-colored ridges growing more dramatic with each mile. As the highway narrows and the saguaro-studded landscape takes hold, you'll turn south into Gold Canyon itself, a quiet enclave pressed against the mountain's western flank, where the resort unfolds in a setting of raw Sonoran beauty and geologic grandeur.

FAQ

Common questions about Sidewinder at Gold Canyon Golf Resort

Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.

Sidewinder at Gold Canyon Golf Resort has a Course Vaults score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 25 logged golfers.

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.

250,000+
Course Reviews
+ 4.8
App Store

How many courses have you played?

Download Course Vaults on iOS and begin your golf legacy.

Course Vaults on three iPhones: player passport, map discovery, and course detail