Looking for top-notch golf in Fountain Hills? Here's what you need to know:
- 4 standout private clubs: FireRock, Eagle Mountain, SunRidge Canyon, Desert Canyon
- Courses offer desert views, challenging layouts, and excellent conditions
- Prices range from $60 twilight rates to $290 peak season
Quick Comparison:
Club | Type | Designer | Length | Slope |
---|---|---|---|---|
FireRock | Private | Gary Panks | 6,984 yards | 134 |
Eagle Mountain | Public | Scott Miller | 6,800 yards | N/A |
SunRidge Canyon | Public | Keith Foster | 6,823 yards | 142 |
Desert Canyon | Public | John Allen | 6,415 yards | 125 |
Each club has its own perks:
- FireRock: Exclusive membership, tough course
- Eagle Mountain: Public access, varied tee options
- SunRidge Canyon: Known for its challenging "Wicked 6" finish
- Desert Canyon: GPS carts, more forgiving layout
Want to play? Summer and twilight times offer the best deals. But remember, even in off-peak, you're looking at $40-$130 per round.
FireRock Country Club
FireRock Country Club is a private golf club in Fountain Hills, Arizona. It opened in February 2000 and features an 18-hole championship course designed by Gary Panks.
The course offers a true desert golf experience:
- Minimal housing around the course
- Views of surrounding mountain ranges
- Five tee sets for different skill levels
One golfer said: "A fantastic golf private golf course that allows some public play."
FireRock's amenities include:
Amenity | Details |
---|---|
Driving Range | Grass range, practice facility |
Clubhouse | Lounge, patios with fireplaces |
Dining | Main Dining Room overlooking 18th hole |
Fitness | Health/fitness facility |
Sports | Tennis and pickleball courts |
Swimming | Member pool |
The club offers three membership types:
- Equity Golf
- Sports
- Social
Equity Golf members get unlimited course access for themselves, partners, and kids under 23.
While private, FireRock allows some public play at about $180 per round.
The club's appeal? A mix of challenging golf, great facilities, and a friendly vibe. You don't need to live in FireRock to join, either.
2. Eagle Mountain Golf Club
Eagle Mountain Golf Club sits in Fountain Hills' McDowell Mountains, just a stone's throw from Scottsdale. This Scott Miller course opened in 1996, stretching 6,800 yards with a par-71 layout that snakes through canyons and peaks.
It's a course for everyone. Check out the tee options:
Tee | Yardage | Slope | Rating |
---|---|---|---|
Gold | 6,800 | 136 | 71.2 |
Green | 6,269 | 129 | 69.0 |
White | 5,900 | 121 | 66.5 |
Purple | 5,065 | 118 | 68.2 |
The layout? It's a sweet spot between tough and forgiving. Not many forced carries, and those rolling fairways? They're like a homing beacon for your ball.
Want to join? Here's the breakdown:
Membership Type | Monthly Fee |
---|---|
Family | $250 |
Individual | $220 |
Junior (30 and under) | $150 |
Out of County | $165 |
Social Deluxe | $120 |
Don't forget: there's sales tax and a $50 monthly food and drink minimum.
Eagle Mountain's got some bragging rights:
- "#1 Public Golf Course" (Ranking Arizona, 2006 and 2007)
- "Top 50 Public Courses in the Country" (Golf World's 2009 Readers Poll)
- "Best New Public Golf Course" (Arizona Republic, 1996)
What else? Free range balls, a pro shop, restaurant with views, and an event space.
But here's the thing: the course is a hit, but the staff? Mixed reviews. A March 2024 group said:
"The golf course has a great layout and was in very good condition. However, the staff is in serious need of Customer Service training."
Pro tip: Show up early. Get a feel for the course and those tricky greens.
Bottom line: Eagle Mountain's a solid choice for Fountain Hills golf. Great play, killer views, fancy extras. Just keep those staff reviews in mind when you book.
3. SunRidge Canyon Golf Club
SunRidge Canyon Golf Club in Fountain Hills, Arizona, is a Keith Foster-designed course that'll test your skills. This 6,823-yard par-71 layout makes the most of the Sonoran Desert's natural terrain.
The course has a unique setup:
Front Nine | Back Nine | "Wicked 6" |
---|---|---|
Descends, easier | Climbs, tougher | Final six holes, super challenging |
It's not for the faint-hearted:
Tee | Yardage | Slope | Rating |
---|---|---|---|
Back | 6,823 | 142 | 72.6 |
Forward | 5,122 | 128 | N/A |
SunRidge Canyon favors accuracy over power. Nine fairways cross natural washes, adding to the challenge while preserving the environment.
Joel Schafer, Director of Golf, puts it this way:
"It's definitely a shot makers course. You have to hit every club in the bag."
Watch out for:
- Hole 15: 457-yard par 4 with bunkers galore
- Hole 17: Signature par 3, 152 to 209 yards
After your round, hit the Wicked 6 Bar and Grill. On Fridays, they even have bagpipes at sunset!
Need new clubs? The on-site Hot Stix facility is ranked #1 for club fitting.
Prices vary:
Season | Price Range |
---|---|
Peak | Up to $290 |
Summer | $40 - $65 |
Some golfers find the front nine less exciting, but most love the overall experience and service.
Tips for your visit:
- Get there early to warm up
- Practice your short game
- Use the 90-degree rule to keep pace
- Club up on uphill shots
SunRidge Canyon: challenging golf in a stunning desert setting.
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4. Desert Canyon Golf Club
Desert Canyon Golf Club in Fountain Hills, Arizona, is a John Allen-designed course that opened in 1971. This 18-hole championship course offers a true desert mountain experience.
The course takes advantage of the Sonoran Desert's natural beauty:
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Layout | 6,506 yards, par 71, slope 125 |
Fairways | Wind around desert barrancas and arroyos |
Greens | Large, well-maintained |
Views | Mountain backdrops and 550-foot fountain |
Mike Elmore, Golf Director, says:
"Our oversized greens generally slope away from the mountains. This can really help players score well."
The course has three tee options:
Tee | Yardage | Slope |
---|---|---|
Back | 6,415 | 123 |
Middle | 6,045 | 117 |
Forward | 5,352 | 117 |
Carts come with GPS for accurate yardages and hole descriptions.
Facilities include a driving range, chipping area, putting green, pro shop, changing rooms, restaurant, and outdoor patio.
Membership options:
Membership | Sign-up Fee | Monthly Fee | Key Benefits |
---|---|---|---|
Par+ | $299 | $0 | Free rounds, best rates |
Birdie+ | $299 | $99 | Above + range discounts |
Eagle+ | $299 | $149 | Above + grill discounts |
Non-member green fees:
- 18 Hole Resident: $69
- 18 Southwest Pass: $58
- Twilight: $39 (time varies)
A visitor shared:
"Knowledgeable staff, forgiving fairways, well maintained course with great views. Our round took about 4 hours and 15 minutes for a group of four."
Tip: On the first hole, aim at or left of the stake to avoid the desert.
Desert Canyon Golf Club offers challenging play and stunning desert views, making it a top choice in Fountain Hills.
Club Features Comparison
Let's break down the key features of Fountain Hills' top golf clubs:
Feature | FireRock | Eagle Mountain | SunRidge Canyon | Desert Canyon |
---|---|---|---|---|
Course Length | 6,984 yards | 6,800 yards | N/A | 6,415 yards |
Par | 72 | 71 | N/A | 71 |
Course Rating | 72.9 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Slope | 134 | N/A | N/A | 125 |
Designer | Gary Panks | Scott Miller | N/A | John Allen |
Membership | Private (395 max) | Public | N/A | Public |
Green Fees | Members only | $85 - $195 | N/A | $69 (Resident) |
GPS Carts | N/A | No | N/A | Yes |
Practice Facilities | N/A | Yes | N/A | Yes |
Pro Shop | N/A | Yes | N/A | Yes |
Restaurant | Yes | Yes | N/A | Yes |
FireRock? It's the VIP club of the bunch. Only 395 lucky golfers get in, and that slope rating of 134? It's not messing around.
Eagle Mountain's got range. Literally. You can play anywhere from 5,000 to 6,700+ yards. And that 17th hole? "Sunset Point" isn't just a pretty name - it's a desert ravine challenge that'll test your skills.
Desert Canyon's bringing tech to the tee with GPS carts. No more guessing distances or getting lost between holes.
SunRidge Canyon? Well, they're playing it close to the chest. Not much info out there, but that doesn't mean it's not worth checking out.
Here's the deal: each club's got its own flavor. Private or public? Tough course or more forgiving? High-tech or old school?
My advice? Get out there and play a round at each. Nothing beats firsthand experience when you're picking your golf home.
Wrap-up
Fountain Hills, Arizona is a golf lover's dream. Here's the scoop on its top clubs:
FireRock Country Club: The big cheese. Only 395 members. Tough course (134 slope rating) designed by Gary Panks.
Eagle Mountain Golf Club: Public, but top-notch. USA Today says it's one of Scottsdale's 10 best. 6,800 yards, good for all skill levels.
SunRidge Canyon Golf Club: GolfWeek calls it one of the "Best Courses You Can Play." Watch out for the "Wicked Six" final holes.
Desert Canyon Golf Club: Shorter at 6,415 yards, but no pushover. 7th hole is an Arizona favorite.
Heads up: Golf here isn't cheap. You might shell out up to $271 per round. But many say the views and quality make it worth it.
"Course was good, greens a bit slow. Cart staff great. 3 1/2 hour round. Nice views of Fountain Hills." - Tripadvisor Member
Each club has its own vibe. Want privacy? Tech features? Killer views? Fountain Hills has you covered. Best way to pick? Play 'em all and see which feels right.