Winding through the ridges, ravines and box canyons of the McDowell Mountains, Eagle Mountain Golf Club has been a Sonoran Desert staple in the Scottsdale golf scene for nearly two decades. As you amble through a round of golf, lush desert arroyos and steep mountain peaks offer extraordinary views that take your breath away. And while a host of new and exciting courses have come online since Eagle Mountain first debuted, it’s still hard to overlook this spectacular golf experience situated high above the Valley of the Sun.

The brainchild of world-renowned course architect, Scott Miller, Eagle Mountain Golf Club in Fountain Hills is perched at an elevation nearly 2,000 feet above the Valley. The par-71, 6,800-yard layout provides iconic views of spectacular homes, wildlife and thick chaparral-type vegetation. Fortune favors the bold off the tee, and high-handicappers will be relieved to find a course that is more forgiving than it appears. Many fairways – seemingly cut from the mountainsides – slope towards the center, on one side or the other, protecting precious Titleists from a one-way trip into shady arroyos filled with saguaro cacti and other spiny desert flora.

Arriving at the first hole – aptly named Taking Flight – players find themselves surrounded by an explosion of colorful sunrises and sunsets, as well as panoramic views of the entire Phoenix area. A downhill tee shot beckons the big dog on the par-5 4th, tempting long hitters to give it a go. And the rest of the balanced front nine keeps the pressure on with holes appropriately named Washout, Arroyo Run and On the Rocks.

After a quick bite at the turn, the course continues to show off its desert beauty leading up to the finishing holes. Nos. 16 and 17 call for healthy tee shots over gnarly washes as they bend around the belly of a steep mountain. From there, golfers scramble up to the dramatically elevated 18th tee to launch soaring drives into the perfect combination of unspoiled nature and man-made landscapes.

If you’re looking to shave a few strokes off your game, the Eagle Mountain Golf Academy is one of the premier golf schools in Arizona. The club’s fantastic facilities and top-notch instructors makes productive learning sessions a breeze for groups or private coaching. Derek Nannen, the Director of Instruction, has experience on the PGA TOUR and the Nationwide Tour and is committed to making the game more enjoyable for players of all abilities.

Amazing views of the surrounding landscape are not confined to the golf course. The Grille at Eagle Mountain is framed by stunning views of the southeast Valley through floor-to-ceiling windows, providing a comfortable and memorable dining experience for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Chef Carmelo Chairez serves up all-American favorites with a dash of southwestern zest, a coveted combination of quality and variety. And on Wednesday nights, The Grille at Eagle Mountain hosts an all-you-can-eat buffet called “border disorder,” with a varying menu to keep guests from falling into a dining rut.

For out-of-town guests staying nearby, Eagle Mountain Golf Club offers free shuttle transportation for your golf party to and from eleven resorts in the Scottsdale area including the Clarion Hotel Scottsdale, Copperwynd Resort & Club, Hotel Valley Ho, and others.  

Whether you’re visiting Scottsdale for the first time or a native, the views at Eagle Mountain Golf Club will help you fall in love with desert golf. The challenging yet fair course combined with luxurious amenities and extraordinary scenery takes guests on an inspiring journey through some of the most elegant and picturesque southwestern terrain in the country. 

Visit www.EagleMTN.com or call 480.816.1234 to book your tee time.