Some clubs are defined by a single great course. Desert Mountain is defined by a collection no one else on earth can claim: six Jack Nicklaus Signature Championship golf courses, plus a seventh short course, terraced across the high Sonoran Desert north of Scottsdale.
Set at elevation in the foothills of the Continental Mountains, Desert Mountain sits above the valley floor — cooler, quieter, and framed by saguaro, granite, and long desert views. It is consistently ranked among the premier private club communities in the United States, and its golf résumé is simply without parallel.
Six Nicklaus Courses — and a Seventh
Desert Mountain is the only private club in the world to hold six Jack Nicklaus Signature Championship courses: Renegade (1987), Cochise (1988), Geronimo (1989), Apache (1996), Chiricahua (1999), and Outlaw (2003) — the largest single collection of Nicklaus designs anywhere. Cochise has hosted PGA TOUR Champions competition, and each layout carries its own character, from the forgiving playability of Renegade to the dramatic desert framing of Chiricahua.
The club then added a seventh: Seven, a par-54 short course conceived purely for fun and fast, walkable rounds — a modern amenity that has become one of the most talked-about features in American club golf.
Life Beyond the Fairways
Golf is the headline, but Desert Mountain is a full lifestyle club. Members enjoy a portfolio of clubhouses and dining venues, the Sonoran Fitness and spa facilities, tennis and pickleball, and a network of private hiking trails threading the surrounding desert preserve. The result is a community designed to be lived in year-round, not merely played.
Joining the Club
Membership at Desert Mountain is reserved for property owners within the community, with categories structured around how much golf a member wants — from full access across all seven courses to more focused lifestyle options. As with most clubs of this caliber, initiation and dues are shared directly by the membership office upon inquiry.
Membership at a Glance
Initiation fees and dues are provided by the membership office upon inquiry.
Real Estate at Desert Mountain
Homes inside the guard-gated community range from desert contemporary villas to multi-acre custom estates along the fairways and ridgelines, and ownership is the gateway to membership. Desert Mountain regularly anchors our roundup of the most expensive golf course homes in Arizona, and its per-square-foot pricing sits among the strongest in the Southwest — see where it lands in our 2026 Luxury Golf Real Estate Market Report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Desert Mountain Club?
Desert Mountain is a private club community in the high Sonoran Desert of north Scottsdale, Arizona, set at elevation in the surrounding foothills.
How many golf courses does Desert Mountain have?
Seven — six Jack Nicklaus Signature Championship courses (Renegade, Cochise, Geronimo, Apache, Chiricahua and Outlaw) plus Seven, a par-54 short course. It is the only private club in the world with six Nicklaus Signature courses.
Who designed the courses at Desert Mountain?
All six championship courses are Jack Nicklaus Signature designs, built between 1987 and 2003 — the largest collection of Nicklaus courses at any single club.
Do you have to own property to join Desert Mountain?
Yes. Membership is reserved for property owners within the Desert Mountain community, across full-golf, Seven-golf and lifestyle categories.
How much does Desert Mountain membership cost?
The club does not publish pricing. Current initiation fees and annual dues for each membership category are provided directly by the membership office upon inquiry.