Community

Clubhouse

The Desert Highlands clubhouse has been internationally recognized for its stunning design and masterful integration with the surrounding grandeur of Pinnacle Peak. Its exterior and interior seamlessly coexist in an atmosphere of casual dining, refined service and graciousness. Never too formal, never too casual, the clubhouse and dining experience epitomizes a relaxed and welcoming ambiance. Sourcing local ingredients from our region, Desert Highlands’ culinary team customizes dining experiences for members and guests, with exclusive menus that highlight the freshest and finest cuisines Arizona has to offer.

Fitness Center & Pool

Desert Highlands prides itself on promoting an environment enriched in living well. The world-class fitness center is a 7,700-square foot, state-of-the-art fitness haven featuring modern facilities and cutting-edge equipment enabling members to prioritize self-care and well-being. Uniquely crafted fitness classes help members reach individual health goals with custom-tailored workouts designed by the club’s personal training staff. The fitness center offers men’s and women’s locker rooms equipped with exquisite wet areas that include steam and full showers, and two massage therapy rooms with a variety of massage services. Heated year-round, the swimming pool offers a combination of lap swim or relaxation.

Putting Course

Back in the mid-1980s, Desert Highlands made golf industry headlines by becoming the first club in the U.S. (and second in the world) to install an 18-hole professionally designed putting course. The extensive (par-41) putting course is a Gary Panks design that features more than 60,000 square feet of lush putting surface. Desert Highlands residents and their guests can hone their putting skills in a pleasurable and relaxing manner in the midst of some of the finest scenery in the Southwest.

Raquet Club

TENNIS: Unrivaled in the Valley, Desert Highlands’ impressive Racquet Club boasts 13 tennis courts featuring all three grand slam surfaces — grass, clay and hard. The Highlands Racquet Club hosts an active competitive and recreational calendar year-round with multiple levels of play. Members enjoy a full schedule of weekly and monthly events and tournaments.

PICKLEBALL: Our four pickleball courts allow members a chance to play the country’s fastest growing sport. This low-impact yet highly entertaining sport is a mix between badminton, tennis and table tennis. Both of our custom-built, two-tone green pickleball courts are regulation size, with a waiting and seating area next to the entry gate and easily accessible locker rooms near the courts.

RACQUET CLUB LAWN: A pet-friendly community, Desert Highlands boasts a Dog-friendly Park located at the Highlands Racquet Club. A favorite afternoon gathering spot, the lawn provides our four-legged friends the opportunity to let loose, exercise and socialize with their friends.

FISHING POND: The Pond and Garden is a fun place for Members and guests alike featuring a butterfly/botanical garden, walking path, shade area, and a small amphitheater area with stone benches. The pond is stocked with a variety of fish for your catch and release fishing fun!

Residential Services

At Desert Highlands, you can rest assured that you’re in good hands with our dedicated Residential Services team. From shipping services to home inspections and repair referrals, they are always available for any request. They’ll even watch over your home while you’re away! Our staff is committed to giving members complete peace of mind. Because you deserve one less thing to worry about.

Security

Providing peace of mind is our ultimate priority! Our state-of-the-art security system and professionally trained security personnel combine to make the Desert Highlands experience safe and comforting. Desert Highlands Security Department is an in-house operation consisting of highly trained friendly security officers who operate the department 24 hours per day, seven days a week.

West Gate

Located in the West section of Desert Highlands, the West Gate provides a private entrance/exit for residents only. The West Gate offers convenient access to Pima Road and local shopping areas.

Garden Amenity

The Pond and Garden is a fun place for Members and guests alike featuring a butterfly/botanical garden, walking path, shade area, and a small amphitheater area with stone benches. It is an idyllic setting for outdoor yoga, weddings or simply your own moment of Zen.

The Hillside Villa Estates

Nestled immediately below Pinnacle Peak with the golf course ribboning below, The Hillside Villas form a private village that crowns the exclusive 850-acre community. Uniquely incorporated into the site, the neighborhood is customized to grace the natural setting and to maximize privacy. Each home is uniquely and carefully placed on its site to take greatest advantage of the landscape while enhancing the desert experience and views.

The Heights

Located at the base of Pinnacle Peak, The Heights at Desert Highlands offers unsurpassed views of the city lights and the surrounding mountain areas. Each home is designed to provide sweeping views with little maintenance and a “lock and leave” approach to living.

Golf Practice Area

Other practice facilities at Desert Highlands include a staffed practice area with unlimited complimentary balls, separate pitching/chipping areas, sand practice areas and a pre-play putting green. Enhance your game through practice or consider taking a lesson from one of our PGA teaching professionals.

Walking Paths

Throughout the community members enjoy our walking paths for our outdoor enthusiasts. Three outlined walking paths (The Agave path, Bursage Path or Catclaw Path) provide our members the opportunity to enjoy the scenic Sonoran Desert, Putting Course, Garden Amenity and views of Pinnacle Peak and the surrounding mountain ranges.

Hole #1

Par: 4 | Men’s Handicap: 13 | Ladies’ Handicap: 14

From a granite grotto overlooking the valley, your tee shot descends 125 feet to a generous landing area. Your approach shot to an undulating green requires accuracy and distance control.

Hole #2

Par: 5 | Men’s Handicap: 7 | Ladies’ Handicap: 8

From an elevated tee box, your drive must carry a 180-yard expanse of desert to island fairway. Green is reachable in two with following wind. Beware of hollows and bunkers.

Hole #3

Par: 4 | Men’s Handicap: 3 | Ladies’ Handicap: 6

Accurate drive to the left-center of the fairway will miss mounds on right. Long iron second must fly over deep natural area. Spacious green runs away from the golfer. A most demanding par 4.

Hole #4

Par: 3 | Men’s Handicap: 17 | Ladies’ Handicap: 18

Across desert vegetation and dry wash to split-level green. Tricky green requires good club selection and a well-struck iron off tee.

Hole #5

Par: 4 | Men’s Handicap: 11 | Ladies’ Handicap: 4

A very demanding tee shot with a fairway bunker guarding the entire right side. Approach shot is to a green at an elevation some fifty feet below the tee. Mounds, traps, and grass hollows impinge upon fairway.

Hole #6

Par: 4 | Men’s Handicap: 9 | Ladies’ Handicap: 12

Gambler’s choice, with two fairways divided by desert arroyo. Safety first on the right side or the better approach angle from the left. Difficult mid-iron approach shot to a narrow green.

Hole #7

Par: 3 | Men’s Handicap: 15 | Ladies’ Handicap: 16

Medium iron off tee across desert to the green. Gaping bunker running the entire length of the green awaits the errant tee shot. Shot placement important because of small, sloping green.

Hole #8

Par: 4 | Men’s Handicap: 1 | Ladies’ Handicap: 10

The big hitter will carry the grass hollow to the right side of the fairway. This uphill hole offers deep natural hazards looming in front and to the left of the green.

Hole #9

Par: 5 | Men’s Handicap: 5 | Ladies’ Handicap: 2

A demanding uphill three-shot hole for the average golfer. Going for the green in two requires your shot to carry a fifteen-foot deep green side bunker. Offers a picturesque view of Pinnacle Peak.

Hole #10

Par: 4 | Men’s Handicap: 8 | Ladies’ Handicap: 9

Out-of-bounds abuts hole on the right with natural desert areas on the left. Charming rocky nook cradles an elevated tee box overlooking rolling fairway with mounds on the right. Open natural wash guards green.

Hole #11

Par: 5 | Men’s Handicap: 2 | Ladies’ Handicap: 1

Double trouble…natural wash is in play from the tee and across the fairway on your approach. Undulating green requires accurate approach.

Hole #12

Par: 3 | Men’s Handicap: 16 | Ladies’ Handicap: 13

Not only do tees offer varying distances, each provides a different angle to largest green on course. Club selection dictates play on this hole.

Hole #13

Par: 4 | Men’s Handicap: 10 | Ladies’ Handicap: 11

Another hole with a choice of fairways. Right: long drive must carry desert and mounds for short pitch. Left: Safer off tee, but natural wash a hazard. Short iron approach sets up a good birdie chance.

Hole #14

Par: 4 | Men’s Handicap: 6 | Ladies’ Handicap: 7

Gorgeous views of Pinnacle Peak may be distraction off tee. Dramatic dog leg left. Fairway narrows to terraced green.

Hole #15

Par: 3 | Men’s Handicap: 18 | Ladies’ Handicap: 17

Shortest hole on course, but Pinnacle Peak shoves a rocky shoulder into putting surface.

Hole #16

Par: 3 | Men’s Handicap: 14 | Ladies’ Handicap: 15

The most beautiful view of the Valley from the Championship tee. Favors long, low hitters for run-on to reach green off tee. Green forms three tiers stepping down and away from the tees toward the Valley.

Hole #17

Par: 5 | Men’s Handicap: 4 | Ladies’ Handicap: 3

All the way, long and downhill off the tee. Safe shooters lay up, but on second shot, strong and confident hitters go for the green.

Hole #18

Par: 5 | Men’s Handicap: 12 | Ladies’ Handicap: 5

The final hole jogs to a small, hidden, terraced green. All but the brave lay up. Atop Clubhouse Rock near this hole, Nicklaus first surveyed the raw desert.