GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
4.5
1381 Reviews (1381)
5 Stars
944
4 Stars
324
3 Stars
71
2 Stars
30
1 Stars
12
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.3
Layout
4.7
Friendliness
4.8
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.6
92.9%
Recommend this course
1289 out of 1381 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
49 Reviews (49)
5 Stars
28
4 Stars
16
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.1
Value
4.4
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.8
StaffFriendliness
4.9
93.9%
Recommend this course
46 out of 49 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
124 Reviews (124)
5 Stars
82
4 Stars
30
3 Stars
9
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.3
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.7
StaffFriendliness
4.8
92.7%
Recommend this course
115 out of 124 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Style Traditional/Links
Par 72
Length 7546 yards
Slope 142
Rating 76.4

Stretching over 320 acres in the southwest area, Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club (previously known as Royal Dunes) transforms mostly flat terrain into a challenging course that uses practically twice the amount of land a standard course. The course incorporates superb landscaping featuring towering mounds and hollow valleys for an interesting and scenic game. This desert golf course has wide fairways and generous landing areas. The dunes-style layout requires precision from tee to green. The difficulty of the golf course lies within the deep, strategically placed sand bunkers, multi-tiered greens, and native grass roughs. Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club provides adequate challenge for players of any skill level.

Book a Tee Time at
Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club
Powered by GolfNow.com

Course Details

Year Built 2002
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens Bermuda Grass
Golf Season Year round. Closed on Mondays from June 1 - August 31st
Architect Brian Curley (2002) Fred Couples (2002) Lee E. Schmidt (2002)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Caddies Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Metal Spikes Allowed No
Dress code Appropriate golf attire.

Food & Beverage

Bar, Grill

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Banquet Facilities, Spa, Locker Rooms

Available Sports

Fitness

Accolades

The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+
waivedfees
10 rounds of waived fees
golf ball.svg
$120 in tee time credits
teetime protection.svg
Tee Time Protection
redeemtrophy
Redeem GolfPass points

Reviews

4.5
1381 Reviews (1381)

Reviewer Photos

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Always fun to play!

This layout is always fun. This course gives you multiple options off the tee and makes it fun and different each time you lay it. Course condition is always good when we go. No reason to knit pick any issue. your in the hot barren desert, deal with it!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Just a bear of a course

Tough course where distance and accuracy are highly coveted. Course was in stellar shape and the folks here are always so friendly. Only complaint was the twosome in front of me and a couple other groups that didn’t know what “playing through” meant and forced us all to watch them tee off and then search for their ball. Late afternoon, you can’t expect a ranger on a weekday but worth the drive to experience

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Great Course

1st time playing this course. just remember this course has a lot of bunkers so play smart!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Cool course on a Hot day and cart fun

Course was a little dry but it's been 110+ the last couple weeks so to be expected. The only issue was the carts. We were still on the fairway and got the dreaded get back on the course notice. When we tried to put in reverse or forward nothing happened. So we had to get out and try and push it to the point where it would reengage on hole 13. Mind you it's 112 degrees out and we were on a little slope and it took us almost 10 minutes. We were al wiped out after this.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 31
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

BKR 08-10-2025

Southern Dunes is a really challenging course and fun to play.

Play was a little slow on 8/10/2025 and we felt a push or two was justified.

All service personnel were friendly and we enjoyed a few drinks and food at the Arroyo Grill.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Concrete bunkers

Always liked this course. The bunkers were beyond difficult as no actual sand. At least break up the hard top or put sand in. This was the only reason for the lower rating. Love everything about this place but the bunkers (which are many) are almost unplayable right now.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Drainage

It had poured the night before. So the conditions were not great. But the drainage problems even created more problems.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great Round of Golf

Had an awesome time out for a Friday afternoon. Had just rained a lot the day prior, so it was cart-path only, unfortunately. But course was still in great shape, wasn’t very busy and we were able to play at a great pace. Staff was also very friendly and helpful, got us out a little early since it was a slower day. Great experience and will definitely be back!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 28
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great Course

Despite the greens being very slow I always enjoy playing this course. The only complaint i have is that sand traps are very inconsistent. Some do not have any sand in the bottom of the trap. The entire staff is very friendly. Pace of play was excellent.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Great track - great price!

Would have easily rated it 5 stars, but greens were bumpy due to recent aeration.. lots of bunkers (160, I think!!), but all in perfect shape from what I saw. Overall a fantastic track - will definitely be back!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 31
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

BKRSouthern Dunes

Overall the course was in good condition. However, I received notification 5 days prior to playing that the greens had been created. Not the best thing for the short game and putting. We enjoy the course because it provides challenges. Just did not need the additional issue on the putting surfaces.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 57
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

8 minute tee times

This course is to difficult for 8 minute intervals for tee times . They need to allow more time since there are so many bunkers. It takes the average golfer 2 minutes to get in the bunkers hit the shot and fix the bunker . As the pace of play slows down golfers stop fixing the traps just to speed up play which sucks for everyone. Pace of play was 5.15 for total round . 3 hours to play front 9 2.15 on back . I think the back played quicker since a few golfers quit after nine due to pace and heat ,

I think the course needs to rethink there tee time schedule . I understand revenue but no one likes standing in a fairway when its 110!

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Nearby Courses
Maricopa, Arizona
Public
4.1625044938
1820
Chandler, Arizona
Resort
4.6670694474
687
Sun Lakes, Arizona
Private Community
0.0
0
Phoenix, Arizona
Public
3.6166304385
2660
Sun Lakes, Arizona
Public
4.4844834486
183
Sun Lakes, Arizona
Private
3.0
1
Sun Lakes, Arizona
Public
4.4844834486
183
Sun Lakes, Arizona
Private
0.0
0
Chandler, Arizona
Semi-Private
4.825
141
Chandler, Arizona
Public/Resort
3.9026793724
2055
Golf Packages

The Triple Down Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
PHOENIX/SCOTTSDALE | Enjoy lodging accommodations at Gila River Resorts & Casino - Wild Horse Pass or Harrah's Ak-Chin Hotel & Casino and golf at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes and Whirlwind Golf Club - Cattail & Devil's Claw courses.

Whirlwind Golf Getaway Package

CLICK BELOW
CHANDLER | Enjoy lodging accommodations at Gila River Resorts & Casino - Wild Horse Pass and golf at Whirlwind Golf Club - Cattail & Devil's Claw courses.

True Spec Fitting Experience Package

FROM $277 (USD)
PHOENIX/SCOTTSDALE | Enjoy 4 nights’ accommodations at Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, 2 rounds of golf at Westin Kierland Golf Club & Troon North - Monument Course, and a custom fitting session at the True Spec world headquarters.

The Fairways of Fountain Hills Package

CLICK BELOW
PHOENIX/SCOTTSDALE | Enjoy accommodations at ADERO Scottsdale Resort, Autograph Collection or The Inn at Eagle Mountain and golf at Eagle Mountain Golf Club & SunRidge Canyon Golf Club
Sunridge Canyon Golf Club

The Fairways of Fountain Hills Package

CLICK BELOW
PHOENIX/SCOTTSDALE | Enjoy accommodations at ADERO Scottsdale Resort, Autograph Collection or The Inn at Eagle Mountain and golf at Eagle Mountain Golf Club and SunRidge Canyon Golf Club
Now Reading
  • Home

  • Memberships

  • Library

  • Account