Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club
Rating Snapshot
About
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.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tips | 72 | 7546 yards | 76.4 | 142 |
| Black | 72 | 7330 yards | 75.1 | 138 |
| Gold | 72 | 6902 yards | 72.4 | 129 |
| Blue | 72 | 6493 yards | 70.6 | 124 |
| White | 72 | 5981 yards | 68.2 | 118 |
| Red (W) | 72 | 5055 yards | 71.7 | 124 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tips M: 76.1/140 | 449 | 370 | 575 | 165 | 451 | 248 | 584 | 484 | 483 | 3809 | 412 | 189 | 468 | 606 | 323 | 496 | 576 | 204 | 463 | 3737 | 7546 |
| Black M: 75.2/138 | 433 | 365 | 548 | 160 | 426 | 244 | 576 | 465 | 445 | 3662 | 408 | 182 | 462 | 587 | 312 | 491 | 570 | 198 | 458 | 3668 | 7330 |
| Gold M: 72.7/132 | 411 | 323 | 513 | 152 | 390 | 217 | 548 | 445 | 421 | 3420 | 388 | 170 | 442 | 546 | 302 | 470 | 549 | 180 | 435 | 3482 | 6902 |
| Blue M: 71.2/129 | 382 | 310 | 467 | 145 | 370 | 200 | 530 | 429 | 415 | 3248 | 366 | 160 | 408 | 507 | 283 | 430 | 515 | 170 | 406 | 3245 | 6493 |
| White M: 68.7/124 W: 75.0/139 | 325 | 300 | 460 | 128 | 315 | 154 | 515 | 372 | 398 | 2967 | 342 | 139 | 355 | 496 | 260 | 410 | 499 | 138 | 375 | 3014 | 5981 |
| Red M: 64.3/105 W: 69.6/121 | 253 | 238 | 390 | 120 | 229 | 151 | 448 | 339 | 299 | 2467 | 301 | 112 | 298 | 451 | 252 | 362 | 412 | 124 | 276 | 2588 | 5055 |
| Handicap | 9 | 15 | 1 | 17 | 7 | 13 | 3 | 5 | 11 | 14 | 18 | 8 | 2 | 12 | 6 | 4 | 16 | 10 | |||
| Par | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
Bar, GrillAvailable Facilities
Clubhouse, Banquet Facilities, Spa, Locker RoomsAvailable Sports
FitnessAccolades
Reviews
Reviewer Photos
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Photo submitted by Mark6271553 on 01/29/2020
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Photo submitted by mikx3x3x3 on 08/25/2019
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Avoid the bunkers. Photo submitted by JasonDeeganGA on 01/14/2018
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Ak-Chin 2nd Photo submitted by Pizazz84 on 03/19/2017
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Ak-Chin 10th Photo submitted by Pizazz84 on 03/19/2017
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Photo submitted by Terry4060839 on 07/05/2016
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Hole 4 Photo submitted by salim on 03/19/2016
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Hole 2 Photo submitted by salim on 03/19/2016
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Photo submitted by Andyglad1 on 05/04/2015
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Photo submitted by Andyglad1 on 05/04/2015
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Photo submitted by Andyglad1 on 05/04/2015
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This guy wanted to play though... so we let him Photo submitted by yavo2596 on 10/07/2013
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Sand sand sand Photo submitted by strybosch on 02/20/2013
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Photo submitted by hottommy on 11/13/2012
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Photo submitted by hottommy on 11/13/2012
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some of the 109 bunkers Photo submitted by hottommy on 11/13/2012
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Photo submitted by jjrtdcaz on 10/12/2012
Extremely ast greens detract from fine layout
I've played this course a half dozen times, and absolutely love the variety and layout of holes (if one chooses the correct tees for their abilities, then most all greens are accessible to reach in regulation).
That said, the greens are usually quite fast and (when I recently played last week) sometimes "too quick" (I was even unable on multiple occasions to even "lag" a putt close from just 25-30 feet). These overly fast conditions on the greens can be rectified by proper treatment, but if not applied on such undulating surfaces actually make the course unpleasant to play in the sense that "reaching the green" is not rewarded with conditions a putter can adequately navigate. If the greens are to remain this fast, then the greens need to be somewhat "flattened" to make up for the speed of things.
Favorite course
This has been my favorite course in metro Phoenix since the first time I played it in the middle of the summer when I was expecting a course in “summer” condition and instead found a lush well maintained gem. Lots of bunkers and the course definitely sets up for someone who works the ball left to right. Very firm, fast greens.
One of the best
Conditions were mint tee to green. I’ve always enjoyed playing here. Probably the most consistent conditions amongst the top courses. I’d say Southern Dunes deserves more accolades
Great course!
Definitely a challenge. Played from the gold tees. Pins were insane with the copper cup being played that day.
Gorgeous Course
Fantastic scenery and incredibly helpful and responsive staff
Fav in AZ
I’m not used to target golf or desert golf so this is my favorite in AZ thus far - Greens need to be faster boys come on and stop being so friendly to the hacks
Frank
What a golf course in my top five. In are group we had a blue tee box “me” and golds do black. It was great from all Tee boxes.
Awesome course!! Friendly staff and good food! A must place to play!
Fun course
Other than the issues with the group behind us the experience and course was great. Will be back again someday.
Gorgeous course!
Today is the first time I played this course and I am very happy I did. It is a gorgeous course and a beautiful layout and it is in superb condition. The greens are fast but very true. If you don’t like sand traps don’t play here because this place is filled with sand traps. If you can only Play one course in Arizona, then play this one because you will cherish the time you spend on it. It is not an easy course by any means but You will have fun.
Covid
Great course. I played the course twice in the last week. Last Friday the policy regarding covid allowed singles to ride alone in a cart. When I showed up yesterday, I was informed that I had to share a cart with someone I didn’t know. Surprise! They said it’s a new policy implemented the previous day. I made it he teetime through TeeOff before this new policy was implemented. I said since this was a new policy not disclosed by TeeOff nor by the Southern Dunes website ( I checked), to allow me to ride alone. They said no and they can’t change the policy!! I did have the option of paying $25 more and I could take a cart out alone.
Stay & Play Offers
See my comment from 11/19/20 on the same cart issue. Kind of a joke for such a good (Troon) course. Again, while a good course, the on-course management and staff are kind of cartoonish. However, corporate Troon management called and addressed my issue the same day it occurred which was impressive and appreciated.