Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club

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: 76.5/142 | 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 W: 78.1/149 | 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 |
White/Red M: 66.8/115 W: 72.1/132 | 325 | 300 | 460 | 128 | 229 | 154 | 448 | 339 | 398 | 2781 | 342 | 139 | 298 | 451 | 252 | 362 | 499 | 138 | 276 | 2757 | 5538 |
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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Bare spots and snake... Photo submitted by tarifachris on 05/27/2022
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Could have played all night with the full moon. Photo submitted by SteveJWyo on 03/23/2022
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Photo submitted by u314160287695 on 03/14/2022
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Photo submitted by Jbwills99 on 12/23/2021
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Birthday round Photo submitted by Jbwills99 on 12/15/2021
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Photo submitted by ThePeteyRich on 11/22/2021
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Photo submitted by ThePeteyRich on 11/22/2021
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Photo submitted by ThePeteyRich on 11/22/2021
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Photo submitted by ThePeteyRich on 11/22/2021
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Photo submitted by ThePeteyRich on 11/22/2021
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Photo submitted by ThePeteyRich on 11/22/2021
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14th Photo submitted by u000004410047 on 02/16/2021
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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
Still great course - but course conditions are not like it was years ago!
Still great course. But course conditions compared to 5 years ago are no match. Years ago it was in immaculate condition at the same time of year. Greens were great and were running Stimp 12... Around the greens there are a lot of bare spots which makes it tough to go up and down. Sand traps are like compressed dirt. Pin positions were 18 tough pin placements. Played great and had even an eagle on number 13. Be careful there are a lot of snakes on the course at this time of year.
Great course
Amazing layout. Makes you think for each shot. My only complaint is more restrooms would be nice. Would definitely play again regardless. Lol
The Most Bunkers I Have Ever Seen
It took me the entire front nine to figure out I needed to avoid the bunkers at all cost. Two tier bunkers?OMG Once I did, back side was one over par. Fairways and greens were pretty lush for desert golf. Flies, bees, and other flying things were really annoying. There were quite a few gopher? holes too…see Caddyshack video attached LOL.
Greg the Starter was outstanding. He really helped all 4 of us have a good overview of the course and a brief history. Throughly enjoyed him.
And the gentleman who helped us upon arrival was great. He was really busy but reminded gracious and patient.
Best for money
the greens honestly made the course for me. so smooth and everything else was perfect. bunkers were great, all 180 of them. very fun course
Great course in great shape... Bunkers have the best sand compared to other courses I've played in Tucson and Phoenix area.
Pace of play very slow. Marshall simply told us that we were on pace...NOT.
Was a bad dust bowl due to high winds.... avoid on a super windy day if possible
I love the course
I enjoy playing Southern Dunes. The practice area, the course, the staff and bar area are all really nice. The pace was slightly slow but a great time nonetheless.
Ak Chin Southern Dunes
Outstanding course. Lots of traps. At least 1 in driving range on every hole!!!
Great gem
Great course. Firm, challenging greens. Nice fairways and layout. 2nd time playing and did not disappoint!
Always a great time
I love playing southern dunes, even as the wind was gusting 20mph. They take great pride in maintaining their course. Will be playing it again
Amazing Course in Maricopa, AZ - Horrible Mosquito Infestation
The Good
- From the moment you pull up to Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Course, you can tell you're in for a complete golf experience. When I arrived, the bag drop attendant was very attentive and pointed me in the right direction to the pro shop.and restrooms. We chatted about the course as was very excited to play a Fred Couple's designed course, being from Seattle and all.
- After checking-in, the bag drop attendant loaded my bag on the golf cart and I rode a short distance to the driving range. The driving range was great, grass hitting area, unlimited balls, and good yardage targets to calibrate your distances and ball flight. As usual, the range balls are flight limited and don’t have the same feel as a quality ball you would typically use during your round. The chipping and putting areas were also on-point and provided an accurate feel of grass and greens on the course.
- With the above being said, the greens are incredible...very very fast, very very firm...this is not a course where you're seeking to hit the flagstick on your approach shot as the ball will inevitably roll off the backside of the green and likely into one of the numerous bunkers throughout the course. The greens are so firm that your ball will not leave a ball mark from an approach shot. This is a course which caters to players who can hit quality bump and run shots; high lofted wedge shots, and those who can impart hella backspin on the ball to hold the greens. With that being said, the putts roll true to quality reads and behave accordingly to the break, slope, undulation, and grain. The areas of the green that are in the shade also rolled slower than those in the sun, which was appreciated after a couple holes.
- The tee boxes were in great shape, with clear demarcation of the yardages. Additionally, all the carts have GPS technology with screens that display the total yardage to the flagstick, touch point yardage to areas you want to hit at, as well as an approach-view that shows the undulation of the green so you can properly assess how you want to play the shot. The approach shotn feature was very useful as a first-time player on the course because tye greens are firm and many are elevated so you don't know your shot result until you walk up.
- Similarly, the fairways were also in fantastic shape. The grass slightly elevated the ball so you didn't have to take as large of a divot to ensure ball first and center-face contact, but was also not so high and fluffy like second cut or fringe grass. You can tell the course maintenance staff takes pride in their work and avid golfers will appreciate these conditions.
The Bad
- The only bad thing I can say about the course is manybofntge bunkers were hardpan and inconsistent. I'm speaking from the experience of my playing partners who often found their tee or approach shots funnelling into the bunkers. Its understandable that with so many bunkers on the course, the maintenance cannot rake every single one, every single morning. So the best advice I would share is stay out of the bunkers and if you do go, club up and utilize the bounce as well as you can.
The Ugly
Finally, I provide the ugly... the desert mosquitoes. Nothing can prepare you for the amount of mosquitoes that swarm around in the late afternoon. Apparently it's because they water the course in the morning and when it dries the mosquitoes come out. We didn't really experience it from holes 1-13. However beginning on hole 14 it was apparent that they were everywhere. Believe me, it will impact all of your shots because as you set up to hit and are still, the mosquitoes buzz around your ears, eyes, mouth, and will even land on your shirt and pants to try and suck blood. The course knows it's an issue and has OFF Bug Spray on deck to mitigate the problem, but it wasn't that effective.I would strongly recommend you bring your own bug spray, something strong and long-lasting like White Mountain Bug Oil which I use because it's natural oils and DEET-free. It's so bad it made me want to just leave and my otherwise fantastic scorecard was ruined because every shot, including putts was accompanied by small clouds of mosquitoes swarming about. I actually enjoyed driving the cart to the next few holes because it allowed us to stay moving with wind blowing the mosquitoes away.
If anyone from the course reads this, feel free to contact me. This is an issue that will ruin the experience for golfers who travel far and wide to enjoy your course.
Notes
- Water bottles are located at the hole marker stations at numerous holes on the course. Take advantage and stay hydrated throughout your round.
- The starters are very knowledgeable and friendly, especially the guy with the mustache from Long Island, NY, who brought bug spray to our group on the 14th hole fairway. Also, the gentleman Micheal educated us on the course, including the bunkers and other aspects which are useful to players who are new to the course.
- The bar/lounge/patio area is spacious, cool, and inviting. They spray water mist overhead to help keep golfers cool at the turn or for a 19th hole beverage.
Overall, I would definitely play the course again, but only copious bug deterrent oil or spray.
pricy for the condition
nice course, I just felt that it was too pricy for the condition of the course