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Rating Index Rating
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4.4
1426 Reviews (1426)
5 Stars
970
4 Stars
334
3 Stars
77
2 Stars
33
1 Stars
12
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.2
Layout
4.7
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.5
88.9%
Recommend this course
1325 out of 1426 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.3
44 Reviews (44)
5 Stars
25
4 Stars
10
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.3
Value
3.9
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.2
StaffFriendliness
4.6
79.5%
Recommend this course
35 out of 44 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
93 Reviews (93)
5 Stars
54
4 Stars
25
3 Stars
10
2 Stars
4
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.2
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.7
87.1%
Recommend this course
81 out of 93 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Southern Dunes delivers a championship-caliber layout with challenging bunkers, stunning scenery, and conditions that consistently impress recent golfers. Exceptionally friendly staff, quality amenities, and outstanding value make this AGA and USGA qualifier venue worth the trip.

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Style Traditional/Links
Par 72
Length 7546 yards
Slope 142
Rating 76.5

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.

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Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club
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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

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Reviews

4.4
1426 Reviews (1426)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 59
Patio Dining 48
Brunch 25
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 121
Undulating Greens 56
Forced Carries 55
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 90
A Bucket list/Top 100 Pick 49
A Weekend Splurge 44
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 101
In the 'Burbs 16
Convenient to the City 7

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 25
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Walked

Great shape ...

Walked (with electric cart) in just under 4 hours with three guys paired with me who rode.

Course (greens, fairways, tees, traps) is in great shape. One of my favorites in the PHX area, despite the drive, and always play multiple rounds here each January/Feb when visiting.

For the FIRST time in years, there was WATER in the wash in front of #17 tee that prevented me from walking through to reach the fairway. Have had plenty of rain, lately, but still a surprise.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Fun Course, Superb Design

This is a fun one. Great condition, greens were true. Wide fairways with lots of risk/reward par 4s. The par 5s yielded plenty of birdie chances, and a good mixture of long and short par 3s made for a really fun layout. Bunkers are perfectly placed to make you think through each shot from tee to green. I played from roughly 6500 yds (blue tees) as it was my first time seeing the course, plus heavy rain the day before made everything play longer. From the tips this course would be a beast given all the bunkers and fairly small greens.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Cold weather
Used cart

Good round of golf

Fantastic welcome from all the staff, particularly Tim and Mike on bag drop.

Unfortunately the day was very foggy so it was difficult to see where we were going for 10 holes.

Interesting lay out and fast greens.

Played the round in 3 hr 30 , didn’t wait once.

Good burger at the grill afterwards.

Definitely worth a visit

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 61
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great conditions

The course was in great condition. Greens were true. I will play here again!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
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 15
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Top 5 Course in AZ

One of my favorite courses in Arizona! Was in perfect shape from tee to green! Some of the bunkers could use a little more sand but that just nitpicking. I love this course

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Best of the trip

Played 3 round in Phoenix and Tucson this trip. This was easily the best staff, best practice facility, and best conditioned course.

Great time and staff moved us up when we got there early. Everyone was very friendly and the views are awesome. No housing on the course. Greens were pristine.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Cold weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
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
Played On
Reviews 125
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 250 Contributor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Tough greens to hit, bunkers galore

Well watered course with thick rough out outside of a residential community. Really interesting layout with bunkers in the center of the fairways, sides of the fairways, on all sides of the greens. Makes you play target golf. Narrow greens with heavy slopes and bunkers on several sides.

Greens ran smooth all day. Some patchy spots on the course but that's to be expected. They don't cheap out on water or seed here. Tee boxes could be flatter and cut shorter though. Not much sand in the bunkers. Carts had good GPS, water bottles provided in cooler. Carts had good padding.

The greeter at bag drop off was over the top fake nice both before and after the round. Played as a single and the starter would not give me my own cart, seated me with a stranger who did not make the round pleasant. Ordered a hot dog and chips on hole 8 and had to go into the grille and wait 8 minutes until the hot dog was ready. Hot dog was burnt and maybe 6 inches long.

Pace of play was 4 hours 30 minutes which was OK. Had to wait on every par 3 for the group in front.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Worth The Drive From Scottsdale

Great challenging layout. Played the blue tees and it was plenty long for this 11 handicap. Bunkers everywhere ! Great value. I will be back for sure.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Cold weather
Used cart

Nice course. In great shape.

Enjoyed playing Ak-Chin. Will come back depending on what the green fees are.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Hidden gem

The staff was over the top inviting.

The coarse was challenging and in great shape.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great Layout

A great course in all aspects. Love the layout and the course is in great condition. Thank you.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 44
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Top Notch

This was a great experience. Was at the course once before, but for some reason this round was especially memorable. The course was in such great shape, that one of my buddies said he wanted to move nearby. Don't miss playing here if you have a chance.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 32
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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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.
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

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

Mesa Golf Around Package

CLICK BELOW
MESA | Enjoy lodging accommodations at Home2 Suites by Hilton - Mesa Longbow and golf at Las Sendas Golf Club, Longbow Golf Club & Ocotillo Golf Club.
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