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4.5
1407 Reviews (1407)
5 Stars
959
4 Stars
329
3 Stars
76
2 Stars
31
1 Stars
12
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.2
Layout
4.7
Friendliness
4.8
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.6
89.9%
Recommend this course
1309 out of 1407 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
34 Reviews (34)
5 Stars
22
4 Stars
6
3 Stars
5
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.1
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.6
StaffFriendliness
4.7
82.4%
Recommend this course
28 out of 34 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
104 Reviews (104)
5 Stars
61
4 Stars
28
3 Stars
12
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.1
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.7
StaffFriendliness
4.8
87.5%
Recommend this course
91 out of 104 reviews
Read Reviews

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

4.5
1407 Reviews (1407)

Reviewer Photos

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 71
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

WOW - FUN

What a course, the fairways were in good condition, and the greens held. I also had a few opportunities to improve my sand wedge skills. The only thing that made the course longer was the 18 mile hour winds. Great staff and helpful. I will play the course again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 16
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Another fun round

Enjoyable round with winter visitors and the green fees didn't break the bank. Course is challenging and was in great condition. The cart could have used a little work on the parking break and the computer was a bit overzealous when warning/stopping you in keep out zones...but minor things overall. If you haven't played here you should!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0

Best Greens in AZ

Played multiple courses over the weekend with local friends and by far, Southern Dunes was the best. Best conditions for a true golf experience you'll find in AZ. Firm, true, and receptive greens; approaches mowed down enough to give a higher handicapped player like myself options; tight fairways that are 50 yds wide or more; bunkers that I could play any yardage out of (I was in a bunker on 10 of the 18 holes); and a welcoming staff from Jon and Sam in the shop to Kayla in the restaurant. And we played in 4hrs. This is a real treasure and worth every minute of the 75 minute drive down there.

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
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

The pace of play was 5+ hours.

It’s a very good course design for single digit handicaps and was full of 20+ handicaps playing it.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Previously Played

WAY TOO MANY BUNKERS AND RIDICULOUSLY TRICKED UP GREENS

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Poor
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 02/21/2021

Not even close, tee it forward, hack.

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Awesome facility

Fantastic course, great shape! Bring your sand wedge, sand everywhere but it's a great course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Not for the faint of heart!

Not for the faint of heart!

I have played Southern dunes 10 times. It varies from being difficult to being exceptionally difficult. The latest time I played I was paired with a gentleman who had never played the course before. He claimed to be a low handicap player. He might have been on his local courses. He was absolutely overwhelmed by Southern dunes. If you are not a sub 10 handicap save your money. Go to a more friendly course this is not a course for average golfers. You must be able to hit recovery shot after recovery shot after recovery shot. You’re putting needs to be very good or you will three and four pot every greenI say this as a friend to all golfers. A high handicap golfer will just get overwhelmed by this course and it isn’t fair for them to play it without knowing before hand. I love the course I recommend the course and I will play it again and again. But I am prepared for it

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Fun at Ak-Chin

Course in great condition.

Greens were True and fast.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great day

Great staff and very playable fun course with plenty of challenges.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Best sand of all the courses we played this week - ask me how I know., You'll be in it alot if you're short irons aren't dialed in.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 27
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Extremely fast greens detract from fine layout

Not only did green speed detract from experience, but undulating surfaces with pins at peak of slopes or the edges of greens soured the appeal of the place.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
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

Great tract not for beginners

This is a very good course. It plays hard and would suggest moving up one set of tees to enjoy this course the most.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 36
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Windy but nice

Course was in excellent condition from tee to green, like we have always experienced here. Long course that makes you pull out the driver a lot.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 49
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great golf course

One of the best courses around. Doesn’t break the bank like others and is in incredible condition. Greens firm and fast. Fairways firm. Staff is friendly. Is a must play in Phoenix.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great course!

Definitely a challenge. Played from the gold tees. Pins were insane with the copper cup being played that day.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 27
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

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.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
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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

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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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