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 | 76.5 | 142 |
| Black | 72 | 7330 yards | 75.2 | 138 |
| Gold | 72 | 6902 yards | 72.7 | 132 |
| Blue | 72 | 6493 yards | 71.2 | 129 |
| Blue (W) | 72 | 6493 yards | 78.1 | 149 |
| Championship (W) | 72 | 6138 yards | 76.0 | 141 |
| White | 72 | 5981 yards | 68.7 | 124 |
| White (W) | 72 | 5981 yards | 75.0 | 139 |
| Combo (W) | 72 | 5538 yards | 72.1 | 132 |
| Red (W) | 72 | 5055 yards | 69.9 | 121 |
| Red | 72 | 5055 yards | 64.3 | 105 |
| 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 |
| Champions W: 76.0/141 | 382 | 323 | 513 | 128 | 315 | 151 | 515 | 339 | 398 | 3064 | 366 | 139 | 355 | 496 | 312 | 362 | 499 | 170 | 375 | 3074 | 6138 |
| 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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Photo submitted by u314161478681 on 02/22/2026
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Photo submitted by george1061870 on 02/12/2026
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Photo submitted by george1061870 on 02/12/2026
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Photo submitted by JoeFellows on 03/07/2025
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Photo submitted by u000005021421 on 04/23/2024
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Photo submitted by u000005021421 on 04/23/2024
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Photo submitted by u000005221683 on 03/06/2024
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Photo submitted by TyrelB on 01/06/2024
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Photo submitted by ricknok on 06/17/2023
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18th hole Photo submitted by u000007367496 on 04/19/2023
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Photo submitted by gregwascher on 03/31/2023
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Photo submitted by bluedog54 on 12/24/2022
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Good track Photo submitted by Lobo39 on 08/26/2022
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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
great experience
they allow walking and the course was easy to walk. course was in excellent shape, greens rolled nicely and all fairways had plenty of grass. practice area was excellent, too. all around great day of golf. lots of sand traps but the sand was consistent. think we played in 4:35
Fun course
This course is great. Tons of bunkers, sandy areas and desert. Course was in excellent condition. Well worth the drive to get there. Low price green fee and my son played for free. The bag drop/cart guy was very friendly and helpful. The girl in the pro shop seemed annoyed that I was there when I went in to pay. Liked the free, cold water bottles provided by the course. Will be back to play.
Challenging course...want to go back and better my score!
The starter was friendly and helpful. The course was challenging and enjoyable. We played in with another 2some and both the company and the course were very enjoyable. Weather was perfect and we'd love to go back and try to better our score next time!
Firm & Fast
This course is always a treat, we had a lil problem with the ranger out there but the head pro came out and resolved the matter like a true professional. I wish the greens were a bit softer and receptive but I guess they keep them firm to protect the greens from ball marks, etc.. Always worth the drive, trully a top 10 course in the valley. A MUST PLAY.
Hidden Gem
This course is well worth the 30 minute drive from Phoenix. Conditions of fairways and greens were near perfect. Lots of sand, but the fairways are generous and good shots are rewarded. Starter was very friendly and informative. Great pace of play as we finished in 4 hours. I will definitely return and recommend that you give this course a try if you want an alternative to the more traditional desert courses in the area.
Worth the drive
First time playing and enjoyed it a lot. Probably would have enjoyed it even more if I had moved up to the whites. As a senior who still plays regular tees I found this course plays longer than the yardage because of the carries into greens over bunkers.
good, solid golf course
I chose this course for our recent Phoenix trip to play on the first day because its a more traditional course thats a bit forgiving off the tee. There is "desert" area, but its more cleared out than most courses and you can typically find and play your ball if in the junk. fortunately, I hit the ball fairly well and didn't have to find that out for myself. Its a good challenge without being too difficult. Its a solid layout, but not quite as spectacular as some in the area. It does have quite a bit of sand, but the traps are consistent and if you have a repeatable swing, you can control it around the greens.
during our recent trip we played southern dunes, estrella, victory, quintero, sunridge canyon and las sendas. I would rate this below most of those for views/surroundings/layout (not that it was bad, just not as spectacular), but near the top for condition (sunridge and estrella were at the bottom for condition as the rough didn't exist and was matted down to essentially be dirt like). It had a great practice facility and overall, I'd rate this a solid 4 star and one I'd definitely play again.
Updated Review
I am updating my review from play on March 6. Due to a poor experience, I was contacted by the course. I had a good conversation with the representative and was assured my concerns were dealt with accordingly. I am upgrading my review on that par. Unfortunately my items were never turned in so that is still an issue.
going to the beach
more sand than grass, but in good condition. if you like a lot of sand, then you will have a blast. This course took a tole on me, but staff, practice area...all good. play the the short tees and leave your driver at home.
I can see why it was previously rated higher, but...
The course has potential to be an excellent track, but I have a couple major complaints. Overall it's in excellent condition and has a fun layout. However, there was a lot of inconsistency with the bunkers. There are just so many on the course, the manpower required to properly maintain them would be outrageous. So you are left with many bunkers that have at most an inch of good sand on top of rock hard sand, which works out fine for fairway bunkers, but not so much for around the green. My second complaint the inability of the greens to hold approach shots. I hit the ball higher than most and watched a 9 iron hit in front of the flag and end up 30 yards past the green! For the price you pay at this course, one of those problems would be acceptable, but not both. I wished I could have played the course a couple years ago when it was rated higher.
great coarse
best greens i have ever played on,23 putts. a great day with new friend and my buddette .
Magnificent desert course
Ak-Chin lived up to every great review and rating. The design was highly challenging with all of the bunkers and waste areas, yet the course is quite playable for a low-to-mid handicap player. (Course knowledge and the ability to play a second time would be helpful). The greens and fairways were lush and flawless. Only minor complaint was that the greens would not hold a wedge or short iron, making it difficult to put anything near the pin.
Worth the drive
Found this course last year & had to come back! Great clubhouse, staff & course! The only issue is the stench from the farming in the area. Must play though.
Course Impeccable, Staff Spotty
I'll start with the good. Course itself is amazing. Fairways and greens were in top condition, sand in bunkers was perfect. Bottled water was available at several holes, and cart girl stopped by plenty of times. Pro Shop staff and starter were very friendly and helpful. I was greeted as I pulled up as well. Now the not so good. My self and another gentleman were paired with two employees of the course. One was very friendly and provided helpful info on the course. Unfortunately the other played loud music the entire round. He didn't bother to ask either one of us if we were okay with it, which we both would have said no. Tough enough playing a challenging course without music blaring five feet away from you as you try to hit a shot. After we finished he then asked if it bothered us, and we quickly said yes. No reply. Second issue, I left an item in the cart and called within 30 minutes of finishing to see if it was turned in. It was not so I called again before closing, and again the next morning. Nothing. Gee, wonder who grabbed it. I realize it's my mistake. However, this is not a Muni and for what it costs to play, better treatment should be expected in both situations.
Great shape - greens may be best in Valley
The course is in great shape - the greens are rolling true and were probably 11.5/12 on Sunday
The bunkers were very consistent around the course. We got around in about 4:15 but never waited to hit shots. All the staff was friendly and accommodating - we tee it up at 12:10 and their was still a beverage cart on 17- and the grill is a great place to tally the rounds winning and losses - good menu - a step up from regular bar food
One of AZ best
Great layout
Fabulous condition
I play 120+ a year and this is in top 5
The Triple Down Stay & Play Package
Whirlwind Golf Getaway Package
The Fairways of Fountain Hills Package
Thank you for filling out this form and good to hear your positive thoughts on the golf course. In regards to the other issues, please give us a call so we can look into these situations to help us all get better. My name is Devin and I can be reached at 520.426.6830. Look forward to hearing from you.