GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
4.5
1409 Reviews (1409)
5 Stars
961
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
90.0%
Recommend this course
1311 out of 1409 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
34 Reviews (34)
5 Stars
23
4 Stars
5
3 Stars
5
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.0
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
105 Reviews (105)
5 Stars
62
4 Stars
28
3 Stars
12
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.2
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.7
StaffFriendliness
4.8
87.6%
Recommend this course
92 out of 105 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.

Book a Tee Time at
Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club
Powered by GolfNow.com

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

The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+
waivedfees
10 rounds of waived fees
golf ball.svg
$120 in tee time credits
teetime protection.svg
Tee Time Protection
redeemtrophy
Redeem GolfPass points

Reviews

4.5
1409 Reviews (1409)

Reviewer Photos

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 33
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Worth the Drive

Very fun, beautiful course. Can score if you are hitting the ball reasonably well. Pace was a little slow as Web Tour Q school was having a practise round. Was not a big deal. Play it every chance you get.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

I was expecting more!

After reviewing all the comments I booked this course for my wife and I. We are average golfers and that might be the problem. Too many sand traps that makes this course a "target" style course. Not easy for someone with a 20 handicap. Not satisfied with quality of traps. The course was dry and the greens had been air raided. Well at least I suspect they were given their condition. The person behind the counter at the pro shop was less than cordial. I did not experience this at the other four courses we played. In fact my wife and I ranked this as # 5 of the 5 courses we played.

Pace of play was great as they only had 35 golfers yesterday (for whole day) as per the cart lady who made last call at the first hole as we were teeing off.

I'm sure this course is good but for us it did not meet our expectations as per the reviews we researched.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 09/19/2017

My name is Devin Lowe and I work at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes. Terribly sorry to hear about your experience, when you can please give us a call so we can further discuss your day here. Please call 520.426.6829 at your convenience.

Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Troon does golf right!

I played this course with my brother in late March of this year on the last day of our vacation. It's a unique track with lots of desert action on both sides of the fairway. Helps to mitigate lost balls off errant shots! Just keep an eye out for rattlesnakes. The course was very well maintained.

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

Great shape.

The course was in great shape.

The fairways were lush and green.

The greens ruled fast and true.

The staff is always friendly and attentive.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 24
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Anonymous
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Mosquito Dunes

Love the course, but the mosquitos quench out all its greatness. I think the amenities, staff, and layout are all top notch but unless I'm a pro I just can't see dealing with the thousands of mosquitoes that overwhelm the practice area and course. It's a real shame but I'd prefer to play elsewhere and enjoy my friends and the great game without bathing in bug spray and swatting off the bugs at every hole.

Probably nothing they can do but the staff is fully aware. Is there no commercial spray or treatment that could be applied to keep this at bay? It's a shame but I won't be returning until this changes.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 244
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Arizona Advisor
Verified Purchaser
Top 50 Contributor
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Great Course (Need to Deal With the Mosquitos)

Got a hankering for a road trip and decided to head south to play a course I suspected was nice, but was always a bit too far to bother. As a Troon course, you can come to expect quality. And Southern Dunes did not disappoint. The fairways and greens were all well manicured and the many bunkers were as bunkers should be--loose sand, not packed clay. The par 3s were all a stretch to reach either because of the outright length (193 yards on one from the yellow tees) or the elevation change from tee to green. Nonetheless, the course was a good challenge requiring accuracy in length and in direction control. The bunkers were usually deep and penal if you strayed into them. With over 100 bunkers across the course, it is inevitable that you will find one. On the day I played there was one negative feature--mosquitos. I don't know if this is a regular problem at this course, but they were trying to make a meal out of me during the round. Check with the course in advance of a round; you'll want to take repellant if they are on the warpath.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Beautiful, challenging golf course.

First time playing this course even though I've known about it for quite some time. I live in Tucson and the course is in Maricopa which is about an hour and 45 drive. Professional, resort style course with all the amenities for the golf only. Even has a cart come by a few times offering ice cold hand towels to cool off with. I played on 8-19-17 and the course was in pretty good shape except for the greens. They had been sanded recently in the past and they were terribly slow. Even downhill putts I couldn't get to the hole many times. But no worries, I plan to make it back up some time this fall once again. Did I mention all the bunkers throughout the course? Fairways and greens well guarded to make shots very challenging. Played with another single and we both shot in the low 80's so it was fun.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

One of the best in the area

Great course, great staff. Pricey for every week play but good for a summer round.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 72
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

great course,but hot and humid

played in the second group out on sunday,first 5 or so holes greens kinda spotty and they had been punched in the past several week,but they did get better as the round went along,course is in very good shape for this time of year,lots of flies but did not bother me or the others in the group,the course marhall had cool towels and there is water bottles every 3 holes and 2 seperate cart girls on each nine and they are very friendly...they do really put the water to the course so there are a few wet areas but play lift and clean and place and you will be good to go

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Excellent Course!!!

Played here on 6/11/17 with 6:30am tee time. Fairways and tee boxes are in excellent shape for this time of year, only down side was the greens were bumpy due to recently aerated. But the course did advised us in advance and we chose to proceed with playing there so no faults to them. No need to bring bottled water as they have bottled water every few holes. Pace of play was slower than what we were used to due to 4some in front kept going back to retrieve their clubs left behind. GPS on carts is a nice feature. Greens are well protected by LOTS of bunkers so this course may not be suited for novice golfers. If you are serious about scoring then pay close attention to GPS and plan your shots accordingly, hit to the right spots and you'll be rewarded but if you miss then you'd better have a strong scramble game up your sleeve. Water is in play for number 10 and 18. Overall, excellent day of golf and would definitely return to play again. This course lives up to Troon brand.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Nice Course But...

On our day the flies and the mosquitos from the nearby cattle farms were out of control and we all got a ton of bites, which definitely affected our experience. As for the course itself, it was in good condition and challenging, and had plenty of water on a hot day. Lastly, the food in the restaurant was horrible and all 4 in our party agreed.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great course, to many bugs

For such a well designed and well kept course, the grass, sand, etc, the reason and only reason I wouldn't recommend this course to friends, the biting flies that just continue to bother you and yes, bite. There are a lot of them all through out the course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Flus that bite

The course was in great shape. Staff was friendly.

The course is tough. Lots of bunkers that you have to deal with which makes you have to work to make it to the green. Makes it fun.

The con about the course is the FLYS. No matter how much spray you put on you they seem to still be hungry. So, if i were to play it again I would do it in the winter months.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Free hat!

Conditions are ALWAYS excellent, never a doubt you'll find a gorgeous course when you play here. Here's the real reason I write this review. A buddy and I (both good golfers) got paired with two older gentlemen who were very nice (also decent golfers themselves). After a couple holes the marshal came up to us and let us know that we were falling a bit behind - that we should try and speed up just a little. He was super nice and not once did we feel as if he was talking down to us. We weren't hacking it up, we were simply enjoying the round and looking over every shot, all while having nice conversations with the other twosome. At the turn, the starter and marshal told us they were going to have us skip holes 10 and 11 and come back to them after 18. Again, they were incredibly nice about it all and even gave each of us a Southern Dunes hat for being so cooperative. We had no issue doing what they asked, after all, they were looking out for their guests. I've been here plenty and this was by far the nicest staff I have ever encountered. I came to the conclusion that they truly care about keeping pace of play but will NOT sacrifice anyone's good time to do so, including the group slowing it all down. Bravo Southern Dunes.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

Excellent course with many bunkers to navigate. Every hole was a challenge & very enjoyable. The staff were exceptional & very friendly like we old friends even though this was our first time to play this course. Will tell all my friends to definitely play this course when they are in the area.

Conditions Good
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
Previously Played

awsome course

One of the best courses in the greater Phoenix area. A must play.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Perfect weather
Used cart

If you like the Beach, worth the drive

Loved the layout, really good conditions, but too many bunkers. First time playing this course, had high expectations, didn't totally disappoint regarding conditions, greens were fast, speed was everything. Only disappointment, once we reached the 10th tee box, groups were waiting, averaged 2 groups waiting through to the 18th, took 3 hours to play the back 9! Lucky for us we were not in a rush !

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Nearby Courses
Maricopa, Arizona
Public
4.1802903564
1851
Chandler, Arizona
Resort
4.7118502303
697
Sun Lakes, Arizona
Private
0.0
0
Phoenix, Arizona
Public
3.9082256053
2718
Sun Lakes, Arizona
Public
4.5110404522
187
Sun Lakes, Arizona
Private
3.0
1
Sun Lakes, Arizona
Public
4.5110404522
187
Sun Lakes, Arizona
Private
0.0
0
Chandler, Arizona
Semi-Private
4.8418067227
143
Chandler, Arizona
Public/Resort
3.8931245682
2067
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.

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
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

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.
Now Reading
  • Home

  • Memberships

  • Library

  • Account