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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
One of the best in the area
Great course, great staff. Pricey for every week play but good for a summer round.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
awsome course
One of the best courses in the greater Phoenix area. A must play.
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 !
The Triple Down Stay & Play Package
Whirlwind Golf Getaway Package
The Fairways of Fountain Hills Package
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.