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Rating Index Rating
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4.4
1442 Reviews (1442)
5 Stars
980
4 Stars
337
3 Stars
79
2 Stars
33
1 Stars
13
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.3
Layout
4.6
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.4
88.0%
Recommend this course
1338 out of 1442 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.3
55 Reviews (55)
5 Stars
33
4 Stars
11
3 Stars
7
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.1
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.0
StaffFriendliness
4.6
80.0%
Recommend this course
44 out of 55 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.3
90 Reviews (90)
5 Stars
52
4 Stars
23
3 Stars
10
2 Stars
4
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.2
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.2
StaffFriendliness
4.7
84.4%
Recommend this course
76 out of 90 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
1442 Reviews (1442)

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 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great as always

Only issue was the inconsistency with the sand in the bunkers.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 13
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Used cart
Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 14
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times 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 4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great layout

this is a great tract. about the fifth time I’ve played it but one of my favorite tracks in the valley. from the bag check in to the after round beers the service is outstanding. greens are fast. be ready for bunker play cause there’s a ton of them too many for some people. my only complaint is it’s an hour from my house or I would play it all the time.

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

Great time

Hundreds of bunkers but not as well kept. Greens and fairways awesome. I Will decently be back

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Played On
Reviews 27
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Used cart

bunkers need help

The sand quality is lacking, with many of the traps more akin to piles of stiff dirt and rocks than the soft, playable sand you’d hope for. It's almost as if the maintenance team neglected to properly fill or groom these hazards, leaving them more frustrating than fair. Instead of giving you that nice, fluffy bunker feel, you're left hacking away at a surface that feels like you're playing in gravel. Not exactly the experience you want when you're paying premium greens fees.

For a course that promotes itself as a top-tier destination in Arizona, these bunkers are a glaring issue. It’s not just a minor inconvenience—it detracts from the overall experience, especially for golfers who find themselves in the sand more often than they’d like.

While the course itself is solid in terms of design and layout, the state of the bunkers feels like a big oversight. At nearly $140 or more for a round, Southern Dunes doesn't quite justify its price tag when the quality of play is undermined by poor bunker conditions. If you're considering a round here, be prepared for some frustrating moments in the sand, and don’t be surprised if you leave feeling like you paid more for the views than the actual golf.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Great layout - stay out of the bunkers!

The FW's/tees are in decent condition. Greens are excellent and you can actually make a ball mark. A little on the slow side. The only gripe we had was the inconsistency of the bunkers. Some were perfect and others like concrete. A side note - I limped into the proshop and asked for a handicap cart and the young lady questioned whether or not I had a handicap placard. I thought I was going to have to go back to the car to get my placard. I have never had this experience before.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 17
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Nice track

Layout with all the bunkers and some elevation make it a challenging course. Really have to be precise to stay out of trouble and approaching some thin and small greens. Gotta be on your game to score well.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 77
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Played On
Reviews 31
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 2
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

True Golf Course

I can’t emphasize enough how helpful and friendly the staff was during our round. The course is challenging and the greens quick and smooth. Would highly recommend.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 31
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
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