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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 4
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great staff

This course was plenty challenging and in good shape. The staff was extra nice and helpful.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Good track. Challenging! Bring your beach slippers.

Long course, in good condition very challenging for a mid handicapper. John the starter was very nice. Staff received us very well. Got a reasonable rate (hot deal) on a 8am Monday morning tee time. All golf in Scottsdale super pricey.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 13
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Sweet Greens

Excellent condition and the greens were Great! Try to play there each year we come down.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 18
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Well…

So many people recommend this course - I don’t see why. You better off staying in the valley and spending your money elsewhere. Too overpriced, not that well maintained. No marshalls insight to keep the pace up

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 28
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Friendliest staff

The staff was incredible! Everyone was super friendly, personable, and adds to the experience. From the starters, to the bag boys, to the club house crew everyone added to the friendly laid back, and professional atmosphere. The additional benefits of playing the mini dunes post round with the food truck were a nice touch. Will definitely be back to play it again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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 29
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

AK-Chin Southern Dunes

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes is a wonderful Desert Course. Alot of beautiful holes and wonderful hole designs. High recommended this course and so do the locals. If in the area of Phoenix again will play again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
4.0
First Time Playing

Great layout - terrible bunkers.

Nice layout. Better than most PHX area courses. Greens and fairways are decent but for a $200+ round I was really disappointed in the condition of the bunkers.

I’m a scratch and while I can appreciate that bunkers should be penal - they should not be without an opportunity to get up and down. These have really poor “sand” and very little of it.

They are basically hard pan with just enough sand to give the illusion of a bunker. Which may not be a big deal on some courses but this place has a LOT of bunkers.

We had 4 decent players and we didn’t have a single up and down out of the sand or have anyone get a bunker shot within 20 feet of the hole all day.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
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 21
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Sweet Track

Loved the layout. A lot of variety of holes. Tough pin placements. Great condition. Will definitely be back.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Best conditions/maintenance

These were the truest greens i got to experience while in Arizona. Putts roll true and approach shots grab like they should. Mint conditions all around. Very challenging and unforgiving if you miss the green. But fairways and greens were prestine while I was here. Would definitely play out here again and hopefully do better next time. Well worth it. Best conditions in Arizona and not the highest price.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 163
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 100 Contributor
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Walked

Small greens, pretty remote

This is areally nice course with great people. The holes are interesting and the facilities are outstanding. The greens are small and/or have small landing areas.

They allow waling, have push carts available and its an easy walk Cost is the same to walk or ride, but i prefer to walk and generally play better when i do.

Really recommend this course, but be prepared for 2 things: 1) it is pretty far from the phoenix metro area - took me about 35 minutes from chandler. 2) there is only 1 road out to maricopa - if your going towards teh course in the morning you should be fine, but the traffic the other way will be bad - and if there is an accident, forget it - your screwed.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Only book foursomes, awful pairings otherwise

Amazing course. Beautiful setting. Amazing amenities. We got paired with 2 other people who had taken a a 3 day class at the course that week. They were extremely slow and kept trying to make groups play through us and the staff had to keep resetting our carts. Playing poorly is fine if you are fast but this wasn’t the case here. The staff kept telling us to speed up which was uncomfortable as we didn’t know these people. Round took 5 and a half hours.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Golf now Frustrated

I do not recall getting an email that there was a two hour frost delay. We got there and had to wait 2 1/2 hours. The attendance told me I should’ve received an email. But I did not.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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