Harrah’s Ak-Chin Hotel & Casino

Great conditions , nice people , great course layout

This was my 2nd time playing Southern Dunes. The course was in great shape. It was busy, but it did not overly impact pace of play. It wasn't too hot but hot enough and the complementary water bottles every few holes was much appreciated and just one more example to show that the staff at Southern Dunes really cares about your experience. On the turn, the staff greeted us with chilled towels to help beat the heat. The course played great - the tees, traps, fairways, and greens were all in great shape. Course difficulty is moderate. Many holes lend themselves for good scores, but there are a few where a single errant shot can really result in some ugly numbers, as was the case with my round. Overall, the course and staff were great and I will definitely be back.

Still great course. But course conditions compared to 5 years ago are no match. Years ago it was in immaculate condition at the same time of year. Greens were great and were running Stimp 12... Around the greens there are a lot of bare spots which makes it tough to go up and down. Sand traps are like compressed dirt. Pin positions were 18 tough pin placements. Played great and had even an eagle on number 13. Be careful there are a lot of snakes on the course at this time of year.

Amazing layout. Makes you think for each shot. My only complaint is more restrooms would be nice. Would definitely play again regardless. Lol

Greg the Starter was outstanding. He really helped all 4 of us have a good overview of the course and a brief history. Throughly enjoyed him.

And the gentleman who helped us upon arrival was great. He was really busy but reminded gracious and patient.

Primo course conditions and a great pace all day! Highly recommend!

It took me the entire front nine to figure out I needed to avoid the bunkers at all cost. Two tier bunkers?OMG Once I did, back side was one over par. Fairways and greens were pretty lush for desert golf. Flies, bees, and other flying things were really annoying. There were quite a few gopher? holes too…see Caddyshack video attached LOL.

the greens honestly made the course for me. so smooth and everything else was perfect. bunkers were great, all 180 of them. very fun course

Love this course — might actually be my favorite course in the Phoenix area. Very fun, playable layout and the course was in great shape. Greens were rolling pure. Friendly staff. Only complaint was place of play, but that seems to be an issue at every course around here. 100% would play here again and would recommend this course to others.

Great course in great shape... Bunkers have the best sand compared to other courses I've played in Tucson and Phoenix area.

Pace of play very slow. Marshall simply told us that we were on pace...NOT.

Was a bad dust bowl due to high winds.... avoid on a super windy day if possible

I enjoy playing Southern Dunes. The practice area, the course, the staff and bar area are all really nice. The pace was slightly slow but a great time nonetheless.

Outstanding course. Lots of traps. At least 1 in driving range on every hole!!!

Great course. Firm, challenging greens. Nice fairways and layout. 2nd time playing and did not disappoint!

I love playing southern dunes, even as the wind was gusting 20mph. They take great pride in maintaining their course. Will be playing it again

The Good

- From the moment you pull up to Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Course, you can tell you're in for a complete golf experience. When I arrived, the bag drop attendant was very attentive and pointed me in the right direction to the pro shop.and restrooms. We chatted about the course as was very excited to play a Fred Couple's designed course, being from Seattle and all.

- After checking-in, the bag drop attendant loaded my bag on the golf cart and I rode a short distance to the driving range. The driving range was great, grass hitting area, unlimited balls, and good yardage targets to calibrate your distances and ball flight. As usual, the range balls are flight limited and don’t have the same feel as a quality ball you would typically use during your round. The chipping and putting areas were also on-point and provided an accurate feel of grass and greens on the course.

- With the above being said, the greens are incredible...very very fast, very very firm...this is not a course where you're seeking to hit the flagstick on your approach shot as the ball will inevitably roll off the backside of the green and likely into one of the numerous bunkers throughout the course. The greens are so firm that your ball will not leave a ball mark from an approach shot. This is a course which caters to players who can hit quality bump and run shots; high lofted wedge shots, and those who can impart hella backspin on the ball to hold the greens. With that being said, the putts roll true to quality reads and behave accordingly to the break, slope, undulation, and grain. The areas of the green that are in the shade also rolled slower than those in the sun, which was appreciated after a couple holes.

- The tee boxes were in great shape, with clear demarcation of the yardages. Additionally, all the carts have GPS technology with screens that display the total yardage to the flagstick, touch point yardage to areas you want to hit at, as well as an approach-view that shows the undulation of the green so you can properly assess how you want to play the shot. The approach shotn feature was very useful as a first-time player on the course because tye greens are firm and many are elevated so you don't know your shot result until you walk up.

- Similarly, the fairways were also in fantastic shape. The grass slightly elevated the ball so you didn't have to take as large of a divot to ensure ball first and center-face contact, but was also not so high and fluffy like second cut or fringe grass. You can tell the course maintenance staff takes pride in their work and avid golfers will appreciate these conditions.

The Bad

- The only bad thing I can say about the course is manybofntge bunkers were hardpan and inconsistent. I'm speaking from the experience of my playing partners who often found their tee or approach shots funnelling into the bunkers. Its understandable that with so many bunkers on the course, the maintenance cannot rake every single one, every single morning. So the best advice I would share is stay out of the bunkers and if you do go, club up and utilize the bounce as well as you can.

The Ugly

Finally, I provide the ugly... the desert mosquitoes. Nothing can prepare you for the amount of mosquitoes that swarm around in the late afternoon. Apparently it's because they water the course in the morning and when it dries the mosquitoes come out. We didn't really experience it from holes 1-13. However beginning on hole 14 it was apparent that they were everywhere. Believe me, it will impact all of your shots because as you set up to hit and are still, the mosquitoes buzz around your ears, eyes, mouth, and will even land on your shirt and pants to try and suck blood. The course knows it's an issue and has OFF Bug Spray on deck to mitigate the problem, but it wasn't that effective.I would strongly recommend you bring your own bug spray, something strong and long-lasting like White Mountain Bug Oil which I use because it's natural oils and DEET-free. It's so bad it made me want to just leave and my otherwise fantastic scorecard was ruined because every shot, including putts was accompanied by small clouds of mosquitoes swarming about. I actually enjoyed driving the cart to the next few holes because it allowed us to stay moving with wind blowing the mosquitoes away.

If anyone from the course reads this, feel free to contact me. This is an issue that will ruin the experience for golfers who travel far and wide to enjoy your course.

Notes

- Water bottles are located at the hole marker stations at numerous holes on the course. Take advantage and stay hydrated throughout your round.

- The starters are very knowledgeable and friendly, especially the guy with the mustache from Long Island, NY, who brought bug spray to our group on the 14th hole fairway. Also, the gentleman Micheal educated us on the course, including the bunkers and other aspects which are useful to players who are new to the course.

- The bar/lounge/patio area is spacious, cool, and inviting. They spray water mist overhead to help keep golfers cool at the turn or for a 19th hole beverage.

Overall, I would definitely play the course again, but only copious bug deterrent oil or spray.