Allan Henry
Allan Henry / ahenry.com
Ak-Chin Southern Dunes G.C.
Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club
Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club
48456 W Highway 238
Maricopa, AZ 85139-2118
United States
Telephone
Overview
An annual U.S. Open qualifying site and host to several top collegiate tournaments, Ak-Chin Southern Dunes is a long and challenging sand-belt style course. The Brian Curley and Fred Couples design sits on a piece of land that was home to the Ak-Chin Indian Community until a 1912 Executive Order removed the reservation. In 2010, the community recovered its sacred base and opened the Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club for all to enjoy.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
Best in State: Ranked 33rd, 2021-'22. Ranked 36th, 2023-'24. Ranked 37th, 2025-'26.
Previous ranking: 36th.
2025-'26 ranking: 37th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“The conditioning of Southern Dunes is a strength. Firm fairways, firm and receptive greens that rolled true and were consistent from green to green. The layout features a strong mix of par 4s that give the player choices to attack short par 4s and try to carry bunkers on holes cut on beautiful diagonals that can be assessed from the tee. Routed through scrub desert does not distract from the layout but neither does it add to it. The challenge is a strong quality of the course. With routing that moves in both directions and the use of staggered fairway bunkering, short-sided bunkers, and hazards around greens, the player must both shape shots and assess carries accurately to be rewarded."
Read More2025
Review
“Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club offers desert architecture while maintaining wide, inviting fairways that keep the course highly playable. The design takes advantage of its open setting, using natural dune contours and bold bunker shaping to create strategic choices on nearly every hole. Conditioning is consistent, with firm, fast fairways and smooth, well-protected greens that reward thoughtful play. The layout offers a mix of risk-reward opportunities, particularly on the back nine. The closing stretch, capping off with a demanding par-4 framed by bunkers and subtle movement in the fairway, delivers a memorable finish."
Read More2025
Review
“Ak-Chin is a fun course to play. There is some good variety in layout of the holes, though most doglegs are to the right, and there is not a short par three. There is water and strategic bunkering. The greens do hold a well struck shot and do putt true. The golf course is quite aesthetic. There is good variety in shot options from the fairways and around the greens."
Read More2025
Review
“This Curley / Couples design is located south of Candler in the city Maricopa. A beast of a course from the tips at 7500 yards, this tree lines track is NOT what you'd expect to find in the desert. With over 100 bunkers, the course played fast and firm the day I was there. A really nice Public Course but also a bit pricey."
Read More2025
Review
“Playable with good mix of holes requiring accurate approach shots, generally with bunker carries, to moderately contoured greens."
Read More2025
Review
“Ak-Chin Southern Dunes is like a mirage, tucked away on a mostly tree lined property with rolling dunes that seems out of place compared to the 45 minute drive from Phoenix that takes you through a barren desert with nothing to see but miles of endless views and distant mountains. As soon as you are on property, all that fades away and you are transported to a course that is obviously inspired by a links style design given the multitude of shot options encountered. Some holes allow you to run it up to the green on the ground while others offer clear mounds and rolling landscape features that can be effectively used to improve proximity with some creativity and proper execution. Either way, the greens are undulating so being on the right side of the pin is paramount. There is also a good mix of longer and shorter Par 4s and 5s but the Par 3s are most unlike a true Links design as they mostly require shots that arrive with a higher trajectory to clear the many hazards protecting the greens. Ak-chin is a playable and fun course which requires plenty of strategic decisions while blending some of the best parts of Links and resort-style golf…meaning it’s playable for all skill levels but can offer a stiff challenge to the low handicapper. The practice facilities are good and the staff are always friendly. And despite not being in the immediate proximity of Phoenix, the drive home does allow for plenty of reflection on the good, the bad and the near misses we almost pulled off."
Read More2025
Review
“Over 100 bunkers on the course and the sand is great. A good test with some difficult holes. The greens were firm and fast as well as the fairways. The course makes you hit a variety of shapes on tee shots. Course was in good condition."
Read More2025
Review
“Very solid and enjoyable golf course. Course can test Scratch Players as well as provide an enjoyable day for the average golfer. Course is always in great condition and well worth the effort to go play it one day if nearby."
Read More2025
Review
“Ak Chin Southern Dunes was a pleasant surprise for me. Ive played hundreds of desert layouts and most fit into the target golf with the desert only in play if you get sideways. Freddie Couples design at Ak Chin is more parkland, with 100+ bunkers and the desert only in play for very poor shots. Eucalyptus and willow trees dot the landscape and occasionally are in play. Severely undulated greens can make 2 putting a challenge if you find yourself above the hole, effectively cutting the large greens in half. Conditions were above average, with the greens being top notch, but bunkers could use a little TLC."
Read More2024
Review
“Ak Chin Southern Dunes was a pleasant surprise for me. Ive played hundreds of desert layouts and most fit into the target golf with the desert only in play if you get sideways. Freddie Couples design at Ak Chin is more parkland, with 100+ bunkers and the desert only in play for very poor shots. Eucalyptus and willow trees dot the landscape and occasionally are in play. Severely undulated greens can make 2 putting a challenge if you find yourself above the hole, effectively cutting the large greens in half. Conditions were above average, with the greens being top notch, but bunkers could use a little TLC."
Read More2024
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