
Allan Henry

Allan Henry / ahenry.com

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes G.C.
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.
2023-'24 ranking: 36th.
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
“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
Review
“As good a public course as you’ll find in the area. Bunkers a little iffy but the turf was maintained top notch. Great shot options and variety of holes"
Read More2024
Review
“An interesting design located about 45 minutes south of Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ak-Chin Southern Dunes originally opened as an all-Male private course before becoming completely public. The course plays over very flat desert terrain with firm, fast conditions and large bunkers somewhat reminiscent of the Australian Sandbelt. The most interesting feature of the course other than its many bunkers are the greens, which are large and often feature lots of slope and different options for pin positions. I enjoyed playing here and it is a worthy option for those looking for good public golf at cheaper rates than most comparable Scottsdale courses."
Read More2024
Review
“Nice course. Very unusual Arizona desert course with large Eucalyptus trees lining the fairway corridors. Par threes are beautiful but challenging with dramatic bunkering. The short par four 15th is a very good risk-reward hole."
Read More2024
Review
“Excellent layout variety and with over 100 bunkers, the course is very challenging, especially for the better golfer. For the high handicapper, the number and placement of the bunkers may make for a less than enjoyable round."
Read More2024
Review
“Always in fantastic condition, very playable with massive blow-out sand bunkers throughout the course. Great views and vistas of the mountains."
Read More2023
Review
“A unique course with much sand and patches of green leading to large quick undulating greens. Worth the effort to play it if you are in the area."
Read More2023
Review
“For being on a flat slab of desert land, this course has a lot character built into it. Obviously not much in the way of terrain change but a great layout. #2 and #14, both short par 4th with great risk/reward options. Greens are fast and hold shots and overall the course is well maintained. A golfer of any level can go and have a fun round. 7550 from the tips. Enough room to spray it a little without losing a bunch of balls like a lot of the desert courses in the area."
Read More2022
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