Southern Dunes Golf Club – Played May 2018
- Rankings: Golf Magazine Public #87
- Location: 48456 West Highway 238, Maricopa, Arizona
- Year: 2002
- Architects: Fred Couples & Schmidt-Curley Design
- Course Access: Public
- Walking Rules: Carts Available
Score Card Information:
- Tips: 7,546 yards, Par 72, 76.4 Rating/142 Slope
- Black: 7,330 yards, Par 72, 75.1 Rating/138 Slope
- Gold: 6,902 yards, Par 72, 72.4 Rating/129 Slope
- Blue: 6,493 yards, Par 72, 70.6 Rating/124 Slope
- White: 5,981 yards, Par 72, 68.2 Rating/118 Slope
- Red: 5,055 yards, Par 72, 71.7 Rating/124 Slope
I had a bit of a snafu with what was supposed to be the fourth course on my desert rota. That turned out to be a bit of a blessing as 36 holes per day for three straight days would have been a lot in the heat.
Southern Dunes was able to accommodate me much earlier than my afternoon tee time. I made the approximately hour drive from Scottsdale with time to spare.
My wife was tagging along for this round so I had a cart driver. After getting checked in I was introduced to my playing partners. Hailing from all different parts of the country, they are now all Scottsdale/Phoenix residents.
We struck up some conversation on the first tee and realized one of them had been doing a golf trip to Myrtle Beach for years. There are so many connections to South Carolina. These guys were great for the whole round. You sometimes wonder what will happen when you play as a single as much as I do, but my partners today were awesome!
Let’s go over the course a bit before we get into the tour. The facility is owned by the Ak-Chin Indian Community and managed by industry powerhouse, Troon Golf. Southern Dunes stretches over 320 acres. The course has won many honors including,
- 2017 National Player Development Award – National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA)
- 2016 National Golf Course of the Year Finalist – National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA)
- Best Courses You Can Play in the United States (#84) – Golf Magazine 2016
- Best Courses You Can Play in Arizona (#5) – Golf Magazine 2016
Southern Dunes also plays host to plenty of events. These have included Southwest Section PGA Section Championship, AZ Amateur, AZ Senior Open, multiple stages of the PGA Tour’s Q School, and the Saguaro Amateur. Just a few days before I played they hosted the World Long Drive Tour for the Smash in the Sun.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention #miniDunes. This is their 6 hole short course. While I didn’t get to try it out, there is plenty of info on their website. Per the site, the number one rule is to have fun. I can get behind that!
Furthering the relaxed atmosphere is the lack of tee times and low rates. Kids under 17 play free!
- 2011 and 2012 PGA TOUR’s Qualifying Tournament – Pre-Qualifier
- 2013 – 2016 PGA TOUR’s Qualifying Tournament – 1st Stage
- Annual Host to the Saguaro Amateur, Wyoming Men’s and Women’s Collegiate Invitationals
The day we played the course was hosting its annual US Open qualifies the next day. The grounds were running firm and fast with pristine putting surfaces.
I wanted to show the tee markers and signs at Southern Dunes. I found them cool.
We played the gold tees and all yardages are from there.
Hole 1 – 411 yards – Par 4
The first tee shot provides a wide fairway, while the hole bends to the right with a bunker on the right side.
The approach shot is seen below. Plenty of sand obviously in the fairway and around the green.
Hole 2 – 323 yards – Par 4
The green is out there, but is fronted by a big bunker so carry distance is important. The short club off the tee is the easier play. You can see the carts out in the fairway, which is a good line.
Here is the look at the second shot.
And the green.
We found a roadrunner on the cart path. We would see many more of these during the round.
Hole 3 – 513 yards – Par 5
All the trouble is left on this hole. You have the high grass and a bunker on that side. Fitting a draw into the fairway is the best play.
The third shot can be intimidating if you have a habit of leaving it short. Long is also not very good.
I liked the slope of the green you can see from the photo below.
Hole 4 – 152 yards – Par 3
You may be starting to see the theme here. Sand is a big part of the landscape and will affect many of your shots. You can see what I mean below.
The green is a small target with a ton of contouring. You can get some wild putts here if you are offline.
Hole 5 – 390 yards – Par 4
You’ve got another big target here. The hole doglegs pretty hard to the right with bunkers galore.
This look at the approach shot highlights the front greenside bunker.
Here is a wide-angle look at the green.
Hole 6 – 217 yards – Par 3
This par three is a brute. Thankfully, the ball goes a little further in the thin desert air. The front, right of the green is the optimal aiming spot for safety.
The green, as seen below, is split into two sections. The L-shaped surface can be difficult to hit from 200+ yards.
Hole 7 – 548 yards – Par 5
There is a lot of fairway to bail out to the left on this dogleg right. You can take on the bunkers if you are a long hitter.
There is plenty of sand between you and the green to mess up a good score. With a good drive getting home is a possibility.
The green is small, like you would expect on a par five. It’s much easier to hit with a wedge since it is guarded by two front bunkers.
Hole 8 – 445 yards – Par 4
You need a good drive on this longer offering. Bunkers frame the fairway of this one that bends slightly left.
Here is a view from my approach. The bunker on the right is meant to play tricks on your eyes since it is well short of the green. The two on the left, however, are quite deep and should be respected.
Here is a wide look at the green.
Hole 9 – 421 yards – Par 4
This dogleg right finished off the front nine. Big bunkers are on each side of the fairway that forms a bit of a bowl.
The green is surrounded by sand. The front bunker is not quite at the green so there is some room. This is a narrow, tricky green.
From the angle below you can see that your second shot needs to be headed the correct direction to hit the green.
Hole 10 – 388 yards – Par 4
The big pond you can see below dominates the view here. It shouldn’t really be in play though. There is native area to the right and a large bunker that serves as a beach to the pond. The best line is over the left side of the sand.
The green is out there among the bunkers. A good drive should leave you with a shorter club to attack.
From behind the green you can see the runoff for shots coming in too hot.
Hole 11 – 170 yards – Par 3
The main goal here is to carry the desert area and massive bunkers. Middle of the green should be your main objective.
Here is the view of the green. It has plenty of slope to test your putter.
Hole 12 – 442 yards – Par 4
We have another dogleg left here with plenty of sand. That is a theme in the desert, but I didn’t feel like it overpowered the course here. It was noticeable, but well done. Anyway, pull out the big stick here.
The deep bunker on the right sits hard against the green and begs you for a slice. A fade into the center of the green is the preferred shape here.
Hole 13 – 546 yards – Par 5
Slicers beware. This is a modified desert cape hole. A big desert area sits on the right side as the hole bends slightly right around it.
Here’s the look from the drive landing spot.
The green sits in a little depression among the dunes and trees. It is open it front allowing the opportunity to run a second shot up onto the putting surface.
Hole 14 – 302 yards – Par 4
This hole can be awkward if you don’t know where to go. The smart play is a long iron off the tee to set up a wedge into the green. The cart in the fairway is a good aiming spot.
Here’s a closer look at the green surrounded by bunkers.
The green is pretty small. If you’re a long hitter keep that in mind if you’re going for it from the tee.
Hole 15 – 470 yards – Par 4
This is a brute of a hole. The terrain bends to the left into a wide fairway. A draw plays best.
The green is slightly elevated and is fronted by a massive bunker. The land gives you the chance to run a draw up onto the green. That is helpful with the length of the hole.
Below is a look at the long green.
Hole 16 – 549 yards – Par 5
This par five will likely take three shots to reach for most players. With that in mind, getting the ball in the fairway is the main goal.
For the second shot, the big desert area is the primary hazard. It extends almost all the way to the green. Layups should be played up the left side to provide the best angle.
Hole 17 – 180 yards – Par 3
With a mid-iron you need to get one between the bunkers. For most pin positions a fade will fit this hole best.
Hole 18 – 435 yards – Par 4
The finisher is a solid test that will make your work for your par. It veers to the right and calls for a big drive.
The approach shot must be played over or around the hazard that fronts the green. The water shouldn’t really come into play if you hit your shot at all solid.
The final green complex is gigantic. You can have some monster putts here. Be precise with your approach shot though and you can make birdie to finish off your day at Southern Dunes.
Ak-Chin Southern Dunes was a phenomenal golf course. It was in pristine condition since it was hosting a US Open qualifier. I loved how firm it played and the how smooth the greens rolled. I’m always a lover of good conditions, but what made this place stand out was the design. It felt varied throughout and never got repetitive. Kudos to this facility for having an awesome course that is one of the best values in the Phoenix area.