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3.4
282 Reviews (282)
5 Stars
31
4 Stars
122
3 Stars
75
2 Stars
31
1 Stars
23
Conditions
2.6
Value
4.0
Layout
4.5
Friendliness
4.4
Pace
4.4
Amenities
3.2
82.3%
Recommend this course
232 out of 282 reviews
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Layout
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Friendliness
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Amenities
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About

Holes 18
Type Resort
Style Desert
Par 72
Length 7519 yards
Slope 145
Rating 74.6

Editor's Note: Course closed for business in 2021.

The Apache Stronghold Golf Course is situated upon pristine land that, according to legend, was created by the God Usen to provide the Apaches with everything they needed to survive. It was called the Apache Stronghold because it had the protection of the Chiricahuas, Aravaipas, Superstition and White Mountains, and it is said that here the Apaches could walk invisibly among their enemies. The scenic golf course is the centerpiece of the Apache Gold resort. The unique landscape provides elevated tees, desert arroyos, and spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. This 7,519-yard golf course will reward long hitters but golfers should be mindful of the washes and arroyos that crisscross the fairways. The layout doesn't have any water but there are 50 strategically placed bunkers coming into play and the rolling terrain provides plenty of hazards. Many holes are carved right into the foothills.

Course Details

Year Built 1999
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens Bent Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Tom Doak (1999) Jim Urbina (1999)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Clubs No
GPS No
Pull-carts No

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range No
Caddies No
Teaching Pro No
Pitching/Chipping Area No
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex, Discover Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Dress code Collared shirt, slacks/capris, no cutoffs, no denim.

Lodging

Lodging Available

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Conference Facilities, Banquet Facilities

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top 25 Courses for Layout in the U.S. (2018 #20)
  • Golf Advisor: Top 25 Courses for Pace of Play in the U.S. (2017 #18)

Reviews

3.4
282 Reviews (282)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 19
19th Hole Scenic Views 6
Course Challenges Include:
Elevation Changes 55
Forced Carries 55
Undulating Greens 44
This course/club is great for:
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 61
Advanced Golfers 43
Locals 28
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 56
At a Resort 26
Near Local Attractions 11

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 21
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Improving

Grounds staff are working hard and making noticable improvements. Greens are receptive and putt very nice. Rudy from outside services is a true "GEM". A great employee at The Stronghold.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great setting and design for few dollars

You won’t find a Tom Doak designed course any where else for this money. Overlook the maintenance issues caused by a lack of money and you will enjoy a world class design in a raw natural setting.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 32
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

ahs challenge

This was my 1st trip here and the drive was nice from Mesa with nice scenery. The club has very little in the way of amenities but I came for golf not dinner. The casino is next door and I am sure it is capable of good meals and not just hot dogs. This course needs a replay because from the first hole there are many blind shots and lost balls. The greens were suffering from fungus and I hope that is not typical because I would love to come back. Also looks like jack rabbits or chupacabras were digging in the fairways. Overall nice!

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

"There's Turquoise in them, there Hills "

One of the best designed courses in the state. The fairways were a little rough but the cart paths were even rougher. The fairways were painted a beautiful turquoise so I took home several rocks to add to my collection. The condition of the greens wasn't too bad and a big improvement from last year at this time.. Not only was the golf course range closed but so was the range in the kitchen.. Don't expect the pro shop staff to stand and greet you when you enter. I've been there twice now in the past year and even though there aren't any golfers the shop clerk seems to have a permanent seat in front of a computer with a card table as a desk. Well something like that anyhow. The staff both inside and outside are very pleasant. If you're looking for a place to play and like to avoid the high rates in Phoenix then this is the place to go. Play the front tees, improve your lies on the course and have some fun.

Conditions Fair
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

casino course poorly maintain for last 5 years

everything about the location is excellent, except the course itself. The layout, outstanding. Surrounding landscape high desert. Tee boxes and greens been given water and maintenance. Fairways not overseeded but painted with dye. Sand trap not maintained for years. Golf fees are way out of line for their course offering.

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 14
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Cold weather
Used cart

Great Value

Course needs some work but the views are spectacular.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Cold weather
Used cart
Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

good round

Great still needs improment. but still very playable.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Apache Stronghold Nov 2017

Used a GolfNow Hot Deal so well worth the price, offset somewhat by the fuel cost from Mesa. Upon arriving was greeted by the starter Rudy who was very friendly and helpful, even brought a cart out to the car. Having arrived an hour early, the lady checking us in was also helpful explaining we had to wait until 30 minutes before tee time. Due to a large group having recently gone out an hour ahead of us, the starter allowed us to tee off on the back nine which I’m sure saved us at least an hour. Having played the course multiple times was expecting poor course conditions. I was pleasantly surprised that there were a number of improvements, overall grass conditions improved (rating 2 to 3), where there was once bare spots now has been filled in for the most part, a number of cart paths areas now have concrete greatly improving safety and erosion. However, continued to notice low spots where drainage remains poor despite improvements. This seems to be a continuing issue that they are addressing. One of the benefits of the course is it’s beauty, as the developer used the natural terrain and did little bulldozing. Recommend the course due to it’s uniqueness, friendliness of the staff and overall improvements in course conditions. Look forward to further improvement, especially around drainage.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 28
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Good course layout

We play this course two or three times a year and always have a good day....we found the course really wet and the ball was plugging after almost every shot. Some of the greens were tough but for the money well worth the trip

Conditions Fair
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 34
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
3.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

So many good and bad things !

Just a few to mention.... The Bad: Cost more in gas to there than play the round of golf ( only paid $10.00 ) The javelina have torn up half the greens looking for bugs to eat. No ball washers ( bring a towel ) The Good: The fresh clean air ( My body was going into shock at times ) Water chest with free bottle water. Wide open fairways.... If the Apache Indian Tribe ever decides to put some money into this course what a gem it would be

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great play

A really nice place to play. Course is coming back after several down years. Scenery is great--no homes in sight! Course plays LOOONG when there is no roll. Staff couldn't get any nicer. Drive out there is pretty scenic too. Fairways are very wide. Never seems to be too crowded because it is so far out of Phoenix so pace of play is great..

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Fun design.

The course condition was poor. Bare rocky traps, lot's of bare grass spots in the fairways. Expensive course to maintain due to the high desert terrain and washes.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 56
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Funky course that is harder than it looks.

This is the fourth time I have played this course and it is in the best shape I have seen it. Grass on all the fairways,soft and fast greens. In AZ it is unusual to make a divot and have the ball back up except on the over priced Scottsdale courses.
The only downside is no ball washers on the course, but the spped of play was great. We will play this course again and hopefully score better.
.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 43
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fun course

My wife and I so much enjoyed this golf course it was so quiet and serene as it wound thru the hills and the washes. The lay out of the course was great some target holes greens guarded by natural looking sand traps and natural desert washes come into play from the fairways. There are several big dogleg holes that were very challenging!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 19
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great Tom Doaks design

In case you don't know, Doaks has designed 4 of the top 100 courses ih the world, and was a student of Pete Dye (whose courses I hate) but wrote a book about Alister MacKenzie (who I love, designer of Augusta Nat'l with Bobby Jones) and restored Pasatiempo in Santa Cruz CA (MacKenzie's home course).
The maintenance is spotty but the greens are vastly better than a couple years ago, the cooler weather beats the heck out of PHX, the layout is awesome, and the people are incredibly nice. Tanktops are OK!!!! More courses should be like this to grow the game!

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Nice day, but . . .

It was a relatively moderate day for summer, but a monsoon (with lightning) ran us off the course at the 15th hole and we were unable to return due to continuing storms.

Overall it is a challenging desert course design, however at least 2-3 of the holes are poorly designed from an amateur perspective. Also, some of the greens have ground under repair on them.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 07/28/2017

I'm sorry the monsoons ran you off. I would like to hear more about your comment regarding the design. We have five sets of tees to accommodate different levels of golfer. Please call me at 928-475-7667 so I can learn more.

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