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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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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.

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Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great golf track.

The course is in about 90% great shape. The groundskeepers are busy making improvements and working on the persistent drainage and irrigation challenges. The track itself is spectacular with some of the greatest views and scenery vistas in the state. Keep up the great work!

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

Thank you for your comments. We continue to try to improve.

Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 46
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great Greens/ Poor Fairways

This course needs some water and fast, fairways cut short and burnt out, and in need of markers so that the unfamiliar golfers have a aiming point.
Most greens are very good and the daytime hand watering helps, they are fast.
But the scabs and bald areas are concerning.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/29/2017

We don't overseed our fairways so the areas you thought were short and burnt out were still dormant. Please return after the bermudagrass comes out of dormancy. Thank you for your comment about the greens. We also have GPS on our carts to help with distances and aiming.

Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/29/2017

We don't overseed our fairways so the areas you thought were "short and burned out" are still dormant. Thank you for your comments about the greens. Please return after the bermudagrass greens up.

Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Pin Placements

First of all I love everything about this course EXCEPT the pin placements!
I've been involved in golf for forty years as Laborer,Superintendent and General Manager and one thing golfers don't like to do is to be beaten up on the golf course.
Everytime I've played at Apache the pins have been in very tough positions,I'm pretty sure the guy who cuts the cups there doesn't golf,I think with some easier placements golfers would be leaving the course at the end of the day much happier and more likely to return there.These greens are very large with severe slope.I think with kinder placements everyone would benefit.....Thanks

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/29/2017

Thank you for your comments. We will definitely look at our cup cutting procedures.

Played On
Reviews 45
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Just plain rotten

It all starts out ok...nice staff who give you your cart in parking lot....decent pro shop, little bar, cheap drinks and a newer cart with gps....however once you cross the parking lot...anything good ends. Signage could be better had your kid painted the rocks, teeboxes, rutty, different grasses kind of long...fairway grass painted green, sand, gravel and various grades populate fairways, Sand traps vary in quality from poor to average not edged,. Greens have many huge dead spots, one even has three large sand piles on it! After playing any city course or other casino course (southerndunes, Whirlwind Devils Claw, cattails) this course will leave your clubs nicked up and make you wanna bolt back to the big city! Our six golfers are bogey or better players and we scored horribly.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 50
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Pluses and minuses

Positives: Interesting, difficult design. Good use of elevation changes, nice views. Each hole is separated from the others, with plenty of room to spread out. No homes on the course. It's very quiet out on the course, not many players. Price is low. Staff was nice.

Negatives: The course, including cart paths, is "rugged." Fairway condition is very poor, no overseeding. Most greens have bad patches. Greens on holes 11 and 12 were very bad. The maintenance budget must be minimal. It's a long drive to get here.

It's a close call on yes/no recommendation. I think it's just too far from Phoenix to come back. Probably worth playing once though.

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Nice lay out poor condition

I played this coarse a year ago and it was in bad shape. 75% of the greens had big bare spots which made putting almost impossible. I thought well a year has went by I will try it again and the coarse was in the same condition same bare spots in green with sand covering them. The tee boxes are very uneven the list could go on but I will stop. This place could be very nice with the proper maintenance. I will not be back.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Cold weather
Used cart

" It's Not the Indian it's the Arrow "

This is a beautiful golf course about two hours East of downtown Phoenix. There's no doubt that this could be considered one of the best courses in Arizona. Poor maintenance and frugal spending keeps it from being one of the best. There's a lot of problems on the greens but for the most part they try to keep the cups away from those areas. The cart paths are a little rough but I love this course so much I could overlook a lot of the flaws. The scenery and layout of the course is terrific. With the winter rates sky-rocketing in the Phoenix area the fees to play here make it worth the drive. Although they don't sell golf clubs in the shop they do have several bows for sale. The casino and lodging are right next to the course so you can certainly entertain yourself 24 hours a day.

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Winter

Unfortunately, I played the course too early in the day and at the tail end of a winter cold snap. Course conditions were very sloppy from frost and light snow melts. Realistically, the course shouldn't have been open, but the starter said the weather was very unusual. Thankfully, it was only $20 on golfnow, with free water and free range balls, and I was alone, so no waiting. I am sure it would be much better in the spring and summer. Layout was challenging, mainly because of length, and split or double fairways, with protected greens, and desert swallowing errant balls.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

We always enjoy playing this course

The layout is very challenging for my wife and I who are high handicappers but we enjoy playing it nevertheless. The drive from Mesa to the course is very beautiful for part of it. The starter is super friendly and the GPS on the carts are are by far the best I have ever seen. The tee boxes and greens are mostly in good shape but the fairways are not your traditional grass although the balls rolls forever on it. With the GolfNow hotbuy rate, this is a great place to play.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Fair
Value Excellent
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Worth the Drive

Never real busy, play at your own pace. Plenty of bottled drinking water and really nice staff.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Course Condition

The staff could not have been any nicer or accommodating. The course on the other hand needs a lot of TLC. There were many places on the course that were just swampy. You could not walk in it was so much mud. The fairways that were not swampy were ok to play.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 10/25/2016

I'm sorry you did not enjoy your round. There are a few fairways on the course, in particular #3, #4, #9, #15 & #16 where we have overseeded some of our weaker areas. Those fairways are still wetter than normal because we are growing in the overseed. We started cutting back on the water on 10/24 and the problem is disappearing.

Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Apache Stronghold

Beautiful course with elevation changes and gorgeous views- Interesting holes - greens held very well - enough dryness on long holes to get some roll with more moisture on several narrower holes to keep ball in play - Excellent value and staff is very accommodating - even with an 80 mile drive a 2 3/4 hr.18 hole round kept it within a reasonable time frame, compared with more expensive lower quality courses in the Metro area.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 25
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Going down hill

I really don't like leaving bad reviews but this course has some problems right now. The greens have had a problem recently and several (if not all) had badly damaged areas. Some were under repair most not. Huge areas of rough bare spots and some had what looked like divots. The tee boxes were overgrown and in need of a good mowing. The fairways were just ok. Were there was grass it was in good shape but there were several areas of bare spots. We traveled from Gilbert through road construction almost 2 hours both ways so to find it in this shape did not make me happy.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 10/11/2016

I am sorry you had a bad experience. As previously explained, we lost irrigation capability for about three weeks this summer and the course suffered badly. That problem has been corrected and we are working hard to repair areas where we lost grass. I wish it could happen overnight, but it can't. With regard to the tees, they have recently been overseeded and we had to let them grow a little shaggy for germination. Now they have germinated we have cut them and they are looking good. I realize this explanation does not help the experience you had but I would hope you give us another chance. We are working hard on bringing the course back, but it will take time, effort and money on our part and some patience from our golfers. But rest assured, we are our worst critics and are working hard on correcting our problems.

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Sad Sad

A once very nice golf course is being allowed waste away. Albeit they have had some problems with weather, there is no excuse not to dress the greens, remove gouges on them and to service the sand bunkers bunkers. Some teeing areas were as bad as the rough for lack of mowing. Maybe greed is taking the place of maintenance. If improvements are not made, the course will soon be unfit for play. Shame!

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Default User Avatar
Commented on 10/01/2016

I'm sorry you had a bad round of golf. As you know from the signs posted in the Golf shop, we have just finished aerating and topdressing greens and they have not fully recovered. We also overseeded our tees last week which prevents us from cutting them until germination occurs. We are scheduled to start reducing the height of cut on the 26th. Our bunkers are our next project. Rest assured, "greed" is not taking place; in fact, we cut our green fees in half during this period because of the weather, aerating and overseeding. We were rated by GolfWeek Magazine as the 17th Best Course You Can Play in Arizona last year and fully expect to reach the same, or higher, rating again this year.

Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
First Time Playing

Terrible condition

Well a lot of the reviews are spot on!!!! First the check in was a complete hassle as we had a 11:30 am tee time but since we were staying at the hotel we checked their tee sheet and they were wide open so we went early (9:30) and the lady at the desk said we couldn't tee off since we already booked our tee time for 11:30. So long story short we went and talked to Rudy the outside service guy and what an outstanding job and service he provided us and let us go out early. It's a real shame as this course needs more people like Rudy!!!! Course layout was great with lots of choices for shots. Now to the ugly part. Fairways were in really bad shape lots of bare spots. Tee boxes were a joke with grass ( 4" tall) weeds and bare spots some boxes you couldn't even see the tee markers because the grass was so high!!!!!! Greens had a lot of bare spots which is a shame because the bent rye grass greens when taken care of properly are the best. Bunkers were full of weeds and not kept up at all. It's really a shame that they are not taking care of this course as it would be a great track and attract more golfers. Overall we loved the layout of the course it's just a shame that the Indian tribe doesn't take care of what treasure they have!!!!!!! Overall save your money and time driving here and play somewhere else.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Poor
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Default User Avatar
Commented on 09/12/2016

We have to acknowledge you comments about the condition of the course. We have been through a tough summer where we lost the ability to properly irrigate for over three weeks. Obviously, that severely impacted our conditions. We have since corrected the problems and expect to have the course back in good condition by October. In the meantime, we have dropped our green fees by fifty percent to compensate for the conditions. Please bear with us...we were rated the 17th best course you can play in Arizona last year and fully expect to regain that status again.

Default User Avatar
Commented on 09/10/2016

From the pure layout standpoint, I love this course. It has great views and wide fairways. I've gone up there (from Phoenix) a couple times a year for many years. You're right about Rudy. He is a GREAT guy and will treat you the best. The shame is always the condition of the course. It can be great with perfect greens and then it can be as you described. Spotty fairways, rough, rumbling fairways, too long grass, standing water (in a desert), traps can be overgrown - I just throw my ball out. Tom Doak was the designer, and shows. Just too bad they can't seem to take care of it. I can ignore the problems and just enjoy the views, the wide fairways (no houses because this is on the Apache reservation), just pure beautiful Sonoran Desert, play winter rules plus and I enjoy myself thoroughly. I admit I took a country club lady there once, extolling the virtues of the course, and she was less than impressed. I still love the course.

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Stronghold coure

The course was not as good of shape as it has been but they advised they had a water problem and we're working on it

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/17/2016

Yes, unfortunately we have had a serious irrigation problem We are working hard at correcting the problem and anticipate a full recovery. In the meantime, we have discounted our regular green fees 50%.

Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/17/2016

Yes, unfortunately we have had an irrigation issue that has caused some areas of the course to be dry and yellow. We are working very hard at correcting the issue and anticipate a full recovery. In the meantime, we have implemented a 50% discount to our regular green fees.

Played On
Reviews 51
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fantastic Day

Course was a little rough. Could have been in better condition. Layout though is fantastic. If there was more spent on the up keep you can see where it was once rated in the top 75 public courses in the US. Staff were very friendly. Great day over all.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
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