Harrah’s Ak-Chin Hotel & Casino

Anyone who has ever played Southern Dunes knows what a great course this is. Of course, SD is one of those "super over-priced" tracks during the peak season, but that's
par for the course...pun intended. However, in the summer months, the mere mortals who can afford to play for a fraction of what the course normally fetches, have a chance to play one fo the better courses in the area. I love this course...I feel that it's one of the best in the state. But one gripe I have is, many of the bunkers (which is one of the selling points of the course) are not good. I understand that maintaining bunkers is usually one of the most expensive elements associated with any course maintenance program. But when you consider the amount of money changing hands to play this course, one would expect properly maintained bunking. I would make one suggesting to those preparing to play this course any time soon...practice putting out of bunkers...you'll have more success than trying to hit a "traditional" bunker shot out of the majority of these "traps". My humble suggesting to the maintenance and management crew at the SD...put some of the money you make from this course back into the bunkers. It's the right thing to do.

Currently the course is in solid shape. Of particular note was the fast smooth running greens and the sand traps. I don’t know what the speed of the greens were but they were significantly faster then what I’ve been playing in the valley. The sand traps were also adequately full and consistent, which unfortunately has become a rarity.

4:15 pace. Friendly staff. Nice bar to have a beer after.

Lone complaint might be that no beverage cart on the course. We teed off at almost 2:00 with very few golfers on the course so I also get it….plenty of bottled water through out the course though.

As close to US Open conditions as a course will get without getting out of hand. Still extremely playable, but will test all facets of the game. If there is a hint of wind, be prepared for a very hard day. Great course. A favorite.

Southern Dunes is highly rated and I can see why. The layout is fantastic and it is a beast from the tips. The only downside were the conditions. They weren’t very good when he played. I feel like this was the exception as I played this course in the recommendation of different people who said they had great conditions at the time. Still highly recommended.

We started to tee off on time but was then held back 20+ mins by the unorganized starter who mixed up tee times. There is a really bad sewer smell at the entrance and near the clubhouse but once you start playing it goes away. Other than those 2 issues, the course is great and we will be back.

I have been coming here every time I visit the Phoenix area ( twice a year for 15 years) have played here at least 50 times over the years and the course is in great condition
Staff is friendly and makes you feel welcome

Only critique was the bunkers need a little tlc
This was the time I played here were pace of play was an issue
Tee time of 8:32 and played in 4:46 , too slow
I generally stay in Peoria or Scottsdale so it is quite the drive but we’ll worth it

Disappointing experience given the price and other reviews.

Drove up to bag drop. Attendant was there but didn’t come over or acknowledge us. I dropped our bags and parked. When we came back, attendant did help.

At check-in they asked for about $10 more than the confirmation email I had and showed them. They had no interest in sticking to the confirmed price.

We went to range, then to putting green near #1, then to starter for our tee time. Starter was aloof, indifferent and a bit obnoxious over the time we were there, which was a long time. It was an 8:50 tee time and they were already running way behind. We teed off 20 minutes late. If at check-in they would have told us they were running behind (which they knew), we could have timed our warm up differently so not standing around waiting at #1. Starter blamed the delay on the 2nd group of the day running late. That’s no excuse. It’s their job to manage so as not to inconvenience everyone else. Pace of play once we started was also slow. Too slow for the early tee time.

The course itself was nice. Pleasant environment. Very playable if using appropriate tee box. Tee boxes, fairways and greens were good. Greens had a lot of poa, rolled slow but pretty true. But… the greenside bunkers were terribly inconsistent. Sometimes almost no sand, bouncing off hardpan right away. Others had several inches deep of soft sand.

On-course restroom was out of order so only option was at clubhouse.

Plentiful water bottles on course was nice.

Finishing this review like I started it, our overall experience was not what we expected. At that price we won’t be going back.

Southern Dunes is a course that any player will enjoy. Conditions are fantastic and the off course amenities are excellent. One of the best in the valley

Great course, lots of sand bunkers, sand was very hard, hard to get out of bunker..