Ak-Chin Southern Dunes

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes opened in 2002, designed by the Schmidt-Curley Design firm (Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley) in collaboration with PGA Tour legend Fred Couples. Both Schmidt and Curley are former Pete Dye associates. The site was originally dead flat; massive earth-moving created the towering mounds, valleys, and deep sand-faced bunkers that give the course its character.

The land holds deep significance for the Ak-Chin Indian Community: it was part of their original reservation established in May 1912 but removed by Presidential Executive Order later that year. The community purchased the course in 2010, bringing the land back under tribal stewardship after nearly a century. Today it operates as a daily-fee public course managed by Troon, adjacent to Harrah\'s Ak-Chin Casino Resort.

A 2014 renovation enhanced player-friendliness while preserving the championship challenge. The course has hosted U.S. Open qualifying, the Southwest Section PGA Championship, and Korn Ferry Tour Q-School. Golf Magazine has ranked it among its Top 100 Courses You Can Play.

Southern Dunes is an Australian Sand Belt-style course transplanted into the Sonoran Desert — links-inspired with firm, fast fairways that reward the ground game. The feel is more Melbourne Sand Belt than typical Arizona target golf. Fairways reach 70 yards wide in places, but the 129 bunkers (averaging 7 per hole) make sand avoidance the primary strategic concern.

The front nine eases in with a links-style open character; the back nine introduces more demanding challenges immediately. Wind is a significant factor on exposed sections. Walking is practical — unusual for Arizona resort courses.

Greenside play is where the course bites hardest. Putting surfaces are consistent but tricky, and the bump-and-run is often smarter than a lofted chip on the firm turf.

Stay out of the bunkers. With 129 of them, sand avoidance is the single most important strategic consideration. Find the beach and your scorecard explodes.

Play away from the pin on approach shots. The fat part of the green beats a greenside bunker shot every time.

Use your putter off the green. The firm, links-style conditions make the putter viable well off the putting surface — chip shots often run unpredictably on tight lies.

Respect the wind. The open terrain means wind is a significant factor. Club selection should always account for gusts.

Choose the right tees. The tips (76.5/142) are a monster. The white tees at roughly 6,000 yards offer an excellent experience for mid-handicappers.