Southern Dunes

[FyteOn]

When I first moved to Scottsdale in '02, I met up with a group of guys that had just joined Southern Dunes and were trying to get me to join. The course had just opened, the clubhouse was a trailer and there was no food. However, it was an incredible track with a bunch of really good members. I got to play with a bunch of great guys including Tom Couples - although my favorite time was the day that the Cardinals were deciding whether or not to franchise Jake Plummer and he came out with the group because there was no cell service and he didn't want to know. I didn't end up shelling out the $22,5k for membership because it was so damn far away from N. Scottsdale and I didn't think I'd get any value out of it. Plus, my buddies were all members and I could just play with them. A few years passed, course basically went under, all my friends lost their buy-ins and I stopped playing down there. In 2008ish, i went down with a buddy to check it out. It was a skeleton of the great course it had been - but that's what happens in Az when there's no money for water.

 

A few days ago, my father in law from Nebraska was in town and wanted to play a new course. I had a deposition at 1pm so we needed to find somewhere to play early. I read the reviews on here that SD was back in good shape and saw that we could first-off at 7:45am for $85/ea. Figured I could be done by 11, showered and back in the office by 12:30. Why not?

 

I was blown away! First of all, the course is in absolutely pristine condition. The greens are magnificent (although my putting was atrocious, I'll blame the dew) and the fairways were all perfect. But what I couldn't believe was the amount of grass on the course. Not just the fairways, but there's grass between tee boxes and between holes. The course used to be a desert/links mix with very little true green grass and now while it's not a parkland course, the amount of grass out there is incredible. Also, the cart paths which used to be off roading now have these cool little bridges through the washes. I'm not a morning person but going first off was really cool. We basically had a 7 hole lead on the next group out and took our time and enjoyed the course. The casino obviously has poured a TON of money into the course and has made it an outstanding experience.

 

I live in N. Scottsdale year round and other than Wekopa and (previously) Sunridge, I am always nonplussed about the local public courses. I think greyhawk is a ripoff at the summer rates, Troon is never cheap enough to justify and TPC is kinda boring unless the course is tricked up for the tournament. I was blown away by SD and despite the hour + each way, I'll be back.

 

If you're visiting the Phx area and you have a day to kill playing golf, I can't recommend the course more. I played the black at 7307 and it's a true test. The other tees were 6900, 6500 and 6100 - so a test for every hdcp level. The service was the best service I've ever had a Troon course.which I'm sure has something to do with the casino's involvement. If the course was closer I'd play it every week.

[sdhayes135]

I am playing it Monday and couldn't be more excited!

[fore_life]

got some buddies in town on the 18th, Im taking them here. Its my spendy winter round, $84 haha. Love it in the summer, $40 or thereabout for all you can play.

[Pepperturbo]

Great that its reopened. Anyone know who is the new owner is?

[I3erto]

I played it last sunday for the first and thought it was a really great track. One of my favorites in phoenix for sure and worth the price of admission.

[FyteOn]

[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1394134720' post='8812955']
Great that its reopened. Anyone know who is the new owner is?
[/quote]

I believe Harrah's owns it and Troon runs it.

[jewofgolf]

I played it a bunch last summer - my favorite course in the valley.

[birdman72]

I used to play there about once a month when I lived in AZ. It started going downhill right around the time I left, I am happy to hear it's back. It was my favorite course out there, just a great layout.

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1394134720' post='8812955']
Great that its reopened. Anyone know who is the new owner is?
[/quote]

It never closed.

The new owner is the Ak Chin Indian community and the course is being managed by Troon.

The course plays best when fast and firm. The Troon model doesn't necessarily present the course in it's best shape.

Despite the over lush condition, the course is a recommended visit.

[mikedejong]

We played there early last week, booked an 8am time. They had some sort of all you can play deal for like 100 bucks or something. It was awesome, looped around twice and had a nice lunch. Great place and not very busy. One of my favorites down there. 17 might be my least favorite par 3 ever though. 200 yards straight up a hill where you can't see anything. Doubled it both times!

[sabram]

One of my favorites:

[url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/sets/72157631871012549/show/with/8130806571/"]http://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/sets/72157631871012549/show/with/8130806571/[/url]

Southern Dunes Slide Show

[Arizonalefty59]

Definitely gonna play this course a few times in the summer, I have a feeling it's a serious contender for being my new #1 favorite course in the valley. Didn't realize that it's only 4 miles away from my home course.

[FyteOn]

17 is the worst hole on the course. Always has been. It's a shame because 16 is such a great hole.

In that slide show, everything that was dormant is now lush. It's pretty impressive.

[quote name='teejaywhy' timestamp='1394166019' post='8816843']
The course plays best when fast and firm. The Troon model doesn't necessarily present the course in it's best shape.
[/quote]

You must be a lot of fun to hang out with....

[hbear]

As posted a FANTASTIC course. However quite a drive unless you are in the south.

Lots of fun and interesting holes where the player has some nice risk/reward decisions.

The Indian band owns it and Troon manages it...a must play when you are out that way in my opinion.

[dtm6582]

[quote name='sabram' timestamp='1394166316' post='8816883']
One of my favorites:

[media=]http://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/sets/72157631871012549/show/with/8130806571/[/media]

Southern Dunes Slide Show
[/quote]

I played this place once a couple years ago and I think I need to give it another go. All I could remember was it was insanely difficult. The slideshow brought some of the memory back.

Granted, we had 40 mph winds the day I played it. Drove through 2 dust storms to get there. In hindsight, that probably wasn't a good idea.

[fore_life]

[quote name='FyteOn' timestamp='1394206819' post='8819251']
17 is the worst hole on the course. Always has been. It's a shame because 16 is such a great hole.

In that slide show, everything that was dormant is now lush. It's pretty impressive.

[quote name='teejaywhy' timestamp='1394166019' post='8816843']
The course plays best when fast and firm. The Troon model doesn't necessarily present the course in it's best shape.
[/quote]

You must be a lot of fun to hang out with....
[/quote]

Tom(Tjy) is in fact a lot of fun to hang out with, and I agree with his assessment of dormant vs lush. I love the dormant rough that frames the fairways, it fits.

I hate the idea that green=good, and I blame the damned snowbirds haha. I played sd last year and a group of guys were complaining about the conditions, soecifically the dormant runoff areas green side. A course like this IMO is best suited firm and fast.

[jewofgolf]

[quote name='fore_life' timestamp='1394209234' post='8819583']
[quote name='FyteOn' timestamp='1394206819' post='8819251']
17 is the worst hole on the course. Always has been. It's a shame because 16 is such a great hole.

In that slide show, everything that was dormant is now lush. It's pretty impressive.

[quote name='teejaywhy' timestamp='1394166019' post='8816843']
The course plays best when fast and firm. The Troon model doesn't necessarily present the course in it's best shape.
[/quote]

You must be a lot of fun to hang out with....
[/quote]

Tom(Tjy) is in fact a lot of fun to hang out with, and I agree with his assessment of dormant vs lush. I love the dormant rough that frames the fairways, it fits.

I hate the idea that green=good, and I blame the damned snowbirds haha. I played sd last year and a group of guys were complaining about the conditions, soecifically the dormant runoff areas green side. A course like this IMO is best suited firm and fast.
[/quote]

+1 on firm and fast being preferred, especially for this course. My favorite thing about SD is all of the options you have. Many approaches allow you to (if you choose to) play a low running shot and use the contours of the ground. It's also very long so lush fairways make it play even longer and takes away from the experience.

[puttnforthe8]

[quote name='FyteOn' timestamp='1394206819' post='8819251']
17 is the worst hole on the course. Always has been. It's a shame because 16 is such a great hole.

In that slide show, everything that was dormant is now lush. It's pretty impressive.

[quote name='teejaywhy' timestamp='1394166019' post='8816843']
The course plays best when fast and firm. The Troon model doesn't necessarily present the course in it's best shape.
[/quote]

You must be a lot of fun to hang out with....
[/quote]
[list=1]
[*]17 is being redone later this year...they will be moving the burms aside and making the hole more visible. Possibly doing some cleaning tee to green.
[*]TJY is fun to hang out with....I recommend anyone do it once in their lifetime.
[*]I have played the course since it opened...and the initial design and intent was fast and firm, links style. That was the beauty of the course. I still love the course, but have to adjust play based on the time of the year. Plus from an aesthetic point, the contrast of the green and yellow is the best around.
[/list]

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='FyteOn' timestamp='1394206819' post='8819251']
17 is the worst hole on the course. Always has been. It's a shame because 16 is such a great hole.

In that slide show, everything that was dormant is now lush. It's pretty impressive.

[quote name='teejaywhy' timestamp='1394166019' post='8816843']
The course plays best when fast and firm. The Troon model doesn't necessarily present the course in it's best shape.
[/quote]

You must be a lot of fun to hang out with....
[/quote]


Well, wouldn't you know it, I like #17 just the way it is. It is a hole with quirk, on a wonderful course that is full of character. Too bad if they are going to change it.

[Pepperturbo]

[quote name='teejaywhy' timestamp='1394166019' post='8816843']
[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1394134720' post='8812955']
Great that its reopened. Anyone know who is the new owner is?
[/quote]

It never closed.

The new owner is the Ak Chin Indian community and the course is being managed by Troon.

The course plays best when fast and firm. The Troon model doesn't necessarily present the course in it's best shape.

Despite the over lush condition, the course is a recommended visit.
[/quote]

Got ya... going to be in Scottsdale soon. I Iike fast and firm too, but tend to shy away for troon courses. They make fairways lush, but that often means wet too. Experienced that in the Desert recently. At 11 am balls hitting the fairway bounced once and had mud clumps... no roll to speak of either. I am an ole man that needs roll for my measly drives to reach respectable distances.

[fore_life]

Pepper, lets bury the hatchet and play whisper rock.

[puttnforthe8]

[quote name='fore_life' timestamp='1394238684' post='8822617']
Pepper, lets bury the hatchet and play whisper rock.
[/quote]

me too....i guess I can settle for WP

[OspreyCI]

[quote name='jewofgolf' timestamp='1394138319' post='8813365']
I played it a bunch last summer - my favorite course in the valley.
[/quote]
Yep!!! One of my favorite's!

[silentcmh]

I played there last June for $35 and it was in stellar condition, even in the middle of summer. I was very impressed and it's a course that could be played on a regular basis and it would always be a little different. Lots of different angles and pin positions to mix things up.

Plus they had free water bottles throughout the course every couple holes. Private course amenities for $35. Loved it.

[kg92lefty]

Played it in September for around $40. Course was in PERFECT condition tee to green. We never saw another group out there all day. Really fun course plays fast and firm, a lot shorter than the yardage from the back.

[One_Putt_Blunder]

Gotta agree with TJY course was infinitely better dormant in winter firm and fast in summer. My biggest disappointment is growing the collars out a bit takes away the putter from well off the green along with playing the ball low and running it up to the hole.

It really is a fantastic layout but I just enjoyed it much more when it presented itself as the closest we could get to links golf in the desert.

Re 17 I love that hole I think I am -3 under on that hole over the dozen or so times I have played it. Inches from an ace a couple times. Helps that the pin has always been left center little fade off the tee and the ball feeds right at the hole.

[jewofgolf]

17 is a great par 3, as is 6 IMO. Good par 3's should be tough and unique.

[Pepperturbo]

[quote name='puttnforthe8' timestamp='1394249707' post='8823719']
[quote name='fore_life' timestamp='1394238684' post='8822617']
Pepper, lets bury the hatchet and play whisper rock.
[/quote]

me too....i guess I can settle for WP
[/quote]

You guys been carrying around hatchet's??? If I carry, it's a .45. I wish I could say 'yes' to teeing it up, but can't. Trips to AZ are impulsive family time. And before you ask, I will not call a family member to get you guys on Whisper Rock.

[fore_life]

Just couldn't pass up the opportunity to tell everyone how connected you are ol pep.

[dtm6582]

I wouldn't get too worked up about the connection dropping. I think it was Abraham Lincoln who said, "you can't believe everything you read on the Internet".