Southern Dunes

[Gandy]

Anyone played SD in last week or two? Is it in good shape? Looking to play while in town Feb 16 and loved the course two years ago. Thanks in advance.

[DrSchteeve]

Here's the review from xjohnx in another thread from playing this past Sunday:

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It was my first time playing Southern Dunes, and I wasn't disappointed.

 

Course: I think the layout is really well done! The surrounding desert areas aren't too penal; you're finding your balls without risking life and limb through cacti. It was just a lot of "fun" that I haven't had playing a few other courses in the area. It has a great mix of holes:

• Medium par threes (4 & 11)
  
• Long par threes (6 & 17)
  
• Short par fours (2 & 14)
  
• Medium par fours
  
• Long par fours (8, 12, 15)
  
• Reachable par fives (3, 7, 16)
  
• Long par fives (7 & 13)
  

It is probably missing a true "short" hole.

 

Conditions: Overall, I would give it an 8.5. I thought the greens were great, and that is always my #1 concern. A little thin in areas but a perfect speed and firmness. I think they might keep the fairways a little too "lush," I'm more a fan of firm and fast "brown is beautiful" way of thinking. But the fairways and surrounds did have a decent amount of bounce. There were a few patchy areas (back middle of #1 green and end of #15 fairway). But overall, for a public course at that price point, pretty darn good!

 

Overall, it might be my favorite course I've played in the area, or at worst tied with Scottsdale National "Other Course." I have also played Scottsdale National Mineshaft, Greyhawk Raptor, WeKoPa Saguaro, Talking Stick North, and DC Ranch.

 

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I played it Saturday and would basically agree that conditions were great. Nothing stood out as an issue, although sure I would love it if the conditions were a bit firmer, but at a Troon course not likely to happen. It is my favorite course in the area, with, of course, Wekopa Saguaro right there as 1A and Troon Pinnacle a close third.

 

I also disagree it is missing a true "short" hole, as I think #4 usually plays to a short iron for a par 3 and #14 is a driveable par 4 for most big hitters.

[Gandy]

Thanks for the replies, that's what I wanted to hear. Great layout just wanted to make sure conditions were still good and fast greens. That confirms my decision.

[puttnforthe8]

Thanks for the replies, that's what I wanted to hear. Great layout just wanted to make sure conditions were still good and fast greens. That confirms my decision.

 

There is a whole thread dedicated to conditions....have a read!

[DrSchteeve]

Thanks for the replies, that's what I wanted to hear. Great layout just wanted to make sure conditions were still good and fast greens. That confirms my decision.

 

Greens were average to fast, not fast, Nothing wrong with that, and consistent. Would love to see faster conditions all around - that's how this course was originally designed to be played.

[Gandy]

Thanks for the replies, that's what I wanted to hear. Great layout just wanted to make sure conditions were still good and fast greens. That confirms my decision.

 

There is a whole thread dedicated to conditions....have a read!

[Gandy]

Thanks for the replies, that's what I wanted to hear. Great layout just wanted to make sure conditions were still good and fast greens. That confirms my decision.

 

There is a whole thread dedicated to conditions....have a read!

 

Can you send link?

[Gandy]

Thanks for the replies, that's what I wanted to hear. Great layout just wanted to make sure conditions were still good and fast greens. That confirms my decision.

 

There is a whole thread dedicated to conditions....have a read!

 

Can you send link?

Nevermind, I see it. Thx!

[sabram]

I played Southern Dunes on Superbowl Sunday. We were the first ones out in the morning. Conditions were very good as described above. I've played here several times before, but this was my first visit since the renovation. The biggest difference that I can recall is the removal of the mound that used to front the par 3 17th. I think I miss that. This is one of my favorite courses in AZ and it is still a very strategic gem. My friend and I (he's an 8, I'm a 13) got paired with two young guys, one of whom played D-1 at U St Louis. They shot 73-75 from the tips. Very impressive. Here are a few photos from the round. I also played Dove Mountain, Sewailo, Legacy and Quintero (first time) on this trip.

 

Ak Chin Southern Dunes #1 right fairway bunker 125

 

Ak Chin Southern Dunes #3 q approach 136

 

Ak Chin Southern Dunes #4 a par 3 165 yards 138

 

Ak Chin Southern Dunes #5 dogleg right from tee 142

 

Ak Chin Southern Dunes #6 par 3 217 yards 146

 

Ak Chin Southern Dunes #7 t long approach 149

 

Ak Chin Southern Dunes #9 g approach 156

[sabram]

The back 9

 

Ak Chin Southern Dunes #10 from tee b 159

 

Ak Chin Southern Dunes #11 par 3 170 yards 161

 

Ak Chin Southern Dunes #14 from tee short par 4 170

 

Ak Chin Southern Dunes #15 i approach 175

 

Ak Chin Southern Dunes #16 from tee par 5 177

 

Ak Chin Southern Dunes #16 u approach over waste bunker 180

 

Ak Chin Southern Dunes #17 par 3 182

 

Ak Chin Southern Dunes #18 x approach zoomed 186