Oakwood Country Club: A Buyer’s Guide
The newest community in Sun Lakes, and the other half of IronOaks — guard gated, with 45 holes of golf, the only guard-gated townhomes in town, and a more modern feel than anything else in Sun Lakes.
Oakwood opened in 1994 as the last of the five Sun Lakes communities — so its homes are the newest and tend to feel the most modern. It pairs with Ironwood as IronOaks Country Club, so buying here gives you two communities’ worth of amenities and the most golf in Sun Lakes.
First, what IronOaks actually is
IronOaks is the shared country club of Oakwood and Ironwood. Buy in Oakwood and you get the full run of both: a big shared clubhouse, the Oakwood Fitness & Racquet Center, pools, tennis, pickleball, and 45 holes of golf — Oakwood’s 27 holes plus Ironwood’s 18. It’s the most amenity-rich pairing of the five.
So choosing Oakwood over Ironwood isn’t about amenities — those come with either address. It’s about the home: Oakwood has the newest houses in Sun Lakes and the only guard-gated townhomes, while Ironwood leans larger and more established. We lay it out side by side in Ironwood vs. Oakwood.
The newest homes — and the only guard-gated townhomes
Two things make Oakwood stand out. First, because it’s the youngest community, the homes are newer and often more open and modern in layout than the rest of Sun Lakes. Second, Oakwood is the only guard-gated Sun Lakes community with lock-and-leave townhomes. If you want low-maintenance living, a guarded gate, and the full IronOaks amenity set, Oakwood is the single address that checks all three boxes.
The townhomes/villas here sit in sub-associations (Units 37 and 46A) with their own dues on top of the IronOaks assessment — for example, one runs about $287/month and another about $665/quarter, with its own transfer fee. What each covers varies, so we never assume — we pin down the exact amount and what’s included, in writing, before you offer.
A real 24/7 guard gate
Like Ironwood and Palo Verde, Oakwood has a guard on duty around the clock. Residents use a windshield transponder; visitors stop at the gate. It’s one of three guard-gated Sun Lakes communities — and the only one where you can pair that gate with a brand-newer home or a lock-and-leave townhome.
Golf at Oakwood & IronOaks
Oakwood’s course is a 27-hole championship layout — three distinct nines (Palms, Sonoran, and Lakes), each a par 36, so any 18-hole combination plays to a full par 72. Mix and match for a different round most days. Add Ironwood’s 18-hole par-67 course and IronOaks members have 45 holes in all.
| Oakwood nine (par 36 each) | Black | Blue | White | Silver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palms | 3,249 | 3,103 | 2,922 | 2,239 |
| Sonoran | 3,333 | 3,068 | 2,696 | 2,111 |
| Lakes | 3,259 | 3,074 | 2,857 | 2,133 |
Golf and the Fitness & Racquet Center are not in the HOA assessment — they carry their own memberships, so you pay for what you use. Current IronOaks rates:
| IronOaks membership (annual) | 2026 rate |
|---|---|
| Lifestyle (golf + fitness + tennis + pickleball) | $3,738 |
| Golf — 7-day, both courses | $3,254 |
| Golf — 7-day, Oakwood only | $3,104 |
| Fitness only | $302 |
| Tennis or Pickleball (each) | $230 |
Prefer to pay as you play? IronOaks also sells golf punch cards (5, 10, or 20 rounds). Ask us for the current options.
See what’s for sale in Oakwood right now
Live single-family MLS listings, updated throughout the day. Want the townhomes or golf-course homes instead? Tap those searches.
Explore Sun Lakes by amenity: floor plans (every Robson model by size), golf (all five courses, 45 holes at IronOaks), and pickleball (10 courts at IronOaks).
What it costs to buy here (2026)
| Fee | 2026 amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual assessment | $3,036 | About $253/month ($1,518 semi-annually) |
| Villa/townhome sub-HOA | Varies | e.g. Unit 37 ~$287/mo · Unit 46A ~$665/qtr — verify |
| F.A.C.E. fee | $6,072 | One-time at closing (twice the annual assessment) |
| Resale disclosure fee | $400 | One-time ($361 transfer + $39 condo certs) |
| At closing | ~$6,472 | Plus a $100 rush fee, and any villa transfer fee |
The assessment is based on up to two residents; a third adds 50%. Golf, fitness, and racquet memberships are separate, and villa homes add their sub-association dues. Fees are current for 2026 as provided and subject to change — we confirm every figure with the association before you commit.
Is Oakwood right for you?
A great fit if you…
- Want the newest homes in Sun Lakes, with a more modern feel.
- Like the idea of a lock-and-leave townhome behind a guarded gate.
- Golf — and want a 27-hole championship course plus Ironwood’s 18.
- Want low maintenance without giving up the full IronOaks amenities.
Worth knowing before you buy…
- Higher assessment than most Sun Lakes communities — largest amenity set.
- Villa/townhome homes add a separate sub-association fee — always verify.
- Golf and fitness are separate memberships, not in the HOA.
- Being the newest, homes here can carry a premium price.

Thinking about Oakwood?
I’m Jarl Kubat, a licensed Arizona agent with 22+ years in Arizona’s 55+ communities. Newer single-family or a lock-and-leave villa — I’ll pin down the sub-association fees, check the home honestly, and get you the right side of IronOaks.
Call or Text: (480) 710-6326 Contact PageFrequently asked questions
Is Oakwood a retirement community?
Yes — Oakwood is the newest 55+ active adult retirement community in Sun Lakes, guard-gated and part of IronOaks, with the only guard-gated townhomes in Sun Lakes. At least one resident must be 55 or older.
Which Sun Lakes community has the newest homes?
Oakwood. It opened in 1994 as the last of the five, so its homes are the newest and tend to feel more modern. Ironwood, its IronOaks partner, opened in 1987 with larger, more established homes.
Can I get a townhome behind a guard gate in Sun Lakes?
Yes — only in Oakwood. It’s the only guard-gated Sun Lakes community with lock-and-leave townhomes and villas. They sit in sub-associations (Units 37 and 46A) with dues on top of the IronOaks assessment, which we confirm in writing before you offer.
What kind of golf does Oakwood have?
A 27-hole championship layout — three par-36 nines (Palms, Sonoran, Lakes), so any 18 plays to par 72. As an IronOaks member you also play Ironwood’s 18-hole course, for 45 holes total. Golf is a separate membership from the HOA.
Is Oakwood guard gated?
Yes — a guard is on duty 24/7. Oakwood is one of three guard-gated Sun Lakes communities, along with Ironwood and Palo Verde.
How much is the HOA?
The IronOaks assessment is about $253 a month ($3,036/year), covering the shared amenities across both communities and the guard gate. Golf, fitness, and racquet are separate memberships, and villa homes add a sub-association fee. We confirm the current numbers before you buy.
The rest of Sun Lakes
- Sun Lakes overview — all five communities compared, and how to choose.
- Ironwood — Oakwood’s IronOaks partner, larger established homes. Read Ironwood vs. Oakwood.
- Cottonwood and Palo Verde — the other paired communities. See Cottonwood vs. Palo Verde.
- Sun Lakes Country Club — the original, owned land, lowest buy-in.
Read the full Sun Lakes buyer’s guide → · See all Arizona 55+ communities we serve →
Listing accuracy: Property listings and availability are drawn from the Arizona Regional MLS and are believed accurate but not guaranteed. Confirm details with your agent before relying on them.
Fees & community information: Fees are current for 2026 as provided and subject to change by the IronOaks association (Sun Lakes HOA #3). The annual assessment, F.A.C.E. fee, villa sub-association dues, golf/fitness/racquet memberships, age rules, and CC&Rs are summarized for general information and can change. Homes are resale; condition varies by property — always obtain a licensed home inspection. Verify all figures and rules with the association or your licensed agent before you buy. This page is independent buyer-focused information and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Sun Lakes, Ironwood, Oakwood, or IronOaks associations. Jarl Kubat is a licensed Arizona real estate agent.

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