aerial view of golf course in gulf shores

Top 6 Golf Courses to Play Along Alabama’s Gulf Coast

October 19, 2021

The diverse landscape of Alabama’s Gulf Coast is full of wonder and discovery, encouraging outdoor enthusiasts from all walks of life to come and play. Whether you enjoy exploring the miles of beach along the Gulf of Mexico, taking in the hiking and biking trails, or indulging in the many water and land activities, you’ll quickly unearth recreational pursuits the whole family will enjoy winter, spring, summer, or fall.

What you may not know is that Orange Beach and Gulf Shores golf courses are some of the finest in the area, ranking in the top ten on the 2021 Best Alabama Golf Courses List. So grab your clubs, book a tee time, and head out into the great outdoors for some excellent golf along the Alabama Coast!

Where to Stay

No matter what course you plan to conquer, Kaiser Vacation Rentals has the perfect property to accommodate your needs. Select from a wide variety of beautifully appointed luxury homes in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach with everything needed for the ideal coastal getaway. Our properties are close to more than just golf courses, with shopping, dining, and entertainment nearby to ensure everyone has a great time during your stay!

Golf Courses in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

Craft Farms Golf Resort 

Designed by Arnold Palmer, this resort offers 36 well-groomed holes on two diverse courses. Each presents unique challenges among an inspired backdrop of dwarf bermudagrass and meandering lakes. The Cotton Creek course provides excellent views, rolling fairways, large undulating greens, and challenging bunkers. Cypress Bend, its sister course and the newer of the two, presents an ambitious game for golfers at every skill level, with more forgiving fairways, larger landing areas, and water features on every hole. 

Stock up on equipment, apparel, and accessories at the golf shop and loosen up before your round on the one-and-a-half acre driving range, short game practice area, and putting green. Let the camaraderie continue after your game with a cold craft beer at the Cotton Creek Grill, serving breakfast and lunch every day.    

Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club

Running along Mobile Bay and located on nearly 1,000 acres of groomed fairways and nature preserves lie three distinct nine-hole courses. Whether you opt for Lakes, the most scenic, Marsh, the most challenging, or Cypress, the newest and longest of the three courses, you’re guaranteed gorgeous scenery and a serene atmosphere. Bordering Bon Secour Bay and Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Bermuda greens, native live oaks, and cypress trees make this course a standout. Considered one of the best-conditioned Gulf Shores golf courses, generous landing areas provide a merciful day on the fairways for golfers of any skill level. 

With 30 lakes and an assortment of sand bunkers scattered throughout, you may want to hit the practice area first. Refine your skills on the 10,000-square-foot putting green, chipping green, and practice bunker before heading onto the course. Enjoy some good old Southern hospitality with complimentary chilled apples on the first tee!

Kiva Dunes

Recipient of several accolades, including “One of the Top 100 Golf Resorts” by Golfweek magazine and “Number One Public Golf Course in the State” by Golf Advisor, this 72-par course is a pleasant mix of par three’s, four’s, and five’s with opportunities for every level of play. Located on the Fort Morgan peninsula between Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, this nationally ranked links-designed course showcases broad greens and generous fairways that will lend unsurpassed optimism. Proceed with caution as wind challenges changing daily add an unanticipated dimension to the game. 

Get a jumpstart with a few tips for hole ten, a particularly challenging short par four where strategy and precision pay off. Purchase a keepsake tumbler or hat, men’s and women’s apparel, or rent clubs at the golf shop. Better yet, ship your clubs ahead of time via Ship Sticks with door-to-door delivery for both domestic and international travelers. 

Gulf Shores Golf Club

Nestled between Oyster Bay and Lake Shelby and popular with locals and visitors alike, you’ll find 18 championship holes just begging for play.  An impressive layout, consistent and soft greens, and a friendly and accommodating staff are just a few of the features that make this hidden gem stand out. A family-friendly course, excellent for an early morning or late afternoon round, offers a fast game with greens that roll true and a relaxing atmosphere everyone will appreciate. Mature trees scattered throughout and fox squirrels only add to the appeal of this distinctively southern course. 

Swing by the Bar and Grill serving up delicious gumbo and mouthwatering burgers and reminisce over the day’s victories either inside or out on the veranda.

One Club

Nestled in a private gated community surrounded by a mix of beautiful properties lies the perfect spot to get in a quick nine. This well-groomed course renders narrow fairways showcasing a few par three’s, a par five, and several bunkers that make the par four’s challenging. Water on almost every hole makes this a deceptively challenging course, but on the upside, you’ll get plenty of practice using a variety of clubs with lots of wedge play. 

Enjoy Golf After Hours, a mix of fun events including Sunset Golf, Glow Golf, and Glow in the Dark target practice that mix cocktails, food, and live music. Book some time at the TopGolf Swing Suite, an immersive experience with interactive sports games that won’t necessarily improve your game but will encourage a fun night out!

Orange Beach Golf Center

With several holes long enough to challenge your irons, this family-friendly par-three course in Orange Beach is ideal, no matter your level of expertise. Perfect for beginners, families with younger children, and those that don’t want to feel rushed while learning the game, this well-maintained and walkable course is challenging but fun. Native azalea’s and wooden bridges complement the flat course with several carries over water and greens that roll nicely. 

With 30 grass tees, ten covered mat tees, and convenient self-serve ball dispensers, the driving range, lighted for night-time use, is the perfect spot to practice your long game. Seek out the pros for lessons to tweak your swing and assist with other shortcomings that may prevent you from hitting that perfect, albeit elusive, shot!

Alabama Golf Beyond Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

Looking for a challenge beyond Gulf Shores and Orange Beach golf courses? Head east to Perdido Key and hit Lost Key Golf and Beach Club and Perdido Bay Golf Club, both excellent choices. Northbound? Check out the Gulf Links Golf Center and GlenLakes in the Foley area, and don’t miss the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, a collection of championship-caliber golf courses scattered throughout the entire state of Alabama.

Want to stay in the know? Check out our vacation blog and subscribe today to learn more about upcoming Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan happenings! 

Photo credit: Craft Farms Golf Resort

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