Skip to main content
  • Visitors
  • Meetings
  • Sports
Visitors
  • All Places to Stay
    • Beach Houses
    • Bed & Breakfasts
    • Condos
    • Hotels
    • Pet-Friendly Vacation Rentals
    • Resorts
    • RV Parks & Camping
    • Cabins
    Friends on the beaches in Alabama
    Should You Stay in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach?
    Tent camping in Gulf Shores, AL
    The Ultimate Guide to Campgrounds in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Children at Waterville USA in Gulf Shores
    How to Plan a Budget-Friendly Beach Vacation
  • All Things to Do
    • Beaches
    • Attractions
      • Arts & Culture
      • Coastal Crafters
      • History & Museums
      • Indoor Activities
      • Popular Attractions
      • All Attractions
    • Amusements & Entertainment
      • Mini Golf
      • All Amusements & Entertainment
    • Fishing
      • Fishing Seasons
      • All Fishing
    • Outdoor Activities
      • Back Bay Blueway
      • Biking
      • Birding
      • Gulf State Park
      • Hiking
      • Motorcycle Runs
      • Nature & Parks
      • Shelling
      • Tours
      • Trails
      • All Outdoor Activities
    • Water Activities
      • Boating
      • Diving
      • Equipment Rentals & Outfitters
      • Jet Skiing
      • Kayaking
      • Marinas
      • Paddleboarding
      • Parasailing
      • Sailing
      • Snorkeling
      • Dolphin Cruises
      • Cruises
      • All Water Activities
    • Shopping
    • Golf
    • Nightlife & Bars
    • Signature Experiences
    Gulf State Park Beach
    10 Fun Family Activities in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Bike Share Program Gulf State Park
    10 Cheap & Free Things To Do in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Dad and kids hunting crabs on Alabama's beaches
    Take The Kids On A Catch & Release Crabbing Adventure On Alabama's Gulf Coast
  • All Events
    • Annual Events & Festivals
    • Community Events
    • Concerts
    • Events Calendar
    • Holiday Events
    • Live Music
    • Snowbird Events
    Gulf Place Gulf Shores Christmas Lights
    Holiday Events
    Blue Angels
    Blue Angels
    Live Music
    Live Local Music
  • All Restaurants
    • Fan Favorites
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Dessert
    • Food Trails
    • Recipes
    • Seafood
    Perch at The Lodge
    The Best Restaurants for Fine Dining on Alabama Beaches
    Pouring a cup of coffee
    The Four Best Coffee Shops in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Cobalt the Restaurant Orange beach
    4 Beach Restaurants Perfect for Date-Night
  • All Planning Tools
    • Order a Vacation Guide
      • Order a Printed Guide & Brochures
      • View e-Guide
      • All Guides
    • eNewsletter Sign Up
      • Couples Newsletter
      • Destination Newsletter
      • Fishing Newsletter
      • Golf Newsletter
      • All eNewsletter Sign Up
    • Maps
    • Getting Here
    • Weather
    • Welcome Centers
    • Couples Getaway
    • Family Vacations
    • Beach Safety
    • Photographers
    Family Vacation Gulf Shores
    10 Things to Know Before Your Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Vacation
    Beach house kitchen
    5 Things I Learned From My Alabama Beach Vacation
    Dog Pond Lake Shelby
    Easy Options for a Pet-Friendly Beach Vacation
  • All Blogs
    • 10 Family Activities
    • 14 Public Beaches
    • 21 Rainy Day Activities
    • 5 Things I Learned From My Vacation
    • 8 Things to Know Before Your Vacation
    Biking in Gulf State Park Gulf Shores
    Bike-Sharing at Gulf State Park: Share the Trails, Share the Wheels
    Paddle boarding Orange Beach
    10 Things to do with Teens in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Waterville USA
    5 Thrilling Amusement Parks Gulf Shores Orange Beach
  • Deals
    All Deals
Visitors
  • All Places to Stay
    • Beach Houses
    • Bed & Breakfasts
    • Condos
    • Hotels
    • Pet-Friendly Vacation Rentals
    • Resorts
    • RV Parks & Camping
    • Cabins
    Friends on the beaches in Alabama
    Should You Stay in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach?
    Tent camping in Gulf Shores, AL
    The Ultimate Guide to Campgrounds in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Children at Waterville USA in Gulf Shores
    How to Plan a Budget-Friendly Beach Vacation
  • All Things to Do
    • Beaches
    • Attractions
      • Arts & Culture
      • Coastal Crafters
      • History & Museums
      • Indoor Activities
      • Popular Attractions
      • All Attractions
    • Amusements & Entertainment
      • Mini Golf
      • All Amusements & Entertainment
    • Fishing
      • Fishing Seasons
      • All Fishing
    • Outdoor Activities
      • Back Bay Blueway
      • Biking
      • Birding
      • Gulf State Park
      • Hiking
      • Motorcycle Runs
      • Nature & Parks
      • Shelling
      • Tours
      • Trails
      • All Outdoor Activities
    • Water Activities
      • Boating
      • Diving
      • Equipment Rentals & Outfitters
      • Jet Skiing
      • Kayaking
      • Marinas
      • Paddleboarding
      • Parasailing
      • Sailing
      • Snorkeling
      • Dolphin Cruises
      • Cruises
      • All Water Activities
    • Shopping
    • Golf
    • Nightlife & Bars
    • Signature Experiences
    Gulf State Park Beach
    10 Fun Family Activities in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Bike Share Program Gulf State Park
    10 Cheap & Free Things To Do in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Dad and kids hunting crabs on Alabama's beaches
    Take The Kids On A Catch & Release Crabbing Adventure On Alabama's Gulf Coast
  • All Events
    • Annual Events & Festivals
    • Community Events
    • Concerts
    • Events Calendar
    • Holiday Events
    • Live Music
    • Snowbird Events
    Gulf Place Gulf Shores Christmas Lights
    Holiday Events
    Blue Angels
    Blue Angels
    Live Music
    Live Local Music
  • All Restaurants
    • Fan Favorites
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Dessert
    • Food Trails
    • Recipes
    • Seafood
    Perch at The Lodge
    The Best Restaurants for Fine Dining on Alabama Beaches
    Pouring a cup of coffee
    The Four Best Coffee Shops in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Cobalt the Restaurant Orange beach
    4 Beach Restaurants Perfect for Date-Night
  • All Planning Tools
    • Order a Vacation Guide
      • Order a Printed Guide & Brochures
      • View e-Guide
      • All Guides
    • eNewsletter Sign Up
      • Couples Newsletter
      • Destination Newsletter
      • Fishing Newsletter
      • Golf Newsletter
      • All eNewsletter Sign Up
    • Maps
    • Getting Here
    • Weather
    • Welcome Centers
    • Couples Getaway
    • Family Vacations
    • Beach Safety
    • Photographers
    Family Vacation Gulf Shores
    10 Things to Know Before Your Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Vacation
    Beach house kitchen
    5 Things I Learned From My Alabama Beach Vacation
    Dog Pond Lake Shelby
    Easy Options for a Pet-Friendly Beach Vacation
  • All Blogs
    • 10 Family Activities
    • 14 Public Beaches
    • 21 Rainy Day Activities
    • 5 Things I Learned From My Vacation
    • 8 Things to Know Before Your Vacation
    Biking in Gulf State Park Gulf Shores
    Bike-Sharing at Gulf State Park: Share the Trails, Share the Wheels
    Paddle boarding Orange Beach
    10 Things to do with Teens in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Waterville USA
    5 Thrilling Amusement Parks Gulf Shores Orange Beach
  • Deals
    All Deals
Meetings
  • Home
    All Home
    • Plan Your Conference
    • How Can We Help
    • Why Our Beach
    • Services
    • FAQs
    • Getting Here
    • Restaurants
    • Things to Do
    • Calendar of Events
    All Plan Your Conference
    • All Meeting Spaces
    • Unique Meeting Spaces
    • Accommodations
    All Meeting Spaces
  • Reunions & Weddings
    All Reunions & Weddings
    • Meeting Planner Toolkit
    All Toolkit
    • Connect With Us
    • Submit RFP
    • Subscribe Today
    All Contact Us
  • Stories
    All Stories
Sports
    • All Events
    • Book>Direct
    • Perfect Game World Series
    • Gulf Shores High School
    • Beach Races
    • Orange Beach High School
    All Events & Special Rates
    • All Restaurant Sponsors
    • On-the-Go Dining
    All Restaurants
    • All Attraction Sponsors
    All Attractions
  • Business Sponsors
    All Business Sponsors
  • Facilities
    All Facilities
    • Facility Info
    • Leisure Events
    • Our Services
    • Planner Toolkit
    • Contact Us
    • Newsletter
    • Future Sports Tourism Development
    All Bring Your Event
  • Sponsors
    All Sponsors
  • Stories
    All Stories

Five Benefits of Playing 9 Holes

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

May 24, 2019

If you’re contemplating playing golf, one of the drawbacks some see is the thought of spending five hours on the golf course if you don’t have that much time to commit. The speed of play in golf is one of the key issues that all golfers are faced with.

We all hit poor shots and spend time looking for lost balls in the trees or perhaps taking a little longer over each shot as the so-called “pre-shot routine” is drilled into us when we watch the pros on TV.

If you’re heading to one of the many championship golf courses in and around Gulf Shores, no need to worry about a slow pace of play with this one tip I have for you. Forego playing the full 18 holes and instead opt for nine holes. Let’s take a look at some of the key benefits.

Gulf Shores Golf
Golf The Gulf
Explore More

Time Savings

Research has suggested that one of the golfing community’s biggest pet peeves is the pace of play on a golf course.

We all lead hectic lifestyles so how does spending only 2-3 hours sound enjoying your favorite golf course? That’s the inherent beauty of playing only nine holes because the average time is only two and a half hours in comparison with over five hours for the full 18.

Why not head out to the links and enjoy the beautiful weather, knowing that your golfing experience will not take up all your free time to enjoy many of Gulf Shores’ other great attractions.

Course Design

Have you ever wondered why many golf courses have very distinctive front and back nines? Of course it’s possible this is because the course architect wants to leave their impression on the course, but I am convinced that many modern-day designs are done this way so that people can enjoy only nine holes.

A great example of this distinctive design feature is at Peninsula Golf Club in Gulf Shores. This luxury course has three unique designs throughout the 27 hole complex. Golfers can experience Peninsula and decide whether they want to challenge the Marsh, Lakes or Cypress designs, each of which has a distinctive look and feel that make them aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

When you think about some of the finest golf course designers that have left their imprint on the Alabama Gulf Coast, such as Jerry Pate, Earl Stone and Arnold Palmer, you really know that you found a golfing destination worth experiencing. Checking out Gulf Shores’ finest golf courses and playing nine holes around each of them is a great way to find the course that best fits your game.

Cost Effective

Many golf courses offer discounted rates for nine holes, so the next time you’re considering visiting the course, contact the pro shop to see if there are any deals available for the shorter version of the game we all love.

Gulf Shores Golf Course

Improve Self-Confidence

Spending hours in the gym is all well and good when you are trying to become a better golfer. However, golf is as much psychologically demanding as it is physical so it’s imperative that you are in the right frame of mind when playing golf. The beauty of playing only nine holes is that it is less mentally taxing, so you are more likely to want to return to try and improve your score the next time out.

There is nothing worse than playing 18 holes and recording a horrendous score, added to the fact you are already physically and emotionally exhausted. Does that make you want to return the next day? I don’t think so, but with only nine holes under your belt, you are raring to go again and try and improve your best round!

Exercise, Exercise, Exercise       

Do you remember the last time you picked up your golf clubs and actually walked nine or 18 holes? Unfortunately many golf courses are designed in a way that is not conducive to walking but one of the key benefits of playing only nine holes is that this is a great way to improve your exercise levels without really burning yourself out.

Every time I play golf I try and exercise my option to walk a course (this is not always possible as some golf courses mandate that you use a golf cart) as this not only helps keep you healthy, but it is a great way to enjoy the overall golfing experience. What better way to spend a Saturday morning than by taking in the beautiful scenery along the Alabama Gulf Coast while having the best round of your life!

Start planning your vacation

eNewsletter icon
Subscribe to our Golf E-Newsletter
Vacation Guide Icon
Order a Free Vacation Guide
Lodging icon
Places to Stay

Share This

Chris and Heather Boothman blog
Chris and Heather Boothman (1323 Posts)
Chris and Heather Boothman are the co-founders and editors of A Brit and A Southerner, a travel blog devoted to sharing their experiences around the world. Focused on "exploring the world one weekend…
  • https://facebook.com/ABritSoutherner
  • https://twitter.com/abritsoutherner

You May Also Like

See All Blog Posts
Kiva Dunes Golf Shores

Should I Join a Golf Club?

Cotton Creek Golf Course Gulf Shores

3 Golf Courses in Gulf Shores Named Best in Alabama by Golfer’s Choice

Kiva Dunes Golf Resort

Get Kids Interested in Golf on Alabama’s Gulf Coast

Golfing in Gulf Shores

5 New Year’s Resolutions to Improve Your Golf Game

Kiva Dunes Pro Shop

5 Gift Ideas for the Golfer in Your Life this Holiday Season

Golfing in Gulf Shores

5 Tips to Maximize your Golf Course Management for a Lower Score

Order a Vacation Guide Subscribe to our Enewsletter
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism Logo
  • Facebook
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Tik-Tok
  • Trip Ideas
  • Press
  • Partners
  • Responsible Tourism
  • 1-800-745-SAND
  • [email protected]
  • Privacy Policy
  • Employment Opportunities
Copyright 2023 Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism. All rights reserved.
  • Subscribe to Enews
  • Vacation Guide
  • Chat With Us