Golfers heading to the Alabama Gulf Coast should be prepared to experience the inherent beauty of its golf courses and get ready for some challenging experiences that will test even the best.
Golfers heading to Alabama’s beaches should not only be prepared to experience the inherent beauty of fantastic golf courses but also get ready for some challenging experiences. This is particularly true with the five toughest holes that Alabama’s beaches have to offer! While Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have an eclectic blend of courses, ranging from links-style to traditional parkland, there is a collection of iconic holes that every standard of golfer will enjoy.
Playing a difficult golf course can be both exciting and intimidating, especially when it’s a golf course designed by a professional golfer! Still, visitors along Alabama’s beaches will have the opportunity to showcase their skills on various golf courses that offer a fair test, with plenty of birdie chances. But, a few holes that will need full attention to avoid running up a high number. Many of the world’s iconic golf courses are renowned not only for their beauty but also for challenging holes. This is true for the toughest golf holes in America as well. The 17th at TPC Sawgrass, the 7th at Pebble Beach, and the 17th at St. Andrews are all examples of tricky holes that will test even the best.
Let’s look at five difficult golf holes on Alabama Beaches that epitomize everything there is to love about unique golf course design, along with a few tips on creating the best strategy to overcome these challenging holes without losing too many balls and maintaining proper golf etiquette!
10th Hole at Kiva Dunes
The 10th at Kiva Dunes is a short par four, one of those ultimate “risk-reward” holes. Golfers standing on the tee will need to focus on taking the ball down the left side while avoiding the strategically placed bunker to capture a misjudged tee shot. Longer hitters may carry this bunker, while the safe strategy is to lay up short and play a short iron into the heart of the green.
A safe approach will leave you bailing out long or to the right side of the green, while aggressive golfers may go pin-seeking and risk finding one of the large bunkers surrounding the green's front and left side. Approaching from the left side of the fairway is critical, especially with the undulating green ensuring you must be putting from the correct level. Otherwise, you will face the daunting prospect of being in three-putt territory.
2nd Hole at Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club
Peninsula Golf Club is home to three distinctive courses, each with a collection of tough holes that offer unique challenges. The second hole on the Marsh course is the longest of all 27 holes at this golfing complex. A par five that measures 628 from the back tees, this difficult golf hole requires accuracy from the tee box and on the second shot, which is perhaps the most challenging, with water lining the left side of the fairway and a long bunker down the right.
Three large bunkers surround the green, so for those playing from the tips, this will require three perfect shots to leave you with a chance at a rare birdie. This hole epitomizes an Earl Stone-designed course, with unique characteristics creating a memorable experience that will perhaps make or break your round, especially if this is your 2nd hole of the day.