5 Courses to Play

• Layout and Design: Links-style course with challenging water hazards and sand dunes.
• Number of Holes: 18 holes
• Course Yardage: 7,092 yards from the back tees
• Slope: 132
• Facilities: Clubhouse, practice areas, pro shop, restaurant, and beach access

Ready to visit one of the top public golf courses in Alabama? Kiva Dunes offers golfers the opportunity to experience a challenging yet rewarding 18 holes. Regardless of your standard, Kiva Dunes will test your nerve, skill and ultimately, your patience, as there are a number of challenging holes that require full concentration. 

Even the best golfers that visit the Gulf Coast will find Kiva Dunes an ambitious test, with holes such as the iconic 17th providing one of the toughest tee shots along this stretch of coast. A shot of 215 yards from the back tees across the water is required and undoubtedly plays an integral role in determining whether you walk to the 18th with a great scorecard or one that you may prefer to leave on the previous hole.

One of Kiva Dune’s unique selling points is the dynamic tee-time pricing strategy, as this frequently gives golfers the opportunity to pick up a bargain green fee. For those that prefer to book in advance, you can book your preferred time slot, head to the course with the knowledge that there is an awesome practice area to utilize prior to your opening tee shot, and then a clubhouse with excellent cuisine on offer to enjoy the 19th hole.

• Layout and Design: 27 holes divided into three 9-hole courses (Cypress, Lakes, Marsh) with diverse challenges and scenic views.
• Number of Holes: 27 holes
• Course Yardage: Cypress - 3,474 yards; Lakes - 3,429 yards; Marsh - 3,306 yards (from the back tees)
• Slope: Cypress - 130; Lakes - 128; Marsh - 132
• Facilities: Clubhouse, pro shop, restaurant, practice facilities, tennis courts, and fitness center

When you think about idyllic golf courses around the world, some spectacular golf destinations may immediately spring to mind, such as Augusta National, Pebble Beach or TPC Sawgrass. However, one course that deserves just as much attention because of the gorgeous natural landscape surrounding this golfing haven is Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club.

Located on the Fort Morgan peninsula, Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club is consistently voted as one of the “most memorable and enjoyable” courses in the southeast by Golf Digest. Enjoy 27 distinctive holes, each offering a unique challenge and perfectly manicured to ensure visitors from across the globe experience one of the best courses on the Gulf Coast. 

The Cypress course offers several opportunities to improve your score, but it frequently leads golfers into a false sense of security as a high number is just around the corner. The Lakes course offers undulating greens and perhaps one of the most iconic holes at Peninsula – the short par-3 8th hole, which is an intimidating tee shot for even the most confident golfers. The Marsh course is not only a collection of intriguing golf holes but also a paradise for wildlife sightings, with alligators, eagles and other species frequently seen on this nine.

• Layout and Design: Two Arnold Palmer-designed courses (Cotton Creek and Cypress Bend) with Southern hospitality and natural beauty.
• Number of Holes: 36 holes (18 holes each for Cotton Creek and Cypress Bend)
• Course Yardage: Cotton Creek - 7,127 yards; Cypress Bend - 6,848 yards (from the back tees)
• Slope: Cotton Creek - 132; Cypress Bend - 134
• Facilities: Clubhouse, pro shop, restaurant, practice areas, and event hosting

When the great Arnold Palmer opted to showcase his design skills on the Gulf Coast, his desire to create a golfing masterpiece was clearly confirmed when he helped design the 36 holes at Craft Farms Golf Resort. 

While Palmer’s influence at Craft Farms is epitomized throughout the course design, this is unequivocally one of the finest examples of embracing Southern hospitality throughout the historic Cotton Creek Clubhouse, alongside the inherent natural beauty of both the Cotton Creek and Cypress Bend courses.

Offering a true championship challenge at over 7,000 yards from the back tees, it’s no surprise that even the best golfers find Craft Farms to be a difficult prospect. Like many other Palmer-inspired designed spots, there are a number of “risk-reward” holes throughout both courses. While your bravery may lead to birdie or even eagle opportunities, the true challenge begins when you start trying to master the undulating greens that will certainly identify the best golfers.

• Layout and Design: 18-hole course designed by Jay and Carter Morrish with shard doglegs and bunkers.
• Number of Holes: 18 holes
• Course Yardage: Gold Tees - 6,856 yards; Blue Tees - 6,410 yards; White Tees - 6,006 yards; Teal Tees - 5,420 years; Red Tees - 4,822 yards
• Slope: Gold - 127; Blue - 121; White - 119; Teal - 114; Red - 107
• Facilities: Clubhouse, pro shop, restaurant, driving range, putting green, chipping green

Alabama’s Beaches are home to several fantastic courses, including the Gulf Shores Golf Course, which sits right in the heart of the beloved beach town. This 18-hole course provides golfers with a scenic but challenging round of golf.

For those who love the coastal-style courses, you will immediately notice this design throughout layouts. Water features combined with a number of bunkers and doglegs create a challenging layout. However, golfers of every standard will enjoy this course as quality shots are rewarded with opportunities to shoot a low score.

If you’re not up for a full round, the driving range, putting green, and chipping offer golfers an exclusive area to practice while still providing a gorgeous view.

• Layout and Design: 9-hole course with a lighted driving range, suitable for practice and short rounds.
• Number of Holes: 9 holes
• Course Yardage: 1,120 yards (from the back tees)
• Slope: Not typically rated due to short course length
• Facilities: Driving range (lighted), practice green, clubhouse, and pro shop

If you are looking for the perfect affordable golf course in Alabama Beaches, where you can work on your game at a lighted driving range before venturing out on a 9-hole course, Orange Beach Golf Center is the perfect location to visit. 

Annual memberships are available for both Orange Beach residents and those out of state who enjoy visiting the Gulf Coast throughout the year. This is definitely a great way to save if you plan on visiting multiple times, and you can play unlimited rounds for the duration of your membership.

With both grass tees and mats at the driving range, golfers can enjoy practice in all conditions, and the nearby practice green offers the perfect location to work on your short game. A round at Orange Beach Golf Center is one of the most affordable on the Gulf Coast and offers golfers of every standard the chance to fine-tune their accuracy with plenty of water and other hazards ready to capture any stray shots.