Gulf Shores Alabama, a relative unknown to even the savviest of golf travelers, but if we have anything to say about it, that’s about to change. You say there is coastline in Alabama? Indeed, and Gulf Shores offers some of the most scenic and tranquil beaches anywhere in the southeast, really fun and challenging golf, fantastic cuisine and accommodations with stunning views of those beaches. On a recent visit to the area we experienced all of these treasures, and you can too without breaking the bank?
Gulf Shores Alabama has a northern Florida feel, a dead ringer for several coastal towns in the Sunshine State, but with a much more chill vibe. Don’t get me wrong, if you want some evening entertainment, you can find it here (more on that later), but it has the vibe of a sleepy coastal town . . . like Tequesta, Ponte Vedra or Vero Beach.
Pensacola International is the desired airport of arrival, just over 50 miles southwest from The Beach Club where we stayed (our room view above).
Golf
The Gulf Shores local area includes 15 golf courses, we experienced four of them – Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club, Gulf Shores GC, Kiva Dunes GC . . . and Craft Farms GC (our final stop slightly east of the others, and a bit closer to the airport).
We began our golf itinerary at Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club, a resort facility featuring three 9-hole Earl Stone designs (The Marsh, Lakes and Cypress), each offering a distinctively different set of challenges. We played the Marsh/Lakes combo. Stay and Play packages that include Peninsula, Craft Farms and Kiva Dunes are available through Coastal Alabama Golf.
Next up was Gulf Shores GC, a mid-century muni that underwent a Jay Morrish renovation 20 years ago, it offers value and some really fun golf holes. The routing provides spacious landing areas, but also some creeks and marshes that jut into what seem to be playing corridors if you stray a bit from “Main Street”. The finishing hole requires proper positioning over distance, a marsh runs along the entire inside of a sharp dogleg left where it filters into a pond that guards the boldly contoured putting surface.
Batting third on our itinerary was Kiva Dunes, the headliner . . . and it didn’t disappoint. Kiva Dunes is the clear-cut star of the show for golf in the area, designed by former U.S Open Champion Jerry Pate and Jim Edgemon the developer. Everything about Kiva Dunes is worthy, the routing moves beautifully across the exposed sandscape, and you play in areas fully exposed to the coastal winds like at the par 5 first hole and you play in and out of native scrub, dunes and several specimen Live Oaks dotted throughout the layout. The greens have a bit of everything contour-wise, and allow for run-up shots for those really windy days, and for golfers who struggle to carry the ball in the air. Pate asks you to work the ball on several holes off the tee, and gives generous landing areas on others. Overall it’s a brilliant experience for players of any level.
Our final round of the trip might be considered the sleeper of the bunch – Craft Farms Golf Club, a public access 36-hole facility designed by Arnold Palmer. We played the 1987 design – Cotton Creek Course (the more modern of the 36 holes is Cypress Bend, built six years later). A traditional parkland layout, the track is challenging, but not overly so to the point of abundant penalty areas and hazards intimidating recreational golfers.
Gulf Shore Area – Cuisine / Activities
We took a spin just before sunset on a 53ft catamaran with Sail Wild Hearts around the Gulf from the Perdido Beach dock, another experience well worth checking out. The two-hour chill ride on the catamaran does have a fully stocked bar with beverages and snacks of your choice.
After a full day on the links, the scene was set at Jesse’s on the Bay in Magnolia Springs, Alabama. We were rewarded with a glorious sunset overlooking Mobile Bay, the 180-degree views of the Bay perfectly sets the mood. Jesse’s is the quintessential steakhouse in the area, they pride themselves in serving unique cuts of dry and wet-aged steaks, bone-in cuts and fresh fish brought in daily. If steak isn’t your thing, may I suggest the BBQ Gulf Shrimp, Pan-seared Gulf Grouper, or Lump Blue Crab . . . and make sure you leave room for dessert.
I know, I’d make a separate trip just to go back and eat there. . .
FLORA-BAMA
We spent an evening at the world-famous beach bar known as Flora-Bama, known for its live music, this place seems to have an infinite amount of live concert halls within one establishment. The night we were there the drinks were flowin and the live tunes were pouring out of every other room. Even if you’re not a bar-hopper (I’m not), this place is a MUST experience.
Accommodations
We stayed in a 3-bedroom condo overlooking the surf and sand at The Beach Club Resort and Spa for more info on lodging, golf and activities or call (866) 348-9112. I went in knowing just about zilch about golf in the Gulf Shores area, and came out the other side looking forward to our next visit.
