Golf is a popular sport in the United States. Aside from that, golf is a highly regarded sport around the globe. Golf is so popular because it’s the best game in the world to be lousy at, according to AA Milne, a famous writer.
A well-known golfer once said, “Golf is the most prestigious sport there is. Famous people around the world can be seen playing golf, including US presidents and members of the royal family.” Even though it’s considered an expensive hobby, golf is also a highly competitive sport. One of the most popular and competitive sports in Alabama, in fact.
That is why there are so many top-notch golf courses in Alabama. Moreover, golf courses in Alabama have been ranked according to their quality.
1. Willow Point Golf & Country Club
This course located in the Alexander city is the largest private golf course in the state of Alabama. This 6,824 meters off and 6 sets of the championship tees which were designed by Robert Nichol, offer the greatest experience for all classes of golfers.
Its signature hole is the 175-meter per 3rd hole which features the lake behind the green. This magnificent layout is situated on Lake Martin and all 18 holes have a view of the lake. However, this course is only for members and their guests.
2. Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Silver Lakes
Mindbreaker, Heartbreaker, Backbreaker and The Short Course – unique names right? Actually, these are the names of the courses at Silver Lakes. The golf trail, surrounded by Appalachian foothills and Lee’s Lake, offers 36 holes of forests, grasslands, and wetlands.
If you want a challenging course, then Silver Lakes is perfect for you. Again, if you just want to have relaxing time, you can still do that on this beautiful golf trail.
3. Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Highland Oaks
This 36-hole complex has some of the longest and best traditional hole designs on the trail and is a definite “must play” for all golfers.This is a public golf course which is located in Dothan, the southeast corner of Alabama. It has 3 championship class 9- holes plus a short par-3 nine holes.
Although each nine is different and the Highland 9-holes form the base of the most popular choice of 18 holes to play. Coupled with the Magnolia 9-holes, with its beautiful magnolia trees on the slopes, the contrasts provide outstanding views and a challenging course.
You also might find it necessary to know about these best golf resorts in Alabama.
4. Farm Links at Pursell Farms
Located in Talladega County, Alabama, this public golf course has 7,444 meter long yards with 18 holes.Designed by Dr. Muivhael Hurdzan, this golf course was built in 2003 and has ranked in the top public courses for years. People can get one-day memberships in order to play this stunning golf course.
5. Grand National Golf Course
Built on Lake Saugahatchee, Alabama, this golf course has 32 of the 54 holes drape along its filigreed shores. With 12 holes hugging the shore, Grand National’s Lake Course is every bit scenic and not only is the quartet of par threes as good as any in the nation, the 230-yard, island green 15th may be the single prettiest hole on the Trail.
Moreover, the par-four 18th might be the strongest finishing hole on the Trail. This golf course is a thing of beauty, with more than half the holes touching the lake. This 18-hole course of one-shotters might be the finest anywhere on the planet, according to some golf writers.
6. Capital Hill Golf Course, Prattville
Located in Prattville, Alabama, this public golf course is one of the largest golf courses in Alabama, which is 7,142 meters from the tips and 5,402 meters off the front. Moreover, it has multiple tees which allow the golfer a choice on the day.
Its signature hole is the opening 379-meter par 4 which drops straight down off the tee and has water on the right and bunkers guard the entrance to the green which is said to be the most photographed hole on the trail.
Learn more about the national parks in Alabama!
7. The Shoals, Muscle Shoals
With 7,288 meters off the championship tees and 4,798 meters off the front, this public golf course has one of the most beautiful traditional golf courses along the Tennessee River.
It offers two 18 signature hole championship golf courses which are situated between the Wilson and Wheeler dams. And the traditional one named “Schoolmaster” has rolling tree-lined fairways that blend into the natural topography.
8. Kiva Dunes
The next one on this list is every shot-makers dream! Ranked in the top public courses for years, the course meanders through natural marsh and coastal bush and is within a conservation area. Developed and designed by Jim Edgemont, with assistance from Jerry Pate, this links-style course is a fair test for all golfers.
And the most amazing part of this golf course is – it is situated on the peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico and Mobile Bay. So the constant changing of the winds adds character and challenges to the course.
9. Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club
This 27-hole golf course was designed by Earl Stone and offers 3 distinctively different nine holes that offer a variety of golf and playability. Situated on the Fort Morgan Peninsula, between Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, its pristine fairways and greens are very hard to beat for any golfer.
The course meanders through 800 acres of cypress trees, live oaks, and other natural vegetation. In fact, alligators are a common sight on the course as well.
10. Vestavia Country Club
Originally established as Vestavia Hills Golf and Riding Club, one of the best clubs in the Southeast, changed their name to Vestavia Country Club in 1950. Spanning over a 176 acre area, the club promotes a family friendly environment for its members.
12. Gunter’s Landing Golf Club
This one is a private golf course, located in Guntersville, Alabama is about 6,862 yards long and was built in 1992. So, this one is known as one of the oldest golf courses in Alabama.
It was designed by Jimmy Kennamer, which has a bunker, academy, pitching and swimming facilities. Since it’s a private one, you will have to be a member of this course to participate.
13. Magnolia Grove Golf Course
The property at Magnolia Grove includes creeks, marshland, and lakes, with each of the 54 holes carded from a thick forest of hardwood and pine. The main attraction is The Falls, which is characterized by large, liberally contoured greens and massive, cloverleaf bunkers.
On the 10th, a 570 yard par 5 and possibly the best strategic hole on the course, a waterfall cascades across stair steps just beneath a contoured green that falls eight feet from front to back. Most of the holes on the Short Course, recently named the best par 3 course in America, call for forced carries over marsh to liberally sloped, bulk headed greens and are equal to any of the one-shotters on the full-length courses.
14. Limestone Springs Golf Club
Limestone Springs Golf Club is one of Alabama’s best kept secrets. Located 25 minutes north of Birmingham, Alabama, this public access golf club is nestled throughout 225 acres of the Appalachian Mountains. It offers some of the most dramatic elevations and picturesque views in the state and features one of Alabama’s top-rated championship golf courses.
But don’t let the beauty of this northern Birmingham golf course be a diversion, because it will present you with exceptional golf course conditions, pristine Crenshaw bent grass greens and a golfing challenge like you’ve never experienced.
15. Robert Trent Jones at Cambrian Ridge
This public course is known as one of the most beautiful and challenging courses on the trail, and it offers three 9-hole courses and a short par-3 course.
The signature hole for this combination is the 154-meter par-3 4th hole played over the lake to an island-type green and the Sherling / Canyon combination is very highly rated by all and the substantial elevation changes down to the fairways flanked by Lake Sherling are stunning.
16. Craft Farms Golf Course
Relax and enjoy the beauty of the Craft Farms Golf Resort with 36 holes of golf designed by the golf icon, Arnold Palmer. These two public golf courses are the only courses in Alabama designed by Arnold Palmer. Both 18-hole courses are located just minutes away from Fort Morgan and the beautiful white sand beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama. Craft Farms Golf Resort invites you to experience two of the best public golf courses in the South.
17. Rock Creek Golf Club
Located off the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay in Baldwin County, Rock Creek Golf Club offers one of the best Southern Alabama golf courses. Moreover, Rock Creek is a full-service golf club complete with an award-winning restaurant and array of social activities and events designed for the entire family.
Alabama has some of the top golf courses in the country. Residents are spoiled for choice when it comes to their favorite pastime. A select few of these 18-hole golf courses are owned and run by affluent individuals, while others are free and open to the public. You may enjoy professional golfing at the courses listed above.