Alright, so I found myself down in Orange Beach, Alabama, not too long ago. Wasn’t really a planned golf trip, more of a “get away from it all” kind of deal, you know? But the weather was looking pretty good, and the thought hit me – “Wonder if there are any decent places to whack a few balls around here?” I mean, beach towns, sometimes they have these hidden gem courses, sometimes it’s all tourist traps. You never really know.
Starting the Hunt
So, first thing I did, honestly, was just ask the fella at the front desk of where I was staying. Sometimes they know, sometimes they just point you to a brochure rack. This guy was actually pretty helpful, mentioned a couple of names. Then, like everyone does these days, I pulled out my phone and just typed in “golf orange beach alabama.” Not very scientific, I know, but it gets you started.
A few names popped up, of course. Some sounded fancy, some sounded more like your local muni. I wasn’t looking to break the bank, but I also didn’t want to play on a course that looked like my backyard after the dog’s been at it. So, I started clicking around, looking at pictures, trying to get a feel for the places.
Figuring Out Where to Go
Now, I’m not one for super complicated decision-making when I’m on vacation. I saw a couple that looked promising. One place, Craft Farms Golf Resort, kept coming up. They had a couple of courses, an Arnold Palmer design, which usually means it’s at least decent. Another one, Kiva Dunes, sounded pretty high-end, maybe a bit more than I was looking for initially, but the pictures were tempting. Then there was Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club, which also seemed to have a good reputation.
I was leaning towards Craft Farms just because it seemed like a solid, reliable choice. Plus, they had a couple of options there, the Cotton Creek course and the Cypress Bend course. Variety is nice, right?
My First Round – Cotton Creek at Craft Farms
So, I decided to give Cotton Creek at Craft Farms a shot first. Called them up, got a tee time for the next morning. Wasn’t too much hassle, which is always a good sign. Showed up, pro shop folks were friendly enough. Place looked well-kept. The practice green was rolling pretty true, so I had some hope.
The course itself? Yeah, it was a good, solid round of golf. Nothing that was going to beat you up too badly if you were hitting it reasonably straight. Some nice water features, but not so much that you were losing a ball on every other hole. The greens were in good shape, maybe a touch slow for my liking, but consistent. It was just a pleasant day out. Played with a couple of locals who were good company, told me a bit about the area. You know, just a classic, enjoyable round of golf. Didn’t shoot the lights out, but didn’t embarrass myself either.
Checking Out Another Spot – Peninsula
A couple of days later, I was feeling the itch again. This time, I thought I’d try Peninsula. Heard good things about the layout, more of a “shot-maker’s” course, or so they said. Getting a time there was also pretty straightforward. This place felt a little different, maybe a bit more spread out, more natural feeling with the Bon Secour Wildlife Preserve nearby. It has three nines: Marsh, Lakes, and Cypress.
I ended up playing a combination that included the Marsh nine. And boy, they weren’t kidding about the marsh. You definitely had to be a bit more careful with your shots. It was challenging, for sure, but in a fun way. The views were pretty spectacular in places. The conditions were excellent. I think I enjoyed this one a bit more just for the scenery and the layout being a bit more unique. Lost a couple more balls here, but hey, that’s golf, right?
What I Learned
So, what did I take away from my little Orange Beach golf adventure?
- Booking ahead is a good idea, especially if you’re going during a busy season. I went sort of off-peak, so it wasn’t too bad, but I can imagine it gets packed.
- There’s a good variety. You got your resort-style courses, your more natural, challenging layouts. Something for most folks.
- Don’t be afraid to ask around. Locals often have the best insights, even beyond what you find online.
- Prices can vary. Some spots are definitely pricier than others. I didn’t go for the absolute cheapest, nor the most expensive, and felt I got decent value.
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised. Orange Beach isn’t just about the sand and the water; you can definitely get some good golf in. I didn’t get to Kiva Dunes, which I heard is top-notch but also top-dollar. Maybe next time, if the wallet’s feeling a bit fatter. But for a casual golf enthusiast just looking for a good day out on the links, I’d say Craft Farms and Peninsula were both solid choices. Definitely scratched that itch for me.
