Alright, so I found myself down near Orange Beach, AL, not too long ago. Weather was lookin’ pretty sweet, and you know what that means – time to find a golf course. My clubs were practically screaming at me from the trunk.
My Hunt for a Fairway
First thing I did, like any normal person these days, was whip out my phone. Typed in “golf near orange beach al” – nothing too complicated, right? And bam, a whole list popped up. Almost too many, if I’m being honest. You got your fancy resort courses and your more, let’s say, local spots.
I wasn’t trying to qualify for the PGA Tour or anything. Just wanted to hit some balls, enjoy the sunshine, and maybe not lose a whole sleeve of Titleists. So, I started clicking around, looking at what was what. Some places looked like they’d charge you just to breathe their air, you know? Others seemed a bit more laid back.
Sorting Through the Options
I wasn’t super scientific about it. Saw names like Kiva Dunes, Craft Farms, Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club – those seemed to be the big ones everyone talks about. Kiva Dunes, heard that one’s a beast, beautiful but tough. Maybe for another day when my game’s feeling sharper, or my wallet’s fatter.
Then there were a few others. I tried to look at pictures, see what the vibe was. Didn’t spend hours on it. You can get bogged down in reviews and all that. Sometimes you just gotta pick one and go.
- Checked distances – didn’t want to drive an hour each way.
- Glanced at price ranges, if they listed ’em. Some are sneaky about that.
- Tried to see if they looked like they’d be packed solid or more chill.
The Decision and What I Found
So, what did I end up doing? Well, I zeroed in on a couple that seemed like a decent balance. Not too fancy, not a goat track either. I was really looking for something where I could just show up, maybe get a tee time without selling a kidney, and have a good walk spoiled.
The main thing I figured out is that Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, they’re pretty well set up for golf. You’ve got options for sure. If you want that pristine, high-dollar experience, it’s there. If you want something a bit more casual, that’s there too. You just gotta do a little bit of homework, or not, and just pick one.
My “practice” was basically just a quick search, a bit of common sense filtering, and then making a call. Didn’t overcomplicate it. Ended up having a decent round, sun was shining, didn’t play great, didn’t play terrible. That’s golf, right? The key takeaway? Plenty of golf to be had near Orange Beach. Just gotta decide what you’re in the mood for.
