Golfers heading to the Alabama Gulf Coast should be prepared to experience the inherent beauty of its golf courses and get ready for some challenging experiences that will test even the best.
Golfers heading to Alabama’s beaches should not only be prepared to experience the inherent beauty of fantastic golf courses but also get ready for some challenging experiences. This is particularly true with the five toughest holes that Alabama’s beaches have to offer! While Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have an eclectic blend of courses, ranging from links-style to traditional parkland, there is a collection of iconic holes that every standard of golfer will enjoy.
Playing a difficult golf course can be both exciting and intimidating, especially when it’s a golf course designed by a professional golfer! Still, visitors along Alabama’s beaches will have the opportunity to showcase their skills on various golf courses that offer a fair test, with plenty of birdie chances. But, a few holes that will need full attention to avoid running up a high number. Many of the world’s iconic golf courses are renowned not only for their beauty but also for challenging holes. This is true for the toughest golf holes in America as well. The 17th at TPC Sawgrass, the 7th at Pebble Beach, and the 17th at St. Andrews are all examples of tricky holes that will test even the best.
Let’s look at five difficult golf holes on Alabama Beaches that epitomize everything there is to love about unique golf course design, along with a few tips on creating the best strategy to overcome these challenging holes without losing too many balls and maintaining proper golf etiquette!
2nd Hole at Craft Farms Golf Resort
The area is home to a plethora of amazing holes, several of which are at Arnold Palmer’s Craft Farms Golf Resort. The 2nd hole on the Cypress Bend course measures 453 yards from the back tees, with water lining most of the left side of the fairway, creating a challenging prospect for all golfers.
While the tee shot is relatively benign (be sure to avoid the bunkers down the right side of the fairway), the challenge starts with a long approach into a green surrounded by water on the left and a large bunker. The undulating green sloping from back to front adds another layer of difficulty to this hole, which is a hole that bogey or better is a good score. It’s no surprise when you see on the scorecard at Cypress Bend that the 2nd is ranked as the most challenging hole on the course.
10th Hole at Kiva Dunes
The 10th at Kiva Dunes is a short par four, one of those ultimate “risk-reward” holes. Golfers standing on the tee will need to focus on taking the ball down the left side while avoiding the strategically placed bunker to capture a misjudged tee shot. Longer hitters may carry this bunker, while the safe strategy is to lay up short and play a short iron into the heart of the green.
A safe approach will leave you bailing out long or to the right side of the green, while aggressive golfers may go pin-seeking and risk finding one of the large bunkers surrounding the green's front and left side. Approaching from the left side of the fairway is critical, especially with the undulating green ensuring you must be putting from the correct level. Otherwise, you will face the daunting prospect of being in three-putt territory.
5th Hole at Glenlakes Golf Club
Glenlakes Golf Club in Foley offers players a unique test, with 27 distinctive and difficult golf holes creating a challenging yet rewarding experience. The 5th hole on the Dunes course measures 439 from the back tees, with trees lining both sides of the fairway. Given the blind tee shot you are faced with at his hole, accuracy is paramount from the tee. A solid tee shot will leave a mid to short iron into a challenging, narrow green.
With a large water hazard to carry down the right, you could be forgiven for bailing out to the left, but those who dare to play directly at the green will be faced with a potentially challenging putt with various undulations. A par is never a bad score on this hole, so avoid the water if you don’t want to ruin your scorecard early in your round.
2nd Hole at Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club
Peninsula Golf Club is home to three distinctive courses, each with a collection of tough holes that offer unique challenges. The second hole on the Marsh course is the longest of all 27 holes at this golfing complex. A par five that measures 628 from the back tees, this difficult golf hole requires accuracy from the tee box and on the second shot, which is perhaps the most challenging, with water lining the left side of the fairway and a long bunker down the right.
Three large bunkers surround the green, so for those playing from the tips, this will require three perfect shots to leave you with a chance at a rare birdie. This hole epitomizes an Earl Stone-designed course, with unique characteristics creating a memorable experience that will perhaps make or break your round, especially if this is your 2nd hole of the day.
9th Hole at ONE CLUB Gulf Shores
One of the Gulf Coast’s newest courses can be found at the 9-hole executive layout just a short drive from Craft Farms. ONE CLUB Golf Course offers a quirky yet challenging experience that provides a fun experience for all the family to enjoy.
While this course is not long, there are several holes that can quickly cause havoc for your scorecard. If you manage to get to the 9th hole without any high numbers on your card, you will be faced with the daunting prospect of a tee shot with water down the right side.
As you walk down the fairway towards the clubhouse, the second shot is equally challenging. With the lake wrapping around the back of the green and the hole frequently cut towards the water’s edge, this is certainly an approach shot where you will want to favor the left side to avoid a high number on your final hole.
