{"id":1138,"date":"2010-10-05T16:32:09","date_gmt":"2010-10-05T23:32:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/robertfagan.com\/?p=1138"},"modified":"2011-04-08T00:10:18","modified_gmt":"2011-04-08T07:10:18","slug":"america-s-best-secret-golf-vacation-destination-gulf-shores-alabama","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/robertfagan\/golf\/courses-and-travel\/1138\/america-s-best-secret-golf-vacation-destination-gulf-shores-alabama","title":{"rendered":"America\u2019s Best Secret Golf Vacation Destination \u2013 Gulf Shores, Alabama?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The 6th at Lost Key Golf Club.<\/p><\/div>\n

There are many popular, well-known American golf destinations worthy of your attention, but I am pleased to highlight a special one that has previously flown beneath the radar screen of most \u2013 the Gulf Shores, Alabama area.\u00a0 And yes, with the BP oil situation resolved, that area of the Gulf Coast is open and ready for play, fishing, boating, swimming, or a host of other activities that you, your buddies, or family might choose.<\/p>\n

How many courses do you typically play in your golf vacations?\u00a0 Well, if it is nine or less, the greater Gulf Shores, Alabama area will fit you to a tee.\u00a0 It possesses nine properties (several offering 27 or more holes) that are conveniently clustered close to one another.\u00a0 In fact, it is very likely that your next course will be no more than fifteen to twenty minutes tops away from the one you are playing or maybe just five.<\/p>\n

While there are other regions that offer many more golf courses, how many do you need?\u00a0 Gulf Shores has the necessary balance and variety in offerings to give you all the different looks and challenges you could want.\u00a0 What\u2019s more, the pricing is right and the service is superior.\u00a0 There is not a facility including Top 100-ranked Kiva Dunes that charges more than $95 at its peak time, and I would categorize the group as a downright bargain.<\/p>\n

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The Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club<\/p><\/div>\n

Yes, the golf courses and the area in general suffered from the perception of what was happening with the BP oil spill.\u00a0 Their misfortune is your opportunity, and you may never want to leave.\u00a0 Below I will present compelling reasons why Gulf Shores, Alabama may be one of America\u2019s best golf or vacation destinations.<\/p>\n

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Kiva Dunes<\/p><\/div>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Golf Course Quality<\/strong> \u2013 You will find really solid, playable golf courses.\u00a0 Kiva Dunes evokes a links feel sitting close to the beach and is the only nationally Top 100 ranked course, but the others are imminently worthy.\u00a0 I also particularly enjoyed the 27 holes at Timber Creek, the 36 at Craft Farms, and the pristine Cypress Nine at The Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club. The Dunes Nine at Glen Lakes Golf Club is a beautiful tough challenge on undulating property, and for those with uncanny accuracy, the swamp-lined Lost Key Golf Club will prove attractive.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Golf Course Variety<\/strong>.\u00a0 Variety is the spice of golf and the Gulf Shores area thankfully has it.\u00a0 You can play coastal golf at Kiva Dunes or feel you are in the Carolinas playing the forested hills of Timber Creek, the flat boldly bunkered parkland style of Craft Farms, or the challenging swamp-lined Lost Key.\u00a0 You will discover the work of the golf course designers Jerry Pate, Earl Stone, and the Arnold Palmer organization.\u00a0 Suffice it to say that there is plenty of variety to provide you a different look and feel from course to course \u2013 hardly boring.<\/p>\n

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The beautiful hilly terrain of Timber Creek.<\/p><\/div>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Affordable Golf<\/strong>.\u00a0 The highest rate at the peak time is $95 at Kiva Dunes (still a real bargain) and you can access golf for as little as the $30 vicinity.\u00a0 What a value!<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Not a crowded \u201cGolf Factory\u201d environment<\/strong>.\u00a0 While three times the number of people visit Myrtle Beach, eleven times partake Orlando, and twice the number go to Phoenix\/Scottsdale, even during peak season, the Gulf Shores region is reminiscent of a sleepy little beach town and that extends to the golf courses.\u00a0 The pace is much more relaxed and uncrowded.<\/p>\n

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A view of the Gulf of Mexico from the Lost Key Golf Club.<\/p><\/div>\n

5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Great Food.<\/strong> Not only are there many dining options around the area, but also many of the golf courses offer far better than the usual golf course menus.\u00a0 For simple casual hometown dining and music, you must sample Lulu\u2019s and for fantastic seafood fare at great prices, you will delight at The Original Oyster House \u2013 both situated on the water.<\/p>\n

6.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Splendid White Beaches.<\/strong> Yes, I swam in the Gulf and it was clean and warm \u2013 simply gorgeous!\u00a0 The area boasts some of the whitest, cleanest sand in America \u2013 reminiscent of the Caribbean islands, only closer.<\/p>\n

7.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Affordable Lodging.<\/strong> There are a plethora of hotels and condo rooms for rent.\u00a0 I was most fortunate to enjoy a gorgeous condo suite at the high-rise Beach Club, which makes luxury affordable for a group of eight at very economical prices (www.beachclubal.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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8.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 World-Class Fishing.<\/strong> The Gulf Shores area boasts the largest private charter fleet in America, which should say something.\u00a0 Your trip into the Gulf of Mexico will assure you of some of the best fishing anywhere!\u00a0 (I was treated to a cruise with Captain Ricky McDuffie and I\u2019d heartily recommend that you check him out at www.orangebeachfishing.com<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

9.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Shopping and Nightlife.<\/strong> Whether your tastes run from beachside boutiques to malls, there are plenty of interesting offerings for both kids and adults.\u00a0 The same goes for the nightlife.\u00a0 I particularly enjoyed \u201cThe Hangout\u201d which features a variety of interesting offerings ranging from a suds machine for kids of all ages, playgrounds, live music, food and adult libations \u2013 and it\u2019s right across from the beach.\u00a0 For the more adventurous crowd, Florabama on the Florida-Alabama border may be worth investigating.<\/p>\n

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The Author enjoying the suds machine at "The Hangout."<\/p><\/div>\n

10.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gambling.<\/strong> If you want to gamble, the casinos of Biloxi, Mississippi are only a quick 90-mile jaunt west on I-10, which make for a perfect rainy day getaway or a convenient stop-off for those coming from the West.<\/p>\n

11.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Easy Access.<\/strong> The Pensacola and Mobile airports are both conveniently located and the area is easily accessed by the Interstate Highway system.<\/p>\n

12.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Service.<\/strong> I am a stickler for friendly service and it\u2019s been a long time since I have experienced such uniformly superior friendly service as I did in Gulf Shores.\u00a0 It not only included the eateries and golf courses, but also the lodging, shops, and everyone \u2013 how nice!<\/p>\n

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Craft Farms - Cypress Bend Course<\/p><\/div>\n

The area golf course have smartly aligned themselves with one another to form the Gulf Shores Golf Association to provide a one-stop shop for information or help regarding your golf trip to the area.\u00a0 I\u2019d recommend that you refer to www.golfgulfshores.com<\/a> for further information.<\/p>\n\"\"<\/a>\n

The interesting thing about golf in the Gulf Shores, Alabama area is that it tends to cater to golf junkets in the spring and fall, but then the visitors are so impressed with the area that they bring their entire families back in the summer once school lets out. \u00a0\u00a0Taking that a step further, after having played at least five golf courses in all fifty states, I\u2019m on the lookout for where I may to eventually end up, and I might just want to have a permanent place here.\u00a0 It\u2019s a \u201cShore Thing\u201d that you will enjoy your golf trip to Gulf Shores, Alabama, perhaps America\u2019s best secret golf destination!<\/p>\n

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Author Bob Fagan on the par-3 12th at Kiva Dunes.<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Find out about a special golf U.S. destination that typically flies beneath the radar screen, but it very worthy for great golf and lots of other things.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":1140,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2247,18,17],"tags":[3410,3411,3412,3413,410,3182,3408,1599,182,1601,3409],"class_list":["post-1138","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-course-reviews","category-lifestyle","category-courses-and-travel","tag-craft-farms","tag-timber-creek","tag-glen-lakes","tag-the-peninsula-golf-racquet-club","tag-arnold-palmer","tag-jerry-pate","tag-kiva-dunes","tag-gulf-shores","tag-alabama","tag-earl-stone","tag-lost-keys"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/robertfagan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2010\/09\/P9130589_2.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/robertfagan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1138","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/robertfagan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/robertfagan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/robertfagan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/robertfagan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1138"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/robertfagan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1138\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1300,"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/robertfagan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1138\/revisions\/1300"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/robertfagan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1140"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/robertfagan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1138"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/robertfagan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1138"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/robertfagan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1138"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}