Good Golf on the Gulf Coast this Winter

Make room to pack your clubs so you can hit the links when you coast awhile this winter. If you are coming from a colder climate, winter golf will be a special treat - and even if you are not, the uncrowded courses and bargains are a delight.

Just getting outside in the warm sunshine for a round of golf in winter is refreshing. On top of that, your rental rate and golf fees are reduced, so why not stay longer and play more. There are nine championship courses at your favorite course and each one has a distinct personality – much like your golf buddies.

The two northernmost courses, Timbercreek and Rock Creek, have a unique topography for our flat coastal area. The elevation that’s higher than the beach makes for quite a view from tee box to green. A few miles south of these beauties and just south of Tanger Outlets (where you can buy some cool golf duds, by the way) is Glenlakes that is built to emulate the Scottish dunes. Just before you cross the Intracoastal Waterway bridge you’ll have two award-winning choices designed by the golf legend Arnold Palmer: Cotton Creek and Cypress Bend at Craft Farms. These signature courses are described as two of the best public courses in the South.

Crossing the bridge and just to the west down Clubhouse Drive, you’ll find the original area golf course – Gulf Shores Golf Club – where you will experience magnificent mature landscaping as well as an upgraded, remodeled course. From there, go a little south and then west again, turning down the picturesque Fort Morgan Parkway (Hwy. 180). Follow the road and you’ll encounter Peninsula on the right, which lies along the bay and features some tricky sand traps. Down the same parkway and to the left, located on the Gulf of Mexico, is the award-winning Kiva Dunes that some might say is the most challenging course in the region but is still friendly enough to be playable by those who aren’t scratch golfers.

Leaving Gulf Shores and heading to the east along the beach highway on the scenic island of Perdido Key, Florida you’ll find Lost Key, which is another Arnold Palmer designed course. Don’t let the reputation of being called “lost ball golf course” intimidate you - just take along your least favorite balls for the drop offs into the marshy areas that have critters you might not encounter on your home course.

So now that you know a little about the courses, let’s talk bargains. By combining the lower vacation rental rate in winter with the lower golf course fees, you can enjoy the savings while you enjoy this addictive sport.

Here's an example of a great golf package this winter - the rate for four players staying four nights (taking advantage of the Winter Special free night) in a three-bedroom condo directly on the gulf and playing a round of golf at Glenlakes, Cotton Creek and Peninsula between now and February 28, 2013 would be a grand total of $1550. That’s less than $97 per person per night – what a deal! Of course there are numerous combinations of condos or houses and golf courses that we can coordinate, and fortunately we have golf package coordinators ready to assist you. Simply call Jimmy or Elizabeth at 800-964-4653.

We'd love to hear the names of your favorite gulf coast golf courses - so take a moment and let us know.

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Gulf Shores Golf Vacation Packages