Looking to play the best golf courses in Alabama? GolfReviewsGuide.com picks out the top courses to play in Alabama.

Alabama is one of the lowest states in the USA when it comes to elevation so don’t expect long drives and carry distances as you find in many other states.

The state is home to some notable golf courses and some interesting designs and venues.

Below, you’ll find our top five recommendations starting with a public course at a beautiful resort in the best golf courses in Alabama guide.

READ: Full list of the golf courses in Alabama

1. Kiva Dunes Resort and Golf Course

The Kiva Dunes Resort and Golf Course opened in 1995 and is a unique venue in Alabama. Kiva Dunes is known for offering the rare combination of a beach resort and a golf resort.

As a public course, the par-72 and 7,092-yard affair is accessible for everyone. It remains one of the best achievements of Jerry Pate, the course designer, and former US Open champion.

Located on the Fort Morgan Peninsula, when it first opened it was a top-two pick by Golf Digest for new public courses and has also been named the best links-style course in the Crimson Tide state.

When you play at this venue, expect white sand, natural lakes, and inspiring green vegetation in the area. This is a top-notch resort for a golf vacationer to visit if heading to the southeastern parts of the USA.

2. Shoal Creek Club

The Shoal Creek Club‘s golf course is located in the Birmingham area of Alabama. This course has been around for a few decades now as it dates back to 1977.

It was designed by Jack Nicklaus and is currently a par-72 venue at yards of 7,400.

The course has played host to the 1984 and 1990 USPGA Championship, won by Lee Trevino and Wayne Grady respectively, and the 2018 US Women’s Open won by Ariya Jutanugarn.

Golfers that are able to visit this course can expect a championship-level course in both a scenic and a popular area for tourists.

3. The Ledges Country Club

The golf course at the Ledges Country Club opened for play back in 2000. Since that time, it has earned a reputation for excellence that has come through in many publications.

For instance, designer Mike Hurdzan was recognized by Golf Magazine for his work at the course when he was named designer of the year back in 2003.

The course, which has a closed-guest policy, is at an elevation of 1,582 feet, so you can’t expect your drives to carry as far as the inland mountainous courses.

What you can expect are bent grass greens, zoysia fairways, and bermuda grass roughs. Also, five different sets of tees will make this Huntsville area course accessible to many different skill sets.

4. FarmLinks at Pursell Farms

The Farmlinks at Pursell Farms golf course is on the short side for length, but don’t let that put you off. At 6,970 yards, this venue is a par-72 course that opened in the Sylacauga area in 2003.

In the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, this course was ranked as a top pick for several years of the last decade by GolfWeek in their all-access category.

This is clearly a popular course and Farmlinks at Pursell Farms rates as an excellent course and one well worth playing.

5. RTJ Golf Trail at Highland Oaks

The Highlands Course at the RTJ Golf Trail at Highland Oaks is part of a four-course venue in Dothan, Alabama.

The Highlands Course is the main one on the grounds, a course that is more wide open than most.

At par-36 and 3,892 yards, this is clearly a nine-hole course. However, those looking for more will find it at RTJ Golf Trail as there is also the Marshwood Course and the Magnolia Nine to pair it up with.

With Robert Trent Jones as the designer, it’s not surprising that Golf Digest named it among its “Places to Play” in the past.