Coasting through Alabama

A discussion of golf in Alabama generally begins and ends with the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. As incomparable as the RTJ Golf Trail is, however, golfers will also find fantastic courses, as well as gorgeous beaches and world-class fishing, in and around Alabama's Gulf Shores and Orange Beach (gulfshores.com; orangebeach.com). The nine courses that belong to the Gulf Shores Golf Association deliver incredible variety, countless challenges and well-maintained tracks designed by some of the biggest names in the game.

Whether the sun, sand and rippling waters attract families on summer vacations or snowbirds escaping the north's winter chill, the area appeals to golfers year round, and a range of accommodations exists throughout the region.

Kiva Dunes (kivadunes.com) has been ranked by Golf Digest as the 24th best upscale course in the country and Alabama's number one course. Designed by PGA Tour player Jerry Pate, who is from the region, Kiva Dunes delivers challenging links-style golf on a course that appears to be manicured by a phalanx of detail-obsessed aestheticians.

To the east along 180 sits the 27-hole expanse of Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club. Consisting of three nines named Marsh, Cypress and Lakes-the latter of which could be called Plenty of Hidden Lakes-Peninsula is run by Honours Golf, an organization that puts a premium on quality service. A round at Peninsula begins with iced apples on the first tee and will likely end with a smile, regardless of whether the putts dropped. Honours Golf also runs Craft Farms (craftfarms.com), which consists of two Arnold Palmer-signature courses, Cotton Creek and Cypress Bend. A few of the holes on Cotton Creek are so beautiful that players may want to pull out their cameras before they pull out their drivers. Cypress Bend, though similarly attractive, is kinder to wayward drives.

Golfers who spray the ball may want to stick to hybrids on TimberCreek, since this hilly course is also extremely narrow. Rock Creek Golf Club will undoubtedly earn votes as "favorite in the region," since its undulating terrain, forested fairways and impeccable greens combine to deliver a truly special experience. I loved my round on this course.

Glen Lakes Golf Club deliciously serves up links-style golf and a handful of memorable holes that golfers may well dream about. The fairways on The Gulf Shores Golf Club (formerly The Golf Club of The Wharf) seem to float between ribbons of water or be suspended on the roots of giant oaks. And although locals have dubbed the course near Pensacola, Florida, "Lost Balls" because its fairways slither between abundant, Titleist-eating wetlands, Lost Key Golf Club is another Arnold Palmer design that demands accuracy but exudes artistry.

No scorecard should have a nine on it, but these nine courses will find their way onto many a must-play list.