The best golf courses in Alabama, USA

Shoal Creek Club, designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened in 1977, is regarded as Alabama’s top golf course and among the country’s elite private clubs. Set in a scenic valley southeast of Birmingham, it has hosted major championships including the PGA Championship and U.S. Women’s Open. The course is known for its meticulously maintained layout and prestigious history.

The West Course at the Country Club of Birmingham—originally designed by Donald Ross and later shaped by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and Pete Dye—offers a championship-caliber, tree-lined parkland layout with gently undulating terrain. It is one of Alabama's most prestigious private courses, renowned for its strategic bunkering, refined conditioning, and challenging greens.

Wicker Point Golf Club, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, is a private 18-hole course set along Lake Martin in Alabama. Opened in 2023, it features lakefront holes, rolling pine plantations, and a luxury clubhouse, creating a serene and strategic golfing retreat.

The Judge at Capitol Hill is a celebrated Robert Trent Jones Sr. design, renowned for its dramatic opening tee shot and scenic layout along the Alabama River. Spanning over 7,700 yards, it challenges golfers with elevation changes, abundant water hazards, and a mix of strategic holes. It is frequently ranked among the best public courses in the United States.

FarmLinks at Pursell Farms, designed by Hurdzan-Fry Environmental Golf Design, is set on scenic rolling farmland in Sylacauga, Alabama. The course is renowned for its dramatic elevation changes, immaculate greens, and broad fairways, providing playability for all skill levels. Frequently ranked the top public-access course in the state, FarmLinks offers a tranquil, highly playable golf experience blended with Southern hospitality.

Old Overton Club is a prestigious, invitation-only private golf club in Vestavia Hills, Alabama. Opened in 1993 and designed by Jerry Pate and Tom Fazio, the course is widely recognized for its blend of rolling terrain and strategic design. Regularly ranked among Alabama's top private clubs, it boasts a reputation for outstanding playability and memorable holes.

Grand National’s Lake Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1992, sprawls along the shores of 600-acre Lake Saugahatchee. With 12 holes hugging the water, it is renowned for its scenic vistas and strong collection of par 3s. The course is regularly lauded for hosting major collegiate and professional tournaments, and features excellent facilities and challenging holes.

Kiva Dunes Golf Club, designed by U.S. Open Champion Jerry Pate, is a celebrated 18-hole coastal links course on Alabama’s Gulf Shore. Renowned for its raw landscape, strategic bunkering, water hazards, and fast TifEagle greens, the layout offers variety and challenge on every hole. The course has received numerous accolades and is a must-play on the Gulf Coast.

Cambrian Ridge, part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, features three 9-hole championship nines and a 9-hole Short Course in picturesque Greenville, Alabama. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., it is renowned for dramatic elevation changes, challenging play, and immaculately maintained Ultradwarf Bermuda greens. A multi-year renovation completed in 2016 has elevated both playability and aesthetics.

RTJ Golf Trail at Ross Bridge is the newest jewel of the RTJ Trail, designed by Roger Rulewich and Robert Trent Jones, Sr. Opened in 2005, it stretches nearly 8,200 yards from the tips, featuring dramatic elevation changes, water hazards, and large rolling greens. The course offers a parkland-style layout nestled in the scenic Shannon Valley and stands out for its length, beauty, and resort amenities.

The Ledges in Huntsville is a private club perched atop the city’s highest mountain, offering panoramic views and a championship-level layout. Designed by Dr. Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry, the course opened in 2000 and provides a mountain parkland experience with dramatic elevation changes, strategic bunkering, and outstanding playing conditions.

Ol’ Colony Golf Complex is a public, Jerry Pate–designed 18-hole championship course in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Opened in 2000, it stretches over 7,500 yards with over 70 bunkers and 25 acres of lakes, providing a challenging parkland layout. Known for its excellent Bermuda grass conditions, it’s a favorite among locals and a home course for The University of Alabama.

The Ridge Course at Oxmoor Valley, part of the famed Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, winds through rugged Appalachian terrain with dramatic elevation changes and scenic wooded vistas. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., this photogenic layout delivers a thrilling challenge through forested corridors and undulating fairways sculpted on former mining land.

Turtle Point Yacht & Country Club is a premier private club on Wilson Lake in Killen, Alabama. Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. in 1961, the 18-hole layout is recognized for its challenging play, natural topography, and superior conditioning. The club features not only golf but also a marina, tennis, aquatics, and a vibrant social scene.

Silver Lakes Golf Course, opened in 1993 and designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., is part of the famed RTJ Golf Trail. It showcases 36 holes across rolling terrain, dramatic elevation changes, hardwood and pine forests, and lakeside views, offering a scenic and challenging experience in the Appalachian foothills. The greens feature Champion ultra-dwarf Bermuda for consistent putting surfaces.