Long before Gulf Shores, Alabama became the bonafide golf destination it is today with its outstanding array of fine courses, dream-like beaches, popular entertainment, and bargain prices, Gulf Shores Golf Club was delighting locals and visitors looking for a player-friendly game. The course, located just north of the town of Gulf Shores, dates back to 1963, making it the oldest track in this Alabama Gulf Coast town near the Florida border. From 2005 to 2007 Gulf Shores Golf Club underwent a redesign and transformation by the father-son duo of Jay and Carter Morrish. In updating the course, they lengthened the layout by a few hundred yards, improved and widened the fairways, and added numerous new water features and bunkers that enhanced the round both strategically and aesthetically and solidified the club as a favorite tee time in Gulf Shores. With its very wide, flat fairways, loosely scattered trees at the margins, and lack of out-of-bounds, Gulf Shores Golf Club is the most forgiving course in the area. Though water enters the fray on 11 holes, there are only a couple of forced carries during the round. Unless you hit into the water, you ll likely find your ball when your shots drift errantly. (You ll see houses on every hole, but hitting them is not a worry.) Gulf Shores Golf Club s user-friendly reputation makes it popular with players of all abilities, including novices. Thankfully, diligent rangers keep groups moving when necessary. Practice facilities include a driving range (hitting is always done off mats), putting green, and a chipping green with bunkers. The sprawling clubhouse features a pro shop and a restaurant above it that offers indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the course. Gulf Shores Golf Club is still going strong and remains an especially appealing tee time for players who want a test that s easier and less expensive than the other courses in the area.