As traveling golfers, we’re lucky to experience a variety of fantastic options when it comes to great destinations. Some offer pure golf experiences and receive accolades and well-deserved exposure across multiple platforms. Others include golf but offer more of a varied vacation experience — and though they might sometimes fly under a golfer’s radar, they bring a surprising and welcome element of discovery to those fortunate enough to find them.
On Episode 147 of the “Talking GolfGetaways” podcast, hosts Mitch Laurance and Darin Bunch reflect on just such a wonderful and unexpected discovery — the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area of Alabama on the Gulf of Mexico, which Mitch and his wife Ewa recently enjoyed on a multi-couples trip in late 2019.
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The podcast details the reasons why Gulf Shores proved to be an unforeseen extraordinary getaway, as neither Mitch nor Ewa had visited this stretch of Alabama before. Naturally, golf was the focus of the trip, and what they found was a diverse mix of courses, with layouts and prices for every level of golfer. Gulf Shores Golf Club, Craft Farms (Cotton Creek), Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club and the highly ranked Kiva Dunes all showcase the terrific options available — and the beauty of the Gulf Coast environment.
What the traveling troupe (six couples in all) found most intriguing, however, was the off-course brilliance of dining options, bars, accommodations and the simple enjoyment of an un-crowded, peaceful and remarkably beautiful part of America. Following the devastation of Hurricane Ivan in 2004, the Gulf Coast set out to renew and rehabilitate not only miles of beaches, but also lodging, restaurants and family entertainment venues. The result is a mind-blowing collection of opportunities for fun, food and drink, relaxation and accommodations — such as the magnificent Turquoise Resort on the Gulf (where the group stayed) — all in an atmosphere that welcomes every visitor with Southern charm and open arms.
In this podcast, you’ll hear about such local attractions as the famous Hangout (site of a legendary three-day music festival, great beach food and an off-the-charts collection of toys and fun for the whole family), the famous Flora-Bama Beach Bar (with multiple music bars and the world-renowned Bushwacker libation) and The Yard, where you spend an hour creating your own custom ice cream concoction. And you’ll find yourself hungering for a chance to experience some of the finest culinary artistry anywhere in the world at restaurants such as The Perch at The Lodge at Gulf State Park, Fin & Fork, and the five-star joys of The Safari Club at the new Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo and Voyagers at Perdido Beach Resort.
Listen to this podcast and you’ll understand why the Gulf Shore and Orange Beach area is exactly what we long for in the perfect getaway — for golfers, couples or families. Sweet home Alabama indeed.
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Now is a great time to experience Gulf Shores. Visit coastalalabamagolf.com for this amazing 3-day, 3-night deal of $113/per golfer per day for three rounds of golf (Cypress Bend, Cotton Creek at Craft Farms and Peninsula Golf Club), lodging in Hampton Inn Gulf Shores and a dozen Pro-V1 golf balls for each golfer.
