Headed there next week want to get in a round or two, wondering which ones are actually worth the money, In good shape right now.

Can't give you a recent condition, but there are basically 4 close options:

Peninsula - definitely the best IMO. 27 holes

Kiva Dunes - you'll see it rated highly but I think it's very overrated. It's closest to the beach but zero views, lots of beating scrub, lots of bugs, and lots of wind. Basically all the downsides of coast golf with no upside

Craft Farms - 36 holes, both are good

Gulf Shores Golf Club - I like this one too. Similar to Craft Farms, and it might actually be my #2 behind Peninsula just from personal preference

We rent a house on the beach there for a week every other summer (8 trips now) and I usually play 2 rounds. My rotation is to always play Peninsula, then rotate between Craft Farms and GSGC for a 2nd. Kiva was a one and done.

In general, the condition of all of them tends to be good. Nice warm gulf coast conditions keep that bermuda thriving pretty well

There's also Lost Key east in Perdido Bay, but I've never played there because it's much further and has a reputation of being a real kick in the balls. People call it Lost Ball. I don't need that on vacation.

I've only ever played Kiva once, and I agree. Good condition, but pass for all of the reasons listed above.

The other that I'd pass on is Lost Key… good condition, but the tightest, most white knuckle target golf I can ever remember playing.

I've heard nothing but good things about the others, particularly Peninsula and Craft.

That's what i've always heard about Lost Key. Basically that they built a golf course where they probably didn't quite have room for one. Very tight target golf and even good shots rolling into the crap. Also hard to figure out the right targets first time.

We played craft farms cotton creek that we enjoyed. Peninsula Punched greens the week before we played so the greens sucked but cool layout. Lost key/lost balls sucks. Maybe because it was day 5 in our trip and we were all tired but such a hard course. We did have the blue angels practicing over us which was cool though.

its a little bit of a drive but pensacola cc is sweet.. oldest private club in the state and winter home for bubba watson. they will reciprocate with most private clubs if you belong to one.

Thanks for all the insight.

Im not a member anywhere so the CC is out

Gulf Shores Golf Club is not private. You can play any of Peninsula, Craft and Kiva without any membership / reciprocal.
I like Kiva, probably because I play there in the late fall when it is cooler in GS. It is a good point about not being closer to the Gulf; it could have some nice views if designed better. Has a lot of waste bunkers.
Always play Peninsula a couple of times because it is fairly close to my place. Both Kiva & Peninsula are just off Fort Morgan Road.
Have not played Lost Key so will put that one on the list.

......Post 2 above says Pensacola CC needs a membership

Anyways, Booked a 750 at Gulf Shore Golf Club on a hotdeal from golfnow $75

NOTE OF CAUTION - if you get a sandwich(pretty decent club & fries) at the turn make sure it is secured, those damn ducks on 10 are accomplished food thieves.
Enjoy the day, fun course.

Kiva was punched recently, I played there on June 7th.

Review:

While it was an ok course and was in fairly good shape, it could use some help. They've had a lot of rain so everything was green. And surprisingly the bunkers were in good shape like almost real good shape. The greens were slow and not fully grown in. The fairways were fine but would be a huge improvement if the could dethatch em and let them grow into a thick carpet. For $100 a round I figured it'd be better, glad I got a hotdeal for $75.


We stayed just past Pinensula and almost woukd have rather payed the $130 to see the rest of it. From the road it looked great.