What are the best golf courses in Alabama? Here's how Golfweek ranks the Top 10

Alabama may be known for football and hospitality, but it's also home to some of the best public golf in the South. From the rolling hills of the Appalachians to coastal gems near the Gulf, the state offers top-notch courses that welcome everyday players.

To find the best of the best, Golfweek's nationwide panel of course raters evaluated layouts across the country, scoring them on everything from design to conditioning. The result? A list of the top public-access courses in each state.

The panel of course raters scored courses across 10 key criteria, each on a 1-10 scale. With the overall rating, they averaged those numbers to create Golfweek's best course rankings.

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Every course on this list is open to the public. That might mean booking a standard tee time, staying at a resort or reserving through a partner hotel—no secret handshake required.

What are the best public golf courses in Alabama?

Here are the top 10 courses in Alabama, according to Golfweek:

Pursell Farms- FarmLinks (1)Sylacauga

FarmLinks combines bold elevation changes, pristine fairways and smooth greens for a round that's both fun and challenging. New E-Z-GO carts were added in 2023.

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Capitol Hill- The Legislator (4) and The Judge (2)Prattville

With three distinct 18-hole courses spread across 1,500 acres, Capitol Hill is one of Alabama's golf powerhouses. The links-style Senator is a former LPGA stop or enjoy the river views from the Judge course.

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Robert Trent Jones Gold Trail Grand National- Lake(3)/Links course (9)Opelika

The Lake course features 12 holes along the water, and it's as stunning as it is challenging. Be sure to take in hole No.15, as it is often called the prettiest hole on the trail. Links is a newly renovated course with fresh tees, revamped bunkers and smooth TifEagle Ultradwarf greens.

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail- Ross Bridge (5)Hoover

Ross Bridge is one of the longest courses in the world, offering tees for all skill levels. The 18-hole layout winds through scenic terrain and wraps around the Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf and Resort Spa.

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Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Cambrian Ridge- Sherling/Canyon (6)Greenville

The Sherling/Canyon combo has earned national praise, landing on Golf Digest's list of top new public and super-value courses.

Kiva Dunes (7)Gulf Shores

Kiva Dunes is consistently ranked Alabama's top public course, thanks to its stunning links-style layout and challenging shot-making. This award-winning gem offers a memorable golf experience in a beautiful, secluded setting.

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Magnolia Grove-Falls (8)/Crossings (10)Mobile

The Crossings offers a spacious, parkland feel with new water features and Mini Verde Ultradwarf greens, plus a history of hosting LPGA and Korn Ferry Tour events. Nearby, the renovated Falls Course features the trail's only par-71 layout, complete with massive cloverleaf bunkers and reshaped holes, offering a fresh challenge.

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Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: What are the best public golf courses in Alabama? Golfweek ranks Top 10