August 21, 2020

Golf in Fairhope Alabama: Quail Creek Golf Course

Quail Creek Golf Course in Fairhope Alabama

Popular Muni Tough to Get on Some Days, but Worth the Effort

Tucked away in a neighborhood near downtown Fairhope, Alabama, golfers can find a good 18-hole challenge at Quail Creek Golf Course.

The city-owned course, built in 1988 by Barney Shull, who designed the course, presents a fun (if one is striking the ball well and accurately) course to play.

Quail Creek Golf Course Scorecard

No. 5 on Quail Creek Golf Course
No. 5 at Quail Creek brings water into play from the tee. (Photo: Tommy Hicks)

Quail Creek features five sets of tees. The tips are the Blue tees (6,363 yards), with the White tees next in line (6,093 yards). The Gold tees (5,453 yards), Green tees (5,262 yards) and Red tees (4,706 yards) close things out.

It doesn’t feature a lot of water — water only comes into play on holes 3, 4, 5, 7 and 18 — but there are at times tight fairways lined by tall pine trees and an occasional interesting twist that keeps golfers on their toes.

The par 5 third hole gives the impression of a dogleg right, though as it turns out it doesn’t dogleg as much as the eye would suggest. Too far right off the tee and your ball will either find the water or you will have trouble finding it. No. 6 requires accuracy, with a small landing strip of a fairway along the left-hand side, a small area on the right-hand side that slants toward water and tall pine tree right smack dab in the middle.

No. 5 is the course’s signature hole, with the back tees requiring a shot over water to the fairway. The shorter tees simply require a tee shot that doesn’t find water.

Players at Quail Creek often encounter strategic decisions. On No. 7, a sharp dogleg left, options include a safe iron off the tee or a gambling shot cutting the corner and shortening the hole considerably. There are similar options on the eighth hole, another dogleg left.

Quail Creek Golf Course Has a Thriving Tournament Scene

Quail Creek offers a variety of fairways – some large and some not so large. Playing within one’s game requires those taking on the Quail Creek layout to be patient and give their shot selection some thought. Those who can keep their tee shots in the fairway will find the experience more enjoyable than those who have difficulty in that area.

Brian Williamson is the head professional and Jeff Williams is the superintendent of the course that features Bermuda grass greens, fairways and tees.

Quail Creek Ladies and Men’s Golf Associations

Quail Creek Golf Course is popular with area players, which means tee times may be difficult to get on Saturday mornings, when the men’s association has 80-90 golfers taking part in weekly competitions, or on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings when ladies and senior groups go off in shotgun starts..

Prices are reasonable compared to other area courses. The cost for 18 holes before noon is $26, with cart fees at $19. After noon, the cost for 18 holes is $18 with a $19 cart fee. For nine holes the cost is $18 before noon and $12 after noon. Cart fees are $11 for nine holes. The junior rate is simply $12 for all day. The cart fees remain at $19. The prices are good Monday through Sunday.

To make a tee time, phone the course at (251) 990-0240 or 1 (888) 701-2202.

Dress Code

No cut-off shorts, gym shorts, tank tops, halter tops, swim wear, short shorts, or shirts with offensive/profane graffiti.

Directions to Quail Creek Golf Course

  • From I-10: Take the Malbis exit south approximately 10.5 miles past Walmart; entrance is on the left at the blinking light
  • From Gulf Shores: Take Hwy 59 north to Hwy 98; follow 98 west to Hwy 181 and turn north; entrance is just over seven miles to the right
  • From downtown Fairhope: take Fairhope Avenue east to Hwy 181 (3 miles); turn right; entrance is just over a half mile on the left

Tommy Hicks is an Alabama Golf News contributor

Have a story idea or a news item to report? Email bamagolfnews@gmail.com.

Featured image: Quail Creek

 

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