Kiva Dunes Golf Course
Kiva Dunes Golf Course
815 Plantation Rd
Gulf Shores, AL 36542-8286
United States
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Overview
Though designed by Alabaman and 1976 U.S. Open winner Jerry Pate, Kiva Dunes looks like it came from the mind of an Australian Open champion. It occupies a tight, attractive property on a peninsula near Gulf Shores that's boxed in by the Gulf of Mexico to the south and Bon Secour Bay to the north. The east-west orientation of the holes means that the constant ocean winds gust across the fairways, often making it necessary to aim shots toward interior lagoons, canals and the low coastal border vegetation to trust they'll be guided back to safety. Pate's bunkering is Australian-inspired with sweeping edges and attractive capes, and when the turf is dry, shots can be chased onto and around the low putting surfaces. This longtime Q school host lost many trees in a storm a few years back, which has only enhanced its links qualities.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
100 Greatest Public: Ranked 58th, 2003-'04. Ranked 94th, 2005-'06.
Best in State: Ranked fifth, 2017-'18. Ranked eighth, 2019-'20. Ranked ninth, 2021-'22. Ranked 13th, 2025-'26. Ranked 14th, 2023-'24.
Previous ranking: 14th.
2025-'26 ranking: 13th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Fun, tight, windy course with a few pretty challenging holes! Was in great condition and a must play along the coast of Alabama."
Read More2025
Review
“Fun windswept course off of the Gulf of Mexico. Lots of sand."
Read More2025
Review
“Kiva is a nice Florida course with enough forgiveness to enjoy the round. It drains well so it plays well after wet conditions."
Read More2023
Review
“Great course for a family outing, or even challenge a scratch golfer, and everyone in between."
Read More2023
Review
“Kiva felt like a mixture of the Ocean Course at Kiawah and the Links Course at Wild Dunes. If in the area it is definitely worth playing as it is head and shoulders better than any course within multiple hours of Gulf Shores."
Read More2023
Review
“Highly engaging design through the low-lying dunes of coastal Alabama. While most of the holes run east-west and all the doglegs are on the front nine, one is left wanting to know what awaits on the next hole. While rolling fairways will affect your stance and undulating greens your putting, a fun day is in store!"
Read More2023
Review
“Beautiful but difficult course! Greens were rolling fast but true. Excellent place to play along the Alabama gulf coast."
Read More2023
Review
“Wonderful resort /public course with wide fairways that are necessary when the wind blows, which must be most of the time given the location on the Gulf. Playable for all levels. Nice practice / warm up areas, very well conditioned with interesting greens to add to the enjoyment."
Read More2023
Review
“Really good and fun course. Being on peninsula you'll get wind off the Gulf (make sure have a windbreaker in your bag). Great layout with a good variety in the design. Fairway landing areas are ample to allow for the wind. Greens are large with a lot of undulation to them, a couple on the back 9 take that the extreme. Conditioning is really good! If you are in Southern Alabama, NW Florida don't miss it."
Read More2023
Review
“This is a resort course that feels more like a championship course. The design is challenging and very fun to play. The greens are large with great contours. The conditions are second to none. The fairways were firm and the greens were smooth and at a good pace. The scenery was interesting and the holes fit together wonderful. The water comes into play regularly and makes the driving feel difficult, but in reality there is plenty of room to play. I enjoyed This course a great deal."
Read More2018
