Best golf courses near Auburn, AL

Located just minutes from campus, the Auburn University Club—home to the Tigers’ men’s and women’s programs—was designed by architect Bill Bergin, an Auburn men’s team alum, opening in 1999. The layout, which can be stretched to over 7,300 yards from the back tees, is situated on 225 acres of rolling hills and woodlands surrounding Yarbrough Lake. The length of the course, combined with narrow fairways and many elevation changes make this a stern test.

The first nine holes at Saugahatchee Country Club in eastern Alabama were built in 1947, and a second nine was added four years later. The city of Auburn and Opelika purchased the land from the club in 1976, renaming it Indian Pines, and have operated it as a municipal course ever since. Several years ago, the regional airport, which is adjacent to the course, announced a runway expansion that would impact four holes, necessitating a rerouting of the course to accommodate the lost acreage. Cue Auburn University alum and Atlanta-based architect Bill Bergin, who rejiggered the holes to fit into the new footprint. He found space to broaden fairways while injecting more character into the green complexes, including building new bunkers with raised grass faces, a Bergin favorite. He also found room for an expansive new practice range and short game area, and the whole project has been rebranded Pines Crossing with green fees ranging from just $25 to $55.

The PGA Tour’s Barbasol Championship was played on Grand National’s Lake course from 2015 through '17. Strategically placed bunkers and large multi-tiered greens defend this eastern Alabama layout. The track hugs the shore of Sougahatchee Lake, which comes into play on 12 of the 18 holes, often around the greens. The four par 3s each offer a stern test with water in play, most notably on the signature island-green 15th.

Contrary to its name, the Links course at Grand National requires many forced carries over bunkers and marshes to often elevated, undulating greens. The layout features large greens with numerous tiers, placing a premium on precise iron play. Weaving through woodlands and playing along Sougahatchee Lake, the Links concludes with its signature par-4 18th, where both the tee and approach shots must carry water to reach an enormous green.