Gulf Shores - Lost Key/Cotton Creek

[Amstarvid]

Just booked my tee times for me and my son Thanksgiving week in Gulf Shores - wife and daughter will be hitting the spas, we'll be playing Lost Key and then Cotton Creek the next day.

Anyone here played these courses? They looked great online, and the rates were good for this time of year. This will be our first time to Gulf Shores - really looking forward to it.

Thanks!

[srjorion]

I've played Lost Key twice, but one was before Hurricane Ivan and the course is much different now. The joke used to be the course name was "Lost Ball" due to the fact that if you were off the fairway by a few yards you could forget about finding your ball in the thick brush. I played it earlier this year and liked it. There are a few blind shots over marsh but if you play smart you should be able to keep your ball in play.

I used to live right next to and play at Perdido Bay Golf Club which is about a mile north of Lost Key. Worth a round if you are going to be in the area. I haven't played Cotton Creek.

Have fun in my old stomping grounds.

SRJ

[trjohnson2]

Both are nice courses but be sure to bring extra balls for Lost Key. Previous commenter was right on, a few yards off the fairway and good luck finding your ball. Play it from the tips and there are a lot of blind shots. Last I played the greens were running pretty slow so it wasn't too punishing. Cotton Creek is a whole different style and one I prefer over Lost Key. A more open run and closer to what you might expect from a Gulf Coast type course. Gulf Shores is a good visit, and Im sure you can get some good deals around town, they are still trying to get business back after the oil spill.

[Amstarvid]

Back from my trip, and the reviews were right. My son and I liked both courses, but they were quite different. Lost Key certainly held up to it's nickname of "Lost Ball" (which I heard multiple times from people down there). It was quite easy to lose them, and I'm not just talking about balls sprayed way off line...with never playing the course before, it was tough at times to know where to hit, and how much room you had - I had a couple of tee shots lost because I hit them too far into a dogleg, or 10 yards over the green. Still, a fun day and a great value. Cotton Creek @ Craft Farms was more my style, though - more open, though still tough with plenty of sand and water. Definately on of my favorite courses I've played. Weather was perfect (80), and it was a great time with my son. I'll be back for sure.

[srjorion]

Glad you like it. I'm missing the November/December weather I enjoyed in Pensacola right now.