FarmLinks at Pursell Farms

Greens just aerated on Wednesday. Not the major one of the year, but plugs nonetheless. Heavily sanded greens. Staff says allow three weeks for recovery. They are offering a reduced rate if you can't wait that long.

My handicap is currently (a very generous) 11.9. Farmlinks recommends players with a 1-5 handicap play the Copperhead tee’s and 7-15 play the whitetail’s. So guess what I did?

I found Farmlinks to be every bit of its 73.0 rating from the Copperhead’s. I shot what was probably my best round in several years, and still couldn’t do any better than an 87. The back nine bit me early and often as I took 3 penalty strokes on the first 5 holes. Other than that, though, I manage bogey golf most of the way with a smattering of pars (I never even seriously challenged for a birdie).

There are plenty of good golf shots to be made on this course and some aww inspiring vista from various tee boxes. I’m not sure anything eclipses the view from the 180 yard 17th tee box, shooting down at a green completely protected in front by a large pond (large enough to appear to be more of a river from the tee box. Even this shot, though, can be made relatively safe if you take enough club as there is a backstop hill to corral any shots that run a little long.

Unless you are playing the Longhorn tee’s (nearly 500 yards longer than the more-than-challenging-enough Copperheads) Farmlinks is reasonable in length (6970 from where I played, 6457 from the tee’s recommended for my handicap) and difficulty. It will challenge you without compromising your outing with undue frustration. With 6 sets of tee’s there is a course for everyone here. This is especially true because most of the greens are not overly protected with the course using distance and angles to add difficulty to the more challenging tee boxes.

While challenging, the thing that really struck me about Farmlinks was its simple beauty. Every hole feels more “crafted” than “designed” and the care and maintenance that is put into the course is obvious at every turn. Course conditions were as close to perfect as I can imagine, and the layout is terrific as well. Going out first was an absolute treat as it felt as though we had the course all to ourselves, and it’s not often you get that feeling on a course this breathtaking.

When people talked to me about Pursell Farms they spoke of being made to feel like a guest, or even family, rather than a patron. After spending a day on the farm, I completely understand where this impression comes from. Various members of the staff made their way over to us at different times while we were there and inquired about our experience at Farmlinks; however, beyond that, they also asked about us. We left Pursell Farms feeling like I had just come from a visit. The course is great, but Farmlinks is more of an “experience” than a round of golf.

We will almost certainly return, probably to stay a few days on the properly itself.

a lot of the time on the way out to farmlinks, it wasn't clear where or why a golf course would suddenly appear. but it did, and it's fantastic!

my favorite thing about this course is that anybody can play it. it's wide open and most holes don't have significant forced carries. at the same time, it's still challenging for better players and requires more thought than just hitting it hard and going to find it.

there are dramatic downhill par 3s, drivable par 4s, and some longer par 4s and 5s. a little bit of everything to keep you interested.

it's a gorgeous setting and they clearly take pride in keeping the course in great shape. it's a little secluded, but well worth the journey. a truly fine course!

I love this course, one of the best I've played in the state. Staff is incredibly friendly and the winter rate is only $49. $49 is an absolute steal, can't wait to come back when The Inn is completed. The course is open and fair, definitely give this course a try if possible. Only thing I would suggest is an occasional ball washing station.

This is a unique course in that it is a research and development agronomy center. They use different types grasses on the tee boxes and fairways, though you would be hard-pressed to really notice. All of the greens are bent. One of the best things about this facility is its' practice area. There is a dynamic, wide driving range with a variety of targets. There is also a large chipping, pitching and bunker green with three different targets. A spacious putting green is also available. Another cool thing about this course? In the spring and summer, you can help yourself to ice-cold apples in wooden barrels at the first and tenth tees. The par-3 5th hole gets all the attention, due to its' ~100-foot drop from tee to green. It really is a spectacular hole. Even though you probably won't be playing the tips, take a ride to the top and look out at the surrounding view. From here you can see the nearby marble mines. Sylacauga and the surrounding area was home to the largest continuous underground marble deposit in the country. Marble unearthed from it was used to build many of the monuments in Washington, D.C. Back to the golf: the par 3s really stand out. The 17th is a stunner as well, requiring a carry over a lake with a lodge in the background. I've stayed in that lodge and it is spectacular sitting on the deck in the late afternoon watching players finishing up. I would say that although the conditioning of the course is spectacular and there is rarely that many players when I've gone (making pace of play a non-factor), there just aren't that many memorable holes. Collectively, it's a good course, but outside of the two par 3s I mentioned, I'm just not sure the memorability is there. At the end of the day, it is still a fun play. GPS in the carts are a plus, and in the summer when the days are long they offer a play all-day special, with a southern buffet lunch in the rustic clubhouse included.

I've heard so much about FarmLinks since I moved to AL. It was a nice experience. Course layout provides a challenge to all levels of golfers. Staff is friendly and carefully watch the pace of play. Great views throughout the course, Especially the par 3 from 200' up. I'd definitely recommend this course and will be back.

Course in good shape. Some greens a little rough. But overall enjoyed playing at this course.

Rated the number 1 course for a reason. Challenging but playable and always in great shape.

Every time I play Farmlinks it gets better.

Great venue, spent Father's Day with my boys and we had a great day. You can bomb it off the tee with wide fairways but it still requires precise iron shots to the undulating greens. Only real criticism of the course is that Holes #1 and #10 are par 5s that are almost identical. Very friendly staff and the food in the clubhouse was fantastic after the round. Don't count on drinking any alcohol on Sunday's in Talladega County but this is truly one of the public golf course gems.

First I really like the course. But this trip was somewhat disappointing, first I booked for on the all inclusive package at $168 per person rate, when checking I was CHARGED $395 plus the $21.95 prepay amount, when questioning the price was told prices are different? Did not want to make a scene because I was treating my son. Then I was HIGHLY disappointed when after paying a higher rate than published we find the Greeens had just been AERATED AND TOP DRESSED! If I had been told I would have chosen another day. Even still should have received some sort of discount. Third pace of play was slow on the 1st 18(5 hours), but the afternoon round was agonizing, after the starter said the group in front of us was super slow, he said he would ask them to allow us through if we caught them, well we caught them on the 1st fairway and watched every shot for the entire 18(5 1/2 hours) with no one in front of them, many times we were on the tee with them without them offering to allow us to play through, never saw the Marshall again! Will have to think twice about making the 2 1/2 hour drive again to pay $420 to play aerated greens at 5+ hour pace!

Excellent greens, various holes with spectacular

elevation drops. Very generous fairways, beautiful

surroundings.

Awesome day of golf...as always at this course. Pace was a little slow for today, but we came to have fun and that we did.

Thanks Farmlinks

Look forward to my next game.

AJ

While you seem to drive forever into the country, you will be glad you did! The course condition is second to none, you feel like you are playing on your personal private course. The driving range, and short game practice area is superb. Worth the time and money to come play this hidden jewel!!!

Excellent course conditions including fairways and greens...all staff are friendly and helpful....will continue to watch for specials offered and will take advantage and play there again...marshall

If there is only one course in the Birmingham area you can play, choose this one. Signature hole #5 is worth it on its own. Greens, perfect. Fairways, perfect. Views, perfect.

This course is amazing. It exceeded my expectations. I just got done with a day at the Masters on Monday and 2 days at the RTJ trail in Opelika and this was my favorite part of the trip. 3 of the par 3s are some of the coolest par 3s I have ever played. The golf carts are amazing, the staff top notch, the restaurant had amazing food (loved the Pig Candy). I cant wait to come back. The tee boxes make this course playable for the high handicap to the scratch golfer. It has everything, although there is no way I would ever walk this course. I bet this course is so beautiful in the fall when the leaves change color.

The staff was incredible! One of the greatest experiences playing golf I have ever had. I highly recommend Farmlinks to anyone that wants an incredible game of golf.

Thank You!

Played Farmlinks on a girls' golf trip in Alabama, we had heard and read all of the accolades about the course and it exceeded our expectations! It is beautiful to look at and play. Played in the spring with the dogwoods and azaleas in bloom, looked like Masters in Augusta week. The course conditions were superb, the staff were most friendly. We will be back next year.