815 Plantation Road, Gulf Shores, Alabama 36542, US
(251) 540-7000
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About Kiva Dunes

Kiva Dunes Resort is set within a conservation area on the Fort Morgan peninsula minutes from the sugar-white beaches of Gulf Shores. Its vacation rentals range from full homes to fully furnished condos, each allowing guests access to the resort's four pools, two restaurants and private beach. The Kiva Beach Club is home to a salt-water pool and full restaurant service. Massage and yoga services are available. Kiva Dunes, a Jerry Pate design, is considered by many Alabama's No. 1 public course.

Facts

Price Range$$$
Property Class★★★★
Year Opened1995
Number of Units100-300

Amenities & Services

RestaurantsBar, Casual
Room TypesFractional Ownership
TennisYes
Fitness CenterYes
Practice FacilityYes
Beach AccessYes
Banquet SpaceYes

Rules

Is the resort pet friendly?No
Is resort stay required for a tee time?No

Golf courses at Kiva Dunes

Reviews

4.7
695 Reviews (695)

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

The best on the coast and probably the state of Alabama!!!!

Kiva Dunes is by far the best course we play - we play there often! This golf course always gives you a different look because of the changing weather conditions. It is both fun and challenging to play.

The renovations to the course in 2015 are awesome and the course is always in fantastic condition. The staff from the cart attendants, the restaurant staff to the Pro Shop are always welcoming and just the best a guest could hope for. They create a great experience each time we play.

If you have not visited our area and played Kiva Dunes you need to put it on your itinerary soon - you will not regret it. Kiva Dunes is simply the best!!!!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great staff. Great course

The course was in excellent shape. Every hole had something unique. The staff was excellent and explained the course very well prior to teeing off. They definitely saved me a few strokes on tee shots I would have hit out of bounds. I really liked the card they gave out showing yardages and the hole layouts. Best course in the area that I've played.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 20
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Challenging layout with wind

Arrived at course about an hour early, was checked in

and met by attendant who provided range balls and directions. Starter came by range and sent me out early because it was a slow day. Course was in great shape from tee box to the green. Also played fast since I was a single (3 hours).

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Excellent course with friendly staff!

Kiva Dunes is a true gem on the Gulf Coast. Beautiful course, friendly pro shop staff, tasty food and an outstanding maintenance crew make this a must play when you are in the area! With last year's renovation, Kiva Dunes is even better than before. I grew up playing this course and I'm proud to have a top-notch course like this in my hometown. You will not regret giving Kiva Dunes a try... I recommend this course to every golfer I meet!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Incredible layout and conditions

I've played Kiva several times. It never disappoints. Impeccably maintained and terrific layout. Food in the clubhouse and on-course beverages make it a great experience all the way around.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Best course in the Gulf Shores area

No doubt this is the best course in the Gulf Shores area. Manicured at top-shelf standard. Superb greens. Just the best there is. Always look forward to playing every year when I'm down that way. The recent renovations make it the best of the best. Looking forward to my next trip down.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Best Course on Gulf Coast

Great layout and very well manicured. Changing wind conditions make it extremely enjoyable to play multiple times. Excellent accommodations along 18th hole for those staying on-site. Staff and menu make breakfast, lunch and 19th hole another big plus at this must play destination.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Great links style course

Kiva Dunes is a great layout. The course is challenging and fun to play, especially when you get some wind. The makeover of the bunkers has greatly improved the course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Best course in the Southeast

I am so lucky to be a local to Kiva Dunes .. without a doubt one of the best courses I've played! .. Great staff as well .. if you're ever in the area don't miss the opportunity to play it !

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fantastic course and awesome staff.

From arrival to departure, every aspect of my round was smooth and stress free. The course was immaculate, and the pace of play was perfect. I would recommend this course to anyone and will definitely be back.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Best on The Gulf

Course was in perfect condition. Lush fairways and perfect greens. Renovation in 2015 created playability for all levels of golfers. We felt welcomed and the staff made sure we had everything we needed and were enjoying our day. Generous fairways and big greens help accommodate the breeze off the gulf. KIVA DUNES is a must play.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Great round

Course is in excellent condition. Fairways are perfect and the greens are fast and true. Great staff.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Kiva Dunes a great course

I played Kiva twice this week. I found it to be a very challenging course - big undulating greens, often with run offs at the back. It is the height of summer so the greens were a bit slow and hard. They had recently aerated (this was disclosed when booking) which impacted a few fairways and greens. There is plenty of trouble on the course, but it is well designed and you can play away from it (on most holes). From the White Tees the landing areas were generous, from the Blue it was a much greater challenge for me (not a long hitter).

I was able to book a couple of Hot Deals and they were great value. At the regular price Golf Now I wouldn't have been disappointed.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 22
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Better than RTJs

We played our way through Alabama and Kiva was, by far, the course with the best spring conditions. They also were the only course that had someone to clean out clubs instead of just throwing them in the car.

Lots of wind and some difficult holes, but greens are fast and true. There are no surprises. Great premium course with friendly, capable service.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 768
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Golf Advisor
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Kiva Dunes rules the Alabama Gulf Coast

Kiva Dunes has dropped off lists ranking the top 100 public courses in the country, but it's still in that same league. Because Kiva Dunes Golf Course is closer to the shore than the other area courses, it tends to be more affected by the wind.
The best six holes hug a canal, including a rousing two-hole finish. No. 17, a long par 3, tends to play into the wind with the canal up the left side. The tough par-4 finishing hole reverses directions with the canal up the right side. It's a test of golf as good as any in the state.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
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