Pursell Farms

I was first surprised by the high overall quality of the golf course itself in a relatively remote area. The views of the surrounding countryside were breathtaking. Also I was amazed at amount of changes in elevation on several holes.i very much enjoyed my round and will definitely be back again.

The Good: Pursell Farms is an incredible 3,500 acre facility about an hour southeast of Birmingham. The resort centers around FarmLinks, the 18-hole Hurdzan/Fry golf course that is one of their best public designs in the US. Rugged track with severe elevation, yet extremely fair, this course has some of the most fun Par 5's, strong Par 5's (particularly on the front half), and a Top 3 best foursome of Par 3's that I've ever played. Great course conditions and good, large greens that only have slight undulation. Nice clubhouse that has a small dining area, while there is an extremely nice resort area that has multiple restaurants and lodging options. One of the better driving ranges you'll find at a public course. Excellent staff and great value considering the quality of course.

The Bad: Greens were a little slow and the surrounding complexes weren't in great shape, mostly impacted by a tough winter. Overall the design is fantastic, but some of the Par 4's on the back nine tend to blend in or are too similar. Course had us tee-off on the back nine which was odd.

The Verdict: One of the best hidden gem courses in the country. Undoubtedly should get consideration for Top 100 public lists and worthy of high Alabama state rankings. One of the most fun, fair courses you will ever play.

Best Hole: The Par 3 5th has one of the biggest drops from tee-to-green that I've played. Unfortunately I didn't take enough club...twice.

Great course and great practice facility! Awesome staff

Course had been closed all week due to the moderate winter storm that passed through. Hard to believe there was snow on the ground the day before, because conditions were superb.

There were a few soft spots, but I'm not sure they even needed to be cart-path only, as was the case.

Greens were as good as I've seen them here, another testament to the greenskeeping crew. Still would like to see people do a better job repairing their pitch marks. I fixed two and three additional blemishes on seemingly every green.

Noticed they are clearing a bunch of trees, which opens up some sight lines, particularly on the sixth hole.

The GPS in the cart was on point. The problems with it I had on my last visit here were ironed out.

The pace of play was slower than usual, but I attribute that to a delayed start of tee times to ensure that the course was playable after the week's closure and the balmy 60 degree temps that brought many out to the course.

The $59 winter rate is one of the best deals in the state currently, and includes cart and full use of the range and practice areas before the round.

Perfect place to go spend the day. Beautiful golf course, friendly staff awesome facility. I loved it

There has been a shift in the focus of FarmLinks, the golf course at Pursell Farms. The facility emerged onto the golf scene in 2003 with tremendous buzz, as it was the first agronomy research course in the country. The idea was to bring 3-5 superintendents, greenskeepers, etc. per week and have them spend 3-5 days learning about the latest in fertilization and course maintenance techniques. However, with the sale of the family's fertilizer business, this approach is no longer a revenue generator. I was told the focus has now shifted to becoming a resort, with golf front and center. Hence the construction of a new inn, that is scheduled to open in ~6 months. There will also be a restaurant and pub that will give a more rooted presence than the small restaurant inside the clubhouse. Golf buddies trips and corporate outings are going to be increasingly pursued, to complement the existing Parker Lodge, cottages, wedding facility and Orvis hunting and fishing activities.

That being said, despite the heavy rain received in the previous couple days due to the remnants of Hurricane Irma, the course was in fantastic shape. Drained really well, and did not see any standing water.

The bentgrass greens were recently vented and a tad slow, but give them two weeks and if we get the falling temps that should accompany late September into October they will be in splendid Autumn shape.

One of my favorite aesthetic things about FarmLinks in the long-grass ringed bunkers that creates an excellent contrast to the tightly mown green-side runoffs. You must be able to chip from tight lies to save par here.

This is an excellent fall destination, given the proximity. FarmLinks lies at the base of the Appalachians and the vistas provided, particularly around the collection of par 3s is remarkable.

FarmLinks continues to enhance its brand with the addition of a lodge and pub adjacent to the 18th fairway which should be completed in a few months. Meanwhile, the course is in tip-top shape. Fairways are lush and greens have fully recovered from recent aerification. One of the aspects of this course that make it challenging for the better player and difficult for the higher handicapper is the closely-mown areas around green that puts a premium on pitching and chipping. Aesthetically, this gives the look of the Tour courses you see on TV every week, and gives FarmLinks a little better seat at the table than most courses. My one criticism of the course's conditioning, however, was the bunkers. Recent rain had obviously washed out most of the bunkers, particularly at the high points around lips. I know this can't be remedied in a day or two, but a course that looks so great in every other regard, and demands a $100+ greens fee needs to be better in this department. The on-going clearing of brush and trees down the left side of the short par-4 13th hole is a good decision. FarmLinks also boasts one of the finest practice facilities I've ever encountered. The short game is magnificent, and the expansive practice tee can accommodate different wind directions. GPS is provided on the carts and yardage guides are available in the pro shop, which is smallish, but carries finer brand merchandise.

This course is in absolute pristine condition! Fantastic and challenging layout. Highly recommend getting to this course, which is basically in the middle of nowhere. If you are going to Alabama to play golf, this course is a must play.

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.