Is the Dauphin Island Golf Course Open?
Also see our article on things to see and do on Dauphin Island
2024 Isle Dauphine Golf Course Update
The Dauphin Island golf course was originally part of the Isle Dauphine Club. Constructed in 1957 as an effort by local boosters to make the island a “Modern Vacation Mecca,” similar to resorts then going up in Florida and California, the club’s modernist style embodied the optimism and prosperity of post–World War II America. The complex included an extensive sand beach on the Gulf, a swimming pool, large clubhouse and restaurant, and the golf course and pro shop.
But for a variety of reasons the 18 hole golf course had been closed for several years and had fallen into disrepair.
The Dauphin Island Property Owners Association acquired ownership of the course and with the help of a group of retired volunteers re-opened it. It is now managed by Dale Snellman, who has been working hard to restore the course.
My wife and I have played the course two times, in March of 2022 and then again in April of 2024. Dale had made a number of improvements over that two year period . . . and more are in the works.
Dauphin Island Golf Course Condition
Overall the course is a pretty setting with several holes along the ocean and mature pine trees bordering several fairways. (See overhead drone shot below)
In 2022, the tee boxes were a bit rustic, still in the construction stages. By 2024, Dale had re-constructed the longer tee boxes, but the shorter ones were just basic markers in the fairway. But the sandy soil allowed easy placement of your tee.
Isle Dauphine Golf Course improvements
When played the course in 2022, the fairways were in OK condition. Because the underlying soil is sand, wherever the grass was thin wasn’t an issue. By 2024, the fairways were filling in nicely (see the difference in the following pictures).
I categorize the course as quasi-links style. Some of the fairways are quite open while others are lined with Pine trees. The rough adjacent to the fairways was playable. Water comes into play on several of the holes of the front 9, adding variety and interest, as well as a ready source for irrigation of fresh water. It is evident the course has “good bones” and was once considered a top course along the Alabama Gulf Coast.
When playing the course in 2022, upon reaching the first green, we discovered the #1 needed course upgrade. The greens are sand mounds with patches of green ground cover. We just estimated our number of putts by how close we came to the pin. For kicks, I did try putting one green (see the following picture). On some of the sand greens, the ball ran fairly true, but on others a clump of grass or chunk of soil would defer your ball from its intended course. Most of the time, we just chipped up towards the flagstick but didn’t waste our time trying to hole the putt.
In playing the course in 2024, we were pleased to discover the greens had been reseeded and were filling in nicely. All were puttable, some better than others. The putting surface will need another year or two to fully mature, but a great improvement over our first experience.
New Golf Carts
In 2022, we walked the course. Being mostly level with modest terrain changes, it is a very walkable course. The only caveat is that it is a long course – from the long tees, so for 9 holes it would be about 2.5 miles or 5 miles if walking 18. By 2024, Dale had purchased a fleet of new electric golf carts. So we treated ourselves to riding.
Overall Experience Dauphin Island Golf Course
In 2022 and 2024, we had an enjoyable round of golf. Blessed to be outside, enjoying the fresh air, sunshine, scenic views of the Gulf, and getting some great exercise walking the course and swinging the clubs. The improvements in the greens and fairways by 2024 made the experience better. I’d expect to see continued improvements in the fairways and greens as the new seedings mature.
The Isle Dauphine Golf Course has great potential. While it would take huge sums of money to restore the course to its former championship status, Dale and his partner are putting substantial sweat-equity into making it a decent golfing experience at a fair price.
The Isle Dauphine Golf Course is open 6 days a week from 8am to dusk; closed on Tuesdays.
Contact Information:
- email [email protected]
- phone 251-533-0398
BTW If you are staying on the island and want some putting exercise, there is a cute 18 hole mini-golf course on the North shore of the island.
Restaurants, Lodging, and Dauphin Island Attractions
Fun things to see and do on Dauphin Island
A friendly island community with beaches and attractions, with no huge resort hotels
Dauphin Island Campground
A great location, near the East Beach, other attractions, and on the bike trail
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Gulf Coast Golfing Reviews – coming soon