North Alabama’s golfing community is one of vibrance and variety. With such a beautiful landscape serving as the backdrop to these greens, it can be easy to get lost in the environment and shank your shot for par into the majestic forests in the distance. When the time comes to set a tee-time this summer, here are a few North Alabama courses to take a swing at.

Dogwood Hills Golf Resort & Gardens

A glistening, orange fog rolls over the first tee as dawn breaks. Tall pines, ripe tomato beds, and the serenity of the morning stillness greets you at Dogwood Hills Golf Resort. Built with luscious vision in 1977, the eighteen-hole course offers visitors a peace and tranquillity that’s sure to last the entire round. With hauntingly serene scenes in the morning; bright, flowing, well-kept sight-lines in the afternoon; and an evening glow that rivals any major’s Sunday stroll, Dogwood Hills is a must-golf while in Flat Rock.

Hampton Cove

Hampton Cove is a familiar golf course. Even for those who’ve never walked its grounds, the first time you set eyes on its beautiful scenery and set-pieces, it feels as if you’re strolling the greens on a humid summer evening with an old friend. Fifty-four holes in total—the short course for time; the river course for beauty; the highlands for challenge. Surrounded by a bustling community of homeowners, schools, and fellow golfers just outside of Huntsville, Hampton Cove offers itself as a fitting preview for those looking to set anchor in the area for years to come.

Ross Bridge

One word: stunning! Ross Bridge in Hoover is breathtakingly pleasant to say the least. Though it is more central Alabama than it is north, it’s one of the highest caliber golfing facilities in the region. A featured course of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, it holds a unique position of being accessible to mid-level players, as well as the distinguished amateur looking to make the leap to pro-level play.  One of the longest courses in the world, Ross Bridge exhibits a beauty and power that mirrors the legendary courses of the south such as The Dye Club, Golf Club of Houston, and even the hallowed Augusta National.