Backspin January 2018 | Page 30

travelspin Stay and Play ... at Craft Farms The thing that will keep you playing is getting a hold of the ball and letting it fly, even if you miss it the other 85 percent of the time, and I’m here to tell you there is a lot of room to let it rip at Craft Farms in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The facility offers the only two courses in Alabama designed by Arnold Palmer and an opportunity for quiet serenity to take in the beautiful landscape. With forgiving fairways that also have a few hurdles for those who want a little tension, the course is perfect for everyone. It’s also where I learned to perfect my “foot wedge.” Before we started playing on our last day of the girls’ golf trip, the ladies told me it would be the most user friendly course. They were right. While I don’t know if I’m the best judge of that just yet (as every course, including driving ranges, currently present a challenge), I do agree that there is lots of room for forgiveness at Craft Farms. I kept most of my balls that day on this public golf course. Massive oaks invite players to the facility, and the staff encourages a friendly atmosphere where beginners are encouraged and those who are more experienced can get around the course easily. Cotton Creek whispers to players as they make their way around the courses, and from family outings to events and fund raisers, Craft Farms can accommodate every golfer’s desire. The clubhouse, available for weddings, parties and events, has the capacity for large crowds but also can provide the perfect venue for intimate gatherings. And the food is excellent. The menu includes options for the picky and the adventurous, and clubhouse staff embraces the rules that define southern hospitality.