u084215941

I had multiple issues with the starters hut on this day. They didn't have my tee time because they said, "the front desk didn't tell them." But they corrected their log and all was well. Later one of the starters sent off early, the twosome I was supposed to be paired with but didn't inform the other starters. Because they weren't aware of the change they didn't know to find me a group and so they sent me off as a single on a busy Sunday morning. When I made the turn a single had jumped in front of me. When I spoke to the starters about it they told me I was mistaken, that they were behind schedule and that is why a different person/group was now on the tee box. They didn't bother to check with the single and to confirm what they were telling me. I did. The single had stopped for lunch and was coming back into rotation. No problem, we hooked up and finished the round. I issue I have is the multiple failings of the starters hut (there were four or five personnel working the starters hut) and the total lack of management anywhere on the facility. The bar/restaurant had one person working, taking orders, making drinks, serving meals and bussing tables. Do you think you would have to wait to get a soda? I didn't see the drink cart until the fourteenth hole (2 1/2 hours into the round). I play 2-3 rounds a week in the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area and there are eight clubs within a 25 mile radius so to be paying resort prices for substandard service is foolish. I'm going to take my business elsewhere.

I played Lost Key for the second time in a month recently. Tee to Green it is the most fun (challenging) course and best course condition in the Orange Beach - Gulf Shores area. Their greens are a little course but roll very nicely and can be very quick (Kiva Dunes has, by far, the best greens in the area). Beyond that i could find no complaints. The course is well maintained and can be described as manicured, unique in it's layout and design and affordable. it cost me $63 (tax included) for 18 holes, golf cart and range balls. Go check it out but if you cant hit the ball straight then bring an extra sleeve of balls!

I booked through GolfNow which worked fine and Glen Lakes had a record of my transaction. However, the course had a large MGA group on the course and a large LGA event underway. The Pro-shop and starter were not communicating and the starter was harried and offering no help of any kind. I managed on my own to hook up with another golfer and tee off within minutes of my scheduled tee time). We waited on the first fairway and finished within 15-20 min. and moved to the second hole. When we arrived we were the fourth group in line as one group was on the green, one on the fairway and one on the tee in front of us. After 10 minutes and no movement in the field we returned to the club house and chose not continue play. The course management had over booked the facility and made no effort to control and monitor play. At the very least the management should have informed anyone requesting a tee time of the back log of players and the anticipated time to play. There are too many quality courses in the area for anyone to suffer the poor management of any facility. I will play elsewhere from here on.

This course has the elements important to me so I give it a high rating. That is, big fairways and greens, fun layout and well maintenance course. I've found the GSGC to be the best maintained course for the price (~$80/rd) in the Baldwin County area. And that's year-round. I've yet to play the course when it wasn't in great shape. I use GolfNow to find discount rounds (~$30/rd) so you just can't beat it. The layout is fun yet challenging and I like the big greens because it builds confidence being able to hit a large percentage. However, with large greens you can find yourself with a 50, 60 or 70 ft. put and consequently 3-putts are not uncommon. I've played just about every course in Baldwin County and Gulf Shores is, without a doubt, my favorite course.