Isle Dauphine Golf Club

Isle Dauphine Golf Club occupies a narrow barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately three miles south of Mobile Bay. Designed by Charles Maddox and opened in the early 1990s, the course navigates the island's limited width and flat topography, with the Gulf waters visible from several holes. The routing takes advantage of the coastal setting while working within the constraints of a fragile barrier island ecosystem, where elevation changes are minimal and wind is a constant factor. The course features a links-style character shaped more by necessity than design philosophy—the exposed terrain and steady Gulf breezes create playing conditions that demand low, controlled ball flight and creative ground game approaches. Water hazards, both natural and constructed, appear throughout the layout, and the sandy soil provides firm conditions typical of coastal golf. The vegetation consists primarily of native grasses and salt-tolerant species adapted to the maritime environment. Dauphin Island itself is a small residential and vacation community with a history as both a strategic military site and a fishing village. The golf club serves primarily local members and visitors to the island, functioning as a recreational amenity in a setting where the beach and fishing culture predominate. The course remains vulnerable to tropical weather systems that periodically affect the Alabama Gulf Coast, requiring ongoing maintenance and occasional restoration work to preserve playability in this challenging coastal environment.