A Quick Nine: Best golf courses in Alabama

When we asked our PGA.com Facebook friends to identify the best golf courses in Alabama, they delivered. The rules were simple: tell us which course in Alabama -- open to the public -- is the best and explain why.

While we received loads of great answers, there was one particular, "Trail," (you'll see as you read on), that absolutely dominated this list.

Here are the best golf courses in Alabama, according to you, our readers.

Editor's note: Be sure to click on the name of each course on our list. It will take you to that course's page on PGA.com where you can leave a review.

9. Timberline Golf Club in Calera, Ala. Just a few minutes from Birmingham, Ala., Timberline is a beautifully matured golf course that, surprisingly, has been open for less than a decade.

Facebook fan quote:

"Calera is the best all around. Country club atmosphere with municipal prices." -- Keith Panco

8. Azalea City Golf Course, Mobile, Ala. Featuring generous, tree-lined fairways and well-manicured greens, Azalea City Golf Course was once recognized by Golf Digest as one of the top 36 public courses in the U.S. Also, its greens fees are for "all-day play." What's better than that?

Facebook fan quote:

"Azalea, in Mobile... because it's where I passed my first and only PAT!" -- Mike Pippin

7. The Capstone Club of Alabama in Brookwood, Ala. Ranked top 10 in the state by Golfweek, Capstone was designed by Gil Hanse, a finalist to design the 2016 Olympic Golf Course.

Facebook fan quote:

"Capstone Club in Brookwood! It's a Public Course with Private Amenities! It's hosted multiple PGA events including an Alabama State Open! It's made a complete turn around! With multiple blind shots, it proves to be a challenging experience! It was designed by Gil Hanse who is a finalist to design the 2016 Olympic Golf Course. He was also chosen by Donald Trump to redesign the 'Blue Monster.'" -- Crystal Hofius

6. FarmLinks at Pursell Farms in Sylacauga, Ala. From the description on its website, here's everything you need to know about why you should play FarmLinks:

Voted the highest customer-satisfaction rating by the National Golf Foundation for four consecutive years, this pristine, 3,500-acre golf and recreational resort is located at Pursell Farms. Here at FarmLinks, a premier Alabama golf resort, you will experience the scenic beauty of nature, mingled with the rich heritage and friendly warmth of the Deep South. From our 7,444-yard, championship golf course and world-class hunting grounds to our one-of-a-kind research and demonstration academy, FarmLinks at Pursell Farms is a luxury golf resort offering something unique for the avid sportsman as well as for the golf industry innovators and professionals. Come out and visit us, and enjoy comfortable accommodations, delicious Southern cuisine and an experience in hospitality that will exceed your expectations. At FarmLinks, you are never a stranger.

Facebook fan quotes:

"FarmLinks! It's the most unique and most well-manicured public course in the state. They also space the tee times out far enough that you never feel rushed or cramped, and has some of the most beautiful holes in Alabama." -- McKay Lyvers

"FarmLinks." -- Mark Johnson

5. Limestone Springs Golf Club in Oneonta, Ala. Designed by former U.S. Open winner Jerry Pate, Limestone Springs Golf Course stretches almost 7,000 yards from the back tees. It's located 30 minutes north of Birmingham.

Facebook fan quotes:

"Limestone Springs or Peninsula." -- Josh Dollar

"Limestone Springs. Hands down!" -- Jeff Inman

"I live 3 miles from Capitol Hill. But the best golf course for the money is hands down Limestone Springs. Beautiful course with lots of elevation change. Bent greens. Stunning course." -- Brett Johnson

4-1. The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. In the most lopsided, "best golf courses in..." that we've done on PGA.com, The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail takes the cake for best collection of public golf courses in, "The Heart of Dixie." They're scattered all over the fine state of Alabama, so let's take a closer look at four of the courses on The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail highlighted by our readers.

4. The Senator at Capitol Hill in Prattville, Ala. Here's the course description: The Senator, a Scottish-Links style course with beautifully manicured bentgrass greens, holds over 160 pot-hole bunkers and mounds 20 to 40 feet in height. The secluded settings of each hole will make it feel as if you are the only foursome on the course.

Facebook fan quotes:

"The Senator at Capitol Hill near Prattville. Why? It's a fun course and I like seeing how I do against the girls since they play the Navistar at this course." -- Scott Milner

"The Senator." -- Brian Lochhead

3. Ross Bridge in Hoover, Ala. Description: Symbolic of an old parkland style golf course, 10 holes play along the banks of two significant lakes connected by a spectacular waterfall dropping 80 feet between the ninth and eighteenth greens.

Facebook fan quotes:

"I haven't played them all, but I sure liked Ross Bridges." -- Kent Lillie

"Ross Bridge! 8,200 from the back tees, but plenty of options for golfers of all levels. Great finishing hole too!" -- Kevin Armstrong

"Ross Bridge." -- Matt Padgett

"I've only played RTJ The Shoals once, but it was a beautiful course. Ross Bridge is on my list of courses to play." -- Ricky Painter

"Gotta be Ross Bridge on the RTJ Golf Trail. Beautiful set-up, always in great condition. Some of the most testing public holes available in the state." -- Dale Ward

2. Grand National - Links Course in Opelika, Ala. As its website states: The Links course is without a single weakness. The par-four 18th hole is without a doubt one of the strongest finishing holes on the Trail. The drive must carry a corner of the lake, while the approach is played to a pedestal green.

Facebook fan quotes:

"Anyone of the RTJ Golf Courses... I have only played Dothan, Opelika and Huntsville... have been at Montgomery and Greensville... They are all awesome!" -- Darrell Smock

"RTJ @ Grand National - Links Course. Most scenic course on the Trail and it's near the Loveliest Village on the Plains (Auburn)" -- Daniel Blazich

"Any Robert Trent Jones Trail Course - Grand National Links is gorgeous. Amazing value at $45 a round ($135 for 3 days unlimited golf) and excellent service and course conditions. I drove down from Canada to play!" -- Stefano T

"Thanks to all who are posting! We love golf in Alabama and are proud to host the LPGA Tour at two different locations on the Trail. We hope to see you all on the Trail very soon!" -- RTJ Golf Trail

1. Silver Lakes in Glencoe, Ala. Featuring three championship nines -- the Backbreaker, Heartbreaker and Mindbreaker -- and a short course, Silver Lakes is a big-time favorite in the state of Alabama and can be played at a great price.

Facebook fan quotes:

"The new and improved Silver Lakes!" -- Matt Haynes

"Silver Lakes in Glencoe. It is a part of the Robert Trent Golf Trail, plus by playing Silver Lakes now you will be helping out the course as it has been affected by the April 27 Tornado. (and it is a beautiful course)." -- Jack Harley Lamey Sr.

"RTJ's-Silver Lakes... I drove a beverage cart there while in college and that is where the golf addiction started for me... The layout consists of beautiful rolling hills and elevated greens. The Backbreaker, Heartbreaker, and Mindbeaker courses are sure to take your breath away! All of the RTJ courses are nice but Silver Lakes will always be my favorite." -- Amy Buchanan Todd