Best Courses In Alabama

[tjetski]

Curious to see what people enjoy playing in Alabama. I personally have played most of my rounds at my home course or in other states so I am looking for suggestions not too far from Auburn.

 

A few I enjoy are:

 

Auburn University Club

Moore's Mill Club

RTJ Grand National

RTJ Ross Bridge

RTJ The Judge

Rock Creek

Willow Point

Farm Links

[nuthin but a hacker]

I've only played 2 courses in Alabama, the 2 at The Shoals, but they were nice enough that I will make the nearly 3 hour drive a few times this year to play them again.

[layingfive]

Based only on what I've played...

1. RTJ Ross Bridge
2. Kiva Dunes
3. Peninsula
4. RTJ Oxmoor Valley
5. RTJ Lakewood
6. RTJ Magnolia Grove
7. RTJ Capitol Hill (Senator)
8. Craft Farms
9. RTJ Silver Lakes

This is purely based on personal preference, of course. They're all great courses. RTJ Silver Lakes wasn't my favorite, but it's fine if you're in the neighborhood.

[MaxBuck]

It's been awhile since I lived there, but is Lagoon Park in Montgomery still a good track? Always liked playing there.

[Titleist1455]

Private:

Shoal Creek
Bham Country Club - West
Willow Point
Greystone - Legacy
Old Overton
Greystone - Founders


Public Semi/Private:

Farm Links
Kiva Dunes
Moore's Mill
Limestone Springs
RTJ - Too many to decide

[Jeremysm1]

Loved Cambrian Ridge...they have 27 plus par 3 course but one of the 9 was simply fantastic. Felt Augusta like to my group. Also, Grand National was stellar! judge was good but feel something was off with that course--played it a couple times and wasn't as much fun the 2nd time and seemed penal.

[J-3000]

Turtle Point

[WaltonW]

Hoover CC

[DoubleorQuits]

Anyone played Limestone Springs recently? Just curious how it is doing. I played it 6 or 7 years ago and really enjoyed it.

[Shanksamillion]

I'm looking forward to a Golf trip in the area starting next week with 3 other buddies.

Wednesday- Ross Bridge
Thur & Fri. - Grand National

Hopefully great weather and course conditions.

[layingfive]

Sounds terrific. Ross Bridge should be in tremendous shape this time of year. Enjoy yourself.

[MarkCPA]

I live in the west end of Tennessee, but it doesn't take a lot of coaxing from the little lady to jump in the car and make the 2 hour drive to Florence - Muscle Shoals. I love playing The Schoolmaster and Fighting Joe.

[macrock7]

Love Fighting Joe, but won't play it in the summer.. Greens are way to slow,they really need to change the greens over to Bermuda for the heat.

[Greasegun]

I recommend anything RTJ. Great course designs, great conditions, and probably the best value you can possibly get. I played at gulf shores once and was bored with the flat land golf. RTJ cant be beat. Capital Hill is sweet because all 3 courses are 18 hole championship courses, and all very different from one another.

[elballz12]

I played The Judge last week and was not a fan of it. I did enjoy Cypress Bend at Craft Farms. Penninsula is a great track but a tough course due to large sand bunkers in the fairway. Old Overton, Greystone, and Birmingham West are wonderful just all private. Ross Bridge and Oxmoore Valley are both great RTJ courses. I haven't played Farmlinks but it's suppose to be the most underrated course in the whole state

[Greasegun]

[quote name='elballz12' timestamp='1427326254' post='11216243']
I played The Judge last week and was not a fan of it. I did enjoy Cypress Bend at Craft Farms. Penninsula is a great track but a tough course due to large sand bunkers in the fairway. Old Overton, Greystone, and Birmingham West are wonderful just all private. Ross Bridge and Oxmoore Valley are both great RTJ courses. I haven't played Farmlinks but it's suppose to be the most underrated course in the whole state
[/quote]

No offense, cant see why anyone wouldnt like the judge. Why are you not a fan?

I played Craft Farms, dont remember which course. Wasnt impressed. Its a subdivision course. Flat, and straight. No natural terrain. It was in excellent condition though, just not worth 100 bucks.

[layingfive]

[quote name='Greasegun' timestamp='1427334681' post='11217259']
I played Craft Farms, dont remember which course. Wasnt impressed. Its a subdivision course. Flat, and straight. No natural terrain. It was in excellent condition though, just not worth 100 bucks.
[/quote]

Welcome to beach golf, chief.

[Reds]

I played The Judge and Auburns home course 10 or so years ago along with a few more from the trail. The Judge was brutal haha. Honestly Ive been to Myrtle Beach, Pinehurst and the RTJ Trail. I had the most fun in Alabama.

[gr8blueheronbird]

I concur with above comment. Played Myrtle(Barefoot) but not Pinehurst. The 3 courses in Prattville and the 2 courses in Muscle Shoals can not be beat for great golf and value. Best buddies trip that I have ever experienced happens in Alabama.

[elballz12]

[quote name='Greasegun' timestamp='1427334681' post='11217259']
[quote name='elballz12' timestamp='1427326254' post='11216243']
I played The Judge last week and was not a fan of it. I did enjoy Cypress Bend at Craft Farms. Penninsula is a great track but a tough course due to large sand bunkers in the fairway. Old Overton, Greystone, and Birmingham West are wonderful just all private. Ross Bridge and Oxmoore Valley are both great RTJ courses. I haven't played Farmlinks but it's suppose to be the most underrated course in the whole state
[/quote]

No offense, cant see why anyone wouldnt like the judge. Why are you not a fan?

I played Craft Farms, dont remember which course. Wasnt impressed. Its a subdivision course. Flat, and straight. No natural terrain. It was in excellent condition though, just not worth 100 bucks.
[/quote]

It was in okay shape, it is suppose to be one of the signature courses on the whole trail and probably 6 or 7 tee boxes were in awful shape. The first 3 or 4 holes were in great shape and the last 2 or 3 were great, but in between wasn't good at all. It is one heck of a track, it's challenging and tough.
I played craft farms for 50% off so it was a good deal for me. I enjoyed it and one of my favorites down there. Although I haven't played Kiva

[Greasegun]

I see. I was down there in fall 2013, it was in excellent condition at that time. I havent played Kiva Dunes either.

[CDM]

So for those who have done the RTJ trail courses... do you book your own lodging or did you do it through RTJ? Reading other threads most have gone with their own lodging.

[ckates7]

each time i've gone down for a buddies trip we just stay at cheap hotels. we are just staying there for a bed since we play 36/day with a lot of alcohol, so why pay extra is our thinking. for 3 nights stay each person paid less than $50 total on lodging for the trip

[Greasegun]

I agree with ckates. We also do 36 per day so all we need is a cheap hotel to crash in. We always book our hotel seperately thru priceline or something. It was cheaper that way than going thru rtj. If you go to Capital Hill, the days inn in prattville is real close to the course, and its pretty clean and decent for a days inn.

[tjetski]

[quote name='Chile Dip Master' timestamp='1427674069' post='11242079']
So for those who have done the RTJ trail courses... do you book your own lodging or did you do it through RTJ? Reading other threads most have gone with their own lodging.
[/quote]

As far as RTJ Grand National goes you def want to stay at Marriott on the course. The course is about 10 miles or so from downtown Auburn and the hotel offers a free shuttle that will take you into town. It is just not worth driving around here if you are not familiar with it. I heard Grand National Links just aerated the greens but the Lake course is shaping up nicely for the Barbasol Champ.

If any of you ever get the chance to play AU Club or Moore's Mill with a member both are in amazing condition. Best greens in the area in my opinion.

[elballz12]

[quote name='Chile Dip Master' timestamp='1427674069' post='11242079']
So for those who have done the RTJ trail courses... do you book your own lodging or did you do it through RTJ? Reading other threads most have gone with their own lodging.
[/quote]

I live in Alabama so I haven't had to get a hotel any of the times I've played. Grand National is one of the only trail sites that I would consider staying at the Mariott. Capitol hill is very close to Montgomery and hotes will be cheap, Ross Bridge and Oxmoore Valley will be easy also because it's in Birmingham. If you go up to North Alabama and play The Shoals Site it shouldn't be a problem finding hotels either.

[elballz12]

[quote name='Greasegun' timestamp='1427597310' post='11237719']
I see. I was down there in fall 2013, it was in excellent condition at that time. I havent played Kiva Dunes either.
[/quote]

It was a great setup, just in bad shape considering how The Judge is talked up. I will try it again in the summer and see if I have better results. Also we did have three sets of foursomes playing in front of myself which made it miserable

[GOUFGO]

[quote name='tjetski' timestamp='1427730289' post='11245275']
[quote name='Chile Dip Master' timestamp='1427674069' post='11242079']
So for those who have done the RTJ trail courses... do you book your own lodging or did you do it through RTJ? Reading other threads most have gone with their own lodging.
[/quote]

As far as RTJ Grand National goes you def want to stay at Marriott on the course. The course is about 10 miles or so from downtown Auburn and the hotel offers a free shuttle that will take you into town. It is just not worth driving around here if you are not familiar with it. I heard Grand National Links just aerated the greens but the Lake course is shaping up nicely for the Barbasol Champ.

If any of you ever get the chance to play AU Club or Moore's Mill with a member both are in amazing condition. Best greens in the area in my opinion.
[/quote]

NIce to see someone else in the Auburn area on here.

I have stayed at several of the Marriotts on the trail; the one in Auburn is good, but the one in Florence is the best. I don't think you can compare the Point Clear location to any of the rest of them; it is set up as a resort so not comparable to the hotel in Auburn or Florence. It is really nice and much more expensive. I've played Ross Bridge but never stayed at the hotel there; it looks nice FWIW.

Have you heard anyone else talking about how long The Lakes course will be down in advance of the Barbasol?

[tjetski]

[quote name='GOUFGO' timestamp='1427746665' post='11247325']
[quote name='tjetski' timestamp='1427730289' post='11245275']
[quote name='Chile Dip Master' timestamp='1427674069' post='11242079']
So for those who have done the RTJ trail courses... do you book your own lodging or did you do it through RTJ? Reading other threads most have gone with their own lodging.
[/quote]

As far as RTJ Grand National goes you def want to stay at Marriott on the course. The course is about 10 miles or so from downtown Auburn and the hotel offers a free shuttle that will take you into town. It is just not worth driving around here if you are not familiar with it. I heard Grand National Links just aerated the greens but the Lake course is shaping up nicely for the Barbasol Champ.

If any of you ever get the chance to play AU Club or Moore's Mill with a member both are in amazing condition. Best greens in the area in my opinion.
[/quote]

NIce to see someone else in the Auburn area on here.

I have stayed at several of the Marriotts on the trail; the one in Auburn is good, but the one in Florence is the best. I don't think you can compare the Point Clear location to any of the rest of them; it is set up as a resort so not comparable to the hotel in Auburn or Florence. It is really nice and much more expensive. I've played Ross Bridge but never stayed at the hotel there; it looks nice FWIW.

Have you heard anyone else talking about how long The Lakes course will be down in advance of the Barbasol?
[/quote]

Have not heard exact distance but have seen a lot of the holes are going to be playing pretty far back. Are you a member at any course in AU? I play at AU Club

[quote name='GOUFGO' timestamp='1427746665' post='11247325']
[quote name='tjetski' timestamp='1427730289' post='11245275']
[quote name='Chile Dip Master' timestamp='1427674069' post='11242079']
So for those who have done the RTJ trail courses... do you book your own lodging or did you do it through RTJ? Reading other threads most have gone with their own lodging.
[/quote]

As far as RTJ Grand National goes you def want to stay at Marriott on the course. The course is about 10 miles or so from downtown Auburn and the hotel offers a free shuttle that will take you into town. It is just not worth driving around here if you are not familiar with it. I heard Grand National Links just aerated the greens but the Lake course is shaping up nicely for the Barbasol Champ.

If any of you ever get the chance to play AU Club or Moore's Mill with a member both are in amazing condition. Best greens in the area in my opinion.
[/quote]

NIce to see someone else in the Auburn area on here.

I have stayed at several of the Marriotts on the trail; the one in Auburn is good, but the one in Florence is the best. I don't think you can compare the Point Clear location to any of the rest of them; it is set up as a resort so not comparable to the hotel in Auburn or Florence. It is really nice and much more expensive. I've played Ross Bridge but never stayed at the hotel there; it looks nice FWIW.

Have you heard anyone else talking about how long The Lakes course will be down in advance of the Barbasol?
[/quote]

Hi I realize I read your question wrong. No I have no clue how long it will be down

[UCBananaboy]

Loved Oxmoor Valley (Ridge Course > Valley Course)