Playing the Robert Trent Jones Trail as a Single?

[Bonneville85308]

I'm in the preliminary stages of planning a trip to the RTJ Trail for the time between mid-November and Christmas. Problem is, I am traveling as a single. My golf buddies are either not interested in traveling out of state, or have work obligations.

 

I'd like to be there for 4 days, Sat-Sun-Mon-Tues and play one round each on Sat & Sun afternoons, 36 holes on Monday, and 18 on Tuesday AM.

 

I'm still investigating which courses I might like, but I'm not too picky as I imagine they are all pretty much of good quality.

 

When I say playing as a single, I mean it's ok if they pair me up with other people. I prefer playing alone when traveling but I know that's not always possible on a busy course. But I'm not willing to sit there for 3 hours watching 4some after 4some tee off, hoping to get out for a 5 hour round. How busy are these courses typically that time of year and on the days I mentioned? Typical pace of play?

 

They don't take tee times for singles, even if a 3some has a reservation their online system apparently won't put you in as the 4th in advance.

 

Also, their website lists cart fees. Do the courses let you walk and carry or are carts required?

 

Anyone's experience with this is appreciated. My fear of traveling far away, showing up as a single, and not getting out or having a 5 hour round or being paired with the 3 stooges has kept me away from many great courses across the country.

[JJK]

I know the courses at Hampton Cove, where I play, do allow walking. I can't speak for the other courses, and some of these courses would be quite a hoof...they are pretty long.

I've played as a single, and had no trouble getting paired up with someone. It all depends on the day and the crowds. I'd call ahead; many of the course will hold tournaments on Saturdays or Sundays (thoug not so much in Nov-Dec), and the course will be closed. The course also run specials at that time of year, and you might want to look into buying a Trail Card for you trip, should save you a few $$$.

Typical pace of play is about 4-4.5 hours, not due to crowding, but due to the nature of the courses themselves (water, sand, trees). The have enough character to make you do a little work.

You might want to check online tee time guide on the rtjgolf website. Pick a time for a twosome, and see if it is available. That will at least let you know if just a twosome is teeing off; so there might be an opening for a 3rd.

While the courses at Hampton Cove are nice (the Highlands course was recently renovated), I would look at Muscle Schoals, Pratville, or Birmingham first. Those sites are more highly regarded than Hampton Cove.

[JSunGolfPharmD]

Have you tried calling? I live in Birmingham, so if you come this way, let me know I'll make it a twosome.

[Honcho72]

I've played most of the courses and playing as a single should be no problem on weekdays. Most are not overly crowded unless you run into a tourney. It would be a pretty tough walk on most of the tracks. Many have hills, but the real issue is that we have had so much rain down here of late that you would go through several pairs of shoes. It's still really wet here in the North AL. Mon. and Tue. the pace should be ok, but you will most likely have to watch some golf. Sat. and Sun. just plan on getting paired with someone. If ALabama is playing a day game at home that weekend your golden. That should knock the crowd down by half. Sounds funny but if you get UofA and Aub. playing on the same afternoon everyone is watching one or the other.

[bsarapin]

I live about 10min from The Shoals complex in Muscle Shoals, AL. It would be easy to come and get a tee time if you showed up. October is usually the last push of northerners so it won't be that crowded. It can still be 30-40's in the AM the time frame you are looking. Some courses are ok to walk but oxmoor is a definite no. BIG hills. You could walk the Shoals but it is spread out so you would have some walking in between holes. The pace is pretty good but the marshalls are hesitant to talk to the slow playing crowd. Great value and great golf. The biggest secret on the Trail is Cambrian Ridge so you need to at least investigate.

[ga_pike]

The courses in Birmingham at Oxmoor (The Rdige especially) would be a beast to walk! I like to walk but I'd never even think about trying it there!

If you are in the Birmingham area, make sure you play Ross Bridge. Well worth it!

Another option (non-RTJ) is to play Farm Links in Sylacauga. $100 all you can play dawn til dusk with food and drinks included. It is an amazingly sweet experience!

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

All the courses allow unrestricted walking with the exception of the high dollar, hotel/resort one (can't remember which one that is though).....

I would bet you will have no problem getting on the course, either alone or paired up with a group!

[tftimm]

First off, I think they all allow walking. As someone who likes to walk, especially when the weather is nice, these courses are not walker friendly. Some of them are very hilly, steam slopes, etc. In addition, the walk between some of the holes is very long.

I have traveled from Texas to the trail now 3 times. I'm sure they will accomadate you, everyone I have ever dealt with was always a class act and I was always treated like anyone would want to be treated.

If you want to play a quick round, get there at the break of dawn. My father and got back from a recent trip (Oct 3-6) and most days finished 36 by 3 in the afternoon. We teed off around 7:30am, grabbed a snack, teed off the second 18 around 11am, done by 4 everyday. It was a little wet some days, but no regrets.

We played Limestone Springs (non-trail, but my favorite course in Alabama), The Shoals (Trail, great course, both), Cider Ridge (Great deal, $47 for 36 holes, includes cart, bent greens, do NOT walk though), and Timberline (excellent course in great shape).

If the weather cooperates, it won't be your first trip. Most States probably wish they took the chance like Alabama did.

[T Shaf]

Hope I can help with this - Had some extra time at the end of August and spent four days on the trail - as a single (or Onesome as has been used in another thread). I booked it through www.rtjgolf.com and utilized their 4 day special - they currently have a three day winter special. They had no problem booking a single - but I did have to pay up front for all the golf related fees. I decided to book the hotels separately and pay when I used them. I started at the Shoals for a day - played both courses, drove to Ross Bridge that night and played Ross twice the next day - moved on to Capitol Hill and played the Judge and Senator the next day and finally ended at Grand National the final day again playing both courses. All the courses were in great shape and not crowded. Sometimes I played with people - others alone. All the groups I played with were very friendly and we had a great time. Did not ask about walking but they may allow it. Cart fee was something like $16 a day. Would agree with other posts that most of the courses would be pretty hard to walk with the elevation changes. I highly recommend going - was a great time and though I thought all that golf would tire me out it really made me want to play more when I got back.

BTW - never had close to a 5 hr round.