RTJ Golf Trail advice

TheSchneid · October 2, 2012

Looking to plan a trip to RTJ in mid-October of 2013. Thinking of staying at Capitol HIll and branching out from there. Any opinions on which courses to play would be most welcome including short courses. What about night life? Are there any good restaraunts/clubs. What about buying booze? Finally, I have the free time to plan it so am I better doing my own planning with each course or is it cheaper going through one of theses golf travel guys I see online?

Thanks much!!

sabram · October 3, 2012

Capitol Hill is a good choice to stay and play when playing the RTJ trail. It has three good courses. The Judge is the longest, toughest and visually interesting. The Legislator is a milder version of the Judge and the Senator is a faux links.(mounds, hillocks, pot bunkers, few trees). If you stay at Capitol Hill, you should take a day trip (about a 45 minute drive) and play Cambrian Ridge. CR has 27 holes plus a par 3 course. CR was the favorite RTJ location for my group. Another choice is to drive to Opilaka and play Grand National, which has 36 holes.

Johnny Biarritz · October 4, 2012

Book through the Trail itself. rtjgolf.com is their website. October usually has some decent rates. They all cost the same except for The Judge at Capitol Hill which has a $10 surcharge, then Ross Bridge and Lakewood are $130 or so. Ross Bridge is worth that, Lakewood is not worth half that.

I have said this elsewhere on this forum:
[color=#282828]Of the 9 courses I have played I'd rank them as such:[/color]
[color=#282828]1. Ross Bridge[/color]
[color=#282828]2. Magnolia Grove (Crossings)[/color]
[color=#282828]3. Cambrian Ridge (Canyon/Sherling)[/color]
[color=#282828]4. Oxmoor Valley (Ridge)[/color]
[color=#282828]5. Magnolia Grove (Falls)[/color]
[color=#282828]6. Oxmoor Valley (Valley)[/color]
[color=#282828]7. Lakewood (Azalea)[/color]
[color=#282828]8. Magnolia Grove (Short)[/color]
[color=#282828]9. Oxmoor Valley (Short)[/color]

[color=#282828]But the difference between 2 and 6 is not significant. Lakewood is a rip-off of the highest order and the two Short courses bring up the rear simple because...well...they're par 3 courses. Ross Bridge is top notch.[/color]
[color=#282828]If you want to come down to Magnolia Grove in Mobile, send me a message, be happy to join you if you have room. I can help you with restaurants and such in Mobile but not elsewhere. [/color]

Animal Chin · October 7, 2012

Too bad Mike left Magnolia grove. He's a good guy.

dawnpatrol · October 8, 2012

Ross Bridge is the best public course I has ever played. I would mind just pArking it there for a week

goplutus · October 8, 2012

I made a week-long home base in Auburn last year which was a good decision. It's not too far from both the Cap Hill or Grand National sites, and it's got the normal trappings of a smaller college town.

For the golf, I preferred the Grand National 36 to the Capitol Hill 36, but both are good, solid venues.

Other than the RTJ Trail, I'd highly recommend a day for 36 at Farmlinks a bit outside of Birmingham. It was probably the best overall experience of the trip.

Bubb · October 8, 2012

The three courses at Capitol Hill are good, but Ross Bridge is far superior. It's one of the best you'll ever play.

Johnny Biarritz · October 9, 2012

Ross Bridge, best you've ever played? You fellers need to get out of the house more. I think it's a really good course, just not that good.

Animal- Do you live in Mobile, play out there a lot? I assume you do. I play out there myself 3-4 times a week.

Johnny Biarritz · October 9, 2012

Animal- Classic. I'd say Alotian is a step up for sure, I'd have dumped RTJ, too. You'll remember me for sure from out there, I'm the one who always wore the Big Orange Hat. :pimp:

Animal Chin · October 9, 2012

Yep. You played like a million holes that day. Walking. Nice.

TheSchneid · December 3, 2012

Thanks so much for all the feedback. Johnny, probably not going to make down to you but if we do I'll be in touch.

James_Par · December 4, 2012

Contact My Golf Concierge and see what they can do for you..they feature the RTJ Trail on their site, take care of everything for you so all you have to do is turn up and play, for the same price than if you booked it yourself...