Anybody done a Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail trip in Alabama?

Maugust789

Have an annual golf buddies trip and we're looking at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama this year.
Anyone ever done a 4 to 5 day trip along the trail?
Any suggestions?

We normally stay in one place for the week but it looks like the spread between courses may not allow for that this year.

DC300

I was thinking of a similar idea, I’d love to hear some feedback.

KCee

I've never done it, but my cousin's husband did it with his brother and a group of friends. They liked the courses, but he said it was a pain traveling each day. He preferred their regular trips where they stay in one place. IIRC they had a large group and moving from place to place is probably like herding cats if his buddies are anything like some of mine.

Maugust789

Our group is like a herd of cats even when we stay in the same place. The group is large enough that we don't get adjoining rooms or condos very often. Some bring wives and some don't so we're lucky to get ONE dinner with everyone there.
Glad I'm not the group leader anymore.

FauxAmish

Played at Capitol Hill in Prattville and Grand National back in 2004 with the hobbit, callmeal, jamz, Spartan, and headcover that I can remember. Not sure of others.
Capitol Hill we played the Senator and The Judge courses. Both are great courses with The Judge being the toughest to this day course I have ever played.
Grand National is located near Auburn and Opeleka. I can't remember what course or courses we played, but you cannot play a bad course on the Trail.
Perhaps some of the others can do a better job than my memory.

johnnydoom

FauxAmish I've only played one course on the trail and it was the other one at Capitol Hill - The Legislator. It was a fun, and very difficult course, but it is not as brutal as The Judge from what I was told. Extremely well conditioned course for the money. Really wanted to play The Senator and would like a shot at The Judge some day. Probably happen on another trip in the next year or two to do that before my son gets out of college and moves off some where.

mulegolf

We had an older guy here a few years ago the loved the RTJ Golf Trail. He went back every winter. He used to go to Biloxi,
MS but decided he liked RTJ a lot better. He and his wife stayed down there most of the winter.

SVonhof

I have never done a "traveling" golf trip like that but I played with a guy who lived in Alabama and he said that it is a must-do someday. But if you have to drive hours each day, I am not sure I would be inclined to do it.
I would rather stay in one place and drive within reason to the various courses around from day-to-day.

Places that have the names and the ability to do that which come to mind:
Pinehurst
Myrtle Beach
Hilton Head
Pebble Beach
Bandon Dunes

Others that may not be as well known or considered for such an event:
St George, Utah
SF Bay Area
Orlando

rsvman2

SVonhof Don't forget Big Cedar Lodge courses near Branson, Mo. Amazing tracks.

Subsonic

@livegolf I think livegolf has done this.

injim

I have played several courses on the Trail through the years. My favorite is Cambrian Ridge, a 27 hole layout. I have also played the 2 in Mobile, Falls and Crossings, as well as 2 of the 3 in Prattville, Senator and Judge. FWIW, we thought the Judge was overrated and not worth more than the other 2. Highland Oaks in Dothan is another one worthy of playing.

In general, all of the RTJ courses are difficult, well maintained and picturesque. They will cost more than other courses in the surrounding vicinity (Alabama is not an expensive State), so I recommend to pick an area and play 1 or 2 RTJ courses, and mix it up with other courses in the vicinity. Mobile has access to a lot of courses that are reasonable along with the 2 Magnolia Grove tracks.

livegolf

I've managed to play 10 of the RTJ trail regulation courses so far. Would love to knock out the entire trail one day.

@time4tim and I did one of our crazy golf trips and played 8 courses (4 sites) on one trip plus a couple other rounds. You need to have a group you can travel well with, that is probably my one piece of advice. It was a lot of late check in's and early check out's and time in the car.

The trail offers good conditions and wonderful, scenic venues for golf. Value is good. The architecture is just so-so IMO and most trail courses feel like the same design, except for the Judge and Senator. If you are used to staying in the same place I'd park it in Birmingham. Three RTJ courses, Timberline, Limestone Springs and FarmLinks nearby. I'm sure some others.

Or I'd try the Eastern Shore (Spanish Fort, Fairhope, Gulf Shores). Lots of good stuff down that way I'd like to play. You are making me want a golf trip 😋

ode

Have always wanted to. One of these winters, my bro, dad, and I are gonna do it!

Nat

I live in Birmingham and have played many of the courses. My $0.2

All are very good and tough, and very different

It is easy to plan a trip if you want to hit several areas, only trick is where to start. Mobile then go north, Huntsville then go south, but each has a smaller airport. You could also start Opelika and fly in to Atlanta. Or start in Bham. Unless you love to drive, I’d do Bham and Prattvile courses. 6 courses, including Ross bridge, and more to do besides golf

There are also some really nice courses besides the trail. Limestone Springs is a great course

WhoDat44

I know this is an old thread, but thought I would pop in and let you know that there are several ways to do "The Trail" in Alabama and not have to move at all or very much. There are 8 hotels owned by the RTJ Golf Trail and 4 of them are ;located right next to an RTJ Trail location.

Option 1: Stay in Prattville at the Marrriot at Capitol Hill and play the three courses there and the 27 holes in Greenville (45 minutes south). That's a nice 4 day sample. Also, if you are driving in on I-65, you can add a 5th round on the RTJ Golf Trail at Oxmoor Valley in Birmingham as you drive in or drive home, to sample one more location.

Option 2: Stay in Hoover near Birmingham at Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort and play it's 18 hole resort course, the 45 holes located 2 miles away at RTJ Golf Trail at Oxmoor Valley, then venture 45 minutes northeast to play RTJ Golf Trail at Silver Lakes's 36 holes.

Option 3 (move hotels just once to make it a week long trip)): Stay 2 nights in Auburn-Oplelika at Marriott Resort & Spa at Grand National and play the 54 holes at RTJ Golf Trail at Grand National, then move over and do Option 1.

There website is www.rtjgolf.com and they hav some amazing specials here: https://rtjgolf.com/reservations/