RTJ Golf Trail

[Tim Bert]

I'm planning a 3-4 day trip for about 8 guys to the golf trail, and we'd like to play a different site each day.    

I've played Silver lakes and Oxmoor valley, and those aren't going to be part of our trip this time around.  I thought that both of those sites were decent, but nothing spectacular.

I've heard good things about Grand National and Cambrian Ridge.

For those of you that have visited, which 3 or 4 locations are must-plays?

[Jason Blasberg]

None . . . go elsewhere and go fast!

[Tim Bert]

What exactly is that supposed to mean?

We're trying to do something for a mix of golfers that don't want a big budget trip.  This gives us several locations within a days drive with some above average golf at a reasonable rate.

Sounds like you've had a bad experience.  Anyone here that is a little less opposed to the idea than Jason care to help out with some constructive advice?

[MarkT]

Well, I've played every course on the trail.

#1 Advice is stay away from Dotham. I also wouldn't make any special trips for Mobile unless it's on the way.

My favorite is Capitol Hill and then Silver Lakes/Huntsville/Birmingham. I don't care too much for Grand National but my golf buddies seem to like it a lot.

I don't consider any of them real gems, but for the money, it's a fun trip with a group of guys. Play 36, buy a case of beer, drive to the next stop, get up in the morning and do it again.

[Don Dinkmeyer]

Cambrian Ridge is absolutely worth the slight trip past Montgomery. Even the 9 hole par 3 course.

I'll leave the rest to others!

[Bill_McBride]

I completely disagree about Capitol Hill in Prattville.  They are the most recent courses and to me the most tricked up, which is saying something.

Mobile is not good.  Dothan is my 3rd favorite, that is pretty solid golf.

Birmingham's three courses aren't too good.  I haven't played up at Huntsville and Anniston but the reports are not promising.

The two best facilities IMO (drumroll):

Grand National in Auburn off I-85 between Montgomery and Atlanta is the best pair of courses on the Trail, fun to play, not so many of the Rulewich raised up / blind shot greens, and Cambrian Ridge, south of Montgomery off I-65, has the most exciting nine on the Trail, the Canyon nine.  Canyon / Sherling is all the golf you can handle and again is not as much in the Prattville / Birmingham model.

I think the underlying theme of the Trail design style is, lets get those Yankees down here, beat the crap out them, and they'll bring their buddies back next year to show them the scene of the crime!

Funny, the pros eat these courses alive.  Of course they know to a yard how far they are going to hit a 7-iron, and they can hit it straight.  This is a valuable skill set on the trail!  

[Lou_Duran]

Jason B,

Aren't we becoming the northeast snob!   Okay, there is not a course on the Trail that compares to Shinny, Cuscowilla or Seawane, but those are hardly the standard by which most of us can judge whether a course is worthy of our visit.

I agree with Bill that the Grand National courses and Cambrian Ridge are the best of the bunch noted (I haven't played Mobile and Birmingham).  I also had a very good time on the Senator, liked the Legislator, but didn't think much of the Judge (courses at Capitol Hill).

Just pick the right set of tees and get a good yardage book unless you guys hit the ball a mile.  Though I probably won't be back any time soon (it's been five years), I highly recommend the Trail as an inexpensive, relaxing, entertaining golf experience.  Caveat: check on outings and days of heavy play- 5+ hour rounds are not uncommon.  

[Don Dinkmeyer]

Jason B,

Just pick the right set of tees and get a good yardage book unless you guys hit the ball a mile.  Though I probably won't be back any time soon (it's been five years), I highly recommend the Trail as an inexpensive, relaxing, entertaining golf experience.  Caveat: check on outings and days of heavy play- 5+ hour rounds are not uncommon.  

True - Feb/March (spring) is when the Trail makes the majority of its annual income. Not a pretty sight, except for all of us from Michigan, Ohio, et al!  

[Mike Hendren]

None . . . go elsewhere and go fast!

Why?

[Mike Hendren]

Tim,

I heartily endorse Limestone Springs approximately 45 minutes northeast of Birmingham.  Solid Jerry Pate design that is better than any of the trail courses.  Perfect on-site lodging for a group of eight and excellent replay rate.  Plan in advance for adult beverages as the county is dry.  

Bottom line:  better golf, better lodging, slightly cheaper for 36 holes a day.  Give 'em a google.

Mike

[JNC Lyon]

What's wrong with Magnolia Grove in Mobile?  I played the Crossings earlier this year, and I thought, although it had some average holes on it, there were quite a few fun holes on hilly terrain.  Especially liked 15-18, where 15 and 18 are tough par fours w/ some strategy, especially 15 with the sod wall bunker fronting the green.  16 was a neat par five, with two angles off of the tee (straight or big dog-leg), and a couple tees allowing you to play over RR tracks.  17 was a tough par three over a gorge to a wild green.  By no means a great course, but it has a few holes of interest which make it worth a trip if on the Trail.  

[Pete Buczkowski]

Tim,

Bill is spot on with his recommendations, I like Sherling/Canyon and GN Links the best.  Don't miss the short course at Grand National - great way to end the day.  

Unless you are really fit, I would avoid walking GN Lake and the Canyon nine at Cambrian Ridge.  The Links and Lobolly and Cambrian Ridge are fine walking courses, though Links has a couple of long hikes across bridges.

For sub-$60 rounds I think these 2 facilities are tough to beat, its not Cuscowilla but it still offers some very fun golf.  Two of my favorite rounds occurred on GN's short course...it would be great with 8 buddies.  Personally I would skip the idea of playing at 4 sites and keep it to these 2 - its the quality of the Trail by far and there is plenty of variety...and Auburn is probably the best town on the trail.  The lodge at Grand National is a great place to stay as well.  

Capitol Hill has some nice holes throughout the facility but it is dependent on ones tastes.

[PThomas]

I did the trail when it was open for only 6 months..those 90 degree temps felt dam good in Feb for this Chicago boy!

I didn't paly any of them, but some feel the par 3 courses are pretty good

have fun!!!

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