Birmingham/Hoover area golf recommendations

LanierDawg

Redshirt
Aug 24, 2012
88
48
18
Planning a golf trip and definitely playing the RTJ courses Ross Bridge and Oxmoor Valley.

Looking for one more course.. Can anyone share a recommendation between the others in that area? Bent Brook, Ballantrae, Oak Mountain, others?

Thanks!!
 

Mobile Bay

All-Conference
Jul 26, 2020
4,242
2,184
113
Planning a golf trip and definitely playing the RTJ courses Ross Bridge and Oxmoor Valley.

Looking for one more course.. Can anyone share a recommendation between the others in that area? Bent Brook, Ballantrae, Oak Mountain, others?

Thanks!!

I used to play a lot of golf around there. But keep in mind my last round there was over a decade ago.

The front nine of Ballantrae was my favorite nine holes in golf. It had almost no houses, three par fives, and three par threes. The back nine was housed in completely and rather normal.

Oak Mountain is a state park course. Expect it to be packed on weekends and not in tip top shape. I never disliked playing it. But I wouldn't make a special trip for it.

Bent Brook, only played it once. It was fine.

Don't overlook the short course at Oxmoor Valley. It's fun too.

Another good option is only an hour south on the interstate. That is the RTJ Capitol hill. It's in Prattville. There are three courses in the complex. The Senator, The Legislator, and The Judge. I never played the Legislator. The Judge is a very nice course with lots of water. The Senator is unique in my experience and an amazing course. It's a links style course with no trees, over 100 bunkers, and had hosted the LPGA Tour, The Smyetra Tour, and the old Hooters Tour. The rough there is at best cruel. I watched a PGM who had already passed his PAT card a ten because he just wouldn't respect it.


If you are going to play that much on the RTJ courses, it may be worth it to buy a trail card. You might save a few bucks.
 

mcdawg22

Heisman
Sep 18, 2004
13,652
12,156
113
I liked Bent Brook. Of course that was 15 years ago and I was amazed at the GPS on the cart which isn’t quite the draw it used to be.
 

RocketDawg

All-Conference
Oct 21, 2011
20,043
2,800
113
I used to play a lot of golf around there. But keep in mind my last round there was over a decade ago.

The front nine of Ballantrae was my favorite nine holes in golf. It had almost no houses, three par fives, and three par threes. The back nine was housed in completely and rather normal.

Oak Mountain is a state park course. Expect it to be packed on weekends and not in tip top shape. I never disliked playing it. But I wouldn't make a special trip for it.

Bent Brook, only played it once. It was fine.

Don't overlook the short course at Oxmoor Valley. It's fun too.

Another good option is only an hour south on the interstate. That is the RTJ Capitol hill. It's in Prattville. There are three courses in the complex. The Senator, The Legislator, and The Judge. I never played the Legislator. The Judge is a very nice course with lots of water. The Senator is unique in my experience and an amazing course. It's a links style course with no trees, over 100 bunkers, and had hosted the LPGA Tour, The Smyetra Tour, and the old Hooters Tour. The rough there is at best cruel. I watched a PGM who had already passed his PAT card a ten because he just wouldn't respect it.


If you are going to play that much on the RTJ courses, it may be worth it to buy a trail card. You might save a few bucks.

Pretty sure you have to be a resident of Alabama to be able to buy a Trail Card.
 

msu4ever

Redshirt
Aug 22, 2012
71
34
18
Planning a golf trip and definitely playing the RTJ courses Ross Bridge and Oxmoor Valley.

Looking for one more course.. Can anyone share a recommendation between the others in that area? Bent Brook, Ballantrae, Oak Mountain, others?

Thanks!!


Shoal Creek may be an option. our son interned there during U.S. Women's open and had a good experience. Currently works at The Country Club of Birmingham. Those may not be options, but seem good courses to us.

Enjoy your trip....
 

Russ Wheeler

Redshirt
Aug 3, 2020
2,430
0
0
Ross Bridge and Oxmoor are all you need. Head and shoulders above all the other public courses, so expect a step down if play the others. Timberline is another in the league with the others you mentioned. Never done that Farmlinks deal but many here say it's nice.

Anything else is going to be a drive. There are more RTJ courses in Prattville but it's a solid hour away, maybe a little more.
 

BirminghamDAWG

Redshirt
Aug 22, 2012
179
5
13
Planning a golf trip and definitely playing the RTJ courses Ross Bridge and Oxmoor Valley.

Looking for one more course.. Can anyone share a recommendation between the others in that area? Bent Brook, Ballantrae, Oak Mountain, others?

Thanks!!

Highland Park should be mentioned. It’s short and narrow but a good test. They also just went through a renovation. It’s overpriced too but it’s right there in downtown Birmingham if you want to check out the nightlife afterward. Birmingham District Brewing is owned by a Bulldog and it’s a great spot. Gus’s fried chicken is right next door.
 

LanierDawg

Redshirt
Aug 24, 2012
88
48
18
Thanks all, definitely ready to get out and knock it around! Spring is almost here. Hail State!
 
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