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Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama

Alabama

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

Courses
7
From
$895
Best for
Buddies

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail — overview

The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is one of the most ambitious golf developments ever created, stretching across Alabama with championship-caliber public golf at 11 sites. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., the Trail delivers tremendous variety, from Birmingham’s dramatic elevation changes to the Tennessee River, Mobile Bay, and the state’s rolling inland terrain. It is a true road-trip destination built for golfers who want depth, value, and multiple memorable stops in one trip.

Courses
7 courses
Best months
March – May & September – November
Ideal length
5–8 days
From airport
Varies by stop
Trips from
$895

Golf Courses at Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

Alabama · Course 1

Ross Bridge / Oxmoor Valley

Holes
63
Par
243
Yards
23,461
Est.
Various

Ross Bridge and Oxmoor Valley form the Birmingham-area anchor of the RTJ Trail. Ross Bridge delivers championship scale at resort level, while Oxmoor Valley adds the Ridge, Valley, and Back Yard par-3 experience through rolling foothills, mining-land terrain, and dramatic elevation changes.

Ross Bridge / Oxmoor Valley
  • Ross Bridge championship scale
  • Oxmoor Valley Ridge and Valley courses
  • Back Yard par-3 course

Alabama · Course 2

The Shoals / Hampton Cove

Holes
90
Par
342
Yards
34,794
Est.
Various

The Shoals and Hampton Cove combine riverfront scenery with mountain and valley golf in northern Alabama. The Shoals features Fighting Joe and Schoolmaster near the Tennessee River, while Hampton Cove adds Highlands, River, and a short course for one of the Trail’s deepest regional stops.

The Shoals / Hampton Cove
  • Tennessee River scenery
  • Fighting Joe and Schoolmaster
  • Hampton Cove Highlands and River

Alabama · Course 3

Magnolia Grove / Lakewood Club

Holes
90
Par
341
Yards
31,816
Est.
Various

Magnolia Grove and Lakewood Club bring the Trail’s strongest coastal Alabama feel. Magnolia Grove offers the Crossings, Falls, and Short Course through wetlands, creeks, hardwood, and pine, while Lakewood Club adds classic parkland resort golf along Mobile Bay.

Magnolia Grove / Lakewood Club
  • Coastal Alabama Trail pairing
  • Magnolia Grove championship layouts
  • Magnolia Grove Short Course

Alabama · Course 4

Silver Lakes

Holes
27
Par
108
Yards
11,305
Est.
1993

Silver Lakes is a flexible RTJ Trail stop built around three nine-hole courses that can be combined into varied 18-hole rounds. Set among rolling hills, forests, wetlands, grasslands, and lakes in northeast Alabama, it offers an approachable rhythm while still keeping the Trail’s large-scale design feel.

Silver Lakes
  • Backbreaker nine
  • Heartbreaker nine
  • Mindbreaker nine

Alabama · Course 5

Grand National

Holes
36
Par
144
Yards
14,718
Est.
1992

Grand National is one of the Trail’s most visually striking stops, anchored by the Lake and Links championship courses along Lake Saugahatchee. Water, forest, broad fairways, and strong par-3 holes make it one of the best multi-round bases on the RTJ Trail.

Grand National
  • Lake Course
  • Links Course
  • Lake Saugahatchee setting

Alabama · Course 6

Capitol Hill / Cambrian Ridge

Holes
81
Par
324
Yards
33,563
Est.
Various

Capitol Hill and Cambrian Ridge create a central-Alabama pairing with six total course options. Capitol Hill’s Judge, Senator, and Legislator deliver bold scale, elevation, and river-view drama, while Cambrian Ridge’s Canyon, Loblolly, and Sherling nines add flexibility across wooded and rolling terrain.

Capitol Hill / Cambrian Ridge
  • Capitol Hill Judge, Senator, and Legislator
  • Cambrian Ridge Canyon, Loblolly, and Sherling
  • River views and elevation change

Alabama · Course 7

Highland Oaks

Holes
36
Par
135
Yards
13,214
Est.
1993

Highland Oaks is one of the Trail’s deepest single-site stops, with three championship nines and a short course routed through wooded terrain, elevation change, and water features. The Highlands, Magnolia, Marshwood, and Short Course setup gives groups plenty of ways to mix competitive rounds with more relaxed golf.

Highland Oaks
  • Highlands, Magnolia, and Marshwood nines
  • Short Course option
  • Wooded Dothan-area routing

Trip Packages at Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

Starting points. Everything is built around your dates, group size, and the courses you want to play.

Birmingham Championship Pairing

From $895 per golfer

A focused Birmingham-area trip pairing Ross Bridge with Oxmoor Valley. Play the Trail’s biggest scale at Ross Bridge, then add the Ridge and Valley courses at Oxmoor for variety, elevation, and easy logistics.

All golf and lodging taxes and fees included. Excludes flights, airport transfers, and caddies. Rates subject to change.

North Alabama Scenic Loop

From $1,095 per golfer

Combine The Shoals and Hampton Cove for one of the Trail’s most scenic regional pairings. Expect Tennessee River views, mountain and valley terrain, and enough course variety to fill a strong 3-night itinerary.

All golf and lodging taxes and fees included. Excludes flights, airport transfers, and caddies. Rates subject to change.

Coastal Alabama Trail Getaway

From $1,195 per golfer

Blend Magnolia Grove and Lakewood Club for a southern Alabama stop with wetlands, forested corridors, and Mobile Bay character. This is a great choice for groups who want a Trail trip with a more coastal feel.

All golf and lodging taxes and fees included. Excludes flights, airport transfers, and caddies. Rates subject to change.

Central Alabama Trail Loop

From $1,595 per golfer

Build around Grand National, Capitol Hill, and Cambrian Ridge for a deeper Trail trip. This itinerary mixes lakefront golf, river views, bold elevation, and flexible 27-hole sites for golfers who want maximum course variety.

All golf and lodging taxes and fees included. Excludes flights, airport transfers, and caddies. Rates subject to change.

Golf Lifestyle

What to Expect at Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

Why visit

Few destinations in American golf offer as much variety in one state as the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Near Birmingham, Ross Bridge and Oxmoor Valley pair big-scale championship golf with convenient resort access. In north Alabama, The Shoals and Hampton Cove blend river views, mountain backdrops, and three-course variety. Along the southern part of the state, Magnolia Grove and Lakewood Club bring a more coastal feel, while Grand National, Silver Lakes, Capitol Hill, Cambrian Ridge, and Highland Oaks give groups the flexibility to build multi-stop itineraries around lakes, forests, foothills, and classic RTJ scale. For buddies trips and groups who want multiple rounds, good value, and a true golf journey, the Trail remains one of the best road trips in the country.

Accommodations

Accommodations along the Trail are built to support multi-destination travel. Golfers can stay at on-site resort hotels at stops like Ross Bridge and Grand National, choose nearby full-service hotels in Trail gateway cities, or book private homes and vacation rentals when extra space makes more sense for a group itinerary.

Resort amenities

The Trail combines championship public golf with the practical infrastructure needed for multi-stop travel: expansive practice facilities, large clubhouses, resort lodging at select stops, and enough course variety to keep longer itineraries fresh. Several destinations also pair golf with spa access, dining, and hotel amenities, making the Trail equally workable for pure golf trips and more comfortable resort-style stays.

  • 26 public courses / 468 holes
  • 11 Trail sites across Alabama
  • On-site resorts at select stops
  • Short-course and extra-hole options
  • Large practice facilities and clubhouses
Where to stay

4 hand-picked stays.

Each property is selected for proximity to the next round, the kind of evening that fits a long golf trip, and the feel we want for the group.

Resort01 / 04

Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa

Resort Room / Suite

The flagship on-property Trail resort, ideal for stays built around Ross Bridge and nearby Oxmoor Valley.

Best fit for Birmingham-area RTJ itineraries.

Included in package
Resort02 / 04

Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort & Spa at Grand National

Resort Room / Suite

On-property resort lodging for Grand National with easy access to both championship courses and resort amenities.

Strong base for eastern / central Alabama Trail trips.

Included in package
Resort03 / 04

The Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa

Resort Room / Suite

Historic resort lodging at Lakewood Club in Point Clear, combining Mobile Bay charm with one of the Trail’s most distinctive coastal stops.

Best fit for Lakewood Club itineraries and coastal Alabama add-ons.

Included in package
Stay04 / 04

Private Homes & Vacation Rentals

Private Home

Private homes and vacation rentals near Trail stops give groups more space, full kitchens, and common areas that work well for buddy trips and longer multi-city itineraries.

Especially useful when splitting time across multiple Trail regions.

Included in package

Plan Your Trip to Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

Getting there

Most Trail trips are built around regional airport access and a rental car. Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport works well for Ross Bridge, Oxmoor Valley, Silver Lakes, and parts of central Alabama; Huntsville International is the best choice for Hampton Cove and The Shoals; Montgomery Regional serves Capitol Hill and Cambrian Ridge; and Mobile Regional or Pensacola can anchor Magnolia Grove and Lakewood Club. Because the Trail spans the state, the best approach is to pair neighboring sites into regional loops rather than trying to play everything in one trip.

Best time to visit
Spring and fall are the sweet spots, especially March through May and September through November, when temperatures are most comfortable across Alabama. Golf is playable year-round, but summer can be hot and winter conditions vary slightly by region.
Who it's best for
Perfect for buddies trips, public-golf purists, and golfers who want to build a multi-round road trip with real variety and strong value.
Address
Multiple sites across Alabama
Season
Daily; hours vary by site
Course details
The Trail includes Ross Bridge/Oxmoor Valley, The Shoals/Hampton Cove, Magnolia Grove/Lakewood Club, Silver Lakes, Grand National, Capitol Hill/Cambrian Ridge, and Highland Oaks, with 26 public courses and 468 total holes.
Location
11 sites across Alabama
Nearest airport
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International (BHM)
Trip style
Resort
Best for
Buddies trips, Public-golf road trips, Multi-stop golf vacations

Frequently Asked Questions about Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

How many courses are on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail?

The Trail spans 11 sites across Alabama and includes 26 public courses totaling 468 holes.

What are the best pairings for a first RTJ Trail trip?

Strong first-trip pairings include Ross Bridge with Oxmoor Valley near Birmingham, The Shoals with Hampton Cove in north Alabama, Magnolia Grove with Lakewood Club in the south, and Grand National with Capitol Hill or Cambrian Ridge in central Alabama.

Can you play the entire RTJ Trail in one trip?

You can, but most golfers are better served by focusing on regional loops. The Trail covers the entire state, so trying to play everything at once usually means too much driving and not enough time at each stop.

Which Trail stops have on-site resort lodging?

Popular on-site or golf-resort style lodging options include Ross Bridge near Birmingham, Grand National in Opelika, Lakewood Club at The Grand Hotel in Point Clear, and other hotel-based pairings depending on the region.

Is the RTJ Trail good for buddies trips?

Absolutely. The combination of public access, course variety, strong value, and the ability to build custom multi-stop itineraries makes the Trail one of the best buddies-trip destinations in the country.

When is the best time to play the RTJ Trail?

Spring and fall are the most popular seasons thanks to comfortable temperatures statewide, though golf is available year-round.

Are there short courses or extra-hole options on the Trail?

Yes. Several Trail sites go beyond standard 18-hole golf, with notable short-course or extra-hole options at places like Oxmoor Valley, Magnolia Grove, Hampton Cove, Silver Lakes, Grand National, and Highland Oaks.

What makes the RTJ Trail different from a normal golf destination?

Most golf destinations center on one resort or one town. The Trail is different because it is a statewide network of public championship courses, allowing you to build a custom golf road trip around neighboring stops and different landscapes.

On the map

Where is Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail?

7 courses4 lodging options

Cross St, Wetumpka, Alabama 36092, United States

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