Planning on heading down south here in the next couple of weeks and our planned courses are the following. Let me know what you guys think from those who have played them and if you have other suggestions that could possibly be better.

Capitol Hill:

The Judge & The Senator

Grand National:

Links Course

Thinking about possibly stopping at Hampton Cove on the way down, are either of those courses worth stopping at?

Thanks!

I will reply just cause I'm leaving for RTJ next Wednesday! I hope you golf picks are good because mine are similar...36 a day!

TEE TIMES :
====================================================
Date : 02/26/09 Course : GRAND NATIONAL - LINKS

Date : 02/27/09 Course : CAPITOL HILL - LEGISLATOR
Date : 02/27/09 Course : CAPITOL HILL - JUDGE


Date : 02/28/09 Course : CAPITOL HILL - JUDGE
Date : 02/28/09 Course : CAPITOL HILL - SENATOR

Date : 03/01/09 Course : GRAND NATIONAL - LAKE
Date : 03/01/09 Course : GRAND NATIONAL - LINKS

Date : 03/02/09 Course : GRAND NATIONAL - LINKS

I'll update you on conditions upon my return...

As a life-long BAMA native, I wouldnt recommend Hampton Cove. Your setup is great between Montgomery and Opelika. Only course better, or on par those, is Ross Bridge in Birmingham. Just my 2cents..

We're contemplating Ross Bridge. I know it's reputation and would love to play it, only problem is it would be played after driving about 8 hours and getting on the road at 5 in the morning.... could be a bit of a train wreck I think.

Im from huntsville where hampton cove is and it not that great, good par 3 but thats it. my favorite course of them all is in florence called the fighting joe its the second best one in my opinion to grand national on the trail. if you can go there its absolutely gorgeous too.

It is some solid golf, you will enjoy your trip.

Head about 40 miles south of Montgomery and hit up Cambrian Ridge in Greenville.

Add the Lakes course at Grand National since you are already going to be there. The longer you can stay in Auburn the better.

I've done the trail 3 times and we hit atleast 5 sites each time. I would recommend Cambian Ridge. I haven't done Ross.

The trail is a great value, the courses are nice, people are nicer. FYI, the courses are not near anything most of the time, so don't get nervous as you try and find them.

Enjoy your trip, I have 3 times and I'm from Texas.

If you're looking to stop in Birmingham, I'd give the Ridge course at Oxmoor Valley a shot. A lot cheaper than Ross Bridge and will give you a chance to knock the rust off (haven't played Ross Bridge though, so this is in no way a comment against that course). I thought the Ridge was one of the more unique ones on the trail and a lot of fun. Auburn's courses rock and are second only to the ones up in Muscle Shoals. Have fun and be sure to eat at the clubhouses, the food is great!

+1 on that. The lobblolly/sherling combination at Cambrian Ridge probably makes for the best 18 holes I've played down there. Depending on which way you head down to Auburn, Silver Lakes in Gadsen is also definitely worth a stop if you like tough courses. I agree with the other poster too about skipping Hampton Cove. It isn't horrible, but it's definitely not the best of the bunch.

This is great stuff guys I appreciate it, and keep the suggestions coming!

I was going to suggest Silver Lakes, but wasn't sure of the route of their trip. Backbreaker, Mindbreaker & Heartbreaker, plus a 9 hole short course with water in play on 7 of 9.

Yup. It's a shame (although maybe a saving grace in terms of # of other golfers) that Silver Lakes and Muscle Shoals are so far away from the main highways. Those are both great, great tracks all around.

Grand national is the best and try and play em both but dont stay in auburn unless you wanna party in a barn with some cows. you should try and go next time around football season theres not much going on then down there.

It's amazing how big headed UAT fans get when they finally get a win over Auburn. 1 out of every 7 years isn't bad.

Save your money! Instead of going to Ross Bridge, you have to go to Farmlinks! I don't think you will regret it one bit. I hope the weather warms up for you guys.

If we do end up adding a 4th course it looks like Farmlinks is going to be the one, been checking that one out all, looks unreal. As long as the temps hit 60 it will feel like a heat wave for us!

+1

Farmlinks is fantastic, good choice.

My favorite!

The Lakes is better than the Links at Grand National....trust me. Have Fun. I've played them all!

You'll love Farmlinks.....a must! It's way out of the way....but worth it.

I love the Judge, whatever you do make sure you hit the first tee shot from the back tees!!! It's one nice site from the back!!! Cool sign on the first tee "Welcome to the Judge, prepare to be judged" Water in play on like 16 holes or something like that.

Me and some guys are going to play the trail in May. 36 a day for 3 days straight, this is our itinerary so far:

Sat. Oxmoor Valley, 36 holes
Sun. Capital Hill, 18 holes
Cambrian Ridge, 18 holes
Mon. Magnolia Grove. 36 holes

Glad to hear about which courses to play. We aren't set in stone, but we would like to play the best; within reason of cost at least.

And what does all of this cost, including travel expenses, food, etc.

It sounds like fun, but I don't think I could afford something like this.

My trip, NOT including food or gas is a little below $400 for the golf and hotel. Pretty serious bargain if you ask me.

I'm guess its only costing us like 400-500. We are staying in cheap hotel rooms, super 8's and motel 6's. We don't care about the rooms, because we won't be there long enough. Also, we are only taking one vehicle to keep fuel cost down. Hopefully, we can find 2 more people to go and share some more of the cost and it will be even cheaper. It's the best bargin in golf I have found in my part of the country.

On the way down stop at rtj at the shoals or hampton cove both are good! Your trip looks like a lot fun and some great golf!

I went down for a long weekend each summer for the last two years of college and all three years of grad school. The first couple of years I went with some especially hardcore golf buddies. We got the unlimited golf package and played at least 36 a day (sometimes 45), we walked every round, and we stayed four to a room at motel sixes. Needless to say, we didn't do a whole lot other than play golf. I think we may have gone out for a few beers in Auburn.

I still remember that when I got home and added up my receipts that food, three days of golf, and my split of the lodging and gas (we drove from Illinois) cost me $196. I also lost five pounds and could barely walk at the end. That would have been 6 years ago so the figures should still be in the same ballpark or maybe just a little higher. So, yes, it can be done and done cheaply, although it is a little painful when you go that barebones.

I did a golf trip in high school for 3 years with my buddies. We played 36 each day, with carts. Mon thru Fri. 9:00am for the 1st Rd, 2 or 3:00 pm for the 2nd.

We stayed at my cottage. Had the lake with the waverunner. We would play in like 3 hours and then go back to the cottage, take a pontoon boat ride for lunch, maybe play on the waverunner. Then go back out for the 2nd round.

It was great. We had the ten rounds at buy one get one free. The average price for the round was $24 bucks. 10 different courses. The best courses in Northern Michigan.

It was awesome.

Have been 5 times

Make sure you hit some of the par 3's .. awesome at Grand National

Also I think it was at Gadsen sp? we played a 9 hole par 3 and I recall a 270 yard par 3's with a waterfall beside the green and it was into the fan

Awesome places to golf with buds

It's Gadsden, LOL. (my hometown) Its #6 on the short course with the waterfall.

Not sure if you're aware, but the Crossings has been closed for a couple months. They're redoing the greens, I think. I was out there today and they are still working on it. Don't know when they plan to re-open it (and it may very well be before your trip.. didn't ask. I don't play out there all the much). The Falls and the Short Course are open.

I just played Ridge a week ago. I would pass right now. I thought it was a little rough myself.

At Grand National, I'd play Lakes over Links. Just a preference. If you do play Links, it won't route you past the clubhouse at the turn. (FYI) They may/may not have beverage carts.

I've only hit balls at Ross Bridge (about two weeks ago) but it looks to be in mint condition right now. It's MUCH nicer than Ridge. And more $.

if you guys are going to play alot of the RTJ you should look into getting a trail card. It will probably help you guys out with some of the green fees. Not sure if anyone has seen the add in the current issue of GOLFWORLD but they are offering 10% off to GOLFWORLD readers. Plus it says if you play 3 concurrent days your Tuesday is FREE!

Another vote for the "Fighting Joe"!

Not sure if they will be or not, but after some reading we changed for the Grand National, and leaving off Cambrain ridge so we have:

Sat. Oxmoor Valley
Sun. Grand National
Mon. Capital Hill

Can't wait! Anyone know, about cart fee discounts or if you can take a cooler? And good to the OP on his time as well, it's sounds nice as well.

At the risk of sounding like a Rube, I'm not really sure what cart fee discounts are. But if you're asking what the cart fee was, it was $15/person. You didn't have to pay for a cart if you walked. Grand National is totally walkable and at Capitol Hill the Senator and the Judge (other than the first and last hole) are an easy walk. You will not want to walk Oxmoor Valley (we did and I think I'm still sore many years later). Also, word to the wise, underclub big time on your tee shot on hole 3 at the Ridge course. I hit a 5 iron off the tee and it bounced into the pond at the end of the fairway. It was about a 310 yard shot if I recall. And, no, I don't normally hit my 5 iron that far.

As far as a cooler...on the rounds we planned on drinking we each snuck our beer in an ice filled trash bag stuck in a pocket of our golf bags. We were a classy bunch . So, I'm not sure what the personal cooler policy is but I do know they sell them at the snack bar. It's a great time with really good courses and even better people. Have fun!

Looks like we'll be there about the same time as you on Capital Hill. Our play is:

Date : 02/27/09 Course : CAPITOL HILL - SENATOR
Date : 02/27/09 Course : CAPITOL HILL - LEGISLATOR

Date : 02/28/09 Course : CAPITOL HILL - LEGISLATOR
Date : 02/28/09 Course : CAPITOL HILL - JUDGE

Date : 03/01/09 Course : CAPITOL HILL - SENATOR

We are hoping for good weather but looks like there is a chance of rain on Friday and Saturday. Hopefully it will hold off.

Good choice, Grand National is phenomenal. Best golf trip you can go on, Lakes and Links are two of the best courses I've ever played.

lskoncepts, nice looking schedule...my first trip to Alabama, figured we'd give Myrtle a rest this year. Also keeping our eye on the weather, figure 50% chance of rain also means 50% chance of no rain! Temps look to be in the low 20s!

Good Luck on you trip, keep an eye out for the GOLFWRX driver headcover! Have fun!

The Highlands course in Hampton Cove is closed for renovation; the River is open, and it's okay, usually in good shape, with many raised greens. The Par 3 from the back tees is a good test, it measures about 3,000 yards.

Schoolmaster and Fighting Joe in Florence are better layouts.

Local Forecast is looking good for you guys...Mid to high 60's.

Well back from my trip to Grand National and Capitol Hill.... Where do I start? 2 Tornadoes, massive amount of rain, and 4 inches of SNOW! We are from Toronto and were trying to get away from the snow, needless to say we were not happy campers. We did manage to squeak in 18 at Grand National Links, 18 at The Legislator, 27 at the Judge and 9 on the Senator course... Our last 2 days we were snowed in, and couldn't replay the Links or the Lakes unfortunately.

As far as the courses are concerned I would rank them in the following order:

Grand National Links (I'm sure the Lakes would have been fantastic but couldn't tell with 4 inches of snow out there).
The Judge
The Legislator
The Senator a distant last.... would be a good warmup round, but many of the holes looked and felt the same.


Last but not least Delta lost my clubs, hopefully I get them back. Oh well, at least I can say that I saw, tornadoes, terential downpours, 75 degree weather and snow all in the span of 5 days. The RTJ Trail is absolutely fantastic and may kick Myrtle out of the play list for the next few years....

Tip: If playing at Capitol Hill, book the Marriott Courtyard for $90 per night vs the $140 at the Marriott onsite...it is literally a 2 minute drive to the course. Play the Senator as a warm-up round and that's it... Judge is awesome and didn't have 1 complaint about the Links course at Grand National.

Believe it or not, I thought of you guys Sunday and felt bad for you. Freak snow here. First time in 9 years, the TV man said. We've actually had pretty good weather up until this last weekend. I've played/hit balls pretty much all winter.

Ah man, we couldn't believe it when we were evacuated from the clubhouse and sent down to the golf cart bunker twice due to the storms and possible tornado's. Within a couple of hours we were back out playing which wasn't so bad....but when we woke up Sunday am and saw 4 inches of snow, we didn't know wether to laugh or cry, haha. To make matters worse the pool heater, hot tub and sauna were are all broken! So we played some cards and pretty much had the whole resort to ourselves...they did comp us food and beverages.

I'm on my way down to the Trail tomorrow morning. Please god tell me that freak 4 inches of snow is a distant memory....

Yep, you are in good shape. Forecast highs starting tomorrow 59, 67, 70, 74 & 69 Sunday.

I agree about that Trail Card...however I believer you have to live in Alabama to get one. I have tried like crazy to get one, but I can't because for some reason I thought it would be a good idea to graduate from Auburn...I should have known better... I think all the courses on the Trail are awesome, as I have played them all now. And I can honestly say that I think that the 2 at Grand national are fantastic. If you can stay in Auburn overnight, I highly recommend the short course at Grand National as well...Used to be the number 1 par 3 course in the country, and very well should be, it is unbelievable..