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May 2026
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The RTJ Trail. · Vol. 01

The Ultimate
Alabama Golf Trip.

Alabama is the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail: 11 sites, 26 courses, built in the 1990s as a state-funded public-access network. The high points are Capitol Hill, Magnolia Grove, and Ross Bridge. Add Shoal Creek (1990 PGA), the country club next to Birmingham, for the private side.

Shoal Creek, Alabama

Above · Shoal Creek

IRTJ Trail NorthIIBirmingham Private LoopIIIGulf Coast Stretch
Route I of III · North AL

The RTJ Trail North

Capitol Hill + Ross Bridge + Magnolia Grove

Duration3 days
Total drive230 mi
Tariff$$

Approx. $1,500 / person, 3 days. Public-resort throughout. The state-funded RTJ Trail is one of America's great golf-travel projects.

© Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics · OSM100 mi12 mi1Capitol Hill2Ross Bridge3Oxmoor Valley
  1. Senator
    Day
    1
    Senator
    Day 1 · Capitol Hill

    Fly into MGM. Stay in Prattville. Three layouts (Senator, Legislator, Judge).

  2. RTJ Ross Bridge Golf
    Day
    2
    RTJ Ross Bridge Golf
    Day 2 · Ross Bridge

    Hoover (Birmingham). RTJ Sr. 2005 — the long-yardage RTJ Trail layout.

  3. RTJ Oxmoor Valley Golf
    Day
    3
    RTJ Oxmoor Valley Golf
    Day 3 · Oxmoor Valley

    Birmingham. Two more RTJ Trail layouts (Ridge + Valley).

Route II of III · Birmingham

The Birmingham Private Loop

Shoal Creek + Mountain Brook + Country Club of Birmingham

Duration3 days
Total drive35 mi
Tariff$$$

Approx. $2,800 / person, 3 days. All sponsored-play. The Birmingham private bench beyond the RTJ Trail.

© Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics · OSM18 mi8 mi1Shoal Creek2Mountain Brook3Country Club of Birmingham
  1. Shoal Creek
    Day
    1
    Shoal Creek
    Day 1 · Shoal Creek

    Fly into BHM. Stay in Mountain Brook. Jack Nicklaus 1977. 1984 + 1990 PGAs.

  2. Mountain Brook Club
    Day
    2
    Mountain Brook Club
    Day 2 · Mountain Brook

    Donald Ross 1929.

  3. Country Club of Birmingham
    Day
    3
    Country Club of Birmingham
    Day 3 · Country Club of Birmingham

    Donald Ross 1898 (oldest in the South), restored.

Route III of III · Mobile Bay

The Gulf Coast Stretch

Magnolia Grove + Lakewood + Kiva Dunes

Duration3 days
Total drive80 mi
Tariff$$

Approx. $1,400 / person, 3 days. Public-resort. Mobile + Gulf Shores golf.

© Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics · OSM30 mi35 mi1Magnolia Grove2Lakewood3Kiva Dunes
  1. Magnolia Grove Golf Course
    Day
    1
    Magnolia Grove Golf Course
    Day 1 · Magnolia Grove

    Fly into MOB. RTJ Trail layout. Three nines.

  2. Lakewood Club
    Day
    2
    Lakewood Club
    Day 2 · Lakewood

    Point Clear. Perry Maxwell + Pete Dye renovation.

  3. Kiva Dunes Golf Course
    Day
    3
    Kiva Dunes Golf Course
    Day 3 · Kiva Dunes

    Gulf Shores. Jerry Pate 1995 along the Gulf of Mexico.

One tier below

Premier picks

Top-100-in-the-state regulars. The clubs you've heard of but maybe not played.

  1. 1
    L
    The Ledges Country Club
    Huntsville
  2. 2
    S
    Saugahatchee Country Club
    Opelika
  3. 3
    I
    Inverness Country Club
    Birmingham,
  4. 4
    C
    Cherokee Ridge Country Club
    Union Grove
  5. 5
    G
    Gulf Shores Country Club
    Gulf Shores
  6. 6
    T
    Tzaneen Country Club
    Limpopo
  7. 7
    I
    Indian Hills Country Club
    Tuscaloosa
  8. 8
    P
    Prattville Country Club
    Prattville
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