Alabama surprises golfers with championship pedigree, southern hospitality, and standout value. From the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail to Gulf Shores beachfront gems, Links Up builds Alabama golf packages that match your dates, budget, and vibe – tee times, lodging, and local tips included.
Why book Alabama with Links Up?
The RTJ Trail stitches together more than 450 holes across 11 sites – meaning you can play big-time golf day after day without burning hours in the car. Pair a Birmingham hub (Ross Bridge + Oxmoor Valley) with a Montgomery swing (Capitol Hill) or aim north for Huntsville and Florence (Hampton Cove + The Shoals). Want sand between your toes after the last putt drops? Base in Gulf Shores for Craft Farms, Peninsula, and Lakewood near the Grand Hotel.
Best bases and travel regions
Birmingham is the most popular hub, thanks to Ross Bridge and Oxmoor Valley, plus an excellent restaurant scene and major-airport access. Montgomery/Prattville puts you at Capitol Hill (Judge • Legislator • Senator), while Opelika/Auburn serves Grand National (Lake • Links). Up north, Huntsville (Hampton Cove) and Florence (The Shoals) showcase mountain-and-river golf drama. Mobile/Fairhope and Gulf Shores deliver coastal vibes, seafood, and beach days between rounds.
Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail – the crown jewel
The Trail strings together some of the most photogenic and well-maintained public golf in America. Popular stops include:
- RTJ Ross Bridge – a dramatic resort experience near Birmingham.
- Capitol Hill – Judge, Legislator, Senator outside Montgomery.
- Grand National – Lake and Links in Opelika with sweeping water views.
- Hampton Cove – River and Highlands near Huntsville.
- Silver Lakes – Championship rotation with mountain drama.
- The Shoals – Fighting Joe and Schoolmaster on the Tennessee River.
- Oxmoor Valley – Ridge, Valley, and the fun Back Yard short course.
- Magnolia Grove – Crossings and Falls near Mobile.
Gulf Shores and Coastal Alabama
If your crew wants beach time between rounds, base in Gulf Shores. Standouts include: Craft Farms – Cotton Creek and Cypress Bend (Arnold Palmer designs), Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club, and Lakewood – Azalea and Dogwood near the Grand Hotel. Expect generous fairways, coastal breezes, and after-round fresh seafood.
More must-plays we book
Beyond the Trail, mix in a few of these for variety and scenery:
- FarmLinks at Pursell Farms – research-and-demonstration course turned beloved public favorite.
- Limestone Springs Golf Club – rolling terrain and dramatic shots in the foothills.
- Highland Park Golf Course – downtown Birmingham golf with skyline views.
- Timberline, Ballantrae, and Lakewood add fun, fair challenges for mixed-ability groups.
Best time to go
Value season: Summer offers attractive rates; book earlier tee times and plan mid-day downtime.
Winter: Coastal and central Alabama often stay playable – watch for cold snaps up north.
Costs and value (what to budget)
Pricing varies by season, day of week, and course. Alabama is consistently a strong-value state compared with many coastal hubs. Expect per-golfer packages to flex based on resort choice and round count. Ask us about RTJ multi-round savings, replay rates, and weekday discounts. Flying in? Birmingham (BHM), Huntsville (HSV), Montgomery (MGM), Mobile (MOB/PNS for Gulf Shores) are practical gateways.
Where to stay
- Resorts: Renaissance Ross Bridge; Grand Hotel Marriott (Lakewood) for coastal luxury.
- City Hotels: Downtown Birmingham, Montgomery, Huntsville – walkable dining and nightlife.
- Beach Rentals: Gulf Shores and Orange Beach condos/houses for large groups and shared spaces.
Getting around
Driving is straightforward; the Trail was built to be road-trip friendly. For big crews, we arrange vans or private transfers. Stagger tee times for groups 12+ to keep the wave moving and post up near dining options after the round.
Sample itineraries
3 nights / 3 rounds – Birmingham hub
Rounds: Ross Bridge • Oxmoor Valley Ridge • Oxmoor Valley Valley. Stay: Ross Bridge Resort or downtown Birmingham hotel for dining options.
4 nights / 4 rounds – RTJ North (Huntsville and Florence)
Rounds: Hampton Cove River • Hampton Cove Highlands • The Shoals Fighting Joe • The Shoals Schoolmaster. Stay: Split between Huntsville and Florence.
4 nights / 4 rounds – Gulf Shores beach + fairways
Rounds: Craft Farms Cotton Creek • Craft Farms Cypress Bend • Peninsula • Lakewood (Azalea or Dogwood). Stay: Gulf Shores/Orange Beach condo or beachfront hotel.
6-7 nights / 6 rounds – RTJ Trail Grand Loop
Day 1-2 (Birmingham): Ross Bridge; Oxmoor Valley Ridge.
Day 3-4 (Montgomery/Prattville): Capitol Hill Judge; Capitol Hill Legislator or Senator.
Day 5-6 (Opelika): Grand National Lake; Grand National Links.
Optional Day 7 (Florence): The Shoals Fighting Joe.
Course spotlights (what to expect)
Ross Bridge (Birmingham)
An epic, photogenic layout with large undulating greens and water features. It is long from the tips but fair from forward tees – ideal for mixed groups. Resort stay = super convenient.
Capitol Hill (Montgomery/Prattville)
Judge is the showstopper with river views; Legislator and Senator round out a three-course complex perfect for 2-3 days of play without moving hotels.
Grand National (Opelika/Auburn)
Lake offers widescreen water panoramas; Links mixes risk-reward with crafty green sites. Convenient to I-85 and Auburn University.
The Shoals (Florence)
Fighting Joe is open and bold; Schoolmaster is tighter and more strategic. Sunsets over the Tennessee River are worth the trip alone.
Gulf Shores trio
At Craft Farms, the Palmer designs blend playability with bite. Peninsula routes through coastal forest and wetlands. Lakewood pairs classic southern parkland with Grand Hotel history.
FAQ
Do you book lodging too? Yes – resorts, hotels, and vacation rentals near your courses. We will present a couple of options per budget.
What is typical group size? Anywhere from 2-24 is common; we regularly handle 32-48 with staggered tee time waves.
Are carts included? Most public courses include carts in green fees; we will confirm specifics on your quote.
Can we add non-golf activities? Absolutely – brewery tours in Birmingham, NASA/US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, beaches and fishing in Gulf Shores.