I've played this course about 6 times in the past and still conclude that it's one of my favorite courses (Ridge) I've
ever played. I 've played all the sites except the Shoals and think this is the best total golf venue in the Southeast. We'll play Montgomery (Judge course), Grand National ( Lakes course), and Dothan on this trip. Our consensus is that were better off here than Myrtle Beach.Cheaper and friendlier with hotels and condos at even better prices. They got a great thing going

Customer Service

AS good as it gets.
Southern Hospitaly at its best.

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Upper Michigan,

This course was overdone with regard to the undulation of the fairways. All but a couple, at most, of the par-4 and 5 holes have rediculously undulating fairways that penalize even well-reasoned, well-executed shots. The design in so one-dimensional in over reliance on fairway topography, almost a fixation on recreating an "ocean wave" texture to the fairways where even reasonably flat lies are almost absent from a round. I think the Jones' need to think more broadly about defense mechanisms in golf course design. May I suggest they consult with Fazio or Nicklaus? Two holes were also sort of funky. A par-4 that requires a tee over a watery ravine with a very sharp dogleg left, and then a par-3 that drops about 80 feet. Perhaps the target market was winter season snowbirds who would get a real kick out of such features. Who knows. Definitely not a course to compare with some of the better designs to be found these days.

Consequently, this is decidedly not a course I would recommend for serious golfers if you're in the Birmingham, AL area. With regard to course management, I was also surprised to find that the practice range was closed to repair, a fact not disclosed at the time we made the tee times in July 2006.

This golf course promises much but delivers little. An exaggerated form of Robert Trent Jones design, overdone by his (and his son's) trademark undulating fairways. With the exception of two holes, the par-4 and 5 holes fairways are rediculously undulating and consequently penalize even well-placed tee shots. I was left with the impression that too much effort was spent on making the course intriguing to snowbird, 20+ handicappers and too little on making a real players course. It's not too infrequent, however, that this design flaw is encountered playing the father and son (Robert trent and Rees) courses. Frankly, I think they could take lessons from Jack Nicklaus on the fundamental features of designing real golf courses, and with that said, if in the Birmingham area, I'd look elsewhere for a challenging, yet equitable, round of golf. With regard to manamgent, I'd also add that when we called for tee times (July 2006) we were NOT told that they driving range was closed. Beware!

Interesting layouts and elevation changes amounted to great beauty.

While most rounds were not a timing problem (about 4.25 hrs.), we played on Masters Sunday and it took SIX hours. Not happy about that. I think the Rangers were watching TV that day. That screwed up our departure too.
Local business development needs to improve. More and better resturaunts and hotels.

Let me start by telling you that I am demanding and not easy to please. I've golfed in Myrtle Beach at least 20 times, also in Ireland, AZ, MD, VA, NY, PA, VT etc. The RTJ
Alabama Trail is a great concept. They have invested state pension funds in this idea and have developed a real winner. I played three of the locations and was impressed that they built the clubhouses and systems in a similar top-notch manner. When you move from one location to the next, you know what to expect. No hassles and Southern hospitality are the norm. What I can say for Oxmoor Valley, I can echo for all the courses. The course conditions and the aesthetics are tops. The greens were true if a little slow. Tee boxes and fairways were in great shape. Prices are lower than Myrtle Beach and the golf is better. Outside of golf - food, hotels and entertainment - needs a lot of work though. Maybe a motto should be: "Build it and they will come".

Customer Service

We were playing a 9 hole replay and got caught in a bad rain storm and the cart died near the clubhouse. No hassels; we received a raincheck.

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Buffet lunch was a great idea. Discounts on merchandise in the golf package appreciated. They did almost everything right.