The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Ross Bridge

Course should seriously think of a way for golfers to get closer to green and level areas to park. I was with another healthy 65 year old and our wives. The walks uphill to almost all greens was fatiguing. Flat wore us out.
Nothing too fancy would be needed. Maybe a small turnin at level spot level with green. Could even be gravel.
This is a problem for many older golfers and out if condition golfers.
I believe you could get more of this type golfer. I love the course and the conditioning. Honestly probably would not encourage many of my friends unless they were younger.
Possibly consider having men's white tees that are no longer than 360 yards on par 4's. Staff at hotel and golf shop and starter and cart gal were excellent. Thanks

My brother and I played 54 holes at Ross Bridge. The course is amazing. When you look at the course from the some of the tees, it appears like it goes on forever. Truly incredible! I give it an 8.5, but only because some of the edges on some greens weren't in great condition and they're doing maintenance on the #10 green. This is one of the most impressive courses we've ever played. If you're planning to play the RTJ Trail, this needs to be on your list!

Third time to play this course through the years and each time it has been better. I really enjoy the course and each shot produces a new challenge to any golfer. You better have all the shots. If you not under a 10-handicap I would suggest a large move forward! The first hole is a challenge even from the front tee. Second shot usually from a downhill lie to a heavily bunkered elevated green, in fact all greens are well protected.

Even though they experienced a difficult winter, they fared well. Progress is being made with new Zoysia collars around greens and many areas adjacent to fairways and under tall pines is being sodded with Zoysia.

We had an early tee time, second off, and never saw the singe in front of us, not was the group behind us ever close. Therefore our pace-of-play was perfect, about 3 1/2 hours.

The Good: Ross Bridge is the flagship golf course of the 11-site Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama and for good reason. It is as impressive in scale of an inland public course as I've played. Fantastic, well-conditioned design has a "poorer" man's Augusta feel with ample, huge fairways and super white sand traps. From the first hole you know you're in for a treat and the design consists of one of the best quartet's of Par 5's I've come across. Great variety in Par 4's and a couple strong Par 3's. Awesome clubhouse includes beautiful dining area, well-stocked pro shop, and expansive banquet and hotel accommodations. Top-notch practice facility and great service/amenities from check-in to the 19th hole. GPS on the carts is a nice bonus. Good value considering the $150 price tag and off-season and twilight rates are great.

The Bad: The green complex conditions were a little disappointing considering the quality of course. The Par 3's are really good but not as memorable as the other holes. Pace of play can be a little bit of an issue.

The Verdict: Ross Bridge is as visually spectacular a course I've played and ranks in my Top 3 golf experiences I've had in my life. A top tier facility in every way. It's a travesty that its not ranked higher by major golf publications.

The Best Hole: The Par 5 1st is one of the best opening holes I've ever played and sets the tone for an unforgettable round.

Very impressed with course condition considering our weather lately.

Bent greens were silky smooth and relatively quick. Fairways were excellent. Some thin areas around a couple greens in collection areas. Bunkers were packed from recent hard rains. Too much sand in faces of bunkers, not enough in bottoms.

One thing I really like that Ross Bridge has done is add a composite set of tees, alternating between the nearly 6,800-yard orange tees and 6,200-yard whites for a 6,500-yard test. That met a need.

This course is beautiful. The conditions were good considering the cool spring we have had. The pace of play was good. Definitely would play this course again.

Awesome course. Best of the RTJ Trail. Fantastic resort as well. You will not be disappointed here. One of the best courses in Alabama.

A couple of friends and I decided to play at Ross Bridge today for the first time, as we figured a course of this caliber would have better than average conditions given the fact that it is the dead of winter now. (12/29/2017)

The staff were excellent, very friendly and helpful. The only issue is that no outside coolers are allowed, yet we only saw the beverage cart one time throughout the round on Hole #2.

Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed with the playing conditions on the course. I expect a certain amount of damage when playing during the winter, but multiple dying/dead fringes with sod squares/sand spots scattered throughout was unexpected. The greens themselves are wonderful, as long as you don't land on a bad spot or get anywhere close to the fringe. Fairways were mostly green other than muddy spots/holes. Bunkers were unraked and hard as a rock, which is an issue considering the amount on the course.

I enjoyed my round at Ross Bridge, but I didn't find anything special about the experience. Just an average day, not worth the hype or premium rate. I imagine that this course is incredible in the Spring/Summer in full tilt, and I will hopefully be able to give it a much better review then.

First the positive : excellent layout and could be a fun ,enjoyable course to play. Beautiful clubhouse and the staff couldn't of been any nicer. Apparently the course was overbooked and our starting time was delayed by 30 minutes. After that the 18 holes took five hours and 30 minutes to complete. We waited on every hole and never received an adequate explanation other than to say they had overbooked. The course itself was in only fair shape with greens having many bare spots around the fringes with weeds , unfixed ball marks, and crabgrass. Fairways were thin in many places. Certainly not a course do $120 plus per round. Played six other Robert Trent Jones courses is on the trail that week and all were in significantly better condition.

For $150 the greens were not in good shape. Crabgrass was on many greens and there was a void at the fringe on all greens. Played the Judge in Prattville the day before for $45 twilight rate. It wad much more enjoyable the Ross Bridge. They should charge about $90 for green fees. Not $150

I had high expectations going into my round at Ross Bridge knowing how expensive it is to play and all. We found a deal where we could play for $65 so we decided to try it out. Although the course is definitely nice, I probably won't go back unless for a special occasion. It is not worth over $100 to play. I'd much rather spend my money at Oxmoor Valley or any of the other RTJ courses.

I have probably not been as warm toward Ross Bridge in past reviews as I should have. Perhaps playing it so often has not allowed me to fully appreciate what a fantastic course this truly is. The fact that this track is not ranked among Golf Magazine's, Golf Digest's or Golfweek's Top 100 public course in America lists is baffling to me, especially since I have observed some that are that have no business being ranked. We have had a lot of rain over the past 10 days, but carts were allowed in fairways. Fairways were a bit thinner than I would expect for a top echelon course, but no big deal. Bent greens were fantastic and have recovered fully from recent aeration.

This is why you don't use the five star rating lightly - so when you do use it it can mean something. This is a five star course. Everything you see right away is top shelf from the large, amphitheater-like grass driving range to the amazing two-tiered putting green. The starter was friendly and helpful. Warned me it was cart path only, and at this course that really means something because the layout is expansive and, shall we say, not at all flat. At #11 we were told the 90 degree rule was now in effect which helped a good deal. Finished in about 4.5 hours.

Course itself is hard to find fault with. Fairways were soggy in some places from recent downpours. Dry areas hadn't been mown in awhile (obvious reasons). Course winds up and down along rolling contours surrounding a lake. #9 and #18 greens are side by side at the near end of the lake, making an awesome spectacle when on either tee box. All the par-3s require some kind of carry to an elevated green, except the last #14 where the tee is the part that is elevated (take one club less). The presence of the lake results in a few greens being pretty close to the water, but only on two of them (#4 and #18) do you actually have a true forced carry over water. But on many occasions you'll have the opportunity for a bad hook or push to put you in the drink.

All in all it shows that the architect was given a great piece of property and resources with which to do a proper job. Even details like the quality of the cart paths, the on-course rest rooms, the frequency of water stations, etc. Everything contributed to the superior golf experience.

If you get a chance to play here, do not miss it.

This is a phenomenal course and worth every penny! We just did 4 days on the Trail and saved the best for last. Stunning views, very challenging , and pristine conditions await. Lots of elevation changes and forced carries.

This course is a gem. A little salty on the price but once you get there it's worth it. A beautiful layout and breathtaking views accompany all 18 holes.
Staff is friendly and food is great at the club house restaurant. A definite yes!

Ross Bridge is one of the best courses I've ever played! From the moment i arrived at the course i was greeted by the staff at the bag drop to unload my clubs and point me in the direction of the proshop. Once I got checked in i headed over to the practice area to get a feel for the greens and hit some chips and bunker shots, unfortunately the driving range is closed for maintenance on Tuesdays. The layout is spectacular! It brings water and fairway bunkers into play off most of the tee boxes but also gives you options to either challenge the hazards and reap the rewards of a short approach or play short and have a longer second. I also liked that there were alot of options as far as tees to play from because my group had two mid handicap guys in it and the tips stretch out to 8100 yards. The condition from tee to green was immaculate. My favorite part of the course was the bent greens that were rolling between 10-12 and put a premium on hitting the right part of the green with all of the ridges and shelves. I thoroughly enjoyed playing the course and will definitely be back.

this course isn't as well known as say "the judge", but so far of the 5 trail courses i've played Ross Bridge is head and shoulders above the group.

the conditions were immaculate from tee to green. the greens were quick, but true.

it's a tough test, but opportunities are there if you play smart. the course is a great example of using bunkers and water hazards to intimidate and deceive. you have to focus on each shot.

be careful which tees you choose here. from the back tees, this is one of the longest courses in the country. we played the orange tees, and it was very reasonable for our group that probably avg 250 off the tee.

there are a lot of great holes here, but 18 is a challenging and gorgeous closing hole. from start to finish, this course is fantastic. 5 stars and i'd give it 10. don't make an RTJ trip without stopping here!