Handicap HQ
landscape photography of cityscape by water
Photo by Zachary Farmer on Unsplash
Golf Trips / Southeast / Alabama

Plan Your Birmingham Golf Trip in 60 Seconds

RTJ Trail golf and a surprise-hit food-and-bar city

The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail's Oxmoor Valley sits minutes from a downtown that's become one of the South's best food cities. Big elevation changes on former mining land, James Beard-winning restaurants, and a revitalized nightlife scene make Birmingham a value-packed surprise.

4
courses
Spring, Fall
best season
BHM
20 min drive
50–200k
town size
The rota

Courses

Ross Bridge (RTJ Trail)Bucket List

One of the longest courses in the world, wrapped around a Renaissance resort with a waterfall between 9 and 18

$80–$140
Par 72 · 8,191 yds
parkland
RTJ Golf Trail at Oxmoor Valley (Ridge Course)PremiumDESIGNER CLASSIC

Dramatic elevation changes and heavy tree cover on former U.S. Steel land — the photogenic RTJ Trail headliner here

$55–$95
Par 72 · 7,055 yds
mountain
RTJ Golf Trail at Oxmoor Valley (Valley Course)Premium

Renovated in 2021 with new TifEagle greens — a flatter, more forgiving complement to the Ridge

$50–$90
Par 72 · 7,027 yds
parkland
Highland Park Golf CourseSolidBEST VALUE

1903 in-town classic and walkable budget round near Five Points South

$30–$55
Par 70 · 6,010 yds
parkland · walkable
Base camp

Where to Stay

houseSleeps 10–16

$400–$1,300 /night

Highland Park, Forest Park, or downtown — homes near the bars and restaurants

near downtownporchoutdoor grillgame roomyard
resort houseSleeps 12–16

$200–$450 /night

Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort — stay on the RTJ Trail course

on-site golfspamultiple restaurantspoolconcierge
The table

Dining

Highlands Bar & Grill

$$$$
upscale

Frank Stitt's James Beard-honored flagship — Birmingham's signature fine-dining splurge

4.7★

Saw's BBQ

$$
bbq

Alabama-style smoked pork and the famous white-sauce chicken — peak group lunch

4.6★

The Essential / Pizitz Food Hall

$$
casual

Downtown food hall and adjacent bistros — everyone gets what they want, easy with 16

4.5★

Automatic Seafood & Oysters

$$$
seafood

Buzzy modern seafood spot — Gulf oysters and a great cocktail program

4.6★
After the round

Nightlife

Avondale Brewing / Avondale district

Late night
brewpub

Birmingham's brewery-and-bar district — walkable cluster of taprooms and music venues

The Collins Bar

Late night
cocktail

Downtown craft-cocktail favorite with a periodic-table menu and easy crowd

The Louis Bar (rooftop)

rooftop

Rooftop bar atop the Pizitz with skyline views — the kickoff spot

The J. Clyde

Late night
dive

Five Points beer-geek pub with a massive draft list and a porch

Off days

Activities

Barber Motorsports / Vintage Racing Museum

go karts2-3 hours$25–$120/pp

World-class motorcycle museum and racetrack — go-karts and track experiences for gearheads

Civil Rights District Walking Tour

hiking2-3 hours$0–$40/pp

Powerful, easy downtown walk through the historic Civil Rights District

Avondale Brewery Tour

brewery2-3 hours$25–$60/pp

Tour and taproom crawl through Birmingham's craft-beer scene

Ready when you are

Build the Birmingham trip.

Plan this trip →
Nearby

Similar Golf Trip Destinations

Pinehurst, NC

The Cradle of American Golf

6 courses · 4 bars

Hilton Head, SC

Island golf with a side of beach bars

6 courses · 4 bars

Destin, FL

Beach, nightlife, and golf on the Emerald Coast

6 courses · 4 bars

Kiawah Island, SC

Where the Ocean Course meets the Atlantic

5 courses · 3 bars

Head-to-head
Planning GuideCost BreakdownBachelor Party
More Southeast trips →All Alabama trips →All destinations