Florence Golf Trip Planning Guide
The Shoals' Fighting Joe was the first RTJ Trail course to break 8,000 yards, perched high above Wilson Lake on the Tennessee River. Pair championship golf with the music-history pull of Muscle Shoals — FAME Studios and the Swampers — for a trip with a soundtrack.
Quick Facts
Spring, Fall
BHM (120 min drive)
$30–$95
$160/night
0 of 4
~$240/person
Sample 3-Day Itinerary
Here's a realistic 3-day itinerary for a group golf trip to Florence. Every venue below is real and pulled from our curated database — no filler.
Day 1
RTJ Golf Trail at The Shoals (Fighting Joe Course) — parkland, $55–$95 · 4.7★
The first Trail course past 8,000 yards — expansive fairways and bentgrass greens high above Wilson Lake
360 Grille (Renaissance Tower) — upscale, $$$ · 4.4★
Revolving rooftop restaurant atop the riverside tower — the marquee group dinner with a view
Downtown Florence strip (Court Street) — patio · Open late
Walkable cluster of downtown bars and patios near UNA — easy crawl
Day 2
RTJ Golf Trail at The Shoals (Schoolmaster Course) — parkland, $55–$95 · 4.6★
Shorter but narrower and meaner than Fighting Joe — demanding approaches ratchet up the challenge
FAME Studios & Muscle Shoals Sound Tour — 2-3 hours, $20–$50/pp
Tour the legendary studios where Aretha, the Stones, and Skynyrd recorded — pure Muscle Shoals lore
Odette — farm to-table, $$$ · 4.6★
Acclaimed downtown Florence farm-to-table — the foodie night of the trip
Pegasus Records / Singin' River Brewing — brewpub
Local brewery taproom in Florence — house pints and music-town atmosphere
Day 3
Turtle Point Yacht & Country Club — parkland, $45–$85 · 4.4★
Lakeside George Cobb design in Killen — a scenic non-Trail change of pace
Wilson Lake / Tennessee River Fishing — half day, $90–$200/pp
Trophy bass on Wilson Lake — one of the best smallmouth fisheries in the South
Big Bad Breakfast — southern, $$ · 4.5★
John Currence's big Southern breakfast — fuel before an early tee time
Wildwood Tavern — dive · Open late
No-frills downtown tavern with live music and stiff pours
Course-by-Course Guide
Florence has 4 courses worth playing, including 1 bucket-list tier layout.
Where to Stay
Florence has 2 group-friendly lodging options in our database, starting at $160/night for the whole house.
$300–$1100 /night
Downtown Florence near the University of North Alabama and the riverfront
$160–$350 /night
The Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa — on the river by the RTJ Trail courses
Group Dining Guide
4 restaurants vetted for group golf trips. Several can handle large parties without a reservation headache.
360 Grille (Renaissance Tower)
$$$Revolving rooftop restaurant atop the riverside tower — the marquee group dinner with a view
Odette
$$$Acclaimed downtown Florence farm-to-table — the foodie night of the trip
Big Bad Breakfast
$$John Currence's big Southern breakfast — fuel before an early tee time
Ricatoni's Italian Grill
$$Downtown Italian staple that handles big groups easily
Nightlife
4 bars curated for groups. 3 stay open past midnight.
Downtown Florence strip (Court Street)
Late nightWalkable cluster of downtown bars and patios near UNA — easy crawl
Pegasus Records / Singin' River Brewing
Local brewery taproom in Florence — house pints and music-town atmosphere
Wildwood Tavern
Late nightNo-frills downtown tavern with live music and stiff pours
Swampers Bar & Grille (Marriott Shoals)
Late nightMusic-themed bar at the resort with live acts — named for the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section
Activities Beyond Golf
3 off-course activities for rest days or afternoons.
FAME Studios & Muscle Shoals Sound Tour
Tour the legendary studios where Aretha, the Stones, and Skynyrd recorded — pure Muscle Shoals lore
Wilson Lake / Tennessee River Fishing
Trophy bass on Wilson Lake — one of the best smallmouth fisheries in the South
Tennessee River Boat Day
Pontoon day on the river below Wilson Dam — the laid-back rest day
Getting There
Fly into Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) — it's a 120-minute drive to Florence. For groups of 8+, consider booking a shuttle or party bus from the airport (local providers include Shoals Limousine and Florence Black Car Service). Renting two SUVs usually works for groups of 4-8.