Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa

As I've stated in previous reviews of the courses at Oxmoor Valley, one's preference tends to lie in whether you like putting on Bent greens (Ridge) or Bermuda (Valley). I've played both numerous times and both are excellent values. Most players I've talked to seem to lean toward the Ridge. I actually find myself vacillating between which I like best. I've long held the unpopular opinion that the Valley actually had more interesting holes, so recently I considered each course head to head hole by hole, and in my mind the Ridge wins out 10-8. Today I am reviewing the Valley course. Having played the Ridge two days prior, the course is drying out well, thanks largely to heavy winds. Was still CPO though, and all Trail courses are not ideally suited for this anomaly. Club selection is always at a premium on the Trail courses, due to the target-golf nature of the green complexes, but 20+ mph winds complicated that even further. Two things stood out to me as far as the course today: 1. The Valley's Tif-Eagle Bermuda greens, normally outstanding, were what I can best describe as "mossy." They rolled decent, but seemed spongy. I would imagine this is maybe a result of all the water they've taken on in recent weeks. 2. The bunkers have way too much sand in them. I am of the belief that bunkers should be true hazards, but three times I found myself in traps today - two flew into the bunker, one rolled back into a trap - and both instances of flying into the traps left me with buried lies. While this should happen occasionally, it was easy to ascertain that this occurred because of the amount of sand in traps. My playing partner also had this happen on the one occasion he found a trap. Still, this is an excellent track with excellent holes, chock full of shot value and scenic value. Having played both courses in the past 3 days, I would say play the Ridge right now if you have to choose.

Course had taken on a lot of rain the past week, so it was super soggy, meaning it played long and was cart-path only. CPO on this course is brutal, but can't blame the course for that - beyond its control. Greens were excellent. Only the heavy rains made them a touch slower than normal, but they were immaculately cared for. These greens usually wear unrepaired or misrepaired pitch marks like a badge of honor, but the staff has done a great job in making them disappear. the rough is dormant so it is basically a non-issue. Collection areas were soggy, as to be expected. Sand was a bit inconsistent - too fluffy in some bunkers, while excellent in others. Again, I will chalk this up to the wet weather. All in all, another fantastic experience at this roller-coaster track.

Other reviewers have captured the divisive opinions between which of Oxmoor Valley's courses are better. Both are strong, but there are differences. Which course one prefers seems to center around whether you prefer Bent greens (Ridge) or TifEagle Bermuda greens (Valley). The Ridge, which also provides more elevation change, offers no quarter from the very start. Less than well-struck tee balls will leave mid irons into a large, elevated green. The par-5 second hole rewards good drives with an opportunity to get on in two. Seeing a theme here? You must drive the ball well on the Ridge to score well. The par-5 third hole is one of my favorites on the course and Trail alike. A small pond squeezes the landing area off the elevated tee, but there is more room up the right half than appears. From there, the hole plays back uphill. This green was literally blasted out of rock, creating a beautiful, blind approach. I hope you have the fortune of playing this hole while a train passes by on the tracks that run the length of the right side of the hole. It is a neat experience. The target golf continues throughout the rest of the round. Playing to the 150-yard poles is always a prudent play on any of the Trail courses, and this is no exception. The par-5 12th is a highlight of the inward nine. Notice the seldom-used double fairway on the left. It doesn't look like you could fit a ball into it from the tee box and, even if you were able to, it looks like there is no fairway to hold it. But it is an optical illusion. I mention this only because if you happen to hook one down there, it is not dead. And if the pin is on the left side of the green it can really shorten the approach. Tip for the par-4 14th: The end of the fairway is a bit of an illusion. It looks like the end of a runway, but be advised there is no trouble beyond it and the best play is to drill something that runs over the edge, setting up a short approach. The par-5 18th is a brute. Stay down the right side! Tips: sharpen your tee game. Play to the 150-yard poles to stay out of trouble and stay below the hole. And finally, be aware...forced carries litter this course.

The Ridge course seems to have a more devoted following, but I've always thought the Valley course is superior. The opening tee shot is perhaps the most spectacular on the entire RTJ Trail; if not, it's second only to the beautiful first hole on the Judge at Capitol Hill. Valley also has more memorable holes and a better variety of holes. The fairways are wide but with strategically placed hazards, so you have to think your way around the course, but it's gettable if you'll play to the landing zones.

Course was in absolutely terrific shape when I went. The greens were flawless. Bunkers were extremely well maintained. Pin locations were borderline sadistic, but nobody's perfect. I am pretty stingy about handing out five-star ratings, but the Valley course undoubtedly earned it.

Ross Bridge is a very good golf course. Elevation change, at times dramatic, are one of the highlights of the round, so be prepared to play uneven lies from the fairway. The fairways here, with the exception of Nos. 2, 3 and 12, are wide enough to land a 747 on, so it is very forgiving off the tee for the mid to high handicapper. However, the better players will benefit from attacking the narrow parts or playing aggressive lines off the tee. The bent greens were rolling very smooth and quick, as they should this time of year in these temperatures. The mill-fed creek/waterfall that spills into the centrally-located lake create the best holes. You first encounter it on the par-4 9th, which butts up against the 18th green. More on that gem in a moment. The lake holes ramp up on the par-3 14th, which has a peninsula green. The 15th is a fantastic short par 4. The toothy par-4 18th is one of the toughest finishing holes I've ever played, and I've played Pebble, Sawgrass, Harbour Town and Kiawah. The dog-leg right hole offers plenty of room out to the left off the tee, but if you don't challenge the two fairway bunkers off the tee, you will find yourself facing a 190+ yard approach over water. The Champions Tour used to play a tournament here a decade ago, but it was moved to another area course because the players complained it was too long. The teal tees measure 5,312 yards; white tees measure 6,200 yards; orange tees measure 6,783; purple tees measure 7,446 yards. The black tees tip out at 8,191 yards, including the 698-yard par 5 13th hole. Two of the par 3s are very good. The other two are pedestrian. The practice facility is top notch. Expansive range with a bevy of targets (beware the concrete bunkers), excellent chipping/pitching area with real bunkers, and mammoth putting green. Ross Bridge is the crown jewel of the RTJ golf trail, largely because of the Renaissance hotel adjacent to the course, which is spectacular. This, however, adds to the price tag. Ross Bridge is the most expensive public golf option in Birmingham. Is it worth it? Sure, at least once. Especially if you are staying there for a meeting, etc. But for value, you can drive a mile down the street to another RTJ Trail site at Oxmoor Valley and play the Ridge course, which is arguably a better course. An absolute must if you play at Ross Bridge is this: try to play in the afternoon so you are finishing up near dusk or hang around in the pub until sunset when a bagpiper emerges and makes his way to the putting green. It is so cool.

This course is visually stimulating and intimidating. The layout is fantastic, with dramatic elevation changes which flow nicely from tree lined hole to tree lined hole (up, down, across). It seems that it would be impossible to score here, but if you hit it semi-straight with some distance this place is gettable as fairways are generous. Course conditions were exceptional. They had just punched the greens about 8 days before I arrived, but there was no issue, as the maintenance staff had done such a good job it had no effect on the ball rolling even around the cups. The greens, while they always seemed to be perched up on a ledge, or across a ravine are not too complicated. Generally, putts only break once and the drama associated with getting to the greens doesn't' necessarily apply once you are there. I played the valley course last year and while I thought it was a nice course too. The true gem at this place to me is the ridge course. I like playing here in November, as golf season is almost over and the parking lot during the week was not too full. Pace of play therefore was excellent. If you load this place up with players I could imagine that pace would be an issue with all the possible places that golf balls could end up. To sum it all up in a neat little bow, one only needs to look at the title of this review.

Truly a championship facility. I tried to find something to complain about but could not. Fortunately we got some good advice from the starter that helped get through the round. The course layout is challenging but allows shot placements that give you a chance to score if you play from the appropriate tees.

Thought the layout was pretty good. The. Course tends water too much making ground always wet.

Some very wet areas.

Greens fast and very sloped

Can n play a great tee to green round but still might not score good

It was a nice round for all par 3 course

Family of four - enjoyed the beauty of this course and very affordable as a family. Look forward to playing here again.

Thoroughly enjoyed the layout and this scenic course was in excellent condition. Great experience!

Ross Bridge is the crown jewel of the RTJ Trail courses in Alabama! The course is wonderfully maintained and has some of the most beautiful, natural routing of any course I've played. Golfers of all ability will be fairly tested due to multiple tee boxes. The greens are large and undulating. Plenty of sand await errant approach shots. The staff is cordial, helpful, and appreciative of your visit. Playing Ross Bridge is a truly wonderful golfing experience.

Beautiful course with stunning views around every corner. The course is very fun and challenging, but fair. Bring your A game. Lots of bunkers and slopes can get you in trouble.

The staff was great from check/in to starters to cart girls. Facility is A plus.

My only complaint was the hard pan bunkers I wasn't prepared for. I'm used to using the sand to get the ball out. I'll practice this shot before I return, and I will return.

One of the nicest 18 short courses I have ever played. Many elevated Tee Boxes. Calls for accurate tee shots! Just a Fun - 3 hour pace of play tracks to experience.

Fantastic golf course.All level of players will love the experience.top notch service.our first round of the Alabama golf trail.great panorama.We will go back a definite YES. the best golf course we played in years

Not user friendly. Too many blind shots. If you do not hit the perfect shot,you are definitely in trouble.No gps system.unbelievable.course too hilly.you never have a good stand.I will never go back there again

Good Pace. Good Condition.

Fall off around the greens and bunkers test your distance control.

Wow, what a first experience, why haven't I played these courses sooner. I was on my way home from a golfing week in Hilton Head, I would have much rather preferred these courses. From tee to green the conditions and layouts were amazing, scenic yet challenging. I played with two gentlemen who have been on every course on the trail, and I am hooked. Need to get our spring outing moved from Las Vegas Nevada to Alabama !!