
Ross Bridge Course
RTJ Golf Trail at Ross Bridge Resort


About this course
Ross Bridge at the RTJ Golf Trail is a testament to raw acreage, its ambitious scale a clear signature of the early 2000s golf boom. Stretching across the rolling landscape south of Birmingham, the course unfolds as a parkland layout defined by its sheer length and water features – the latter sometimes criticized for feeling somewhat manufactured rather than naturally integrated. Errant shots are punished in a big way. The course greatly favors faders, so if that is your natural bend, you will be in good hands. Designed by Roger Rulewich, the course presents a straightforward challenge, with generous fairways and large, receptive greens. The lack of strategic nuance means repeat play doesn’t always reveal hidden layers, a characteristic that has kept it from achieving wider acclaim. While Ross Bridge has not hosted major professional tournaments, it remains a popular destination for large-scale amateur events and corporate outings, primarily drawn by the resort amenities and sheer playability for golfers of all skill levels. Ross Bridge is considered one of the premier resort golf experiences in the state.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in AL
Quick facts
- Location
- Birmingham, AL, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 2005
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- Roger Rulewich
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 8,191 yards
- Difficulty
- 78.1/147
- Course Vaults score
- 7.9
Getting there
The journey to RTJ Golf Trail at Ross Bridge Resort begins at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM), a straightforward forty-minute drive south through the rolling terrain of central Alabama before arriving at the resort's entrance in the foothills southwest of the city. For those traveling by private aircraft, nearby Shelby County Airport provides a convenient alternative touchdown point. The final approach winds through the resort's carefully manicured grounds, where Robert Trent Jones Sr.'s signature design philosophy reveals itself gradually - first in the sculpted fairways and strategically positioned water features that frame the drive, then in the full architectural vision as you arrive at the clubhouse, perched to command views across multiple championship layouts. This seamless transition from the industrial edge of Birmingham to the serene, design-forward landscape of Ross Bridge marks the passage from the everyday into a world where golf architecture takes precedence.

FAQ
Common questions about Ross Bridge
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Ross Bridge has a Course Vaults score of 7.9 out of 10 based on 127 logged golfers.
Ross Bridge was designed by Roger Rulewich.
Yes. Ross Bridge is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Ross Bridge is 72.
Ross Bridge plays 8,191 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Ross Bridge is 147.





