Best golf courses near Birmingham, AL

Towering pines and two large lakes frame many holes on this expansive layout just south of Birmingham. Significant elevation changes dictate a layout that plays up and down the banks that surround the two lakes, setting up several exciting cross-water risk-reward drives where players choose how much of the cove they want to cut off. With wide landing areas, large greens and sweeping vistas across the property Ross Bridge is the most majestic of the courses on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. The layout tips out over 8,000 yards, but there are five sets of tees to accommodate all players.

Starting 40 years ago, the Country Club of Birmingham’s West Course, one of two Donald Ross designs at the club, was repeatedly ranked on Golf Digest’s 100 Greatest. Then it fell off in 1984. Pete Dye convinced the club that he could restore the Ross glory to its West Course, but sent his younger son, P.B., to the course. P.B. proceeded to turn the turfgrass black with grass-killing chemicals, then stirred up clouds of red dust gouging his bulldozer into every tee, fairway and green. When he was finished, the West had become a P.B. Dye design, and some members were so unhappy, they didn’t talk to Pete for years. A decade ago, Pete finally talked his way back into the club’s good graces and promised “to fix things.” He brought in a new crew, toned done some of the more outrageous features of P.B., and made it more playable. Today, Birmingham West is still not back to being a Donald Ross design, but it sure is an authentic Pete Dye design.

Originally designed in the early 1950s, Vestavia recently underwent a complete redesign led by architect Lester George. George rerouted the layout and created all-new holes. The renovated course debuted as No. 4 on our 2018 list of Best New Private Courses. The new layout includes wider fairways with fewer trees, opening up beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. There are several classic template holes at Vestavia, including the Redan green at the 13th and the Biarritz green at the 15th.

Interestingly, Greystone’s Legacy course is three miles from its sibling layout, giving the Legacy a more secluded feel. The rolling Rees Jones design sits in the valley of Double Oak Mountain, and similar to the Founders Course, features meandering streams that can pester players and force thoughtful decision-making throughout the round.

Standing on the first tee looking down at the fairway below, golfers will get a sense of the dramatic elevation changes and undulating fairways in store for their round. The “roller-coaster” fairways are aesthetically appealing and create many shots from uneven lies. A heavily wooded track flanked by imposing pines, the Ridge course features several dramatic elevation changes, including at the downhill par-3 eighth. Given the topography, taking a cart is recommended.

Greystone’s Founders Course is the longtime host of the PGA Tour Champions’ Regions Tradition, one of the tour’s five major championships. This tree-lined Bob Cupp design opened in 1991 and winds through foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Meandering creeks lurk on many holes on this otherwise playable layout.

The 54 holes at Oxmoor Valley were built on former mining land owned by U.S. Steel. Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, the Valley course is a tree-lined layout with rolling fairways and modest elevation changes. The first tee is perched high on a bluff, offering scenic views of the surrounding hills. The course extends two miles down a narrow valley before returning to the clubhouse. Large bunkers and several imposing lakes demand precise shot placement.

Centrally located in Birmingham, Highland Park is a quality public course with terrific views of downtown. Unlike some of the nearby wide, “big ballpark” layouts, Highland Park more closely resembles a New England-style course with short, narrow holes that demand precision. If you’re looking to dial in your short irons and wedges, this 5,800-yard par 70 is the spot. The bunkers and greens were renovated in 2019, modernizing this compelling design.

There are plenty of doglegs on this Birmingham layout, where the rolling fairways are well-guarded by bunkers. The course has a blend of uphill and downhill holes, and the undulations in the fairways create a variety of uneven lies. Pine Tree has hosted numerous tournaments throughout its history, including the Alabama State Amateur and U.S. Open qualifying.

This private Birmingham course was designed by Donald Ross in the late 1920s and has been renovated a couple of times over the years, most recently by Brian Silva, who helped restore the course to Ross’ original design. In typical Ross fashion, the course features small, undulating greens, which defend this relatively short layout.

Towering pines and two large lakes frame many holes on this expansive layout just south of Birmingham. Significant elevation changes dictate a layout that plays up and down the banks that surround the two lakes, setting up several exciting cross-water risk-reward drives where players choose how much of the cove they want to cut off. With wide landing areas, large greens and sweeping vistas across the property Ross Bridge is the most majestic of the courses on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. The layout tips out over 8,000 yards, but there are five sets of tees to accommodate all players.

Starting 40 years ago, the Country Club of Birmingham’s West Course, one of two Donald Ross designs at the club, was repeatedly ranked on Golf Digest’s 100 Greatest. Then it fell off in 1984. Pete Dye convinced the club that he could restore the Ross glory to its West Course, but sent his younger son, P.B., to the course. P.B. proceeded to turn the turfgrass black with grass-killing chemicals, then stirred up clouds of red dust gouging his bulldozer into every tee, fairway and green. When he was finished, the West had become a P.B. Dye design, and some members were so unhappy, they didn’t talk to Pete for years. A decade ago, Pete finally talked his way back into the club’s good graces and promised “to fix things.” He brought in a new crew, toned done some of the more outrageous features of P.B., and made it more playable. Today, Birmingham West is still not back to being a Donald Ross design, but it sure is an authentic Pete Dye design.

Originally designed in the early 1950s, Vestavia recently underwent a complete redesign led by architect Lester George. George rerouted the layout and created all-new holes. The renovated course debuted as No. 4 on our 2018 list of Best New Private Courses. The new layout includes wider fairways with fewer trees, opening up beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. There are several classic template holes at Vestavia, including the Redan green at the 13th and the Biarritz green at the 15th.

Interestingly, Greystone’s Legacy course is three miles from its sibling layout, giving the Legacy a more secluded feel. The rolling Rees Jones design sits in the valley of Double Oak Mountain, and similar to the Founders Course, features meandering streams that can pester players and force thoughtful decision-making throughout the round.