Abh159

It sounds like the only thing you'd be "expensing" is the green fees, correct? So it's still $13,000+ for year one ($1k+ per round) and then $3,600 a year after that ($300 per round). It's your money so spend it how you like, but that still seems a bit outrageous to me.

So you'd be paying $1,100 + the standard green fee per round in year one, then $275 + the standard green fee per round going forward (assuming they never increase the price)? Hardly seems worth it to me...

I've been using a Club Glove "Collegiate" for years now and it's always been wonderful. Never had any issues with it. More than enough room for my stand bag and a pair of shoes. Just make sure you get the stiff arm to go with it. Looks like they have changed the name and the Collegiate is now called the "Club Traveler".

https://www.johnstonmurphy.com/p/baldwinrhodes-0531/rhodes-backpack/14510.html?dwvar_14510_color=Tan Full Grain Been using this one as a work bag for several years now. After using a leather briefcase / shoulder bag for many years I found it was starting to take a toll on my neck muscles. Seemed like a backpack was a good solution. I wanted something leather as it's more professional (in my mind), and I think you can easily look like a schoolboy if you go with the wrong type of backpack. I don't travel with it much (have a separate travel backpack), but I've taken a few short, domestic trips with it and it's been more than adequate.

If you're flying, Birmingham is probably your best airport option. You could get 3-4 rounds in at Ross Bridge (18 holes), Oxmoor Valley (36 holes), and then drive over to FarmLinks for a day. It's about an hour drive from Birmingham. You could fly into Montgomery, but that would most likely involve one or more connecting flights. There you have Capitol Hill (3 courses), but based on the info above it sounds like some may be closed for renovations. Last option would be to fly to Atlanta, and then rent a car and drive 2 hours to Auburn/Opelika, AL. Grand National has two, 18 hole course and an 18 hole "short course".

TBH there really isn't a lot of "diversity of layout" when it comes to the RTJ trail. Don't get me wrong, they are fun courses and are almost always in great shape, but they are all pretty similar from a design standpoint. I think Grand National, Birmingham (Ross Bridge/Oxmoor), and Capitol Hill are probably the best three sites on the trail.

You many want to narrow down what area of Long Island you'll be in if you want better advice.