Trip to Birmingham - Farm Links pricing

[ckck81]

Hi All,

 

First - you all rock. I used GolfWRX in the past to plan a Scottsdale golf trip and you’re the first place I went to to decide on our trip this year. We’ve settled on Birmingham as it seems to have a good mix of golf + food/breweries. Hoping you all can help on recent Farm Links pricing.

fyi - current itinerary:

- 4 guys, arriving late Thursday AM into ATL

- Thursday I’m thinking Limestone Springs or Oxmoor on way in from airport

- Friday I’m thinking 36 at Farm Links

- Saturday either Ballantrae, Ross Bridge, or Oxmoor

 

Question: does anyone know what 2021 Spring pricing was like at Farm? Do they still do an all you can golf or 36 hole special? 
 

I can wait until it shows up on their site, but thought I’d ask here first to get a barometer. It’s an option to move Farm Links to Saturday and stay there Sat night before leaving to ATL Sunday morning too.

 

Thanks All!

 

 

[vandyfan]

Did a similar trip back in November with Highland Park, Ballantrae, Timberline and Farmlinks. The greens had been punched at Farmlinks and hole #4 was closed for construction (still might be closed) so they only charged us $55/each. As I recall in other times I have been the rates range from $90-$125. 

[me05501]

Limestone Springs is fun. Timberline is as well. 

 

Ross Bridge is an a**-kicker but you gotta do it once. 

[bigd308la]

Birmingham has some really nice golf. We do our buddy’s golf trip there every year. First I would strongly suggest you look into Oster Golf Homes. We stay there every year the houses are unbelievable. They have a pool table, putting green, basketball goal, and plenty room for cards and it’s only 100yds or so from Oxmoor’s club house. When you are out there I would suggest Ross Bridge. That course is beautiful and always in great shape. I have not made it out to farm links yet but intend to this year. The oxmoor courses are really nice. The ridge has a ton of elevation and the Vally was just renovated last year. 

[ckck81]

Thanks for all the info, we’ll probably plan on 1 Oxmoor on Thursday + Ross Bridge Friday or Saturday then to be the most economical. 4 rounds in 3 days is about all our bodies can handle and still not play like absolute junk at the end. Appreciate the tip on housing.

[Abh159]

The simple solution to your question is to call and ask them. I'm sure they'll at least be able to tell you if they still have the "all day" or "36 hole" deals.

 

I'll second what someone else said about playing Ross Bridge. Is it a little overpriced? Maybe, but every time I've been there it has been in absolute pristine condition and it's a blast to play.

 

FWIW the southeast can be a slopfest in the spring. That's typically when the Bermuda is just coming out of dormancy and heavy rains are falling.

[vandyfan]

I will be the lone dissenter on Ross Bridge. It is a very nice golf course but can typically run anywhere from $140-160 for the round. On the flip side, Ballantrae is also quite nice (not the level of conditioning of RB but still nice) and runs $60-70 a round. Now if you think Ross Bridge is 2x as good as Ballantrae, then so be it. The OP just mentioned "to be the most economical" which, in my definition of economy, is not playing Ross Bridge at that rate. Unless they run one of those "all you can golf in one day for $200 at Ross Bridge deals" which I did one time and it was great. 

[gmayo11]

Ross Bridge is nice, but not sure it is the best bang for your buck.  I think Ballantrae is a better layout and more interesting course for half the price.  I also think Silver Lakes is a decent option on the way from the airport from Atlanta to Birmingham.  I haven't played Silver Lakes is years, but always enjoyed it when I did.  I have also heard great things on the Highland Park renovation, but have not played.  

[ckck81]

Helpful insight all. We’re heading down ~April 30, so hoping weather isn’t too dicey by then. We’ll probably just make a call on either Limestone + Ballantrae or Oxford Valley + Ross Bridge (in addition to FarmLinks). If the difference is $130 compared to $200 (based on the RTJ spring deal), we’ll probably pay up since it’s a once a year kind of trip for us.

[tiderider]

RB is indeed a bit over-rated, but "bit" is subjective ... few holes are a bit quirky, and it usually gets lower marks since it is so faked up in certain areas (waterfalls, anyone?) ... but it's a good course, regardless ... usually in very good shape, though last year in the spring/early summer I believe it was suffering from some issues to the greens ... the Valley at RTJ has new greens ... very hard, decently fast ... Valley is a bit more "sophisticated" than the Ridge ... #4 is a true Redan template hole ... Highland Parks has new greens from what is now about 3 years ago ... it's a fun track ... short, but entertaining ... 

 

if you're arriving late AM at atlanta, i'm not sure you can get 18 in at oxmoor or limestone ... RTJ silver springs might be a better bet ... 

Edited January 12, 2022 by tiderider

[ckck81]

Landing at ATL at 1010 AM ET, hour to get bags and car, 1110 AM ET, 3 hour drive to Oxmoor (max), 210 PM, move to CT, 110 PM CT, plan for a 230/3 PM tee time. 

Should be fine but no worries either way, appreciate the help!

[Abh159]

11 hours ago, ckck81 said:

Landing at ATL at 1010 AM ET, hour to get bags and car, 1110 AM ET, 3 hour drive to Oxmoor (max), 210 PM, move to CT, 110 PM CT, plan for a 230/3 PM tee time. 

Should be fine but no worries either way, appreciate the help!

 

A 2:30 / 3 pm tee time will definitely be cutting it close that time of year, especially if it's anything but a fully sunny day. It might be worth picking the course you are the least excited about playing to do on Friday since there is a possibility you won't be able to finish before dark.

[ckck81]

Sunset is 730, how long are your rounds out there?! 😉  Anyways, we’ll probably choose Silver Lakes to destress the first day. Appreciate everyone’s thoughts, for me it’s fun to look forward and plan these trips and soak up all your perspectives.

 

Also, FYI I called Farm Links and the lady thought they did 50% off for the 2nd round, wasn’t sure that they did an all day deal still. So we’ll see as we get closer, but looking forward to it.

[tiderider]

5 hours ago, ckck81 said:

Sunset is 730, how long are your rounds out there?! 😉  Anyways, we’ll probably choose Silver Lakes to destress the first day. Appreciate everyone’s thoughts, for me it’s fun to look forward and plan these trips and soak up all your perspectives.

 

Also, FYI I called Farm Links and the lady thought they did 50% off for the 2nd round, wasn’t sure that they did an all day deal still. So we’ll see as we get closer, but looking forward to it.

Joe Public at Oxmoor isn't aware that the sun sets ... later it is, the more time they think they've got ... anecdotal evidence!

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

I live in Ohio and the first weekend the weather looks like mid 60's in Birmingham I am gonna cruise down and play both courses at Oxmoor Valley as well as Highland. Would love to play Birmingham CC (private) as it looks awesome.

[me05501]

9 hours ago, BEND OF THE RIVER GC said:

I live in Ohio and the first weekend the weather looks like mid 60's in Birmingham I am gonna cruise down and play both courses at Oxmoor Valley as well as Highland. Would love to play Birmingham CC (private) as it looks awesome.

There are many great private courses there. I’ve played Greystone and Shoal Creek but never got on Old Overton. 

[Young Provolone]

I highly recommend the Orvis Shooting Grounds at Pursell Farms if you have time. We had some time to kill before our round and my dad recommended it. It turned out to be the most fun part of the trip. 

[OnTheBag]

On 1/12/2022 at 9:26 AM, gmayo11 said:

Ross Bridge is nice, but not sure it is the best bang for your buck.  I think Ballantrae is a better layout and more interesting course for half the price.  I also think Silver Lakes is a decent option on the way from the airport from Atlanta to Birmingham.  I haven't played Silver Lakes is years, but always enjoyed it when I did.  I have also heard great things on the Highland Park renovation, but have not played.  

I'm a full member at Oxmoor and couldn't agree more.  Ross Bridge is beautiful, but expensive and the length makes it not as much fun as others (unless you are bombing it 300+ every time.)

 

I play at Highland several times a month.  Great old layout that is just fun.  Personally, there are only 2 holes that are even remotely challenging, but still a good walk (cart path only all the time.)

 

Ballantrae is great.  Farm Links is too.  Timberline is underrated.  Oxmoor Valley is in spectacular shape with the new Tiff Eagle greens and Oxmoor Ridge is as tough as it ever was.  

 

Enjoy your trip.

[OnTheBag]

On 1/13/2022 at 9:33 PM, tiderider said:

Joe Public at Oxmoor isn't aware that the sun sets ... later it is, the more time they think they've got ... anecdotal evidence!

Don't we know that @tiderider?  I hate getting stuck behind those groups taking their sweet time 45 mins before last call on the carts, with 2 or 3 holes to play.

[lostmyswing]

One course that I really like that no one mentioned is Bent Brook.  It is my favorite of the public options.  It’s a lot more fun than the RTJ courses in Birmingham.

[smashdn]

Ballantrae is a course I hit on a whim while I was in town on business.  Turned out to be a very good course and fun afternoon.