-img290x82.png){kind=logo}
When people search for the top golf courses in Michigan, it’s easy to see why. Michigan’s reputation for lush parkland layouts, rolling fairways, and scenic lakeside tracks is well-earned. From the upper peninsula to the classic suburban clubs near Detroit, the state is a golf haven every summer. But there’s one truth every Michigan golfer knows too well - the season ends too soon. Just when your swing feels perfect, the air turns crisp, and those flawless greens give way to early frost.
That’s where Alabama comes in as one of the smartest travel alternatives for Midwest players. It delivers everything Michigan golfers love - the traditional course feel, tree-framed beauty, and classic strategy - but with more playable months of the year. Combine that with friendly hospitality, resort-style convenience, and the legendary Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, and you’ve got a destination that mirrors Midwest charm while offering an extended season. So if you’re browsing for ideas under top golf courses in Michigan, consider widening your search south.
These five Alabama golf experiences capture the same traditional style Michigan golfers love, while adding reliable weather, resort luxury, and memorable course design.
RTJ Ross Bridge
RTJ Ross Bridge is one of those courses that impress before you even reach the first tee. It ranks among the world’s longest golf courses yet feels fair, beautiful, and true to traditional design. Wide, tree-lined fairways and well-placed bunkers shape every hole with purpose. If you enjoy the strategy and rhythm of classic Michigan courses, this layout will feel both familiar and elevated.
Beyond its beauty, Ross Bridge offers perfect turf and a well-balanced challenge. For golfers used to short Midwest seasons, the conditioning here feels like a dream - firm fairways, lush greens, and warm weather regardless of month. When you book through GolfTroop, it becomes more than just another round - it’s a full resort golf experience that captures everything you love about Michigan, minus the cold.
RTJ Oxmoor Valley: Valley Course
The Valley Course at Oxmoor Valley blends nature, shaping, and classic playability in a way that fits perfectly with Michigan golf traditions. Its tree-lined holes, rolling terrain, and strategic bunkering remind many players of northern layouts near Ann Arbor or Traverse City. It’s challenging in the best way - fair, rewarding, and built for smarter play rather than sheer distance.
What makes this course special is its consistency. While Michigan’s early spring can mean unpredictable weather, the Valley Course’s conditions stay pristine even in February. You experience the same type of golf you love back home, but with sunshine, warm fairways, and great practice opportunities ahead of your summer season. Add in resort lodging options through GolfTroop and it becomes a complete, stress-free golf trip.
RTJ Oxmoor Valley: Ridge Course
For golfers drawn to elevation changes and scenic, decision-heavy golf, the Ridge Course at Oxmoor Valley is pure enjoyment. The design rewards accuracy, creativity, and patient play. You’ll encounter bold shot-making opportunities and rolling fairways framed by tall pines that look surprisingly similar to northern Michigan’s countryside.
Yet, there’s something uniquely refreshing here - predictable playing conditions and an extended golf calendar. The Ridge Course offers that same rugged, natural feel of Michigan’s championship venues but stays open when northern fairways are frozen. For those who love a challenging yet enjoyable round, the Ridge Course ranks among Alabama’s finest and delivers exceptional value through GolfTroop packages.
Highland Park Golf Course
Highland Park Golf Course is the kind of place that instantly connects with Michigan players who love authenticity. As Alabama’s oldest public golf course, it carries a charming, minimalist personality - no frills, just great golf and rich history. The layout favors smart play over brute strength, weaving through matured trees and gentle elevation shifts that feel timeless.
The course’s intimate style mirrors many classic Michigan municipal layouts, offering a nostalgic yet exciting experience. It’s a course where locals and visitors share the same joy of the game, blending community energy with quality design. For those seeking a down-to-earth round on their Alabama trip, Highland Park delivers tradition, beauty, and playability in one.
RTJ Capitol Hill: Judge Course
If you’re the type of golfer who enjoys courses that make you think before every swing, The Judge at Capitol Hill is your perfect match. The experience begins with one of the most photographed opening holes in the South - a dramatic downhill tee shot overlooking the Alabama River. From there, the course unfolds into a strategic challenge filled with risk-reward moments and exceptional visual drama.
The Judge tests your mind as much as your mechanics, rewarding precision and planning over power. Michigan golfers used to complex, strategic courses will find it deeply satisfying. With impeccable conditions, dramatic scenery, and a course layout that stays memorable long after the round, The Judge is a true “destination within a destination.” It’s golf that feels big, bold, and rewarding - exactly what winter-weary Michigan golfers crave.
Why Alabama makes perfect sense for Michigan golfers
Michigan golf embodies everything great about the sport - natural landscapes, thoughtful course design, and a strong community of dedicated players. Alabama offers all of that, plus a longer season and southern hospitality that elevates the entire trip. The connection between both regions is undeniable: tree-lined parkland courses, traditional layouts, and that welcoming small-town energy that reminds you why you love golf in the first place.
Here’s why Alabama stands out as the perfect extension of Michigan golf:
- The same parkland-style design Michigan golfers love, enhanced by mild, reliable weather.
- Golf-friendly travel destinations with legendary RTJ Trail layouts.
- Resort-level comfort, hospitality, and service at a great value.
- Convenient flights from Midwest hubs like Detroit or Chicago.
Easy golf package planning with GolfTroop.
When you want to keep the spirit of Michigan golf alive through the offseason, Alabama makes it easy. It feels like your home golf scene - just brighter, warmer, and more consistent. So the next time you’re looking for inspiration for top golf courses in Michigan, picture those same tall trees and classic layouts, only surrounded by sunshine and endless playable days.
Discover the southern version of your favorite fairways and plan your ultimate Alabama golf getaway with GolfTroop - where every trip is designed for golfers who truly love the game.
