Robert Trent Jones at Oxmoor Valley (Valley) – Played May 2013
- Rankings: None of the four lists
- Location: 100 Sunbelt Parkway, Birmingham, Alabama
- Year: 1992
- Original Architect: Robert Trent Jones
- Additional Work By: Roger Rulewich
- Course Access: Public
- Walking Rules: Carts Available
Score Card Information:
- Purple: 7,167 yards, Par 72, 74.9 Rating/146 Slope
- Orange: 6,588 yards, Par 72, 72.1 Rating/139 Slope (Men’s), 78.8 Rating/145 Slope (Women’s)
- White: 6,021 yards, Par 72, 69.4 Rating/129 Slope (Men’s), 75.4 Rating/144 Slope (Women’s)
- Silver: 5,561 yards, Par 72, 66.6 Rating/119 Slope (Men’s), 71.9 Rating/131 Slope (Women’s)
- Teal: 4,924 yards, Par 72, 64.0 Rating/113 Slope (Men’s), 68.6 Rating/119 Slope (Women’s)
I’ll refer you to the post on the Ridge course for the history of this complex. Again I want to say thank you to Brian from @virginiagolfguy on Instagram for the photos. Now we’ll be checking out Oxmoor Valley (Valley) to round out this 54-hole site.
All yardages are from the orange tees.
Hole 1 – 415 yards – Par 4
The elevated tee will give you a boost on your drive. The trouble is down the left side with plenty of sand.
This view back up the hole gives you a great idea of its scale.
Hole 2 – 174 yards – Par 3
The pond and front bunker are the main hazards here. The trees guarding the tee can shield the wind from the player. Make sure you are committed to your club selection.
Hole 3 – 391 yards – Par 4
The left side is the best play here. The creek bisects the fairway to add an extra challenge. A large bunker guards the front and right of the green.
Hole 4 – 171 yards – Par 3
You can see the pond to the front and left of the green. Club up to avoid the water. Miss that and you should be in good shape.
Hole 5 – 375 yards – Par 4
This is a clear dogleg right. From this teeing ground you need to hit one dead straight or hit a fade. You will want to favor the left side of the green on the approach.
Hole 6 – 369 yards – Par 4
The slope of the fairway calls for a shot up the right side. After that, it is all about distance control to a green guarded by bunkers in front.
Hole 7 – 506 yards – Par 5
There is a creek on the left that is tough to see from this vantage point. Long hitters can make it in two here. Luckily, the green is open in front to allow for running shots.
Hole 8 – 396 yards – Par 4
This tee shot is hemmed in by water on the left and sand on the right. Accuracy is paramount here.
The approach plays to a green that is deeper than it appears. The water is also a challenge on the second shot as you can see below.
Hole 9 – 541 yards – Par 5
Keep your tee shot to the left of the bunker you see below. The length probably makes this a three-shot hole so focus on a straight drive over distance. The green has multiple levels.
Hole 10 – 420 yards – Par 4
The back side starts out with a tough dogleg right. A long drive down the right side is the best play but also comes with the most risk. The green has three levels so be aware of pin location.
Hole 11 – 321 yards – Par 4
A shorter hole here so position is at a premium as you might expect. The hole is uphill all the way so take an extra bat or two to reach the green.
Hole 12 – 504 yards – Par 5
The website recommends aiming for the 250-yard marker regardless of which tee you are playing. This is sound advice from this tee because you could bite off too much to carry the water. A bunker guards the front of the green so approach shots will need to carry onto the green.
Hole 13 – 177 yards – Par 3
There is a slight drop from tee to green on this hole. The back of the green is more difficult than the front so choose a club that will not go long. The only hazard is the bunker to the right of the green.
Hole 14 – 527 yards – Par 5
This hole bends to the left and favors long hitters. They can carry the bunkers on the left with a draw. Steady players can easily think their way to a par here though.
Below is a look at the approach shot.
Hole 15 – 381 yards – Par 4
This is another tight driving hole although it doesn’t look that way. The lake on the left is in play.
You can see below that the water will follow you to the green. Left pins can be dangerous here. The miss is the right side of course.
Hole 16 – 165 yards – Par 3
Like any hole, but more so here the just hitting the green is the task. Avoid the water and bunkers and then hope to make a putt. It plays slightly downhill.
Hole 17 – 359 yards – Par 4
Although it doesn’t look like it from this view the hole is a slight dogleg right. You will want to stay on the right side for the tee shot. The second shot is uphill to a green guarded by two massive bunkers in front.
Hole 18 – 393 yards – Par 4
To get to the fairway there is a forced carry. It isn’t crazy from these tees, but would be tough from the tips. The approach is from a flat lie if your drive carries enough.
The green has multiple tiers making putting difficult. Left or long is dead on the approach.
Overall another solid track. The Oxmoor Valley facility is a solid test of golf and has great elevation changes. If you are looking for solid golf that may not have all the views, but plenty of challenge this is your place. As we’ve seen on these tours through Alabama you really can’t go wrong with any of the courses on The Trail.