Let’s be real for a second. When you step onto the first tee at Ross Bridge in Hoover, Alabama, you aren't just looking at a golf course. You’re looking at a monster.
Most people see the Ross Bridge golf scorecard and their eyes immediately gravitate toward the total yardage at the bottom. 8,191 yards. That isn't a typo. It is one of the longest golf courses on the planet. Honestly, unless you're carrying a PGA Tour card in your wallet, playing from the "Black" tees is basically an exercise in self-inflicted pain.
But yardage alone doesn't tell the whole story of this Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail crown jewel. It’s the way the course uses the Shannon Valley terrain—the 80-foot waterfall, the massive elevation drops, and the greens that feel like they're the size of a small zip code.
The Numbers That Actually Matter
If you’re planning a trip, don’t just look at the back tees and panic. Most of us will be playing from the Orange or White tees, and even then, this place has teeth.
The course rating from the tips is a staggering 78.4, with a slope of 147. To put that in perspective, a "normal" difficult course usually sits around 130. Here is how the yardages actually break down across the boxes:
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- Black: 8,191 yards (Par 72)
- Purple: 7,446 yards
- Orange: 6,783 yards
- White: 6,200 yards
- Teal: 5,312 yards
The designer, Roger Rulewich (who worked closely with Robert Trent Jones, Sr. for decades), built this place to be "big." Big fairways, big bunkers, and big risks. You’ve got ten holes that hug the edges of two massive man-made lakes. If you have a slice, those lakes are going to become very well-acquainted with your Titleist.
The Front Nine: A Gentle (But Long) Handshake
Hole 1 is a 620-yard Par 5 from the backs. Welcome to Ross Bridge. It’s a double dogleg where you have to decide immediately: do you challenge the water or play it safe? If you’re playing the White tees at 511 yards, it’s a much more manageable birdie opportunity, but the water still looms large on the layup.
Then you get to Hole 4. It’s the first Par 3, and it’s a beauty. It plays entirely over water from an elevated tee. There isn't a single bunker on this hole because, frankly, the water is enough of a hazard. The green is wide but shallow—about 23 yards deep—so your club selection needs to be spot on.
Surviving the Back Nine Gauntlet
The back nine is where the Ross Bridge golf scorecard usually starts to look a little bruised.
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Hole 13 is the one everyone talks about. It’s a Par 5 that measures—wait for it—698 yards from the Black tees. It sounds impossible, but it actually plays significantly downhill. If you catch a good gust and a firm fairway, you’ll get more roll here than anywhere else on the course. Just don't miss long; the drop-off behind the green is treacherous.
The Most Brutal Finish in Alabama?
Hole 18 is widely considered the hardest on the course. It’s a 487-yard Par 4 (from the tips) with water running down the entire right side. There is a massive waterfall between the 9th and 18th greens that provides a great soundtrack, but it won't help your nerves.
If the wind is coming off the lake, hitting this fairway feels like trying to thread a needle with a rope. Par here feels like a birdie. Most regulars are happy to walk away with a five and head straight to the clubhouse.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Scorecard
People see "8,200 yards" and assume they need to be a long hitter to enjoy it. That's not true.
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The "Combo" tee options are the secret sauce here. Many players mix the Orange and White tees to find a sweet spot around 6,500 yards. This keeps the forced carries manageable while still letting you experience the "bigness" of the design.
Also, pay attention to the green undulations. The scorecard might say a hole is 400 yards, but if the pin is on the top tier of a three-tiered green and you're on the bottom, you're looking at a 4-putt. The greens are often kept at a Stimpmeter reading of 11 or 12. They are fast. They are pure. And they are mean if you’re above the hole.
Pricing and Logistics for 2026
If you’re booking a tee time this year, keep in mind that Ross Bridge is a premium resort experience. It’s not your local muni.
- Standard Rates: Expect to pay between $150 and $250 depending on the season.
- Summer Specials: Historically, the RTJ Trail offers an "Unlimited" special starting around late May. For 2026, these packages at Ross Bridge are hovering around $220 per day, which includes your cart and range balls.
- The Condition: After some major green renovations in recent years, the turf quality is currently among the best in the Southeast.
Tips for Your Round
- Forget the Black Tees: Seriously. Unless you're a plus handicap, you'll have more fun at 6,700 yards.
- Aim for the "Fat" Part: Rulewich designed these greens with "safe" zones. If the pin is tucked near the water, ignore it.
- Watch the Wind: The valley acts like a funnel. A breeze that feels light at the hotel can be a two-club wind down on the 4th or 18th holes.
- Use the GPS: The carts are usually equipped with high-end GPS. Trust the yardages to the front of the green, not just the pin.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're ready to tackle the course, start by downloading the digital version of the Ross Bridge golf scorecard from the official Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail website to study the handicap holes. Book your tee time at least 30 days in advance if you're looking for a weekend slot, as the resort guests get priority. Finally, spend twenty minutes on the practice green before you head out—the speed of the bentgrass here is a different animal compared to typical Bermuda greens.