Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama

I play the courses on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama quite a bit, especially Hampton Cove in Huntsville, Alabama. Anybody ever play any of these; either living in Alabama or on a golf trip? Would like to hear your thoughts on the trail and favorite course.

https://www.rtjgolf.com/

Conrad 1953 is your guy on the RTJ Trail

Played all 3 at Capitol Hill in Prattville, tremendous. Have only played 9 at Grand National in Opelika but it's also not to be missed, tremendous piece of land for golf.

I haven't played them all, but all that I have played are good. Grand National and Magnolia Grove stand out as the best IMHO.

Conrad 1953 is your guy on the RTJ Trail

Almost............haven't played them all. Play mostly at Capitol Hill...........Prefer Legislator and Senator

over the Judge..........not that the Judge is not a great course and scenic but it's more of a masochistic

endeavor and as such attracts golfers from out of the area. It's fun to play when you're unhappy with

yourself and want to receive punishment for your sins.

Legislator is best of the 3...........but if you're right handed and your miss is left with the big stick, you

might have your hands full.

Senator is a grip it and rip it course...........easier in the winter when the rough is not growing. In the

warm season the rough, mounds and pot bunkers might have you pulling out your hair if you are

prone to being a little wild off the tee.

You can expect uneven fairway lies on all 3 courses; it's the RTJ way. Most holes have ample room

to drive. It's the green complexes that will test you.

Play Grand National sometimes. Much prefer the Links over the Lake course. Just IMO it's a much

better course though the Lake course has a few really good holes.

Play Cambrian Ridge once in awhile. Of the 3 9s, Loblolly is my least favorite; it gets a little monotonous.

I would suggest to play the other 2.

Hampton Cove is my home course as well!! Hit me up, I'm always looking for someone to play with.

Not sure when I first started playing the Trail, but I like almost every site. Have come with a group from Texas about ten or twelve times, so we now usually choose based on conditions of the courses.

36 a day, shower, dinner and bed so we can get up at 630 the next morning to do it again. We usually stay 7 or 8 days and play each site at least two days to take it all in.

Strange as it may seem, my favorite is probably Greenville. Two of the three nines are really peaceful, and the nines there are usually not very crowded.

In the past, I've probably sounded like I'm from the Alabama Tourism council -- promoting the Trail to anyone on this site looking for good golf and especially good value.

To be honest, I'm somewhat in awe of whomever it was, that first pitched the idea to spend retirement fund dollars on a series of golf courses in a southern state not really known for golf. I can only imagine the look on the faces of a bunch of accountants and fund managers.....

How are the conditions on the RTJ trail in late February/Early March?

We do the Shoals courses more often when on a short trip, but also Ross Bridge on occasion. Ive loved every one....

Love the 2 courses at the Shoals.

How are the conditions on the RTJ trail in late February/Early March?

Pretty variable. Check the 3-5 day forecast before you make the trip down. The temps won't bother you

guys from up north; it's mainly about the possibility of stormy weather late winter and early spring. I've

found forecasts that go beyond 3-5 days are not too reliable.

Played Hampton Cove from the tips! Nice course , good lunch.

Still have only played the courses in North and Central Alabama (Hampton Cove, Shoals, Silver Lakes, and Oxmoor Valley). This year Ross Bridge is definitely on the list, and hope to make it further south to play Grand National as well.

I am not a long hitter, by any means, and tend to like the courses that are more target oriented, i.e. hit to the 150 marker. Many of these RTJ courses play that way. The 5-6 sets of tees at each location also make it easy to find one to fit your style (and true ability).

Hampton Cove is my home course as well!! Hit me up, I'm always looking for someone to play with.

Sounds good "bogeypro". Got a 2018 Trail Card for Christmas and will be looking to make good use of it.

How are the conditions on the RTJ trail in late February/Early March?

the ones that have bermuda greens are dormant and fast. The ones with bent are usually over seeded and roll really well.

Make sure you call the course you are visiting and check on aerification for that time of year!!

Took a trip last year with buddies, was pleasantly surprised with Schoolmaster at the Shoals; favorite was probably the Senator at Capitol Hill but all three there are great. I am wanting to get out to Hampton Cove in the spring, I only live a couple hours away in Chattanooga.

Took a trip last year with buddies, was pleasantly surprised with Schoolmaster at the Shoals; favorite was probably the Senator at Capitol Hill but all three there are great. I am wanting to get out to Hampton Cove in the spring, I only live a couple hours away in Chattanooga.

Not to threadjack but have you played Sweetens Cove in South Pittsburg?

Took a trip last year with buddies, was pleasantly surprised with Schoolmaster at the Shoals; favorite was probably the Senator at Capitol Hill but all three there are great. I am wanting to get out to Hampton Cove in the spring, I only live a couple hours away in Chattanooga.

 

Not to threadjack but have you played Sweetens Cove in South Pittsburg?

Not to threadjack either................but..................Roll Tide. :)

The Trail is owned by the Retirement System of Alabama and if I remember properly, 2017 was their 25th year. It kind of started out as a pipe dream as a way to drive revenues into the state and build the retirement funds. Think they've passed over 10 million rounds now and they keep the cost playable for people who travel there and live there. I know they're over 20 courses now and not sure there's a bad one in the bunch. The trail has both LPGA and PGA event which makes them pretty rare.

Over the years I've only played 15 of the courses but can't remember ever being treated anything other than great. They have a great formula and of course, ROLL TIDE.

The Trail is owned by the Retirement System of Alabama and if I remember properly, 2017 was their 25th year. It kind of started out as a pipe dream as a way to drive revenues into the state and build the retirement funds. Think they've passed over 10 million rounds now and they keep the cost playable for people who travel there and live there. I know they're over 20 courses now and not sure there's a bad one in the bunch. The trail has both LPGA and PGA event which makes them pretty rare.

 

Over the years I've only played 15 of the courses but can't remember ever being treated anything other than great. They have a great formula and of course, ROLL TIDE.

All of this info is correct as I am also a teacher that contributes to RSA. They also have built and renovated several Marriot/Renaissance hotels in the state. Roll Tide :)

Live over in the shoals so they’re my home course. Love both of them. If anyone is out this way and wants to play I’d definitely be up for it.

Took a trip last year with buddies, was pleasantly surprised with Schoolmaster at the Shoals; favorite was probably the Senator at Capitol Hill but all three there are great. I am wanting to get out to Hampton Cove in the spring, I only live a couple hours away in Chattanooga.

 

Not to threadjack but have you played Sweetens Cove in South Pittsburg?

Of course! I live in the area but travel west regularly and always try to stop for 9 when I head towards Nashville.

Just skip Gadsden if you can, I think it's the worst stop on the trail by far.

Pre or post Tornado? It just held the US Open Qualifier in 2017. It's a pretty solid track IMO. Unless your the guy who shot 100+ in the qualifier.

Pre or post Tornado? It just held the US Open Qualifier in 2017. It's a pretty solid track IMO. Unless your the guy who shot 100+ in the qualifier.

Pre or Post Tornado. That course blows. Every approach is the same blind uphill green surrounded by bunkers. The architecture is horrible for such a good piece of land. Could have been so much better, although I generally have low expectations for RTJ in general. But in my opinion the other stops (Grand National, Capitol Hill, Birmingham, Muscle Shoals) are all much better courses than Silver Lakes.

Pre or post Tornado? It just held the US Open Qualifier in 2017. It's a pretty solid track IMO. Unless your the guy who shot 100+ in the qualifier.

Pre or Post Tornado. That course blows. Every approach is the same blind uphill green surrounded by bunkers. The architecture is horrible for such a good piece of land. Could have been so much better, although I generally have low expectations for RTJ in general. But in my opinion the other stops (Grand National, Capitol Hill, Birmingham, Muscle Shoals) are all much better courses than Silver Lakes.

I agree with this though I haven't played it since 2007. Played all the 9s a few times and

then just never went back. If you live in the area then it's fine but I live much closer to

Capitol Hill and Grand National and Cambrian Ridge. Just not motivated to drive up to

Gadsden for those courses.

I would rank the ones I have played in this order:

1. Ross Bridge (most costly, but fantastic)

2. Capitol Hill- Judge (3 of the par 3's over water and tough but awesome) easily the hardest course I've played on the trail

3. Grand National- Lakes (this is the course the PGA tour plays)

4. Hampton Cove- Highlands (higher on my list than I thought it would be, but I just had fun at this course)

5. Oxmoor Valley- Valley (another pleasant surprise)

6. Silver Lakes- Mindbreaker/Heartbreaker (decent course, thought heartbreaker was the better 9 with good finishing holes)

7. Magnolia Grove- Crossings (LPGA had stops on this course, thought it was average as far as RTJ courses go)

8. Capitol Hill- Senator (disappointed in this course compared to what most people say about it, easily my least favorite)

Love the trail. I have been there 4 or 5 times. My memories are a bit rusty, but here is how I would rank them....

-Capitol Hill - Judge: 1st hole tee shot sets the tone. Challenging course. The Par 3s are carries over water. Very fun. I wish 18 was a longer hole.

-Grand National - Links: Greens are well protected. 18th is a good finishing hole. Just really good golf.

-Oxmoor Valley - Valley: Only played this once, but really liked it. 1st hole huge drop off DL Left. Great par 3s and par 5s. Bermuda greens were just ok (Ridge has bent).

-Grand National - Lake: Fun and fair course. Not as hard as the Links. #15 is a tough Island par 3. #16 is cool looking with the ravine. #9 and #18 are similar finishing holes to the clubhouse. Great property with huge lake.

-Cambrian Ridge: 3 9s here. Definitely worth a visit. Very dramatic and scenic. I would rank Sherling, Canyon, then Loblolly. Very fun and nice lake features.

-Oxmoor Valley - Ridge: Tough course. Big elevation changes. #3 is signature hole. Oxmoor is very underrated location. Greens are better than Valley. If you can only play one, play Ridge.

-The Schoals - Fighting Joe: Has a different feel to other RTJ locations. Brawny, challenging course. Very fun. Good mix of trees, prairie, and lakes. I don't like par 3 finishes, but #18 is sweet with big river.

-Capitol Hill - Senator: A faux links course that gets a little repetitive. Regardless, I really enjoy playing here; best chance to score well on trail. #17 Is the most distinctive hole. Good contrast to Judge and Legislator.

-Magnolia Grove - Crossings: Nice greens and bunkers. Good water features. I enjoyed this location, worth the trip

-The Schoals - Schoolmaster: Wooded course with good variety. Schoals is a fun location.

-Magnolia Grove - Crossings: Played it the week before LPGA event. Good par 3s. Fun and pretty easy scoring course. Cool waste bunkers on back 9.

-Ross Bridge: Huge, well-conditioned course. Felt contrived and forced from a design standpoint. I would rather play at Oxmoor down the road. Resort hotel is really nice.

-Silver Lake

-Capitol Hill - Legislator

-Hampton Cove - Highlands

I have never been to Highland Oaks.

I live just across the river from The Shoals, so naturally I'm biased. That said, I've played The Shoals, both courses at Oxmoor Valley, Ross Bridge, the Senator and Judge at Capital Hill, the Highlands Course at Hampton Cove, and two of the three courses at Silver Lakes (pre-tornado).

For the most part, all RTJ Trail courses I've played are very, very generous off the tee. You earn your score on the 2nd shot and putting. The greens there are absolutely huge. Conditions are rarely anything but very good if not better.

Favorites of the ones I've played - Schoolmaster (Shoals), Ross Bridge, Valley (Oxmoor Valley), and Senator (Capital Hill).

How are the conditions on the RTJ trail in late February/Early March?

 

Pretty variable. Check the 3-5 day forecast before you make the trip down. The temps won't bother you

guys from up north; it's mainly about the possibility of stormy weather late winter and early spring. I've

found forecasts that go beyond 3-5 days are not too reliable.

Ha, a good example of this...............we were forecasted to get no snow......until 1 day before...the

forecast changed......and we got 3 inches last night. All the days prior to that last day....it was all going

to go north of us.