RTJ Golf Trail

[tremendous_slouch]

Grand National vs. Hampton Cove?

My brother lives in Tennessee, and every year we make a trek down to Grand National in Opelika for a 3-day golf trip. While I like Grand National, I'm thinking it would be nice to try something different this summer, so we're thinking about Hampton Cove in Huntsville (simply because of the traveling distance). We'd like to stick to the RTJ Trail only because they have great deals in the summer.

Has anyone played both courses? If so, can you give your opinions on both, and which ones are better? Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Tremendous Slouch

[minteq]

I played Hampton cove in March, a little expensive without the trail card. Very nice course, conditioning is excellent. Tough layout from back tees.

[Smooth spin scott]

Haven't played Hampton Cove, but love GN.

I would suggest Capitol Hill, Judge and Legislator in Montgomery or Ross bridge and Oxmoor Valley. Ross Bridge is ridiculously nice, and like Oxmoor valley alot.

[Hogan Robert]

My buddies and I go every year to Oxmoor Valley, Grand National and Capitol Hill. All three of these are top notch IMO and you can't go wrong. Grand National is actually my favorite, closely followed by Oxmoor Valley. One year we went North instead to Hampton Cove and The Shoals. The Shoals was absolutely terrific. Both courses were awesome and well worth the drive. I was disappointed, however, in Hampton Cove. The layouts weren't as cool as any of the other RTJ sites I'd been too, and part of the way you're looking in backyards, which was unusual for a RTJ course. The Hampton Cove site sits a distant sixth in the spots I've been (I've played Magnolia Cove too, which is fantastic) and we will not be back.

I would rank them as:

Grand National
The Shoals
Oxmoor Valley
Magnolia Grove
Capitol Hill (didn't like the Legislator course, but the Senator and The Judge are good)
Hampton Cove

Good luck, it's a great trip and easily the best value in golf today!!
[quote name='tremendous_slouch' timestamp='1334231730' post='4706554']
My brother lives in Tennessee, and every year we make a trek down to Grand National in Opelika for a 3-day golf trip. While I like Grand National, I'm thinking it would be nice to try something different this summer, so we're thinking about Hampton Cove in Huntsville (simply because of the traveling distance). We'd like to stick to the RTJ Trail only because they have great deals in the summer.

Has anyone played both courses? If so, can you give your opinions on both, and which ones are better? Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Tremendous Slouch
[/quote]

[minteq]

I am actually working in Birmingham, Alabama right now. Just played Oxmoor Valley, excellent course. I have played Ross Bridge, very nice.

[moonshine]

Capitol Hill my home course. How far is Huntsville from Auburn? You should pay to play farmlinks being that close. $135 unlimited golf with best lunch in between rounds. Hurdzan course hosts state am.....one of a kind.

[tremendous_slouch]

Thanks for the tips! I've played Grand National quite a bit and I do like it. My only beef with GN is that I get tired of the 3 distinct tiers on EVERY SINGLE GREEN! I don't mind 3-tiered greens, but it gets kind of tiring when it's on every hole (pretty much on every hole at both GN courses). Also, as one of my friends commented, how is it possible to play 36 holes of golf where every hole/green is uphill? He was being sarcastic of course, but it does seem to have a lot of elevated greens and/or uphill holes.

tremendous_slouch

[Erik44]

I'm going to Grand National on Wed! 1 round at lake, 2 rounds links and short (booze), 2 rounds links lake.

Any tips or things to remember on these tracks?

[KLeC]

Ditto on Capitol Hill. The Senator Course will give you a Scotland/Ireland experience. It's also a great course to walk.