RTJ Golf Trail at Hampton Cove

Had the honor to play one of the famed RTJ Golf Trail courses and the greens did not disappoint. I played the Highlands course and got some good pre-round info from the bag drop team! They recommended I roll a few on the green behind the warmup area because those are the same greens as the course I would play. To say they were lightning fast is a massive understatement. The punches did not affect the roll either. They rolled very very true and the pins were in some heinous positions making lag putting a premium, which I was totally in control of today. As it is still early spring, the rough is still dormant and thank goodness it was because it made playing from it better. I had a very smooth round and got paired with3 others who were about the same in talent as I am. I am looking forward to playing Ross Bridge tomorrow.

I got the opportunity to play Hampton Cove while my wife and I were in town for a concert. Tee time was at 1030, so we showed up at 10, ready to go, only to find out the highland course was on a frost delay and our tee time was on hold. A heads up before we showed up would have been nice. I had to ask the guy putting bags onto the carts when should I go tee off, and all he said was go ask the marshall. Aside from the lack of staff communication, the course itself was by far the nicest course I've ever played. Challenging definitely but not so much that an amateur like myself couldn't have an incredible time.

Awesome and challenging experience. Golfed The River course one day and The Highlands the next. Because it was the beginning of March, the grass was still dormant, so I can imagine how more beautiful the course would be in the spring.

Pulling up it's decent, parking lot could be bigger and it's a little walk from the clubhouse, but they have a nice round a bout club drop off for an option.... Multiple practice putting greens and a nice chipping/pitching/flop shot practice area with a bunker.... Clubhouse is a little out dated overall but it's big, nice restaurant and bar , fully loaded pro shop.... Course layout is solid!!! Played end of winter 2024 and the greens were absolutely perfect!!! Being this time of year.... Plenty of water hazards, plenty of bunkers off the fairways and some get a little deep so they can be penalizing, bunkers around the greens on every hole it seems and they are large, then not fun again as some are deep, the white beautiful sand gets very deep in some sections but hey, it's a hazard.... Plenty of tee box options... The greens are pretty large overall, with a ton of moderate and sneaky slope and undulation that with certain pin locations, make for a tough day... Great track and facility overall!!! They had a ton of rain recently so the large driving range was closed but looked like a solid practice facility... The carts have a great GPS system with the green contours also, nice addition

Friendly and efficient staff and amazing golf, as has been my experience with the RTJ Golf Trail thus far. Upon pulling up, the staff politely ask which course you are playing and offer to load your clubs. The check-in staff at the clubhouse are friendly and efficient. The clubhouse itself, was very similar to the one at The Shoals, which is warm and inviting, with a full bar and restaurant. Although I didn’t eat at this one, the one at The Shoals had very good pub food, so I expect the same is true here. The golf carts were only a couple days old, and we’re very high tech. I’ve had a lot of experience with the GPS devices on carts, but this system showed a breakdown of the greens in a way I have never experienced. It is very helpful on a course that you’ve never played. The driving range is large and well laid out. The practice greens are very large and specific to the course you are playing that day. The greens on the Highland course had a stimp reading of 10 and the River course was a very fast 13. They are smooth as butter and roll true. It is definitely worth taking a little extra time to practice on the River course practice green before heading to the tee box. On Saturday I played the Highlands course with a 12:30 PM tee time and perfect Fall weather. The fairways were starting to become dormant for the season, but were in terrific shape. The greens were immaculate and weed free. The Highlands course was very playable, but still challenging. The first several holes have some modest changes in elevation, but the back nine is mostly flat with a lot more water coming into play. On Sunday, I teed off at the River course at 8:30 AM, on a chilly misty morning. The starter was very friendly and helpful. I had been told that the River course was extremely challenging, but I managed to maintain just one over par through the front nine. For whatever reason the back nine proved more challenging for me. All 18 holes were unbelievably serene and beautiful. A group of five deer came sprinting a crossed the fairway in front of me on hole number three. I was hesitant to choose Huntsville when reviewing my RTJ options, but I was extremely happy with everything at this location. The state of Alabama can be very proud of their incredible golf trail.