This facility is part of the seven facilities that make up the Robert Trent Jones Trail through Alabama. It has three nine hole courses that are played in three eighteen hole combinations. The club also has a nine hole par 3 course. The most popular layout is the Loblolly/Sherling Course, and the most demanding course is the Canyon Course. "Golf Digest" rated the Canyon/Sherling Course as the 3rd "Best in State" course for 1995-96. "GOLF Magazine" named it 40th under the 1998 category of the "Top 100 Courses You Can Play in the U.S." The terrain on the Sherling Course is somewhat rolling; the terrain on the Canyon Course is hilly, and the terrain on the Loblolly Course is flat. Water hazards come into play on all four courses. The Sherling Course has a large lake, Sherling Lake, which comes into play on many holes and perhaps makes this the most scenic design. "Golf Digest" rated Loblolly/Sherling as the 8th "Best in State" course for 1997-98. Hole #5 is beautiful because it requires a tee shot over part of the lake to a dogleg left fairway. Your approach shot will then be to a green which has the lake on the left side and a large sand bunker on the front right.
The fairways on all the courses are tree lined, and some of the large, fast greens are double-tiered, and all of them are undulating. Many of the tees are elevated. There are numerous large sand bunkers on all three courses that highlight the typical Robert Trent Jones style. The Canyon Course, due to its hilly terrain, requires many uphill and downhill shots. The Short Course is a very challenging par 3 course featuring fast greens and several strategically-placed hazards. Cart rental fee is slightly lower for the Short Course. A senior discount is offered for all three courses from Monday through Thursday before 9 AM. You can walk the courses, but pull carts are not allowed. While tee times are taken up to forty-five days in advance, there is a minimal charge per person if you book more than seven days in advance. Fridays are subject to the weekend green fees. Special "trail passes" are sold that reduce the cost of green fees. If you have a AAA card, each of the clubs provide a fifteen percent discount off green fees and merchandise in the pro shop. For more information or tee time reservations call (800) 949-4444.
