Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is the largest
golf course construction project ever attempted anywhere in the
world with 378 total holes. The Trail was named by Frequent Flyer
Magazine as one of the world's top 10 trips in 1994.
"…some of the best public golf
on Earth." - The New York Times
"Alabama's galaxy of great courses will change your image of
public golf forever." - Senior Golfer Magazine
 In
the late 1980’s, Dr. David Bronner - CEO of the Retirement
Systems of Alabama – devised a plan to diversify the assets
of the state pension fund by bringing more tourist dollars into
the state economy. Three years and 324 golf holes later, Bronner’s
proverbial wild hare led to the largest golf construction project
in U.S. history, and one of the most ambitious state-funded recreational
endeavors of the past fifty years.
When the dust from the earthmovers had settled in 1992, Alabama
was home to seven new multi-course golf facilities (now eight with
the opening of the 54-hole Prattville facility), 100 miles of tees,
fairways and greens, and one world-class golf destination.
The courses on the Robert Trent Jones Golf trail are not "manufactured"
courses. Each course was extracted from the land and partakes of
its natural topography, not impose on it. The "Trail"
offers genuine championship layouts that will stand the test of
time and pose major tests of golf for years to come. The rationale:
No one talks about or remembers the easy courses. What lodges in
a golfer's mind is the one brilliant shot that (momentarily) conquers
a tough hole.
 Alabama's
magnificent Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail consists of twenty one
courses in all. Some sites have two 18-hole championship courses
and one 18-hole Short course, while other sites offer three 9-hole
championship courses and one 9-hole Short course and Capitol Hill
is offering three 18-hole championship courses and a conference
center. As noted below, each of the championship courses offers
a world-class golfing experience, but it's important to realize
that the Short course at each site is like none other you've ever
played. They are not to be missed! Whether soaring along the mountain
tops, or weaving through the marvelous lowland marshes and swamps,
a Trail Golf Package from Fairways will provide you with the golfing
experience of a lifetime!
All the courses along the Trail were designed by Robert Trent Jones
Sr., arguably the premier golf course architect in the world. Featuring
18 thrilling courses at eight facilities throughout Alabama, the
Trail meanders from the beautiful foothills of the Appalachians
in north Alabama to the sparkling Gulf of Mexico in the south. Each
stop along the way offers a challenging, yet enjoyable, round for
golfers of all skill levels. The courses are all conveniently located
near an interstate highway.
 One
of the most unique aspects of the Trail is the tee locations. The
tee markers on the Trail are pegged to ability level, not age or
gender. The courses were designed to measure as short as 4,700 yards
and as long as about 7,700 yards from the tournament tees, with
as many as 12 tee boxes in-between. The courses offer a tremendous
amount of flexibility.
The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail has put the spotlight on Alabama
as a world-class golfing destination! Golf Digest readers who have
come to Alabama and played the Trail courses voted the state "3rd
Best for Golf Values." The Trail has now hosted the LPGA Tournament
of Champions for 1998, 99, and 2000 and the Nike Tour (Buy.com)
for 1998, 99, and 2000 at various golf courses.
And as a side note, Golf Digest ranked Alabama as one of the "Top
Ten States" in their Places to Play 2002-2003 which can be
largely attributed to the play of the Robert Trent Jones courses.
Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Courses
Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail – Where to Stay
Auburn University Hotel (Auburn) - $$
Legends at Capitol Hill (Prattville) - $$$
Marriott Grand Hotel (Mobile) - $$$$
Chip Shots
Seven of the eight Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail facilities offer
a Par 3 Short Course -- an solid array of championship par threes
that are far beyond the stereotyped pitch 'n putt layout. Don’t
believe us? The Short Course at Magnolia Grove was recently named
by Golf Digest as the best Par 3 course in the nation.
At most sites, the average hole is 200 yards long with some holes
playing as deep as 260 from the back tees. As on all Trail courses,
there are as many as 12 tee boxes between the front and back tees,
so players of every skill level can enjoy these one-shotters.
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