Short at Hampton Cove Golf Course

One of the great challenges for a facility boasting 36 holes is to make each course stand alone and not blend into each other. Hampton Cove's two tracks pass this test with flying colors. The River Course uses the old-line design philosophy of moving dirt to create raised greens and tees and disturbing little else. Don't be fooled, however. The River Course lies in the flood plain of the Flint River and water hazards must be navigated on 16 of the 18 holes. The River Course also is unique in that it is the only course on the RTJ Trail without a single bunker. Today, however, I played the Highlands Course, a rolling track that features dramatic elevation changes in contrast to the River Course. Unlike most Trail courses, The Highlands plays through a neighborhood, but the homes do not detract from the holes. The first three holes play in an open, windswept plain before heading uphill into the hardwoods for three holes before emerging into the majority of the course, which surrounds a large body of water. These holes are exposed and on windy days like today, club selection is critical. My advice to players taking on this course is don't be hung up on a yardage number. For example if you are 150 yards out, and that is an 8-iron normally, pull a 7. Otherwise, Prideful players' scorecards will take a beating on holes 7-8, 10-12, and 16-17. The bent greens were a little furry on the first four holes but were much better on the back. The bunkers were excellent and consistent throughout. The course drained well despite the amount of rain we've had recently. Nos. 4-6 is one of my favorite three-hole stretches on the Trail, punctuated by the landmark old mule barn on the fifth. Here is my best tip, other than clubbing, for this course: Jones did an excellent job here of disguising the size of the landing areas on the greens. From the approach zones in the fairway, many of the pins will look perilously close to the front, back or a hazard. I felt like several of my approach shots were going to be pretty close based upon what I could see after hitting the shot, only to find them 15-20 feet away when I arrived at the green. Trust that you have more room to work with than it appears. Also, pay close attention to the hole map on the scorecard. Not all trouble is visible from the tee, like the small creek that crosses the fairway on the fifth hole. All in all, the Highlands Course, and Hampton Cove as a whole, is a bit out of the way from the most talked-about core sites on the Trail in Birmingham, Prattville and Opelika. Yet, it is courses like the Highlands that show the Trail's depth and a player doesn't see the true majesty of the Trail if they are bypassed.

Great course. Greens were recently punched so slow and inconsistent was to be expected. Tee boxes, fairways, and bunkers were in great shape. Loved the layout and never played a RTJ course I didn't like.

We booked a Noon tee time on Golf Now. Maddy checked us in at Pro Shop & she was friendly, professional & helpful. The course was in very good shape with beautiful layout. Traps & Fairways in great shape. The course is fair to an average golfer yet could be very challenging from the tips. Steve & other managers in the Pro Shop went out of their way to make us feel at home.

Looking forward to returning in July with a group of 12 to play both courses.

I love playing at Hampton Cove. The short course is an excellent course for walking (how I get my exercise). I have played 4 of the other RTJ courses. Alabama golf is the best value in the nation, compared to Florida and South Carolina where I have played.

Fun and very challenging course. Lots of water and you better hit the green with your approach shot and then you will want to be on the correct portion of the green. Otherwise your facing a very tough chip or an even harder 2 putt.

I have played both the Highlands and River courses numerous times. Both are great although I personally prefer the Highlands course. Players of all skill levels can have fun if you pick the right set of tees. In comparison to other RTJ Trail sites I like it better than Muscle Shoals or Silver Lakes, a little less than Oxmoor Valley, Grand National or Magnolia Grove and about the same as Capitol Hill or Cambrian Ridge.

I wish all the RTJ Trail courses would adopt the in-cart GPS system used at Ross Bridge!

Thed course was very picturesque. Some fairways were needing work. I found the most dissapointing area on the course were the greens. They had no true roll and the pin placements that day were very difficult.

Course conditions have improved since I last played there (lake still holds water; #15 fairway just resodded - they made it a par 3 previously). During the summer, it looks like the have let parts of the "deep" rough grow / don't spend too much time looking for it #consider it lost#. Great courses for players of all levels.
Managers Shane and Brendon allow pets / dogs #does not have to be service dogs# on the course now. Great if you are a dog lover; not so if you don't like to see dogs running loose on occasion, running through traps, on greens, watching the foursome in front of you play "pass the dog leash" at times.
Staff at snackbar area is pretty friendly; chow is good as well.
Both the Highlands and Lake Courses #lot less crowded# should be played if you are in the Huntsville area.

Having played almost every course on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, the River Course at Hampton Cove ranks near the bottom in terms of interest and value. There is water in play on most holes, but otherwise the layout is not that interesting. The greens had been sanded so shots would not hold and putting was uneven. There are many superior courses in Alabama for less money. The clubhouse is nice, as are all RTJ facilities. The staff seemed disinterested, except for the cart attendants anxious for tips.

Lots of elevated greens and water. Great fun to play. It would bear playing a second time.

The greens had just been treated with sand. They were very slow and did not run true. I realize this is not a usual condition for the course but it did change the game for us.

Played both courses at Hampton Cove. We were fortunate to play on days when there were few golfers out on the courses. We took our time and savored the beauty of the surrounding area and the pristine condition of the courses.
The staff was friendly and very helpful about the course and things to do during our stay in Huntsville.
Overall, we all had a wonderful experience.

Course was in great shape, greens were good, staff attentive. Ranger and beverage staff were outstanding in helping players.

Played the River course and made the mistake on not purchasing the course layout yardage book. Sixteen of the eighteen holes have water. Having never played there before, you could not see where the water was on every hole and the score card was an artist depiction and not accurate. You would hit what you thought was a great tee shot only to come up to the crest of a hill to find out that the water cuts into the fairway a lot farther than you realized and find out that you just lost another ball. Avoiding the water was not that difficult but from the tee it was not obvious how to do that. Course was is good but not great condition.

Excellent golf, from check in to finished round. Greens were a tad slow, but really good layout. Very good golf course.

greens had been recently aerated other than that course was in good shape.

Well maintained course. No one mentioned that hole #17 (Highland) was under construction. Overall excellent course like the rest of the RTJ Trail courses. Would recommend for anyone in the Huntsville area.

Various t-boxes allow all caliber of golfer to enjoy this course