Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Grand National: The Lake
Opelika, AL, United States • Public
![robert-trent-jones-golf-trail-at-grand-national-lake-course-fifth-hole-16221](http://golfdigest.sports.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/course-photos-for-places-to-play/RTJ%20GrandNational-Lake-5.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.644.suffix/1647873770628.jpeg)
![robert-trent-jones-golf-trail-at-grand-national-lake-course-twelfth-hole-16221](http://golfdigest.sports.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/course-photos-for-places-to-play/RTJ%20GrandNational-Lake-12.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.322.suffix/1647873782926.jpeg)
![robert-trent-jones-golf-trail-at-grand-national-lake-course-fifteenth-hole-16221](http://golfdigest.sports.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/course-photos-for-places-to-play/RTJ%20GrandNational-Lake-15.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.644.suffix/1647873788253.jpeg)
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![robert-trent-jones-golf-trail-at-grand-national-lake-course-eighteenth-hole-16221](http://golfdigest.sports.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/course-photos-for-places-to-play/RTJ%20GrandNational-Lake-18.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.644.suffix/1647873796954.jpeg)
Overview
The PGA Tour’s Barbasol Championship was played on Grand National’s Lake course from 2015 through '17. Strategically placed bunkers and large multi-tiered greens defend this eastern Alabama layout. The track hugs the shore of Sougahatchee Lake, which comes into play on 12 of the 18 holes, often around the greens. The four par 3s each offer a stern test with water in play, most notably on the signature island-green 15th.
About
Awards
![Best Courses in Every State](/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/awards/BestCoursesInEveryState_FINAL.png)
Ranking history:
Best in State: Ranked eighth, 2023-'24. Ranked ninth, 2015-'20. Ranked 10th, 2013-'14.
2023-'24 ranking: 8th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Tough test off most tees. Either bunkers or distances play into most tee shots. Good strategy needed around the greens. Narrow fairways. Greens appropriate speed for size. Conditioning a bit of a struggle right now with numerous wet spots with no rain for a week. Remarkable hole on 15"
Read More2024
Review
“Excellent facility on a beautiful property -- the Lake Course has some very high moments along with a few greens that are oddly contoured. I preferred this one to the Links -- but also don't miss their Short Course!"
Read More2023
Review
“Terrifically enjoyable; great views around the lakes; challenging and scenic; nice conditioning."
Read More2019
Review
“One of the better courses on the RTJ Trail. It's a good challenge and the setting is great."
Read More2018
Review
“A course solid enough to attract the PGA Tour, well conditioned and generally considered the best course on the Grand National property. A lot of fun, but the holes feel cramped coming in from hole 15-18 compared to the Links course."
Read More2018
Review
“I'm a big fan of the courses on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Big, brawny tests of golf with lots of elevation change. Very good golf and great value."
Read More2018
Review
“excellent setting with solid golf. very good course for the money."
Read More2018
Readers
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