Photo of RTJ Golf Trail: Grand National (Lake course)

Robert Trent Jones Golf Courses at Grand National

3000 Robert Trent Jones Trail,

Opelika, Alabama AL 36801

  • Office

    +1 (800) 949 4444 (Reservations)
  • Pro shop

    +1 (334) 749 9042
  • Fax

    +1 (205) 290 1241

About the course

  • The Course:

    18 holes. Tree-lined & open parkland. Undulating terrain - a few slopes to climb and some long green-to-tee walks. Buggies generally used.

  • Surroundings:

    Lakeside and woodland.

  • Designer:

    Robert Trent Jones Sr.

Back
tees
Club
tees
Front
tees
Yards
7149
5948
4910
Par
72
72
72
SSS or slope
74.3
68.7
68.7

At the same location:

Above distances are for the Lake course. Also at Grand National is the 18-hole Links course (par-72, 7311 yds from back tees), and 18-hole Short course (par-54, 3126 yds).

Location

Latitude:

32.671092

Longitude:

-85.426918

How to get there:

6 miles NE of Auburn / 3 miles NW of Opelika

From the I-85 (south of Opelika) take exit 58, and follow Hwy 280 West, direction Opelika. After 5.4 miles turn right into the 97 North (Grand National Parkway). After 2.5 miles turn right into SunBelt Parkway, and follow road for 2 miles to clubhouse.

RTJ Golf Trail: Grand National (Lake course)

4-PLUS: Must play course - excellent standard; worthy of 4½ stars.

Est. 1992

RTJ Golf Trail - Grand National (Lake course): Here at Grand National, the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail serves up two spectacular woodland-lakeside championship courses. It’s a matter of personal choice whether you rank the Links layout above the Lake, or vice versa - most golfers adore them both. Identical twins in many respects, the Links and Lake courses both throw down an excellent golfing challenge.

The Lake course is a little shorter, fractionally less undulating and perhaps more open in some places than its sibling. As you'd imagine there are plenty of lakeside holes that grace the superbly natural environment around Sougahatchee Lake. In addition, an equal number make their way through fabulous stretches of woodland, briefly taking you away from the lakeshore, before bringing you back down again to the water's edge.

The signature hole, the island green par-3 15th, is played from an elevated tee ... up to 230 yards away if you dare! One of the Trail's best par-3 holes, it's not the only star attraction on this stunning layout.

The undulating and often elevated greens on the Lake course are smaller than on the Links, with one notable exception. The 1st and 6th holes share a double-green that stretches to almost 100 yards from front to back. Many of the greens are well protected by good bunkering, including strategically placed pot bunkers. You'll also need to beware the flag positions on the lakeside holes. Several will tempt you to take aim a tad too close to the water for comfort.

Stay&Play at Grand National: luxury onsite accommodation is available (see Where2Stay section below).

List of courses: Alabama
  • Photo of RTJ Golf Trail: Grand National (Lake course)
  • Photo of RTJ Golf Trail: Grand National (Lake course)
  • Photo of RTJ Golf Trail: Grand National (Lake course)
  • Photo of RTJ Golf Trail: Grand National (Lake course)
  • Photo of RTJ Golf Trail: Grand National (Lake course)
  • Photo of RTJ Golf Trail: Grand National (Lake course)
  • Photo of RTJ Golf Trail: Grand National (Lake course)
  • Photo of RTJ Golf Trail: Grand National (Lake course)
  • Photo of RTJ Golf Trail: Grand National (Lake course)
  • Photo of RTJ Golf Trail: Grand National (Lake course)
  • Photo of RTJ Golf Trail: Grand National (Lake course)
  • Photo of RTJ Golf Trail: Grand National (Lake course)
  • Photo of RTJ Golf Trail: Grand National (Lake course)
  • Photo of RTJ Golf Trail: Grand National (Lake course)

Visitors

Who can play and when?

Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.

Must book in advance. Bookings can be made directly with each course or via RTJ Trail Central Reservations.

Green fees

Visitor fee, 18-holes at peak times in high season: c.$95. Golf cart included.

Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2024].

Other information

Walking permitted. Golf carts available to rent.

Practice facilities

Excellent

Did you know?

Lake Saugahatchee is the lake around which Grand National's Links and Lake courses are wrapped. Saugahatchee comes from the Creek Indian language and means "rattling river". Look out for the remains of a chimney behind the clubhouse. It's all that's left of the house built by the Lipscomb family, the first colonial settlers of this site.

About the RTJ Golf Trail: see Did You Know section for Grand National's Links course.

Published ranking

Lake course:
Alabama's 8th best course (Golf Digest, 2023/24).

Where2Stay

  • Marriott Hotel and Conference Center at Grand National

    3700 Robert Trent Jones Trail, Opelika, Alabama 36801

    +1 (334) 741 9292

    Visit website

    Nestled on 2,000 acres of Lake Saugahatchee countryside, and overlooking a Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail course, this is an exceptional golf and business hotel, located 10 minutes from Auburn University in the quaint, historic town of Opelika.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      Grand National (Links and Lake courses)

    • Golf within 5 miles:

      No

    • Golf within 20 miles:

      Auburn Links at Grand National

  • Hampton Inn - AuburnAAA 3-diamonds

    2430 South College Street, Auburn, AL 36832

    +1 (334) 821 4111

    Visit website

    DIRECTIONS : From the I-85 (SW of Auburn) take exit 51 (S College Street) and follow the 29 South. Hotel is on your right after a few hundred yards.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      No

    • Golf within 5 miles:

      Auburn Links at Mill Creek

    • Golf within 20 miles:

      Grand National (Links and Lake courses)

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