3000 Robert Trent Jones Trail,
Opelika, Alabama AL 36801
Office
+1 (800) 949 4444 (Reservations)Pro shop
+1 (334) 749 9042Fax
+1 (205) 290 1241Website
Visit websiteThe 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.
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).
32.671092
-85.426918
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.
Grand National (Lake)
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).
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.
Must book in advance. Bookings can be made directly with each course or via RTJ Trail Central Reservations.
Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2024].
Walking permitted. Golf carts available to rent.
Excellent
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.
Lake course:
Alabama's 8th best course (Golf Digest, 2023/24).
3700 Robert Trent Jones Trail, Opelika, Alabama 36801
+1 (334) 741 9292
Visit websiteNestled 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.
Grand National (Links and Lake courses)
No
Auburn Links at Grand National
2430 South College Street, Auburn, AL 36832
+1 (334) 821 4111
Visit websiteDIRECTIONS : 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.
No
Auburn Links at Mill Creek
Grand National (Links and Lake courses)
Chevron Championship: Carlton Woods near Houston in Texas provides the stage for the first women’s major championship of 2025, where Nelly Korda defends her title. (April 24-27).
Soudal Open: successor to the Belgian Open, the Soudal Open takes place on the quiet, wooded North course of Rinkven Golfclub. Belgian stars Thomas Pieters and Nicolas Colsaerts will be vying for top honours. (May 22-25).
Rory McIlroy: with his 2025 win in The Masters, Rory joined the pantheon of golfing greats who have achieved a career Grand Slam of men’s majors ... Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods are the only others in this select band.
Bernhard Langer: he may have played in his last Masters Tournament, but the 67-year-old German will be trying to extend his own record, and win a 13th senior major title at the 36th Regions Tradition. (May 15-18).
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.
Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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