Grand National Links Course – Alabama

Opelika, Alabama

About

Course Architect: Robert Trent Jones Snr.
Number of Holes: 18
Par: 72
Distances: 7,311 Yards / 6,685 Metres
Course Type: Parkland
Club Type: Golf Resort
Address: 3000 Robert Trent Jones Trail, Opelika, AL 36801, United States
Contact Us: [email protected]

Location

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Built along the shores of the Saugahatchee river, a 600-acre golf complex built by Robert Trent Jones Senior stands as his greatest achievement for a multi-course site overseen by the master golf course architect. The complex has 54 holes of golf, with two par-72 Championship layouts named the Lakes and Links, whilst it also has an 18-hole par-3 course named the Short course. The Grand National golf course lies within the famous Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, which is a series of golf courses designed by the legendary golf architect through Southern U.S states. It is best to rent a vehicle and drive through Louisiana and Alabama to experience the Trail. Other golf courses along the way include Lakewood Point Clear, Silver Lakes, and Capitol Hill golf courses.

Golf Course Information

The Links course is the longest of the three courses at Grand National. Playing more like a parkland layout with towering trees and water features on many holes, it is the often disastrously thin fairways and greens that require long carries over scrub and foliage. The par-3’s are exhilarating due to the many hazards lying around the fairways and greens, but it is the many dogleg par-4’s that provide the backbone of the Links course at Grand National. Attacking the greens from the fairways is certainly a bold move on the Links course due to the many green-side marshes and bunkers, so scoring a par-round for any golfer is a great achievement.

Other notable features on the course apart from the many scenic lakes that form backdrops but don’t necessarily come into play are the greens. Many come tiered with the flag resting on different plateaus each day, and many also come raised so that any run-off shots will require a difficult chip from long Bermuda grass. The Links is a well-manicured course that has many strong holes and is widely considered one of the best along the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama.

Venue Information

Being a part of the Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort & Spa, the Grand National Golf Club has world-class golf facilities that are clean, well-maintained and accessible to all. The clubhouse restaurant and bar is named The Southern Oak bar where you will find fantastic southern-American cuisine such as baby back ribs, burgers and signature cocktails, as well as craft beer. It is a great place to gather with friends before or after your round and it is also open for dinner.

Practice facilities at Grand National consist of a 400-yard driving range and putting green that is adjacent to the clubhouse. Within the clubhouse you will find the Southern Oak Bar & Restaurant, as well as lockers and the Pro Shop which is well-stocked with some of the sport’s biggest brands and features everything you need to play from small accessories to golf bags, shoes and hardware.