50 Words or Less
The Schoolmaster at The Shoals is the Robert Trent Jones Trail at its most enjoyable. It’s long, scenic, and strategic. The tree-lined course demands accurate drives and shot-shaping abilities to succeed.
Introduction
The definition of a “Schoolmaster” is simply a man who teaches in a school. It’s an appropriate name because playing the RTJ Golf Trails’ Schoolmaster felt like I was being taught a lesson or two, or three. The Schoolmaster at The Shoals is shorter than its sibling course, Fighting Joe [review HERE], but it is still a massive track that stretches nearly 8,000 yards from the tips. It’s not just long though, it requires precision, planning, and proper execution to succeed here.
Practice Facilities
The practice facilities at The Shoals are what you would expect from destination golf. There is a big grass driving range that can facilitate the longest practice shots you can imagine, which is needed on both courses The Shoals has on offer. In addition, there are devoted chipping and putting greens to get used to the speeds of these RTJ courses. There are no launch monitors present though, which would make the space even more enticing.
Customer Service & Amenities
Not only did the Schoolmaster teach me the ways of Northern Alabama golf, it also taught me about great regional food. Specifically, I learned about a dish you must try at the turn, the Trail Dog. As a Chicagoland native, a huge part of my culture is an appreciation for meat-in-tube form; this dog doesn’t disappoint. It’s not just a normal hot dog at the turn.
The Trail Dog is a red bean chili, cheese, and onion-topped Conecuh Sausage with Wickles pickles. For those who may not know, it’s a local delicacy: a pork sausage that gets its signature flavor from being hickory-smoked. It’s fatty, spicy, smoky, and has a wonderful snap from its natural casing. I had to keep myself from ordering two or three of these.
Along with great food and drinks at The Grille, the facility also has plenty of space to enjoy them. Inside there’s a large seating area with several tables, enough for dozens of golfers after a group trip or a tournament. Outside there’s even more seating that overlooks the scenic Tennessee River. The course also has a large and well-stocked pro shop that features all types of gear, accessories, and other merchandise that highlights the RTJ Trail.
The Highlands at Hampton Cove is another must-play on the RTJ Trail. Learn more HERE
Beauty & Scenery
Northern Alabama has a ton of natural beauty to offer. In fact, the staff told me that birders come out to this course for the wildlife. The final hole is the true highlight of Schoolmaster’s beauty. It’s a par 4 that mirrors the 18th hole of Fighting Joe. It’s a dogleg right that has a bit of an elevation change as you ascend up to the clubhouse for both courses.
Tee Shots
Even when playing from the correct tee boxes for your skill level, Schoolmaster will play long or very long. While not as long as its sister course, Fighting Joe, the tee shots are more difficult because the fairways are not as wide and forgiving. Instead, Schoolmaster features a tighter design that feels even more narrow given that most holes are lined with trees. That means the most important shot on most of these holes will be your first one.
Approaches
To call the greens at Schoolmaster well-defended would be an understatement. All 18 holes have at least one bunker by the green, but the majority feature more than one. While only some of the bunkers are very deep, the soft sand presents a unique challenge that will undoubtedly make the hole harder if you find your ball in one.
Water is also present near the greens on five holes which adds another layer of difficulty. With that said, if you put yourself in the proper positions off the tee, you’ve done the hard part.
Greens & Surrounds
The greens on Schoolmaster are guarded by a multitude of bunkers and often by trees and water hazards. While similar in speed and slope to Fighting Joe, the bent grass greens are decidedly smaller. This gives you shorter putts, but the greens are harder to hold on approach. If your ball does run through, the rough is not particularly punishing, but the bunkers certainly can be. With many holes featuring more than one bunker and extremely soft fluffy sand, finesse will be needed to be successful.
Overall Design
The design of this golf course is distinct from its sister course at The Shoals. While both are undeniably long, the Schoolmaster is more punishing from an accuracy standpoint because trees surround it. In contrast, Fighting Joe is a wide-open, links-style course with big fairways and big greens that won’t be as punishing to offline tee shots or approaches. Schoolmaster prioritizes your first shot, while Fighting Joe is a second-shot course.
Schoolmaster will put your shot-making abilities to the test, too. Many of its holes will dogleg or snake back and forth. It means that draws and fades will be needed to play the course as it’s intended, especially with pins that can be tucked behind the copious amount of greenside bunkers.
Favorite Holes
#18 – Par 4 – 393 yards
As a drawer of the golf ball, I don’t love that this hole all but forces you to hit a cut, but it’s worth it for the view you’ll receive. As you climb up the hole following your tee shot, you’re treated to a breathtaking vista of the Tennessee River with homes, greenery, and even another golf course visible on the other side. Remember to take some photos before heading back to the clubhouse for drinks and another Trail Dog.
#2 – Par 3 – 238 yards
Everyone who knows me, knows I’m a sucker for a good water feature so, of course, one hole I have to highlight is the second hole. It features a waterfall and pond shielding the hole from errant shots. It’s gorgeous and can play a lot more difficult if that pin would be moved to the corners of the green.
#14 – Par 4 – 417 yards
I could have mentioned this hole when discussing this course’s scenery and beauty. It embodies everything this course tries to do, a microcosm of Schoolmaster. It demands that you think and be strategic, calls for a specific shot shape, and is lined with trees and a dramatic water hazard.
Conclusion
The Schoolmaster at The Shoals is a punishing, difficult, lengthy, golf course that asks you to think every step of the way. It wants you to do your homework and think critically like any school teacher. It certainly taught me about the kind of stellar golf you can find in Northern Alabama and on the RTJ Trail. It should be a course you play when you find yourself in this part of the United States.
Visit The Schoolmaster at The Shoals HERE
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