Furious Styles wrote:
Saturday - Hampton Cove - 36 holes
Sunday - The Shoals - 36 holes
First, It's pretty crazy how the weather changes down there. The forecast went back and forth, but all 3 days were impacted by rain to an extent.
The RTJ courses are first rate. I really like how they focus on golf - the 10th hole immediately follows the 9th, so no stopping at the clubhouse bullshit. We did unlimited golf/range for $130/day. I definitely recommend playing the more challenging 18 in the morning and then relax/commit to alcohol in the afternoon. Played the hybrid tees at 6400 most of the time; otherwise, you are playing 7200+, 6800+ or 6100-6200.
We started with Hampton Cove in the Huntsville/Research Park area. Did the River course first. No sand, but water on 16 of 18 holes. No rough on the course and any shot that was off by even a foot would roll back into the water. Really has to think your way around the course. Played well, really had my driver dialed t in for accuracy. Chipped in for birdie and shot an 83.
Played the Highlands course - very much links style with a ton of bunkers. One of my buddies rarely plays and really took to my driver. Gets some of my hand-me-down gear and probably would have inherited this one.
Except he broke it on the 4th hole. Right in the transition when he loaded the shaft, it snapped right below the grip even before he hit the ball. Never seen anything like it. Wonder how long the driver was compromised because I was hitting it ridiculously straight up until then. Oh well, served me well for 8 years.
What sucked was I had to use my buddy's Ping G30. I instantly gained 15+ yds. but it just wanted to go right in a big way. Had to make a conscious effort to keep the head closed, which crept into my other clubs. Ended up with an 88.
The Shoals Golf Club was up next in the Muscle Shoals/Florence AL area. Did the Fighting Joe course first. One of the most badass golf courses I have ever played - 8000 yds. from the tips and a complete mindfuck from 6400 yds. Disaster lurks on every tee shot and approach - the architecture between the sand and water completely messed with me like no other course. I couldn't control the G30 very well - add in that my jackass friends dragged their asses getting to the course so there was almost no warm-up time and I ended up struggling my way to a 98. Easily 8+ water balls.
Not too many people out on the course with the rain. At one point we noticed some dude standing up in the woods watching us. Then we spotted like 6-8 more all over. Pretty creepy until we realized they were waiting for us to finish the hole so they could head down to the ponds and fish. They began pulling out largemouth bass left and right. Must be some kind of understanding they have with course. Played the Schoolmaster in the afternoon, got back on track somewhat with an 87.
I want another shot at the Fighting Joe and seriously considering a trip in the fall. Ten hour drive and Florence is a really cool small town.