Off the Fringe, “Golf’s best short read.” The award winning newsletter, sent twice monthly, that provides an unconventional perspective on the golf world.
Bill Homyak
Muscle Shoals
2019-05-19
$76 (cart included), played on Wednesday, May 2019 at 7:00 AM
As part of the Robert Trent Jones Trail, this site is amazing. It is true golf located on the Tennessee River and sculpted out of old farmland with trees, lakes, rolling hills, and lots of land. No houses, no distractions, just pure golf. The Fighting Joe course can be long at over 8,000 yards from the back tees. I have played from there in my younger years but now at age 66 I opted for the two tees up orange tees at around 6800 yards. The course was perfectly maintained during the month of May with no flaws. Fairways are wide enough but if you go about 5 yards off expect tall grass which makes finding the ball difficult. No hole is alike and the rolling landscape makes for challenging lies. A great golf experience I would highly recommend as part of a Trail visit. Don't let the northwest location in Alabama keep you from making the drive to this site! Plus, the SchoolMaster 18 is just as good! (note: want a fun challenge - tee up from the back tee on #12 - the par 5 at 714 yards with a huge lake located in front of the green!)
Would travel: 60-120 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Better than average course for the area, Ranks with the best in this price level, Best course in the area
Condition of Course, Pace of Play, Difficulty, Ambiance, Staff, Pro Shop, Layout, No Houses on Course, Clubhouse
$76 (cart included), played on Wednesday, May 2019 at 7:00 AM
As part of the Robert Trent Jones Trail, this site is amazing. It is true golf located on the Tennessee River and sculpted out of old farmland with trees, lakes, rolling hills, and lots of land. No houses, no distractions, just pure golf. The Fighting Joe course can be long at over 8,000 yards from the back tees. I have played from there in my younger years but now at age 66 I opted for the two tees up orange tees at around 6800 yards. The course was perfectly maintained during the month of May with no flaws. Fairways are wide enough but if you go about 5 yards off expect tall grass which makes finding the ball difficult. No hole is alike and the rolling landscape makes for challenging lies. A great golf experience I would highly recommend as part of a Trail visit. Don't let the northwest location in Alabama keep you from making the drive to this site! Plus, the SchoolMaster 18 is just as good! (note: want a fun challenge - tee up from the back tee on #12 - the par 5 at 714 yards with a huge lake located in front of the green!)