RTJ Trail
Grand National Lake
Lakeside Trail golf
The Lake Course is the Grand National headliner and the one Auburn-area round that feels most like an actual destination anchor. Robert Trent Jones Sr. reportedly considered the Grand National site one of the best natural golf sites he had seen, and the Lake Course explains why. Twelve holes touch Lake Saugahatchee, but the course is more than scenery. It has scale, water pressure, and one of the better par-3 collections on the Trail.
Course gallery
2 photos
The take
The Lake Course is the Grand National headliner and the one Auburn-area round that feels most like an actual destination anchor. Robert Trent Jones Sr. reportedly considered the Grand National site one of the best natural golf sites he had seen, and the Lake Course explains why. Twelve holes touch Lake Saugahatchee, but the course is more than scenery. It has scale, water pressure, and one of the better par-3 collections on the Trail.
Best for
Groups that want this course to anchor the trip.
Watch out
Water can beat up high-handicap players
How to play it
Build the Auburn side of the trip around it.
Course intelligence
What you need to know
Strengths
- Scenic lake setting
- Strong par 3s
- Real anchor-course energy
- Good fit for first-time RTJ trips.
Watch-outs
- Water can beat up high-handicap players
- Auburn is not convenient for every flight plan
- Replay value depends on tee choice.
Signature holes
3, 8, 15, 17.
Book it right
Cost, access, and timing
Green fees
RTJ Trail rack rates vary by site and season; Trail Card rates are discounted for eligible residents and nearby locals.
Best season
Spring: Best mix of playable temperatures and turf conditions, with storm risk.
Caddies / walking
This is a cart-forward destination.
Booking move
Start with the routing corridor, then book anchor tee times, then hotels.
Weather read
Pick the right window.
Spring: Best mix of playable temperatures and turf conditions, with storm risk.
Jan
59F / 40F
Sun Mixed; rain Medium
Feb
62F / 43F
Sun Mixed; rain Medium
Mar
68F / 49F
Sun Good; rain Medium
Apr
75F / 56F
Sun Best; rain Medium
May
82F / 64F
Sun Good; rain Medium
Jun
88F / 72F
Sun Hot; rain High
User signal
Ratings, reviews, and group notes.
Google review details are not available for this course yet. Use the rating signal, official links, and our editorial notes for now.
Keep planning
What should you do next?
Use Grand National Lake as one piece of the RTJ Trail trip. Build the routing, compare the destination, or ask how it fits your group.
Keep exploring RTJ Trail
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Capitol Hill Legislator
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