RTJ Trail
Grand National Short Course
18-hole par-3 course
This is not a throwaway arrival-day toy. It is an 18-hole par-3 course with lake exposure and enough teeth to make betting games interesting. Use it after travel, after lunch, or after the group has already been humbled by Lake.
Course gallery
1 photos
The take
This is not a throwaway arrival-day toy. It is an 18-hole par-3 course with lake exposure and enough teeth to make betting games interesting. Use it after travel, after lunch, or after the group has already been humbled by Lake.
Best for
Groups that want this course to anchor the trip.
Watch out
Not a substitute for a full round
How to play it
Add it if you are staying at Grand National. It is exactly the kind of extra golf that makes the Trail fun.
Course intelligence
What you need to know
Strengths
- Excellent arrival-day option
- Fast and social
- More scenic than expected
- Works for mixed-skill groups.
Watch-outs
- Not a substitute for a full round
- Wind and water can still punish
- Easy to underestimate.
Signature holes
4, 7, 12, 16.
Book it right
Cost, access, and timing
Green fees
Short-course rates vary by season; confirm direct with RTJ Trail.
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
Google review
4/5 - 2 months ago
Fourth golf course on the RTJ golf trails - Grand National.
Links Course - challenging, fun and peaceful. Greens are fast. Everything seemed easy after Ross Bridge, lol.
Short course - It is all about the short game. It was December, so it got dark very quick. I did not get
Fourth golf course on the RTJ golf trails - Grand National.
Links Course - challenging, fun and peaceful. Greens are fast. Everything seemed easy after Ross Bridge, lol.
Short course - It is all about the short game. It was December, so it got dark very quick. I did not get
Read full reviewClose review
Google review
1/5 - 2 months ago
I had a truly horrible and disappointing experience at RTJ Golf Trail at Grand National on Valentine’s Day. My husband and I had pre-booked a tee time for two, brought one set of clubs, and were prepared for a fun outing. Unfortunately, from the moment we arrived, the service was
I had a truly horrible and disappointing experience at RTJ Golf Trail at Grand National on Valentine’s Day. My husband and I had pre-booked a tee time for two, brought one set of clubs, and were prepared for a fun outing. Unfortunately, from the moment we arrived, the service was
Read full reviewClose review
Google review
5/5 - 10 months ago
Well designed course.
Links course is tuff for any handicap.
Greens have been plugged but will come good in a couple of weeks.
The staff are great.
Bar food and drink are good.
Well designed course.
Links course is tuff for any handicap.
Greens have been plugged but will come good in a couple of weeks.
The staff are great.
Bar food and drink are good.
Read full reviewClose review
Keep planning
What should you do next?
Use Grand National Short Course 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
Other courses in the same trip.
Strong play
Grand National Lake
The Lake Course is the Grand National headliner and the one Auburn-area round that feels most like an actual destination anchor.
Strong play
Grand National Links
The Links Course is not links in the Scotland sense, but do not get cute about the name.
Strong play
Ross Bridge
Ross Bridge is the luxury-facing course on the Trail and the one that looks most like a modern destination resort.
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Oxmoor Valley Ridge
Ridge is the Oxmoor course most groups should prioritize.
Strong play
Oxmoor Valley Valley
Valley is useful, playable, and long.
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Capitol Hill Judge
The Judge is the drama round at Capitol Hill, but it is not currently a normal planning piece while renovation work is underway.
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Capitol Hill Senator
Senator is the cleanest tournament-style option at Capitol Hill and often the most enjoyable for stronger groups.
Strong play
Capitol Hill Legislator
Legislator is the third wheel, but a useful third wheel.
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