Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail At Silver Lakes, Glencoe, AL

As golf destinations go, Gadsden, AL is well down most golfers’ lists; if it weren’t for the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, it probably wouldn’t even be on the radar. And, if the truth be told, the RTJ Trail course at Silver Lakes is what keeps golfers coming back.

I am speaking about Silver Lakes, a 36-hole facility on the outskirts of town. Surrounded by the Appalachian foothills and Lee's Lake, Silver Lakes features the most unique and aptly named courses on The Trail: Heartbreaker, Backbreaker, Mindbreaker. All 36 greens (including the short course) boast Champion ultra-dwarf putting surfaces, arguably the best on The Trail. Another trait they share is that they are all elevated; some more so than others. Silver Lakes takes you on a journey through hardwood and pine forests, wetlands, and grasslands. You’ll encounter dramatic elevation changes all while enjoying the beauty of Northeastern Alabama’s wonderful landscape. There is one thing for sure: any of the four courses will challenge you both physically and mentally.

Many golfers use the Short Course as a warm-up before heading out to play the championship courses. When I hear the words “short course,” I immediately think of conditions that are inferior to what you will find on a full-length golf course. Not so on the Short Course at Silver Lakes. It’s a collection of 9 par 3 holes of championship course caliber. You’ll find some significant elevation changes, well-manicured bunkers, and undulating Champion ultra-dwarf putting surfaces. Eight of the nine holes require a carry over water, culminating on the 9th, which plays 184 yards from the Orange Tees, and is primarily all carry.

Each course is special in its own right with memorable holes. The Heartbreaker 9 builds you up from your tee shot on the first hole right through to your last putt, but nothing is more challenging than the last three holes. Number 7 is the course’s signature hole and the first encounter with water. Your line from the very elevated tee box is the bunker on the right; that will take the ponds on the left out of play. Once your drive flies downhill and lands in the fairway – or wherever – the rest of the hole plays extremely uphill. While the landing area on your layup may seem small and complicated by the bunker on the left, you’ll have a short pitch shot into a very wide but shallow green protected by a deep bunker in front.

Number 8 is a challenging, downhill par 3 that plays 156 yards and is all carry over water. The green is large and could be a 3-club difference depending on pin placement. Deep bunkers await errant shots on either side of the green. Number 9 is a 353-yard par 4 that requires you to cross – and avoid - the water twice. This dogleg left features water all the way down the left side and in front of the green, with a wide landing area off the tee. A good drive will leave a short to mid-iron into an oddly positioned green protected with water in front and left. It’s the layout’s most difficult par 4 and the course’s #1 handicap.

Silver Lakes doesn’t offer accommodations, but the nearby Holiday Inn Express is a great place for golfers. Not only do they offer freshly appointed rooms and a hot breakfast buffet, but they are also conveniently located to both Twin Bridges Golf Club (15 minutes) and Silver Lakes (20 minutes).

Holiday Inn Express goes the extra mile with the little things, like free coffee and tea and Wi-Fi connections in every room and common area. The rooms are spacious with either 1 king or two queen beds that are extremely comfortable 50" TVs, Keurig coffeemakers, and best of all, lots of outlets. The black-out shades are a nice touch and keep the room dark at night.