River Course at Hampton Cove Golf Course

Golf Course Description

This is one of the eight facilities on the Robert Trent Jones golf trail. The three eighteen hole courses are probably the less challenging of all the Robert Trent Jones Trail courses. The River Course was designed to play alongside the Flint River, which flows through reclaimed soybean fields. The river comes into play on sixteen holes. All the fairways are lined by thick forests, and many of the undulating greens are triple-tiered. The terrain is predominantly flat, but there is some mounding in the fairways. The fairways are fairly wide but many are dogleg designs which hold some hidden danger. You would do well to review the terrain ahead before taking your next shot. Ask for a tip sheet when you check in with the starter. One is available for both courses. Hole #7, a 433-yard, par 4, can be a very tough hole because water protects the front of its green. Due to the wind, which can blow against you, it may be wise to lay-up on this hole. The Highlands Course is a links-style design that is well bunkered. This course features a gently rolling landscape dominated by grassy mounds, pot bunkers, and huge greens elevated well above the fairways. Many of the greens are tiered. Even though the fairways afford generous landing areas, they also provide uneven lies. The most difficult hole is #3, a 518-yard, par 5, featuring a stream flowing down the center of the fairway and in front of the green. Another difficult hole is #9, a 511-yard, par 5, because it plays uphill all the way and features pot bunkers and mounds protecting the front of its green. The par 3 Short Course features eleven water hazards if you’re a beginner. The average hole measures more than 200 yards from the back tees. Yardage books are located in the carts. A senior discount is offered for all courses from Monday through Thursday before 9 AM. You can walk the courses, but pull carts are not allowed. While tee times are taken up to 120 days in advance through the corporate office, there is a small charge per person if you book more than seven days in advance. Fridays are subject to the weekend green fees. Special “trail passes” are sold that reduce the cost of green fees. If you have a AAA card, each of the clubs provide a fifteen percent discount from green fees and merchandise in the pro shop. For more information or tee time reservations, call (800) 949-4444.