My Golf Vacation

The RTJ Golf Trail at Highland Oaks in Dothan, Alabama is one of the premier multi-course facilities on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, offering 27 holes of championship golf surrounded by rolling terrain, wetlands, and scenic Southern landscapes. Designed by legendary architect Robert Trent Jones Sr., Highland Oaks is known for its outstanding course conditions, strategic design, and variety of play that appeals to golfers of all skill levels. The facility combines three distinct nine-hole layouts—Highlands, Marshwood, and Magnolia—each delivering its own unique challenge and personality.

The Highlands nine is the most open and forgiving of the three layouts, featuring gently rolling fairways, strategically placed lakes, and wide landing areas that encourage aggressive play off the tee. Water comes into play on several holes, most notably on the memorable par-3 sixth, where players must carry their tee shot onto a peninsula-style green surrounded by water. Although more player-friendly in appearance, Highlands still demands precise approach shots into large undulating greens that can quickly punish poor positioning.

The Marshwood nine provides a more dramatic and demanding test, weaving through wetlands and low-lying terrain with several visually intimidating holes. This layout is best known for its incredible 701-yard par-5 sixth hole, one of the longest holes anywhere on the RTJ Trail, which challenges golfers with both length and strategy. Marshwood features more forced carries, tighter landing areas, and elevation changes that require careful club selection throughout the round. The natural marsh scenery and risk-reward shot opportunities make this nine one of the most memorable at Highland Oaks.

The Magnolia nine offers the most traditional parkland-style experience on the property, lined with mature magnolia trees, pine forests, and rolling fairways that create a classic Southern golf atmosphere. One of the signature features of Magnolia is the impressive 1,000-foot wooden bridge that carries golfers across marshland and into the elevated sections of the course. This nine places a premium on accuracy and course management, with tree-lined fairways, well-protected greens, and subtle elevation changes that reward smart play over raw distance. Together, the three nines at Highland Oaks provide one of the most diverse and enjoyable golf experiences on the RTJ Golf Trail.