Short at RTJ Golf Trail at Hampton Cove

The Short Course at RTJ Golf Trail at Hampton Cove is one of three layouts at this facility in the northern Alabama foothills, part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail network developed in the 1990s. Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed this course as a more accessible complement to the property's two championship courses, the Highlands and River layouts. The Trail was conceived as an economic development initiative to attract golf tourism to Alabama, and Hampton Cove sits near Huntsville in a landscape of rolling terrain with views toward the Appalachian ridges.

The Short Course plays to a modest yardage with par-3 holes that showcase Jones's characteristic design elements in condensed form: elevated greens with pronounced contouring, strategic bunkering, and water hazards that require accurate shot-making. The routing takes advantage of the property's natural elevation changes, offering variety in both distance and shot requirements across the holes. While less demanding in length than traditional championship courses, the layout maintains Jones's philosophy of risk-reward options and visual drama.

Hampton Cove operates as a public facility within the Trail system, making it accessible to visiting golfers exploring Alabama's golf offerings. The Short Course serves both as a practice venue for players tackling the longer courses and as a standalone round for those seeking a quicker or less physically demanding experience. The clubhouse serves all three courses and provides typical Trail amenities in a setting that reflects the region's wooded, hilly character.