The Shoals Golf Club - Fighting Joe Course

I have played at this course for a long time! I usually enjoy the staff but me and my husband had an awful experience last week….we invited one of our sons and his friends to come play golf with us one BEAUTIFUL Saturday. When we got there it wasn’t slam packed with people per usual which we weee excited about. Once we get up to the first tee we were told to let the people behind us go because they only had two and didn’t want to wait behind us. Then as we were playing with NOBODY behind us for a while and while we were at a good pace but behind 15 minutes because is the two in front of us… we had a Marshall tell us to pick up the pace because people behind us called and complained…. Unmmm all I hear was crickets so tell me who called behind us ….. we just said okay and played a little quicker. Then as we are on the 14th green he swing back by again …but we had seen him going to each group in front is us also beforehand. He told us again to pick up the pace people are complaing. At this rate I’m not even playing anymore because we were in such a rush…. I did not get to enjoy my day of golf being yelled at by and old cranky Marshall. Then a cart girl comes up and offers us food or beverages. I am thinking okay great I can finally relax and have something to drink so I can chill…..the cart girl HAS HER WHOLE BUTT CHEEKS OUT. She smiles at my husband and continues to chat with him about how golf is going …. Then turns towards me and gives me the RUDEST LOOK. I was so shocked because I was caught off guard. She wasn’t very friendly and said she didn’t have what it took to make what I wanted. I was fine with that and we went on with golf. As we are getting our bags off the cart this girl that works there is helping put bags in carts AGAIN another short black tiny skirt with her literal cheeks hanging out . At this point my 14 year old son and his friend are getting a whole show! Normally I would not pay any attention to this type of thing but I was very very appalled I under Wanting tips and wanting to loom cute to follow trends but I will say we will not be coming back to rtj and will gladly continue to play at cypress where you don’t have girls throwing their privates on display for the world to see…

I played the schoolmaster about one week ago on a Wednesday. The course is fantastic, very picturesque and demanding too. However, the greens were too slow. I bet they stimped around an 8. I played at Hampton Cover the day before, and the greens were much better. For me, a golf course experience all comes down to the pace and speed of the greens. These were disappointing.

Course is in good shape, tried to play with our normal foursome of all single digit handicap players. Got flagged down by the Marshall claiming our pace of play was behind schedule on the 4th hole, nevermind the fact we had to wait on a group playing the hole next to us to play out our our fairway. At this point we were followed by the Marshall never not seeing one within 10 minutes time. Another Marshall offered to flex his “power” 4 holes later and remind us of the time. At the 13th hole another worker approaches us and says “pace of play is better but the group ahead of you is 2 holes ahead….which was a threesome by the way. Never have I been harassed so much by a staff at a golf course. Despite all the stress from unnecessary distractions we managed to all shoot our normal scores. Based on the swings I saw behind us I cannot reasonably imagine the people were inconvenienced by our play. I’ll stick to literally any other facility from now on

I played The Schoolmaster Course at The Shoals. This was my first time playing the course. This course offers a variety of different holes with lots of elevation changes. I seemed as every approach shot to the greens were up hill as all the greens are elevated. Like all Robert Trent Jones courses, there are lots of bunkers and penalty areas. The course plays long due to all the elevated greens. Make sure to take one more club than you normally would hit to all of the elevated greens. The course was in fantastic condition. The fairways were lush, the greens were firm and fast with lots of slopes and undulations. The course has a great practice area with chipping area, practice bunkers, etc.

The restaurant / bar is very good, but eat outside if you can, you have a FANTASTIC view of the lake and the surrounding area. The views from the porch and terrace at the restaurant are fantastic. The entire staff was very friendly and helpful. We saw the ranger/marshal at least 4 times throughout the round which really helped keep up the pace of play. I highly recommend the The Schoolmaster Course at The Shoals. I will definitely be back to play again when I am in the area.

Walked (would probably take a cart if I played it again). Water comes into play and some course knowledge would have been beneficial on a few of the holes. Would play again if ever in the area.

I played the Schoolmaster Course at The Shoals with a friend on 11/06/20. This course offers a variety of different holes from downhill par 3’s to uphill par 4’s to downhill dogleg par 5’s. There are some elevation changes, and the fairways are generous in width, but still require an accurate shot on some holes. The course offers 5 sets of tees and plays long. You should take one more club than you normally would hit. On some holes big hitters will need to play for position, rather than “going for it”. The greens were firm and fast. One of my favorite holes on the course is #14 that has a huge hill on the left and water running down the righthand side and in front of the green. If you are lucky and hit the hill on the left, it might help the ball roll down to the fairway. There is a nice restaurant / bar area and they do serve breakfast. The entire staff was very friendly and helpful. A special thanks to the gentleman in the pro shop for getting us out early, so we could get an early jump on the drive home. Thanks again! I purchased a yardage book, which was helpful, since this was our first time playing the course. I would highly recommend playing this course.

The Schoolmaster course provided an excellent round of golf. The layout is what's most impressive. Undulation through the course, interesting greens, strategic bunkers. It's pretty as well, though only one hole (18) gives a great view of the nearby river.

The course was reasonably challenging, but fair. Conditions were very good.

Will be happy to play again.

With rain on the horizon that morning, we still decided to go and get in as much as possible. We arrived early in hopes of getting off early and we could just go...
So, with a 40 minute head start on our round, and being the only ones out there, we zipped around in less than 3 hours and after a little shopping, we left to mist and then the rain came... talk about luck.
Anyway, the course was fun... lots of elevation changes, the greens were good. With the exception of the 2nd hole on the tee box arrangements and signage, it was all good. For the women, their tee boxes were far from the cart trail and the Mrs was a little perturbed at that.
Also, you never go near the clubhouse on this course, so gratefully the cart girl was working and able to get water to drink

The views from the clubhouse are awesome. Staff were very welcoming and friendly. Schoolmaster course was in great shape. Nicest greens on our trip although they were huge. A few blind shots but course layout was still good.

Fairways in good shape. Course would be easier 2nd time around. Hit a few shots I thought were good but ended up in trouble. Greens were fast and in o.k. condition.

This place was great!! Staff was great and very accommodating. The course very well maintained.
Pace of play was excellent. Would like to see the beverage cart more often

Had a blast. Service was a little slow but understandable due to circumstsnces

It was a good day on the course. My first time on an RTJ course. Because of COVID-19, I did not get to enjoy the amenities but the clubhouse and views from the clubhouse of the Tennessee River were spectacular. The fast greens ruined my score but I will definitely be back and will continue to make my way through the RTJ Trail.

For 6 years now every fall 8 of us travel south to this RTJ golf facility for 4 days of golf. The course layout is amazing. This 36 hole “little bit of heaven “ challenges us in every way. We’ve traveled around the country playing different courses, but this is our favorite. This RTJ facility also has a Marriott within 5 miles that offers a free shuttle service and a free round of golf for each night u stay there.

As a high handicapper, Fighting Joe is very difficult. However, it forces me to play smart golf with lots of layups. Low handicappers will really enjoy the risk reward this course offers. Unfortunately, it was 95 degrees today and the course offers no shade; no trees at all except for a few limited areas. Plenty of water coolers and restrooms around the course. We played through 10, then headed for the clubhouse to cool off.
The only negative to this course is all the people not repairing ball marks. Unfortunately the greens are riddled with spots because of careless guests. They do a great job maintaining the course, the greens roll true and the fairways are cushions.
Staff was very friendly.

The pga could play here!!!
Crazy lush green grass everywhere.
Simply AMAZING.

Playing back at 7600 made this one of the best 2 under rounds ive ever played