senator

Review – The Judge at Capitol Hill (RTJ)

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Course: The Judge at Capitol Hill – Robert Trent Jones

Website: http://www.rtjgolf.com/capitolhill/

Location: Prattville, AL., USA

Price ($-$$$): $$

Par: 72

Length: 4951, 5910, 6517, 7082, or 7813 yards

Rating: 87/100

Welcome to the jungle! This course will test even the most competent of golfers, with tees ranging from 4951 yards to 7813 yards. Yes, you read that correctly, 7813 yards from the Black Tees.

Aptly named, The Judge course at RTJ Capitol Hill is an extremely testing layout and features some of the most picturesque views of any course in the world. Starting with a 400-yard downhill par 4 (inserted image), that features water to the right, left, and long, you quickly realize the depth of the task laid ahead of you. From there, depending on the tees you play from, you encounter par 3s over 230 yards, and par 5s over 700 yards.

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Hole #1 features a severe downhill tee shot. From there, a narrow entry to a water-guarded green makes this one of the most difficult holes on the course.

As a Robert Trent Jones design, the greens are extremely large and undulating. Greens such as the 9th are so deep that they can play 50 yards difference between front and back pins. The greens are just the beginning of what makes this course so special, though. Most tee shots incorporate water down one side, and trees/deep rough down the other. Hole 17 is a particularly demanding tee shot, with a hazard-lined narrow fairway stretching 15-25 yards wide and sloping on either side.

As a complex, Capitol Hill offers fantastic facilities. There are 3 golf courses: Judge, Senator (to be reviewed), and Legislator (to be reviewed). Each of the three courses are vastly different, and they each play away from the 360-degree driving range. Surrounding the driving range, there are numerous putting, chipping and pitching areas.

PROS:

+ Unusual

+ Challenging

+ Excellent condition year-round

+ Great facilities

CONS:

– Very difficult course

– Cannot realistically walk The Judge

– Often very busy