The clubs were in the garage. Like most golf bags in Midwest, they had been hibernating for the winter. A thin layer of dust powdered the club covers, the shafts as cold as icicles. But it was almost time for the slumber to end, as my brother, our buddies and I were planning our summer golf trip. This year, we settled on the Robert Trent Jones Trail in Alabama. Funny enough, we were exactly who the visionaries wanted to come.

In the late 1980s Dr. David Bronner envisioned a multiple-facility golf trail. Its aim: to attract golfers from up north, and give them reason to head into the heart of Dixie as opposed to Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida. Frankly, there is no competing with the size and breadth of this place, an epic golf haven created in Bear Bryant’s backyard. There are an astounding 468 holes spread across 26 courses at 11 distinct sites. Five of the destinations have three or more courses, packaged in all shapes and sizes: championship-length par 72s butt up against nine-hole playgrounds where the longest hole is 195 yards. Courses are as close as 80 miles and as far apart as 380 miles. Thankfully, the RTJ Trail website acts as both tour guide and concierge: it denotes seasonal temperatures of the four main cities (Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery and Mobile), mileage charts, and local resort recommendations.

The late Robert Trent Jones, Sr. was initially perplexed by the idea, but took on the project and eventually called it a “masterpiece.” The pundits seem to agree. The New York Times stated it was “some of the best public golf on earth.” Golf Digest named it one of the top 50 golf destinations in the world. As a direct result of the RTJ Trail, golf in Alabama has raked in $7.5 billion, making it the state’s largest industry. But it’s not because they’re overcharging: summer green fees range from a modest $45 to $125.

Ten years ago I made the journey to play the southern end of the RTJ Trail in Mobile, Greenville, and Auburn/Opelika. I always said I would come back to play the other courses. What I didn’t know was that this trip would remind me why I play this game, and who I enjoy playing it with. Perhaps that sentiment was hibernating in the basement as well.

My playing crew consisted of five guys in their late 30s and mid 40s; Chicagoans and Michiganites, life-long friends and siblings. We were all decent athletes in our day. My brother Jack and his classmates Scott, Michael, and Joey excelled in football and basketball. They have been together since elementary school, and are constantly reveling in their glory days. The final member of our group, John, made the trip with me here a decade ago. John and I played on the high school golf team (we finished sixth at the Michigan state high school tournament in the mid 80s).

Our tour started on the Short Course at Oxmoor Valley in Birmingham. Unfortunately a torrential downpour greeted us. We were skeptical of even playing that day. Sitting in the clubhouse, we waited the rain out until the staff gave word that we could begin play. While there are two full-size courses at Oxmoor Valley — the Ridge and the Valley — playing the par-3 course worked out for the best as we were all a little rusty. Two off the first tee was the rule, and even then we found it impossible to hit the green. Having come from some of the Midwest’s chillier nooks, we hadn’t swung a club in quite some time; for some of us it had been months. From the white tees, the holes ranged from 122 to 195 yards. But there were rolling, tiered greens that had us playing a lot of different shots. A few of us in the group had the chance to enjoy the scenic Alabama countryside, as we walked through the woods looking for our Pro V1s.

After playing the Short Course we stopped for local fare at one of Birmingham’s finest eating establishments: Lloyd’s. Known for their famous southern fried chicken, chopped steak with gravy and onion rings, it’s the type of place that sells defibrillators in the gift shop. After a roll of antacids, we traveled two and a half hours south to Grand National. We stayed on Auburn University’s campus, just north of the football stadium. Each suite was decked out in Tigers sports memorabilia. I wouldn’t recommend taking the better half here. There’s a little too much orange and blue carpeting to set the mood.

Day Two brought fewer clouds, minimal rain, and 36 challenging holes. With a 7:54 a.m. tee time, we started on the Lake Course, which stretches to 7,149 from the tips. Since we were sore from the previous day and still rusty from our winter sabbatical, we all agreed the white tees were challenging enough. The Lake Course has an abundance of water (hence the name). The course rewards those who keep it in play. We, however, tended to errantly miss the mark, and carded our fair share of bogeys, doubles, and snowmen. We managed a few pars and birdies, but for the most part were using both hands (and feet) to count shots.

The use of a golf cart is a must on the RTJ Trail. From the elevated greens to the wooded paths between holes, it can be quite a haul. If you choose to walk the courses, you may want to opt for a Sherpa instead of a caddie.

The holes have plenty of length too. The Lake has four par 5s, including the leggy 557-yard seventh hole. But with copious amounts of water and tight fairways throughout, even the par 3s spell trouble. The 361-yard second hole is extremely tight. With a fairway landing area no wider than your front porch, you must hit a straight shot off the tee. The lake on the left and waste area on the right both come into play. My philosophy is that you don’t travel over 700 miles to lay up. So after hitting my drive into the lake, it was three from the drop area. But I managed to battle the wind and place my third shot on the green. After a long putt and a gimmie, I was happy to make bogey.

Perhaps most memorable on the Lake Course was the island green par-3 15th. Maybe that’s because John made the shot of the day, a sweet eight-iron that left the ball within two feet of the cup. He made his birdie putt and collected a couple of skins while the rest of us played “dueling sand traps” with our wedges.

After 18, we sat down to eat lunch in the clubhouse. There was a good selection of appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, and drinks to choose from. We dove into buffalo chicken sandwiches and updated ourselves on the Cubs score.

That afternoon, we played the Links Course, a 7,311-yard par-72 (6,000-plus yards from the whites). In addition to our swings, another challenge we faced was slow play due to the previous day’s rain and “cart path only” rule. While the sun was setting, I found myself having a greeting card moment, enjoying the onset of dusk and soaking up the camaraderie. While sitting in the cart with my brother on the back nine, we reminisced about our days on the home course in Michigan: all of the bickering we did, the endless matches of who can outdo who on the next shot. Before we knew it the sun has sunk below the horizon, making it impossible for us to play the signature 18th.

Our final day brought us to Prattville’s Capitol Hill, home to the appropriately named Senator, Legislator and Judge courses. We saved the best stop for last. The three courses were picture perfect on that sunny Alabama morning. Naturally the Judge is the most demanding: at nearly 7,800, and featuring the beastly 675-yard seventh, you’d have better luck arguing a court case with Cliff’s Notes. But The Judge isn’t the longest course on the Trail. That honor goes to Fighting Joe at The Shoals, which weighs in at 8,092 yards.

Due to our afternoon departure in Birmingham, time allowed for only thirteen holes on the Legislator. At just over 6,300 yards from the whites, we were treated to one of the best courses in the southeast. The premier holes on this course are the 350-yard 10th and the 148-yard 11th, which are nestled into a cypress swamp and connected by a bridge.

After the round we rushed to the airport. There we stood at the security checkpoint, a long line of bare feet and black socks behind us. In an hour or so we would all be on different planes to different places in the Midwest. But I realized we were lucky to take this trip and experience this place together. Life is good today. And that’s all your really have. Today.

For more information about the Robert Trent Jones Trail or to book a customized golf package, please visit www.rtjgolf.com.