The RTJ Trail Silver Lakes location has 27 holes organized in three 9-hole courses plus a short course. Over two days, April 23 and 26, 2023, I was able to play all three. The courses at Silver Lakes has the best-named golf courses. The courses are named Heartbreaker, Mindbreaker, and Backbreaker. These are beautiful layouts of challenging golf courses. Any mediocre shot will frustrate you by rolling off the green or fairway, so the names are appropriate.
The course is carved out in rolling hills surrounded by trees. The course is pretty open and has wide fairways, but plenty of sand traps and several holes require hitting over water to the greens. It is the greens that are most challenging at the Silver Lake courses. The greens are very large and easy to land green. But hard to stay on the green. Most greens are elevated, often with blind shots to the green or only the top of the flag. The greens are relatively fast but with very steep sides, and you can find yourself with a mishit rolling back to you. Keeping the ball in play makes an enjoyable round, but you can expect to get high scores on a couple of holes when you get in trouble, the typical risk-and-reward scenario. Southern hospitality is on display in the welcoming atmosphere of the course. The course was in very good condition, and the greens were excellent. I did not play the short course, but it appears to be an excellent way for those who walk in a shorter course environment. The main courses are not easily walkable, with long distances between some holes and significant hills. SilverLakes was my favorite of the three RTJ sites I played.
