Alabama was NOT on my golf bucket list… but maybe it should have been.
If you had told me a year ago that I’d spend eight days golfing in North Alabama and leave with my entire perspective shifted, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. Let’s be real—Alabama doesn’t have the best reputation for people who look like me. But this trip? It surprised me in the best ways.
I landed in Huntsville, and from the jump, the Southern hospitality was real. People were kind in a way that didn’t feel forced—it felt genuine. My main golf stops were on the Robert Trent Jones (RTJ) Golf Trail, a collection of courses owned by Alabama’s teachers’ retirement system. As the daughter, granddaughter, and niece of educators, that little fact alone made me smile.
First stop: Hampton Cove Short Course. The course was great, but what really stuck with me was the staff. They treated me like family—offering discounts, sharing local tips, and just making me feel welcome. That set the tone for the whole trip.
I grabbed a meal at a local, family-owned restaurant, and again, the service blew me away. Every customer was treated like a regular, and the food? Chef’s kiss.
Then came Goose Pond Colony Resort. Imagine teeing off with a view where mountains meet the lake. I had to pause mid-round just to take it all in. And then there was Scottsboro, home to the famous Unclaimed Baggage Center—basically a thrift store for lost luggage. It was oddly poetic… kind of like travel itself. The best experiences are the ones you don’t expect.
Of course, I had to check out the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville. Standing next to those massive rockets, I couldn’t help but think about how both golf and space exploration require vision, precision, and a whole lot of patience.
Then came one of the most powerful parts of my trip: the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Muscle Shoals. This tiny building holds so much history. Hundreds of albums were recorded there, and some of the greatest artists—many of them Black—helped shape the sound of American music in that very space. It reminded me how often Black stories are hidden in plain sight… even in golf.
I played Hampton Cove, Ross Bridge, and The Shoals—all part of the RTJ Trail. Each one felt different, like a unique song in a well-curated playlist. The design, the elevation changes, the challenge, it was everything I love about the game. And with over 500,000 rounds played annually on the Trail, I get why golfers keep coming back.
But beyond the courses, it was the people that made this trip what it was. Like Kurt, a superintendent who chatted with me about his wife’s vegan cooking. We swapped recipe ideas, and in that moment, it hit me again—golf isn’t just about the game. It’s about connection.
As a Black woman in golf, every trip I take is more than just a vacation. I share my experiences to show that golf is for everyone. Catch me on IG at @Megthegolfer if you love golf, travel, and a little mindfulness along the way. It’s about representation. It’s about visibility. It’s about showing that we belong in these spaces. And it’s about supporting the brands that represent us. I was proud to be rocking Fairway Golf Culture and SwingChic Golf apparel (both female-owned!).
I won’t lie—North Alabama wasn’t on my radar before this trip. But it is now. This place is more than just golf courses—it’s culture, history, innovation, and some of the most down-to-earth hospitality I’ve ever experienced. If you’re a golfer, if you love to travel, if you’re just looking for something different—don’t sleep on Alabama.
I came here expecting to play golf. I left with so much more.
