Recommendations in the Houston area

[nevets88]

I'll be in Houston (Houston Galleria area), mid-March. How is the weather there at that time, generally?

Any course recommendations? Thanks.

[mn723]

Lived there for 2+ years. Weather in March should be in the 70's, but know that there always is a chance for rain in Houston and it's humid every day of the year. As far as public golf I really recommend Memorial Park, which is close to the Galleria and priced well for Houston. Bear Creek Masters course is also good, it's probs a 30min drive west from the Galleria. Southwyck is a fun links style course on the south end of town, probs an hour drive from the Galleria.

Avoid Wildcat golf course, overpriced and overhyped in my opinion.

[nevets88]

Thanks for the recommendations. Looking at Google maps, there is a ton of courses in Houston.

Turns out I'll be in Austin, so I'll use the Central Texas thread.

I'm not from Texas, but hopefully "Texas loves me anyway".

[gortyl]

you've probably already been and returned by now, but if not, gotta hit The Woodlands courses, Augusta Pines (think it had a senior stop) and Redstone (PGA Shell Houston Open). plenty more, but those are my favorites...

[g-funk13]

I am in Houston for 6 weeks, and this thread has been helpful. So far there is:
Augusta Pines
Redstone
The Woodlands?
Bear Creek Masters
Southwyck
Anyone else wanna weigh in? Gortyl and MN723, do you have any additions? I am also looking for a good grass practice area to work on my wedge game (just started reading Pelz Short Game Bible)

Your help would be greatly appreciated!

[gortyl]

Sorry, should have gave you more information on The Woodlands. It's a resort in The Woodlands, Texas, about 30 minutes north of downtown Houston. There are two courses there - The Oaks and Panther Trail. I really liked both of them. It's a bit on the pricey side if I recall, but here's a link -

http://woodlandsresort.reachlocal.net/rec_golf.html

As for other courses in the Houston area, I've played Tour 18 in Humble. It's just like the Dallas Tour 18, but significantly better conditioned in my opinion. You will really enjoy it.

Someone in this thread said they didn't enjoy Wildcat but I didn't have anything bad to say about it. It's on the south side of town and there are two courses there as well - The Lakes and The Highlands. I only played The Highlands, and had a good time.

http://www.wildcatgolfclub.com

Finally, I played Magnolia Creek which is right near Hobby. It's a links style and I also thought it was a fun course.

I didn't realize I've played this much in Houston until I was looking through my notes! Lots of good golf there....I'd probably rank them like this for my own tastes (the top two are must-plays in my opinion):

Redstone
Augusta Pines
Tour 18
Woodlands - Panther Trail
Woodlands - The Oaks
Magnolia Creek
Wildcat - Highlands

Have fun!

[mn723]

I forgot to mention Blackhorse golf club, which is approx 30-40 min west of downtown. It is a really nice upscale public place. They have two courses but it's been a couple years so I can't remember if one is better than the other. Defs worth a trip out there if you don't mind shelling out $90 for a round.

[g-funk13]

Thanks guys, I jetted out to Wildcat after work today to smack a few balls. I may play there, and I will definitely get to as many courses on the list as I can

[jrm1493]

Tour 18 is a lot of fun and in pretty good condition. You can find weekday specials on their website.

Also if you are south of town Timber Creek and Magnolia Creek are good, TC is kinda a piney woods course and Magnolia is linkish).

[AmenCorner]

I've lived in Houston for the past year, here's what I know.

1) Redstone is immaculate (but closed for 3 months due to Houston Open) Pricey at around $120 bucks, but you get a forecaddie too which is sweet.
2) Augusta Pines is immaculate. Went to hit balls the other day and check it out, it looks amazing.
3) Blackhorse is great
4) Wildcat is a little carnival to me, but good practice setup.
5) Meadowbrook Farms I'm playing on Saturday, supposed to be a great Greg Norman course.
6) Memorial Park is a great Muni, but VERY busy and overplayed in my opinion. Fairways hard as a rock. Closed Tuesdays
7) River Ridge is out West in Searcy, pretty nice. 3 nines, but a little hard right now.
8) Cypresswood: up towards airport in Humble. Tradition Course is natural and very beautiful. Nobody has mentioned this course but I absolutely loved it. Not very expensive either at $67 bucks or so. Houston Open qualifier is held here. LOVE this place.

Don't mind a little drive?

9) Waterwood is a Pete Dye course in Huntville that is supposed to be awesome.

10) High Meadow Ranch is a little bit of a hike, but supposed to be a beauty as well.

We are spoiled here in Houston

There are a ton of other solid daily fee courses you can play. Try www.myavidgolfer.com for the full skinny. They have rankings of public courses and such. That's how I found out about the courses I've played so far.

Hope this helps.

[AmenCorner]

Just wanted to add that I played Meadowbrook Farms today, well the first 7 holes at least. We were not told beforehand, but there was a tournament with 5 somes out there. We went in and took a rain check for the rest of the holes. It was pretty neat little course, but some of the surrounding areas weren't so nice to look at. Overall, I think there is more value out there for the money, but it's a nice track.

[g-funk13]

Thanks for that, Amen. I played at Wildcat 3 times, and the Lakes Course Greens are in shambles. However, the Highlands greens are nice, and I played there twice. The back nine is BRUTAL when the wind is out of the South. One thing that must be said for the Wildcat course is, with a 36 hole layout you can always get on early or late.

I am looking for another course to play 2-3 rounds at when there are work breaks. I have heard that Tour 18 is nice, and I am going to reference your list as well as others.

[AmenCorner]

Thanks for that, Amen. I played at Wildcat 3 times, and the Lakes Course Greens are in shambles. However, the Highlands greens are nice, and I played there twice. The back nine is BRUTAL when the wind is out of the South. One thing that must be said for the Wildcat course is, with a 36 hole layout you can always get on early or late.

Yeah, Wildcat is very accessible. I go out there just to practice too as the pitching area is great (behind the range). A warning about Tour 18, I haven't been there yet, but I have heard the condition is really bad right now. My dad is coming out in late April to help me move back to Florida. We are going to play 2-3 tracks before we leave, so I'm doing a bunch of research to find the best ones. Here's where I'm at right now. 1) Augusta Pines-It looks too good. 2) High Meadow Ranch-haven't been yet, but looks awesome 3) Magnolia Creek-Links Style. My neighbor has played and said it's well worth it. Course in great condition as well. 4) River Oaks-If I can get on. It's all private though. 5) Cypresswood-Tradition. I was really impressed with this place. Although the greens seemed to be in good shape, they didn't seem to roll all that great. I have to say that TPC @ Redstone would for sure be my first choice, but they are closed to resod after the Houston Open. Too bad. That place is mint. Let's keep the thread alive. Lots of great golf in Houston.

[jrm1493]

Yeah, Wildcat is very accessible. I go out there just to practice too as the pitching area is great (behind the range).

I just played Magnolia Creek yesterday and it is in great condition, its a very unique course that we don't usually see on this continent, you won't believe you are in southeast Texas. Twilight walking is only $35, and I think its a course best walked because of the unique design (you wouldn't be riding in the British Isles at a course like that). I played tour 18 about a month ago and it was in good condition, but not great. I think they have a problem with slow play because we must have been told by about 5 different employees about how to keep up the pace (this was before the round, not during). They even tell you at what time you should be on each hole. We finished in a little over 4 hours and didn't really have to wait but it was like a tuesday morning or something.

[AmenCorner]

I just played Magnolia Creek yesterday and it is in great condition, its a very unique course that we don't usually see on this continent, you won't believe you are in southeast Texas. Twilight walking is only $35, and I think its a course best walked because of the unique design (you wouldn't be riding in the British Isles at a course like that). I played tour 18 about a month ago and it was in good condition, but not great. I think they have a problem with slow play because we must have been told by about 5 different employees about how to keep up the pace (this was before the round, not during). They even tell you at what time you should be on each hole. We finished in a little over 4 hours and didn't really have to wait but it was like a tuesday morning or something.

That was very helpful, thank you.

I am going to post my experience when I'm done with my trip. Pretty sure it's going to be Augusta Pines, and either Magnolia, or High Meadow Ranch.

[AmenCorner]

Update:

1) Augusta Pines: I played on Sunday. Very pretty track but they were reseeding the boxes which were in terrible condition. The scenery was very nice and we even saw a bunch of deer on the 3rd tee. The price was mild at $60 a head or so which included range balls. I think when the tees grow back this place is really nice.

2) River Oaks (private): We got super lucky with a connection to get on this absolute gem. Right in the heart of the most affluent neighborhoods in the country, this Donald Ross masterpiece was in IMMACULATE shape. Rolling hills, bayou's, ponds, oak trees, this place had it all. We had a great caddie, and the whole experience was just awesome. You would not believe the estate's around this course. I mean to tell you, they probably averaged 10 million a piece, none of them less than $5 million. If you EVER get the chance to play this place, DO IT! The greens had been sanded, but they still rolled really nicely, and will be pristine again in a week.

[g-funk13]

Sadly I never got out any further than Wildcat Highlands. The greens got faster and faster as my stay went on, and I kept coming back for more. Great fun, but I never got that round in the 70's like I wanted. Also nice that they detailed the car while I played for $25 and did a great job too. And then there was the Playboy tourney day. . . nice scenery!

Looking forward to coming back to Houston to work. River Oaks sounds like a hit, and Augusta Pines ($395/month for a family membership?? if its as good as ya'll say--a GREAT deal!)

[AmenCorner]

Sadly I never got out any further than Wildcat Highlands. The greens got faster and faster as my stay went on, and I kept coming back for more. Great fun, but I never got that round in the 70's like I wanted. Also nice that they detailed the car while I played for $25 and did a great job too. And then there was the Playboy tourney day. . . nice scenery!

Cool, good for you.

For those who don't know, Wildcat was built on an old oil field. So, as you play your round, you will come up on numerous abandoned oil wells, horsehead and all, it's pretty cool. I can't stand the wind there though, it's brutal!