Barton Creek - Need Info

[JMG_02]

Have a buddy that just moved to Georgetown not too long ago. I live in Northern Texas, and so we're looking to play some courses around March. I've heard so much about Barton Creek, but man....talk about pricey? The resort rate booked greater than 90 days out is $250 a round?! Even booked within 90 days its $200.

 

Is that right? Is it worth it?

 

And do you have to stay onsite in the Omni in order to play it?

 

I also think we'll hit up WolfDancer, and maybe skip down around the San Antonio area and play the Bandit and maybe TPC.

 

Other ideas are welcome of course!

[snpcrk121]

I have played two of the courses at Barton, Fazio Canyons and Fazio Foothills. Neither were very much fun. Canyons had some nice views but it is a hard golf course if you've got it going sideways off the tee. Foothills is a bit more forgiving, but still nothing great. If I had paid >$200 to play there I would have been pretty disappointed.

[JMG_02]

That's kind of what I was thinking. The only time I think I'll pay $200 plus for a round is going to be at a "bucket list" type of course, i.e. Pebble Beach, Torrey Pines, Whistling Straits, etc etc. I don't doubt Barton Creek is fantastic, but not for that kind of price. I was hoping I was misunderstanding something. I can't believe people around Austin regularly pay $200+ for one round of golf.

 

I played The Bandit last year (which I thought was a fantastic course) I think for maybe $50.

[Bump10]

I am going in March and was just about to post the same topic. I am more than likely playing the Crenshaw and the Canyons.

[snagy2000]

Spring Break is in March...Most Texas resorts charge premium during that time...

[txeconomist]

I played the Fazio Canyons and the Crenshaw course a year or two ago and think the prices were similar to what you are saying (at least for the Fazio courses). I thought the Canyons was an awesome course and IMO worth the money. I do think that you have to stay at the resort as well. Wolfdancer is a good option too and I think its probably more like $100 and you dont have to stay at the resort...

[Morety]

For those prices, I'd play Wolfdancer or the Crenshaw course at Barton Creek. I've played them all and don't think the Fazio courses are worth twice as much as the Crenshaw course. But if you're already not staying at the Omni or on that side of Austin, there are probably better options for you. Wolfdancer is a more dramatic course to me.

[txeconomist]

I didnt think that the Crenshaw course was anything special. If you are going to fork over the money to stay and play there you have to spring for one of the Fazios in my opinion.

[JMG_02]

Thanks for the input. I think we are going to hit Wolfdancer, then head down to SA and try La Cantera and then perhaps TPC San Antonio. Just realized about the Mastercard priceless program, so we can get on there at $159 (vs $229)

[J_Birdie]

Thanks for the input. I think we are going to hit Wolfdancer, then head down to SA and try La Cantera and then perhaps TPC San Antonio. Just realized about the Mastercard priceless program, so we can get on there at $159 (vs $229)

 

Palmer La Cantera course is hard and beautiful, the Resort course is more relaxed and still beautiful. The TPC Oaks course is the hardest course in Texas I have played and the Canyons is more laid back and scenic. If you want a real treat in San Antonio golf, go play The Quarry.

[C. Spackler]

Thanks for the input. I think we are going to hit Wolfdancer, then head down to SA and try La Cantera and then perhaps TPC San Antonio. Just realized about the Mastercard priceless program, so we can get on there at $159 (vs $229)

 

Palmer La Cantera course is hard and beautiful, the Resort course is more relaxed and still beautiful. The TPC Oaks course is the hardest course in Texas I have played and the Canyons is more laid back and scenic. If you want a real treat in San Antonio golf, go play The Quarry.

 

Agree on all fronts.....especially The Quarry but if you're going in the heat of summer make sure to be well hydrated. It gets hot as balls in "the pit."

[jsanatx]

Save your money and try Falconhead in Lakeway or Avery Ranch in North Austin. Both are very nice courses and won't cost you an arm and a leg. I'm not too fond of Wolfdancer, I think for the price, you could find a nicer course to play.

[Roadking2003]

Have a buddy that just moved to Georgetown not too long ago. I live in Northern Texas, and so we're looking to play some courses around March. I've heard so much about Barton Creek, but man....talk about pricey? The resort rate booked greater than 90 days out is $250 a round?! Even booked within 90 days its $200.

 

Is that right? Is it worth it?

 

And do you have to stay onsite in the Omni in order to play it?

 

I also think we'll hit up WolfDancer, and maybe skip down around the San Antonio area and play the Bandit and maybe TPC.

 

Other ideas are welcome of course!

 

So, where did you play? I play BC weekly and am interested in your feedback. We've had some bad course conditions over the past year but the courses are looking much better now.

[JMG_02]

We declined on Barton Creek and went down to San Antonio. We played The Bandit, La Cantera (both courses), and TPC San Antonio (both courses). The Bandit is awesome bang for your buck. La Cantera was breathtakingly beautiful, especially the Palmer Course and TPC San Antonio was incredible. We played it 2 and a half weeks before the Texas Open, so it was already in tournament condition.

[Hou_Hater]

Played Barton Creek (foothills) 2 weeks ago for $200 for a 1pm tee time on a weekday (was staying at the resort). Not worth the money. Maybe $100 but even that'd be pushing it.

[blev2]

I played foothills and canyons this week and really enjoyed both. Are they overpriced? Yes, but they are great tracks at an amazing resort so what do you expect?

 

I will say if you can't swing it I wouldn't bother on them right now. Tee shots are tough and and the crap is all crazy thick. If you get wayward off the tee it will be a long day.

[Roadking2003]

I played foothills and canyons this week and really enjoyed both. Are they overpriced? Yes, but they are great tracks at an amazing resort so what do you expect?

 

I will say if you can't swing it I wouldn't bother on them right now. Tee shots are tough and and the crap is all crazy thick. If you get wayward off the tee it will be a long day.

 

What do you think they need to do better? Conditioning? I think the layouts are two of the best in TX. But conditioning has been an issue.

[blev2]

I played foothills and canyons this week and really enjoyed both. Are they overpriced? Yes, but they are great tracks at an amazing resort so what do you expect?

 

I will say if you can't swing it I wouldn't bother on them right now. Tee shots are tough and and the crap is all crazy thick. If you get wayward off the tee it will be a long day.

 

What do you think they need to do better? Conditioning? I think the layouts are two of the best in TX. But conditioning has been an issue.

 

Sorry I'm just now seeing this... To be honest the conditions were great. Greens on canyons were some of the best old school Bermuda I've played. Foothills had a few more bare spots but all in all they were both in great shape.

[blev2]

With that being said, and this is unrealistic, it would be a huge benefit of they did more clearing in the native areas. My buddy got wayward off the tee on a lot of holes on canyons and we spent a lot of time looking for balls to no avail. Real thick and unplayable.

[Roadking2003]

Yes, that may be why the Slope ratings are so high. One bad tee shot and you are looking at double bogey or worse.

[Roadking2003]

With that being said, and this is unrealistic, it would be a huge benefit of they did more clearing in the native areas. My buddy got wayward off the tee on a lot of holes on canyons and we spent a lot of time looking for balls to no avail. Real thick and unplayable.

 

You will get your wish. BC just started clearing a few thousand trees and the undergrowth on each course. They also plan to close Foothills for four months beginning in May to replace the irrigation system, tee boxes, and sand traps.

 

 

It will be interesting to see what they look like in a month or so without the trees and brush, and later this year to see how the courses have improved.

[blev2]

wow... thats great!

[jeffreyl]

My son lives in Austin and I had our Pro call and try to get me and a friend on. Barton Creek would not even call back, found that very interesting as they have helped me with other courses, with no issues.

[md1m]

I'm supposed to play there with some friends next weekend so can give a report. Playing TPC Oaks (home of Valero Open PGA event) on Friday and then Barton Creek on Saturday, so will be interesting to see how the conditions stack up against each other. Not staying at either resort and not paying anywhere near the prices you're mentioning, but I live in the area.

[Roadking2003]

I hope you are not playing Foothills. The greens are almost dead.

[J_Birdie]

TPC Oaks is in the best condition I have ever seen a course be in my entire life right now. I'm hoping to play there this week again before the VTO

[jsanatx]

TPC Oaks is a fantastic looking course, never played it, but I've caddied in the VTO Pro Am for the last 3 years and its a blast. Can;t beat being inside the ropes and walking with the pros. Get to see first hand how they read the greens and how they play their shots. Looking forward to this year !!

[Justin.B]

Best courses I'd recommend. Vaaler Creek, TPC oaks, Bandit, Cantera, Fazio.

[JMG_02]

We played TPC Oaks this time last year and it was possibly the best conditioned course I have played. It was awesome.

[Roadking2003]

Update on Barton Creek;

 

The Fazio Foothills course is closed for the rest of the year. They are rebuilding all tee boxes, all bunkers, resodding greens and fringes. Also replacing the irrigation system and correcting drainage issues.

 

The other three courses are in excellent condition except for bunkers at Canyons which will be rebuilt next year.