Pair of Scottish golfers visiting Texas

[jsanatx]

In case you need a little more incentive

[just plain bill]

Ay, caramba! Is it typical texas bbq, or does it have a mexican flare?

[jsanatx]

Typical Texas BBQ, the Tex Mex comes in on the other items, great tacos. If you're daring enough,try the Real Deal Holifield sandwich, mmm

[just plain bill]

may hit it right after work, if i dont hit some practice...

[TheInfidel]

As a fellow Scottish resident who's visited Texas before, you need to go here - http://saltlickbbq.com/

 

You will regret it for a lifetime if you don't. Make the time, take the drive, eat your hearts out.

 

Oh and enjoy the golf.

[bmoores]

I suggest playing River Ridge in Sealy. It is about an hour west of Houston right off I-10. You could play it on your way in/out of Houston. 27 Holes, and out in the country by the Brazos River....I played out there yesterday and the course was in great shape. Pace of play is always excellent as well. It is one of the best deals around IMO and I have played a lot of the quality courses in the Houston/S.A./Austin triangle.

 

I'd agree that River Ridge is a great choice.

 

Thanks for the memorial park - not far from where I am staying... Will play there the Sunday...

 

Keep options coming... Going to try book some up on Sunday night whilst watching the masters...

 

As the poster below says I wouldn't sweat getting on to memorial. It may not be worth your time.

 

IMO,

 

I would skip memorial park. It's popular cause it's centrally located in houston and conditions are always decent but as a track, not really anything special. All the good course are out in suburbs of houston. Since your coming from out of the country', I would venture out in the suburbs to play the really good tracks. As mentioned before, here's the list I would do. No particular order.

 

Black horse

High meadow ranch

Cypresswood tradition

Woodforest

River ridge

Cypress lakes

Eagle point (cheapest one but a great course)

And if the condition is anywhere still like the sho, then golf club of houston. However, most of the year, they let the course get pretty rough.

 

 

Woodforest and Eagle Pointe are great suggestions. Eagle Pointe is an incredible value for money albeit not in Houston proper. Golf Club of Houston would be worth the trek if you don't mind the green fee.

 

As an alternative, if you'd like to play at my club I'd be happy to get you both on either this afternoon, tomorrow, or Sunday. I'll PM you my contact info now and feel free to reach out. Its in reasonably good shape right now with the exception of a few greens which have been infected.

[just plain bill]

got the holyfield....pulled pork...awesome! not sure its $6.50 awesome, but it was delicious...lol

[Mikolar]

I might be able to help in the HSBay area. Let me know if your schedule is set.

 

I might be able to help in the HSBay area. Let me know if your schedule is set.

[b_smith07]

Just played High Meadow Ranch this weekend and can attest that its a very enjoyable track, good mix of holes and not expensive. Greens were a tad slow but they were very true.

 

Cypresswood Tradition is another good track, haven't played there in years but I liked it the few times I played it.

 

If you can get reciprocated through your pro (and considering you're at a high level club its likely), try getting on Lochinvar GC. Never been, but always heard if you got the chance to do it because its so exclusive. Another good private suggestion that always seems to be in good shape is Champions but you'll need your pro to call over or need a member invite.

 

In the Hill Country (Austin/San Antonio) I haven't played the Barton Creek courses but heard they were good. Horseshoe Bay in Marble Falls has two awesome tracks that will kick your a** from the tips and still give you a good test from the members tees in Apple Rock and Ram Rock...Apple is probably more scenic with LOTS of elevation change.

 

Vaaler Creek in Blanco is hands down one of the most underrated course in Texas, in my opinion. Great track with good conditioning for cheap. It can be hard, but its also pretty fair.

 

The Quarry I'd skip, its neat on the back 9 but the front 9 is a snoozer.

 

The TPC San Antonio courses (especially Oaks) are a good test and pretty scenic as well. Oaks course beat me up pretty bad.

 

I also think River Crossing in Bulverde is a pretty good track for a budget round, very similar to Vaaler Creek with some really cool holes through the hills.

[jsanatx]

Agree with the assessment of Vaaler Creek, great course and very underrated.

I'll have a chance to walk TPC the Oaks again this year while caddying during the Pro Am Wed (04/20). Beautiful course and a great experience.

[J_Birdie]

Vaaler Creek is the best kept secret ever. Almost no one knows of it but that course is so good. So good.

[RSinSG]

"Pair of Scottish golfers visiting Texas"

 

I thought this was the start of a joke - you know, like "Two guys walk in a bar..."

[just plain bill]

Vaaler Creek is the best kept secret ever. Almost no one knows of it but that course is so good. So good.

gonna hit vaaler this summer!

[scott_Donald]

well the golfing part of the trip is over.... one day left so no idea yet what we are doing but i need a break from golf since i have been so bad for the last 27 holes...

 

Friday - Cypress Wood Tradition - awesome course... nice greens and good layout, would go back

Sunday - Memorial Park - nice layout but the greens sucked and i got soacked, would only go back with GF as she is a learning golfer and will play there in the summer

Monday - Flooded in

Tuesday - Tour 18 - was supposed to play golf club of Houston and it was closed so headed to Tour 18, fun course, good greens and would go back

Wednesday - Falconhead - love the long layout, fun course but played it for the 5th time, will be back in the summer

Thursday - Austin Country Club - played with 2 members and this is the real deal, awesome varying layout and very tight, fast smooth greens, will certainly try and go back

Friday - Lochinvar - Wow what a place, great course and can see why its so exclusive, would love to go back

 

Overall great trip, i lost my swing and timing, was hitting the ball all over the place and short the last 27 holes but oh well lots to improve on. Texas golf is wide open except Austin CC, never hit my driver as much as i did this trip, greens are mostly good and fast. I will be back for 5/6 weeks in the summer so will take clubs and hopefully golf once or twice a week.

 

Thanks guys for advice, really appreciated.

[just plain bill]

we'll have to play lions!

[schwollo]

Awesome trip. I just saw this thread and was going to say pass on Memorial. Sorry!

Falconhead is my favorite behind Barton Creek Canyons . How'd you get on Austin CC? I need to get out there.

Another course nobody talks about is Twin Creeks. I think it is a harder version of Falconhead . Private but you can get on.

[scott_Donald]

we'll have to play lions!

 

i will play there in the summer...

 

Awesome trip. I just saw this thread and was going to say pass on Memorial. Sorry!

Falconhead is my favorite behind Barton Creek Canyons . How'd you get on Austin CC? I need to get out there.

Another course nobody talks about is Twin Creeks. I think it is a harder version of Falconhead . Private but you can get on.

 

haha Memorial was fun... up there this evening hitting balls and putting - very slow compared to Lochinvar and ACC...

 

Friend coaches the Blacks rugby and one of his players best friend is a member... so we had a great day there after the lightening delay... great course...

 

I love Falconhead could happily play there most days...

 

Funny heading back to cold Scotland tomorrow... Links golf at Royal Aberdeen is going to be very different...

[mctrees02]

you can also look into playing Onion Creek, its a CC, but I think you can get in. Also, for BBQ try Valentina's in SW Austin, yummy, Franklin's is so overrated and not worth the wait, IMHO

anybody who calls the best BBQ in the world overrated must know of some serious, top secret place undiscovered by the rest of us.

 

Valentina's has a good day here and there, but most days their meat is dry and they have no clue how to properly trim a brisket as evidenced by their wide variances in amounts of rendered fat across the meat. For further proof, go through the photos on Yelp and you'll see a lot of unappealing brisket.

 

If you want a shorter line, go to La Barbecue, Freedman's John Mueller or Louie Mueller's.

[schwollo]

we'll have to play lions!

 

i will play there in the summer...

 

Awesome trip. I just saw this thread and was going to say pass on Memorial. Sorry!

Falconhead is my favorite behind Barton Creek Canyons . How'd you get on Austin CC? I need to get out there.

Another course nobody talks about is Twin Creeks. I think it is a harder version of Falconhead . Private but you can get on.

 

haha Memorial was fun... up there this evening hitting balls and putting - very slow compared to Lochinvar and ACC...

 

Friend coaches the Blacks rugby and one of his players best friend is a member... so we had a great day there after the lightening delay... great course...

 

I love Falconhead could happily play there most days...

 

Funny heading back to cold Scotland tomorrow... Links golf at Royal Aberdeen is going to be very different...

Awesome hope you enjoyed your time here

[schwollo]

you can also look into playing Onion Creek, its a CC, but I think you can get in. Also, for BBQ try Valentina's in SW Austin, yummy, Franklin's is so overrated and not worth the wait, IMHO

anybody who calls the best BBQ in the world overrated must know of some serious, top secret place undiscovered by the rest of us.

 

Valentina's has a good day here and there, but most days their meat is dry and they have no clue how to properly trim a brisket as evidenced by their wide variances in amounts of rendered fat across the meat. For further proof, go through the photos on Yelp and you'll see a lot of unappealing brisket.

 

If you want a shorter line, go to La Barbecue, Freedman's John Mueller or Louie Mueller's.

Wouldn't call franklins overrated either but wouldn't wait 3 hrs in line when I could be playing golf instead lol

Lots of great bbq in atx.

[just plain bill]

xlnt bbq all over central texas! willie's bbq near mo willy golf is great...a brisket sandwich for the ride home is a great experience...southside mkt has the best potato salad. period. salt lick is stunning bbq, and their tater salad is awesome as well...

[J_Birdie]

Salt lick cobbler mmmmm

[just plain bill]

i dont eat desserts,but salt lick has it goin' on! :)

[Txwedge]

Back in the 80's I remember a food truck bbq place called Smokey J's at the corner of 2222/360 that was out of this world!

[just plain bill]

wasnt here then, but in phoenix the trucks had the best food!

[DCalvin3]

Ha, Smokey J's! I can't tell you how many breakfast taco runs I went on there when I worked at RiverPlace in high school. Good stuff!