Bluejack National - Trip Report May 2021

[Lefty_89]

A good buddy of mine was able to get us on at BJN this past Saturday and I wanted to share some of the (many) highlights with y'all. Tiger Woods' first course design in the US - opened in 2016, about an hour north of Houston; private, exclusive, gated community.

 

We arrived on property at the Bluejack National entrance that resembled Jurassic Park and took the 1/2 mile drive through the community to the course parking lot. Showed up at 11am for our 1pm tee time, allowing extra and necessary time at the pro shop. We were greeted immediately by the staff who brought a cart up to our car and guided us to check-in. I had read reviews that the experience is so incredible because of the level of service and attention - I could not say enough good things about how we were treated during our visit. It had felt like we were members and not out of place, similar to Bandon and Pinehurst. We grabbed the cart and took a short drive up to the pro shop that sits next to the range, short game area, and adjacent to the 18-hole "Little Jack" putting course. The pro shop was insane - to keep the details to a minimum, I walked away with driver and putter headcovers, a hat, tshirt for my wife, and 18 x 24 print of hole #12. The great thing about BJN is that you don't have to carry your wallet on you everywhere, they gave us a "card number" prior to arriving that we could reference for any purchases - a running tab, if you will, similar to other resorts.

 

We hit the awesome range and short game area, then linked up with our caddie (guests not accompanied by a member have to take a caddie). My buddy and I have very comparable games so we elected for one caddie, double bag (rates are $60 per person for a double bag; we tipped heavy each extra because it was a warm day and our caddie was great). Another fantastic thing about BJN was that even though it was a Saturday afternoon, the tee sheet was wide open. We weren't waiting on any teeboxes and actually let a couple of groups of members in carts play through. The starter let us go off about 20 minutes early and we were fired up to start.

 

Arriving at the first tee, BJN has a couple of mandatory traditions...First, they have a hole and pin at the back edge of each teebox; each golfer drops a ball at the front of the box and putts to the pin with their driver. Whoever is closest has the honors. Second, if you're a guest, the starter will vocally announce you before you tee off "now on the number one tee box, making his Bluejack National debut, playing out of Houston, TX, Mr. ___ ________!" it's gimmicky but very fun. A nice touch that gets some laughs and the butterflies going.

 

The first hole is a perfect indicator of what type of course you're about to play - a downhill, dogleg left par 4 that winds around a lake with an epic view from the tee. I'll admit I took a breakfast ball (which is also apparently tradition at BJN) after my first found the water and then I striped my second to leave myself 70 yards in. Up and on for a two putt par. My buddy and I have both been to Bandon and Pinehurst and argued that probably only Sheep Ranch #1 is a better opener than 1 at BJN.

 

Consistent with the entire rest of the course, the fairways are like carpet (Zeon and L1F Zoysia) and the greens were rolling true and quick (TifEagle Bermuda). The Tiger Tees tip out close to 7600 yards and we played the Acorns, which were closer to 6700. The rough is almost non-existent, with plenty of room off the tee unless you stray too far offline and find the trees. Not too many water hazards either, with the exception of 1, 7, and 12. I carded a 79 with four birds and my buddy an 81, both agreeing that the course is very gettable if your short game is on that day.

 

BJN considers all 18 holes to be signatures and I could not agree more - there is not one hole that stood out in a "bad way" and it was very tough to pick a favorite. This course is certainly the closest that I will ever get to playing Augusta. Stretches make you feel like you're at Amen Corner, most notably on #12 the par 3 that rivals #12 at ANGC. BJN is probably the purest course I have ever had the opportunity to play, while being incredibly fun and demanding. For the sake of time and typing, I will share pictures and let them do the talking for me.

 

After wrapping up our round, we took a shuttle cart ride up to "The Fort", a spot near the community waterpark and mini baseball field, for dinner. Inside you will find ping pong tables, Golden Tee, foosball, arcade games, and a small bowling alley. We grabbed something to eat (along with their signature drink "The Jackhammer" and played a couple of games of ping pong before heading back to the course to check out The Playgrounds.

 

Playgrounds is a 10-hole par 3 course that lights up at night (what's better than night golf??). The course tops out at around 100 yards max, so a 56 or 60 wedge and putter is really all you need. Fantastic shape just like the 18-hole course; we ended up looping it three different times and didn't have a wait at all. Apparently it is open until midnight - conveniently near the first tee is a bar/restaurant so you can load up on drinks before or after heading out. We played the last round barefoot, which is another tradition of BJN.

 

To sum it up, if you've made it this far either by reading everything above or TLDR, Bluejack National isn't only a stellar track, but an unbelievable experience. The hospitality is absurd and the golf is a bonus. I cannot wait for the day to get another invite back and would certainly rank the course in my personal top 5 of courses played. We couldn't have picked a better day to visit and I hope that you get an opportunity to visit someday yourself!

[Lefty_89]

[oneunderbogey]

Wow... thanks for sharing.  Been a good run of golf for you huh?  Bandon / Pinehurt / Bluejack in the past 6 months I believe?

[Lefty_89]

7 minutes ago, oneunderbogey said:

Wow... thanks for sharing.  Been a good run of golf for you huh?  Bandon / Pinehurt / Bluejack in the past 6 months I believe?

Good memory 😉 very lucky and fortunate. Headed back to Bandon in December and can’t wait. We should link up at Memorial Park sometime man!

[oneunderbogey]

I am not a Houston resident so the new memorial park prices are brutal... 

[J_Birdie]

I am envious! Looks awesome, a Texas gem that has eluded me thus far! 

[Austincountyag]

looks awesome. I played it a couple times when it was Blaketree....Oh, what I'd give to go out there and play it now.

[560ti]

Great review. Reminded me of the time I played at Bent Tree, I was in such shock that it was hard to focus. Course so nice I didn't want to take large divots (lol) 

[nitram]

My boss is a member and the first time he took me out there he said, "there's only one rule at the jack, don't piss-off the other members." It's truly the most laid back place of it's caliber I've been to in over 40 years of golf. You'd think the place was as stuffy as Bushwood but there's just a Jimmy Buffett kinda vibe that permeates the entire property. I've never seen anything like it.

[Lefty_89]

10 hours ago, nitram said:

My boss is a member and the first time he took me out there he said, "there's only one rule at the jack, don't piss-off the other members." It's truly the most laid back place of it's caliber I've been to in over 40 years of golf. You'd think the place was as stuffy as Bushwood but there's just a Jimmy Buffett kinda vibe that permeates the entire property. I've never seen anything like it.

 

Haha love it!

 

The "chillness" of the place is incredible; I could tell it was going to be a great day when we strolled up to the range with 80s rock playing from the porch. Hope to get back out there someday, that's for sure.

[Schley]

How were the accommodations? Also for the food/drink did they gouge you on prices?

[monty09]

its a closer version of ANGC than Sage Valley or Peachtree. 

[CougarRed]

Before golf course construction, my Dad and I would go out fishing on some of those ponds. 

 

My father was good friends with Tommy Blake.  Tommy acquired that property in the 1930s as a legal fee, and always dreamed of putting a golf course on it. 

 

Dad and others helped him get Blaketree built.  When Tommy died, the kids sold the land to the developer.

That signature par 3 #12 hasn't changed a bit since the original course was built.  But Tiger improved the course in a lot of other ways. 

 

Edited September 20, 2021 by CougarRed

[monty09]

14 hours ago, CougarRed said:

Before golf course construction, my Dad and I would go out fishing on some of those ponds. 

 

My father was good friends with Tommy Blake.  Tommy acquired that property in the 1930s as a legal fee, and always dreamed of putting a golf course on it. 

 

Dad and others helped him get Blaketree built.  When Tommy died, the kids sold the land to Tiger's company.

That signature par 3 #12 hasn't changed a bit since the original course was built.  But Tiger improved it in a lot of other ways. 

 

 

 

I am pretty sure Tiger has nothing to do with Beacon... TW Designs was hired by Beacon to redesign course but don't own anything

Edited September 20, 2021 by monty09

[CougarRed]

Played BlueJack on Friday.  Took me about an hour at 7 AM from downtown Houston.  Every time I go back, there are more cottages and houses but nothing that encroaches on the golf course.  I hear they have about 330 members now.

 

We got around in five hours with a five-some where everybody shot between 80 and 90.  Pace was a little slow I guess but honestly, I did not notice it.  We were on the 15th tee, I looked at my phone, and realized we'd been playing for four hours and ten minutes.  I was puzzled.  It did not seem that long.  Time had flown. 

 

Our fifth player had this motorcycle-looking golf cart which can go anywhere including near the green.  Never seen one of those before.  He was always racing off ahead of us.  Looked fun!

 

The course was in great shape for the winter.   Never had to clean any mud or dirt on my ball. No grass stains even.  Every lie was perfect.  The greens were true with good pace, but diabolical.  Very few straight putts outside of five feet.

 

It's a fun, wide open golf course where if you can circumvent the fairway bunkers off the tee, the main challenge is navigating the greens.   The level of service and quality of food is off the charts.  Highly recommend.

[mitchnpat1]

that was a great read. Hopefully I'm able to get on one of these days

[taylorx300]

Revival of the post. Thanks for the info from previous posters. Will get to play there this June and can’t wait. I’m from Chicago and have never been to Texas so this will be a treat.

[asommers1441]

A course I have been dying to play. Haven't had a chance yet but one day I hope. 

[ND2005]

On 4/13/2023 at 9:05 PM, taylorx300 said:

Revival of the post. Thanks for the info from previous posters. Will get to play there this June and can’t wait. I’m from Chicago and have never been to Texas so this will be a treat.

 

Get ready for some heat. Lol. 

 

Hope it is a early morning tee time! 

[taylorx300]

Don’t mind the heat, its the summer thing in Chicago when it’s 90 and 100% humidity that is a killer.

[TexasTurf]

 That place looks pretty awesome to me, would love to play there.

[TexasTurf]

3 hours ago, taylorx300 said:

Don’t mind the heat, its the summer thing in Chicago when it’s 90 and 100% humidity that is a killer.

Just wait until you feel the 110 plus 90% humidity. 4 months in TX summer.

[taylorx300]

Headed out Tuesday for our trip. Dinner and the playground Tuesday.

36 holes on Wed, fly home Thursday.

Beyond excited for this adventure.

[ND2005]

On 6/25/2023 at 4:53 PM, taylorx300 said:

Headed out Tuesday for our trip. Dinner and the playground Tuesday.

36 holes on Wed, fly home Thursday.

Beyond excited for this adventure.

Enjoy the record setting heat. 36 will be something…

[taylorx300]

Well back home and exhausted.

arrived on property around 5:30 Tuesday night after a 45 min limo ride. Got out of the car and there it was, 108 temp that felt like 108. 
we grabbed some dinner, bunch of beers and a 56* and headed to the Playground. Very cool fun variety of half swings or such.  The fake turf tees were the only negative, could not try any flop shots when required.

Round 1 started at 8am with some pretty nice temps, a breeze and some clouds. By hole 6 (Blake’s cottage) it was back to 108. The place is very unique and one of a kind experience. The course was awesome but the putting there was a problem for me. 
Round 2 started at 2:00 after a light lunch and we were told we had the last time of the day. Pretty nice to have the whole place to our group.

Putting got a little better on the back but I just ran out of gas by the 16th.

Cannot wait to go and try this place again. If you ever get a chance/ invite to play there, do not pass it up.