Horseshoe Bay

[mizuno]

Which course if you could only play one?

My wife and I are going to Horseshoe Bay in a few weeks. This will be my first time there and I am probably only going to get to play once. They have three courses; Apple Rock, Ram Rock and Slick Rock, which one should I play if I am only going to play one? Thanks!

[roberttownsend]

My wife and I played there about two years ago and loved it. Even saw Fred Funk in the hotel.

 

We are mid handicap golfers and enjoyed Slick Rock the most. We thought it to be the most scenic and the difficulty level is most suited to our game.

[Logan Joseph]

I'd go to Apple or Slick Rock.

 

Slick Rock would be the first course I'd play.

[Mikolar]

Which course to play depends on a couple of things. Slick Rock is by far the easiest but not that scenic. Apple Rock is esthetically pleasing and a challenge. Ram has less beauty but is the hardest by far.

If you have time, either walk or play the putting course at the hotel. Its pretty neat.

[b_smith07]

I agree. Play the putting course, its something you dont see too often and quite fun.

 

I vote that you at least play Apple Rock once. My Dad and I played the TGA Father-Son championship there two years ago on the Apple course and its a position-golf course, from the member tees its very manageable. Out of 10 par 4's I only really HAD to hit driver maybe 3-4 times a round. You'll hit everything from driver, 3-wood, hybrid, even a four iron off the box on the par 4's. Plus the view on the 10th tee box overlooking Lake LBJ cant be beat in TX. It a 500-some odd yard par 5 straight downhill about 100ft. Apple rock also has a low-water crossing for golf carts...something ive never seen anywhere else...quite cool. So definetly get a round in there, last I heard they were transitioning from bermuda to bent greens like the other two courses that summer we played it, so it should have some velvety smooth greens now too!

 

We also played Ram Rock when we were there too, from the member tees also. It is more difficult, especially if you were to play the tips, but I didnt find it as scenic as Apple Rock....Ram seems to stay down in the creek beds and 'valleys' instead of having some tee shots and greens perched up on ridges like Apple did. I never got the chance to play Slick Rock but all the locals told us it was by far easier than both Apple and Ram. Its the oldest course out there too. I hope that helped a little!

[mizuno]

Thanks for the recommendations, unfortunately, we just got back today. I ended up playing Slick Rock and was a little disappointed. It was very similar to many residential courses I have played in the past. It was nice enough with plush fairways and fast and true greens, it was just not very challenging or scenic. We did drive up to Apple Rock on our way out of town and I agree it looked a lot more scenic with some great views of the lake. If we ever make it back that would be my choice.

 

Our first evening there we played the Whitewater putting course and it was a fun way to spend the evening. It is a par 72 putting course that winds through gardens and fountains behind the the hotel. The greens were very slow compared to the greens on Slick Rock, but the layouts and contours made some of the holes very challenging.