Barton Creek in Austin, TX

[cjblake09]

My wife bought me a golf package at Barton Creek and she booked me 2 rounds at the courses. The pro told her that he would play the Canyons course twice but I am not sure if i agree and might like to play another course to change things up. For those that have played at Barton Creek what courses would you suggest playing?

[wolfgame]

I would play the one right behind the clubhouse...for sure.

[OldSkoolTexan]

Play the one that you have to ride the little shuttle too. I think it's the fazio? Its more in the hills and is definitely nice. Its like 10-15mins from the clubhouse.

[TLUBulldogGolf]

Both the Canyons and the Foothills are supposed to be good. The Crenshaw is a little goofy and isn't rated as highly as the others. I would play both the Fazio courses though if you can, I don't see the point of playing one twice.

[cjblake09]

I agree with you and think i am going to call the course to change to the Canyons for the 2nd round.

[CowtownTexas]

I go there 3-4 times a year and have played all the courses several times. My favorite is actually the Canyon's Course (the Fazio you take the shuttle too, but it's maybe 5 minutes from the resort). The front side is okay, but starting at 9 there are several really good holes. What I really like about it is that there haven't been many houses built on the course yet and you really feel like you're out in the country. At the Foothills, you are in any other suburb.

Foothills is fun too and has some very scenic holes (if you ignore the houses lining the fairways), but I think Canyons is a better course. Both were designed by Fazio with the Foothills being the original.

The Crenshaw Course... well... sucks. I hate that golf course. Tee to green it's simple as it gets, but the greens are bigger than the fairways and have a ton on undulation. It's a course you can go low on, but can also give you fits if you misshit an approach and end up 120 feet from the pin, but on the green, with a series of Volkswagons in between you and the hole. Only thing missing on that course is the clown's mouth.

I've heard the Palmer Course out on Lake Travis is a really fun course to play, but it's a solid 45 minutes from the resort. When I'm down there, I want to relax and 1 1/2 hours of driving to go play golf doesn't list high on my list of things that make me relax.

Enjoy yourself. It's a fun course and you'll likely see some celebrities/pro golfers. Just by chance, I've been paired with Rich Beem (actually, it was slow and we joined up) and Ray Benson (Asleep at the Wheel). I've also see Tom Kite and Ben Crenshaw out there at different times.

My suggestion is to play both the Fazio Courses. Enjoy your trip!

[OldSkoolTexan]

[quote name='TLUBulldogGolf' date='24 May 2010 - 10:38 PM' timestamp='1274758716' post='2465263']
Both the Canyons and the Foothills are supposed to be good. The Crenshaw is a little goofy and isn't rated as highly as the others. I would play both the Fazio courses though if you can, I don't see the point of playing one twice.
[/quote]
<br><br>Yeah the Canyons! Loved that one, not so much a fan of the Crenshaw course.

[naylor]

I would definitely play the Fazio Foothills which is right there on the Resort property. My other choice without a doubt would be the Fazio Canyons. Avoid Crenshaw Cliffside at all costs. The greens are going to be much better at either Fazio course. Lakeside is a decent design but not worth the drive IMO.

[teejaywhy]

I've not played any course at Barton Creek; however, I'm a big fan of Coore & Crenshaw's work so I would likely choose the C&C designed Cliffside course.

When I hear people describe it as goofy, that makes me want to play it even more.

[GStarks]

I played 36 holes at Barton Creek about 2-3 years ago. Played the Crenshaw Cliffside course in the morning and Fazio Canyons in the afternoon.

I liked the cliffside course but the Canyons course was a lot nicer.

The green fees for the Fazio courses were quite a bit more than the other two and they used to require forecaddies, not sure if they still do.

But if price isn't a concern i would definitely play both Fazio courses.

[CowtownTexas]

[quote name='tjy355' date='25 May 2010 - 09:28 AM' timestamp='1274794112' post='2465833']
I've not played any course at Barton Creek; however, I'm a big fan of Coore & Crenshaw's work so I would likely choose the C&C designed Cliffside course.

When I hear people describe it as goofy, that makes me want to play it even more.
[/quote]

You'd be disappointed if wanting to see a good example of a Crenshaw course. Not that you can't have fun on it. I'd say it's a good gambling course, with 2-3 driveable par 4's (starting with #1) and some reachable par 5's. Back nine is interesting with three par 3's, three par 4's, and three par 5's.

My suggestion would be that if you're in Austin and want to see a good example of how good a Crenshaw course can be, find a way to get on Austin Golf Club. You wouldn't be disappointed one bit.

[Reidman]

Most of the reviews on Foothills, Canyons and Cliffside are spot on. I would rank them in the same order as most....Canyons, Foothills...then Cliffside.

Lakeside, the one about an hour away, is pretty good, just a little old school with shorter holes. But, its better than Cliffside.

[KWP]

Canyon and Foothills are the best courses at Barton Creek, in that order; hands down. I would make sure you get a tee time for both. I play them once a month when I am in Austin and they are the best around that area for courses that the public can play. Cliffside is ok but not as good and Lakeside is not worth it.

[T Shaf]

Played them all many times and the Canyons and Foothills are the best...nothing wrong with Crenshaw/Coor either. Foothills is the original that the Legends was played on...fun course. Canyons is wonderful and just a short ride from the main campus. Enjoy!

[cjblake09]

I called today to try and change my tee time to the Foothills course and was told that it was a member only day that day and i could only play the Canyons. My wife bought the Fazio Unlimited package so i am not sure how that is possible but i am not a very happy guy right now. I am going to call back to see why they are advertising unlimited golf on the courses but that is not the case.

[KWP]

I would second that endorsement for Crenshaw's Austin Golf Club out in Spicewood but he would have to get a member or a favor to get on so I didn't mention it. I really believe it is in the same league as Austin Country Club and for several reasons better.

[gregshields]

cjb, I have a few friends that are members out there, and that is the way they always do it. The Fazio courses rotate days, one day one is for member and the other is for resort guests and the next day that changes. I agree they should make that clear to you before you book.