Beginner Course in Dallas, TX

[vgagolfer]

Anyone know of a good beginner course in Dallas? I know of Lake Park in Lewisville which is open and short. Anything similar to that course would be great for me to introduce my friend to golf.

[OK_Golf]

If your friend is really new to the game, I might suggest a par 3 or executive course. There's a 9 hole one at the Haney Driving range near I-35 and the George Bush ... its actualy kind of tight, but its short.

There's another 9 hole par 3 course that would be good for beginners at a driving range west of I-35 near Northwest Highway, I can't remember the name though. Lake Park also has a good executive course, too, lighted for night play, if I remember correctly.

[tfro]

Here is the par3 off of 35 and Walnut Hill:
[url="http://www.northtexasgolf.com/"]http://www.northtexasgolf.com/[/url]

It's decent, Lake Park's executive is nicer.

[ABT]

Steven's Park. Although right now is closed for a major renovation but they will re-open in few months.

[bookkilla]

[quote name='ABT' date='11 June 2010 - 12:35 PM' timestamp='1276277716' post='2503134']
Steven's Park. Although right now is closed for a major renovation but they will re-open in few months.
[/quote]

Wonder if they are going to make the greens any bigger. Those are by far the smallest I've ever played.

[bookkilla]

Sherril Park #2 is pretty good course to learn on. It's very affordable too. Los Rios in East Plano is good as well.

[tfro]

[quote name='bookkilla' date='29 June 2010 - 09:15 AM' timestamp='1277820918' post='2544390']
[quote name='ABT' date='11 June 2010 - 12:35 PM' timestamp='1276277716' post='2503134']
Steven's Park. Although right now is closed for a major renovation but they will re-open in few months.
[/quote]

Wonder if they are going to make the greens any bigger. Those are by far the smallest I've ever played.
[/quote]

I kinda hope not, that's what makes that course. It's so short it needs something to make it worth playing.

I hope they are finding a way to make 18 something other than 7i, Gap Wedge.

[ktedc]

Just played Pecan Hollow in East Plano (next to Los Rios). Pretty easy track, not to expensive either. Plantation in Frisco is an easy track, too, but it does get tight in places. They have GPS carts as well, another plus if you're just starting out.

[sompin2do]

[quote name='bookkilla' timestamp='1277821042' post='2544396']
Sherril Park #2 is pretty good course to learn on. It's very affordable too.
[/quote]

+1. Best muni in the area IMO. Not too difficult to walk either and it's usually easier to get on #2 if you don't have a tee-time but both #1 & #2 are great courses, with #2 being a bit more wide open. They recently had some problems with the greens but I think those have been resolved.

Tennison Glen and Keaton Park aren't bad to learn on either. Haven't played Mesquite in a few years but I know they don't have any sand. Doesn't mean it's easy though.

Just remember to be concious of your pace and keep up with the group in front of you. That'll keep the marshalls off your butt.

[ktedc]

[quote name='sompin2do' timestamp='1280261057' post='2602640']
[quote name='bookkilla' timestamp='1277821042' post='2544396']
Sherril Park #2 is pretty good course to learn on. It's very affordable too.
[/quote]

+1. Best muni in the area IMO. Not too difficult to walk either and it's usually easier to get on #2 if you don't have a tee-time but both #1 & #2 are great courses, with #2 being a bit more wide open. They recently had some problems with the greens but I think those have been resolved.

Tennison Glen and Keaton Park aren't bad to learn on either. Haven't played Mesquite in a few years but I know they don't have any sand. Doesn't mean it's easy though.

Just remember to be concious of your pace and keep up with the group in front of you. That'll keep the marshalls off your butt.
[/quote]

That's not too far from me. I'll check that out next time I need to get in a quick round. Thanks!

[sompin2do]

[quote name='ktedc' timestamp='1280261235' post='2602643']
[quote name='sompin2do' timestamp='1280261057' post='2602640']
[quote name='bookkilla' timestamp='1277821042' post='2544396']
Sherril Park #2 is pretty good course to learn on. It's very affordable too.
[/quote]

+1. Best muni in the area IMO. Not too difficult to walk either and it's usually easier to get on #2 if you don't have a tee-time but both #1 & #2 are great courses, with #2 being a bit more wide open. They recently had some problems with the greens but I think those have been resolved.

Tennison Glen and Keaton Park aren't bad to learn on either. Haven't played Mesquite in a few years but I know they don't have any sand. Doesn't mean it's easy though.

Just remember to be concious of your pace and keep up with the group in front of you. That'll keep the marshalls off your butt.
[/quote]

That's not too far from me. I'll check that out next time I need to get in a quick round. Thanks!
[/quote]

Sherrill Park puts Pecan Goat Ranch to shame in all areas. Days are numbered for Pecan as they're doing a big overhaul. Way past due. If Sherrill Park is in your reach, you might consider Woodbridge over in Wylie. $55 in prime time but you can find discounts or get on their email list. But it's not wide open by any means.

[ktedc]

I agree with you on Pecan. I didn't take divots, I took chunks. Might as well have been playing on bare ground, and with my steep swing, that's not good. Greens were very inconsistent and the tee boxes were mowed to fairway/first cut length. Do they have a full time greenskeeper?

I live in Dallas itself, so Wylie is a bit further out. That said, Woodbridge is probably no further than Grapevine or Frisco, so that's no big deal. I really don't care about how open the course it, that was in response to the OP. While I'm not a great golfer, I find that I usually play better on tougher courses. The conditions are usually better and they are less crowded.

[sompin2do]

[quote name='ktedc' timestamp='1280263849' post='2602726']
I agree with you on Pecan. I didn't take divots, I took chunks. Might as well have been playing on bare ground, and with my steep swing, that's not good. Greens were very inconsistent and the tee boxes were mowed to fairway/first cut length. Do they have a full time greenskeeper?
[/quote]

So no different than when I played it last fall. I think the greens keeper is part-time. Part of the time they mow the greens and part of the time they mow the fairways, but I swear they never mow the tee boxes. If it weren't for a ball cleaner sticking up you may not find the box. Swore I would never go back and so far I've kept my promise.

[ktedc]

[quote name='sompin2do' timestamp='1280283928' post='2603321']
[quote name='ktedc' timestamp='1280263849' post='2602726']
I agree with you on Pecan. I didn't take divots, I took chunks. Might as well have been playing on bare ground, and with my steep swing, that's not good. Greens were very inconsistent and the tee boxes were mowed to fairway/first cut length. Do they have a full time greenskeeper?
[/quote]

So no different than when I played it last fall. I think the greens keeper is part-time. Part of the time they mow the greens and part of the time they mow the fairways, but I swear they never mow the tee boxes. If it weren't for a ball cleaner sticking up you may not find the box. Swore I would never go back and so far I've kept my promise.
[/quote]

Yeah, that won't be hard. Heard anything on Los Rios?

[RustyWedges]

I played 9 at Los Rios for the first time a few weeks ago and it was decent. Not difficult or intimidating at all. I'd pay it again. My only complaints were that some of the tee boxes had more sand than grass on them and there weren't any markers on the practice range. i hit half of a small bucket before realizing the actual range was well left of were I hit most of my balls.

[Boomermike]

The Haney Ranch executive is short, but I'd only call it good for a beginner if the beginner hits the ball dead straight. Otherwise, bring a dozen or more cheap balls....skinny, skinny, skinny. The Practice Tee, which has relocated to George Bush and Renner Road (you can see it from the tollway) has a really short, open 9-hole par-3 course with no hole longer than 120 yards...good for a beginner who wants to learn how to score before learning how to bomb it.

For the poster who dogged Pecan Hollow...either you caught it at a bad time, or I caught it at a good time, but the course was in good condition when I played it in late June. I've heard good things about Woodbridge in Wiley, and my parents just built a house on it & bought a membership, which means free golf on a guest pass for me when I go visit...I win!