Oklahoma golfers

[okgolferman]

Hey all Oklahoma golfers! I live in Oklahoma City but I travel all around to play golf with some friends. We've been known to drive as far as 2 hours just to play some fun and different courses. My question is does anyone know of any courses that will allow you to play all day for a decent fee? Occasionally we all take off a Monday or Friday and will go play somewhere that will allow us to play 36-54. Just let me know the course name and city if you know of any. Thanks

[OK_Golf]

La Fortune in Tulsa is an all-day fee, though I think you have to pay for carts per 18. Its a fun course and can play difficult from the back, but I don't think I'd drive from OKC to Tulsa for it. Emerald Falls in Broken Arrow will give you a replay "deal". its not advertised, but it would probably something like "just pay the cart fee" or maybe half price.

Good luck. How about I throw the question back at you. What around OKC is worth the drive. Is Jimmie Austin worth it? Anything else?

[okgolferman]

Thanks for the reply. The OU Jimmie Austin course is worth the drive for sure. After the remodel the price has shot up significantly though. Monday-Thursday it is $63 and Friday-Sunda is $78. The best deal coming from Tulsa would be the "member for a day" rate. Monday-Thursday it is $100 and Friday-Sunday is $125. The rate includes unlimited range balls, golf, your own cart for the day, and a $20 certificate that can be used in the grill or clubhouse. I know it's a little expensive but worth it if you want to play 36 and lunch and drinks are covered.

[Brettasaurus]

Jimmie Austin is a great course and worth the drive to Norman. I come back and play it every once in awhile. Alumni get a discount as well. Lincoln East is also a good course that is very reasonable. Winter Creek and Coffee Creek are good courses that used to be very reasonable but it's been awhile since I have played either one. Belmar in Moore used to be a bargain on weekdays but it is now full private. Earlywine Park in South OKC/Moore is a pretty good track that is very reasonable. Up here there is a great selection as well. My favorites are Emerald Falls is East B.A., LaFortune, Clary Fields, White Hawk in Bixby and Forest Ridge. When I was a student at OU Jimmie Austin was $30 with valid student ID.

[okgolferman]

[quote name='Brettasaurus' timestamp='1301322860' post='3095778']
Jimmie Austin is a great course and worth the drive to Norman. I come back and play it every once in awhile. Alumni get a discount as well. Lincoln East is also a good course that is very reasonable. Winter Creek and Coffee Creek are good courses that used to be very reasonable but it's been awhile since I have played either one. Belmar in Moore used to be a bargain on weekdays but it is now full private. Earlywine Park in South OKC/Moore is a pretty good track that is very reasonable. Up here there is a great selection as well. My favorites are Emerald Falls is East B.A., LaFortune, Clary Fields, White Hawk in Bixby and Forest Ridge. When I was a student at OU Jimmie Austin was $30 with valid student ID.
[/quote]

Winter Creek and Coffee Creek have both taken a huge dive in the past few years. I was a member at Winter Creek for 3 years and it was one of the truly hidden gems in the state. I left because the course got in some major financial trouble (apparently they "forgot" to pay taxes is what I heard) and the course suffered greatly because of this. I just played there last Thursday for the first time in 2 years and it was a major disappointment. The greens were maybe a small step above average, they used to be some of the best around, the fairways and rough were poorly manicured, and the overall attitude of the staff was just bad.

If someone is coming to the city the course to play is probably Jimmie Austin OU, although a little pricey. If you're looking for a good deal then I would recommend Lincoln West or Kickingbird in Edmond.

Thanks for the heads up on the Tulsa courses, I'm trying to decide which course to go play first.

[Reif]

[quote name='Brettasaurus' timestamp='1301322860' post='3095778']
My favorites are Emerald Falls is East B.A., LaFortune, Clary Fields, White Hawk in Bixby and Forest Ridge. When I was a student at OU Jimmie Austin was $30 with valid student ID.
[/quote]

Playing on Sunday.

One round, I hate to say "money is no object" but $20 isn't going to be a deal breaker.

Which is the best course of these?

Thanks,

Reif

[Brettasaurus]

One round I would say Emerald Falls.

[quote name='Reif' timestamp='1314409402' post='3522272']
[quote name='Brettasaurus' timestamp='1301322860' post='3095778']
My favorites are Emerald Falls is East B.A., LaFortune, Clary Fields, White Hawk in Bixby and Forest Ridge. When I was a student at OU Jimmie Austin was $30 with valid student ID.
[/quote]

Playing on Sunday.

One round, I hate to say "money is no object" but $20 isn't going to be a deal breaker.

Which is the best course of these?

Thanks,

Reif
[/quote]

[OK_Golf]

Reif,

did you play on Sunday? What were EF's greens like? With bent and our heat I'm wondering.

[Reif]

[quote name='OK_Golf' timestamp='1314631458' post='3527346']
Reif,

did you play on Sunday? What were EF's greens like? With bent and our heat I'm wondering.
[/quote]

I did play.

The edges of most of the greens were pretty badly burned, there were places with no grass at all 3-4 feet in from the fringe.

I thought the greens were pretty shaggy.

I asked about it after and they told me because they had some kind of water main break, they didn't get a chance to roll them in the morning as they usually do.

I was also surprised and disappointed in the number of unhealed pitch marks.

That's all the bad news.

On the 85% part of the greens that wasn't burned they played OK, but a little slow.

The fairways and tee boxes were in good shape.

I liked the course, I would play it again, just understand there are some bad areas in the greens. But where they set the pins were ok with 10-20 feet all around being OK.

If you are one of those that has to have really nice greens, and you have an alternative with good greens, I might pass, but I don't know any of the other courses in the area, so I can't make a comparison. Where I live (San Diego) I have a lot of options, so I won't put up with bad greens. But when I'm on the road I'm a little less finicky as I'm interested in the adventure of a new course.

My only caution to those going for the first time is the while the yardage book is helpful, it's not a bible.

Hole 6 in particular is very misleading. I recommend if you can to drive out to the fairway to look at the hole.

The yardage book ($3) implies that right is a safe miss, but that's not the case.

The play is to hit something 240-250 yards, even though it says the fairway extends out to 300. It does but it is *very* narrow (hazards both sides) from about 240 out.

Also not clear (but I was warned by the marshall) is left of 4 is the 18th fairway but it is out of bounds.

It was pretty easy to get on as a single on Sunday, the only full period seemed to be between about 9 to 9:30, there were a lot of twosomes before and after that time.

It was $55 with range balls included, a nice grass range.

When I got in my car after the round it said it was 98º but I thought is wasn't uncomfortable at all.

[Brettasaurus]

We have had 50 days over 100 this summer and most of the courses have some issues. Emerald is one of the better ones in that regard. We had a brutal winter and then an even more brutal summer (from -14 to 116 in less than 4 months). I am sure San Diego is a little easier with a median temp of 70 for the year. Glad you liked it for the most part. I appreciate that it isn't packed on the weekends like some of the Tulsa courses.

[quote name='Reif' timestamp='1314713333' post='3529707']
[quote name='OK_Golf' timestamp='1314631458' post='3527346']
Reif,

did you play on Sunday? What were EF's greens like? With bent and our heat I'm wondering.
[/quote]

I did play.

The edges of most of the greens were pretty badly burned, there were places with no grass at all 3-4 feet in from the fringe.

I thought the greens were pretty shaggy.

I asked about it after and they told me because they had some kind of water main break, they didn't get a chance to roll them in the morning as they usually do.

I was also surprised and disappointed in the number of unhealed pitch marks.

That's all the bad news.

On the 85% part of the greens that wasn't burned they played OK, but a little slow.

The fairways and tee boxes were in good shape.

I liked the course, I would play it again, just understand there are some bad areas in the greens. But where they set the pins were ok with 10-20 feet all around being OK.

If you are one of those that has to have really nice greens, and you have an alternative with good greens, I might pass, but I don't know any of the other courses in the area, so I can't make a comparison. Where I live (San Diego) I have a lot of options, so I won't put up with bad greens. But when I'm on the road I'm a little less finicky as I'm interested in the adventure of a new course.

My only caution to those going for the first time is the while the yardage book is helpful, it's not a bible.

Hole 6 in particular is very misleading. I recommend if you can to drive out to the fairway to look at the hole.

The yardage book ($3) implies that right is a safe miss, but that's not the case.

The play is to hit something 240-250 yards, even though it says the fairway extends out to 300. It does but it is *very* narrow (hazards both sides) from about 240 out.

Also not clear (but I was warned by the marshall) is left of 4 is the 18th fairway but it is out of bounds.

It was pretty easy to get on as a single on Sunday, the only full period seemed to be between about 9 to 9:30, there were a lot of twosomes before and after that time.

It was $55 with range balls included, a nice grass range.

When I got in my car after the round it said it was 98º but I thought is wasn't uncomfortable at all.
[/quote]

[Brettasaurus]

I want to try the Patriot Course in Owasso but the $150 rate is a bit steep.

[dasbill]

Try Peoria ridge in Miami If you are up for a drive up I44. Less than 50 bucks on Sunday. Course is in excellent condition. Hosted a hooters tour event a few years back. Also recommend Forrest ridge it is awsome for a public course.

[sompin2do]

[quote name='Brettasaurus' timestamp='1314719144' post='3529947']
I want to try the Patriot Course in Owasso but the $150 rate is a bit steep.
[/quote]

$150? I thought it was $189 for the once in a lifetime. Either way I'm going to get up there to play in the next year. After walking the course during The Patriot Cup last May I decided to put that in the budget, but glad I'll be riding.

[OK_Golf]

Reif,

Thanks for the write-up. I really like Emerald Falls, but agree that some holes are hard to get feel for, playing the first time. They've had a couple of different years where they problems with drainage and greens. When the greens are healthy and its not 100 degrees (most of the time) they are really great, but I know they've had to grow them a little longer with our summer.

I'm wondering if they'll go to bermuda ... didn't Forest Ridge do Bermuda on their re-do? I know the Tulsa city Muni's did bermuda and they are pretty good.

Brettasaurs, what's the word on Forest Ridge's new greens and bunkers? I haven't played their in about a year.

[Brettasaurus]

Forest Ridge is great with the new greens. I like the changes on the back nine, the way they opened it up quite a bit. The only problem with Forest Ridge is the crowds on the weekends. Having said that I am going to play it on Friday. I have heard three prices on The Patriot but all are about $175. I will have to check out Peoria Ridge in Miami. I also want to play the course at Downstream Casino, right outside Joplin. The courses at Shangri La are still open even even if it isn't. I can recommend the Muskogee Country Club if you know a member. We are still considering joining The Golf Club of Oklahoma but it might be too tough for the wife. I still need to play the Tulsa Country Club, The Oaks, Meadowbrook, Indian Springs and of course Southern Hills. I do love Emerald Falls and the Zorro Zoysia fairways but they do have some drainage issues.

[mr75204]

Make a trip to Durant and play Silverado then Chickasaw Pointe. Silverado was recently lengthened and CP is always terrific

[Kdf8220]

Check out Roman Nose Golf Course in Watonga, it is a great course and they will let you play all day.

[ben w]

John Conrad in Midwest City is all-day for one fee. It's actually a very nice municipal course, if you like munis.

[Brettasaurus]

I played Lincoln West in OKC on Friday. It was in good shape and it's a fun track for a muni. I like the parkland style courses.

[battletoad]

Come play Gil Morgan municipal little 9 hole golf course. We have redone almost the whole course. New water system, new greens (Bermuda) and new fringes. Send me a PM if you feel like coming out and I will show you around.

We also have the 62nd Annual Pokkecetu Tournament June 15, 16 & 17 Golf Clinic by Dr. Gil Morgan (Senior PGA Player) Friday, June 15 before scramble. For more information call Pro Shop 405-257-3292

Championship flight down to F flight.
1st place $300
2nd place $200
3rd place $100 In every flight. We will be giving away other gifts also. Long drive, closest to the pin, Birdie balls. We usually have over 100 people show up.

[FlounderinDC]

I figured I'd bump this thread now we are in June. What courses have you all played and how was their condition?

I played Jimmie Austin twice last weekend. Some of the fairways are a little eaten up. They saw a lot of action a month ago with the NCAA regionals there. Greens were punched recently and a little slower than normal. Great course though.

Played Lincoln East. Not bad shape...prefer the West side though.

Actually Westwood in Norman is the best shape I have EVER seen it in. I'm not a huge fan of the layout, but it gets the job done.

Played Fairfax in Edmond a few weeks ago...good shape but I didn't play worth a damn so I have a bad taste in my mouth.

Anxious to get up to Kickingbird in Edmond...thought it was in good shape last summer during the heat when others struggled.

[edub72]

Any update on Tulsa courses, or reccomendations. I'll be in Tulsa next weekend and playing on Saturday. We've been planning on forest ridge but may reconsider due to difficulty for the juniors. They are capable but I've looking at courses that may be a little more playable for them. They are 11 and one shoots in mid to high 90s and the other low 100s.

I've narrowed it down to la fortune, forest ridge and battle creek. Any opinions and updates on conditions would be greatly appreciated. Also, forest ridge doesn't have a junior rate so that stings a bit

[Brettasaurus]

Forest Ridge is an excellent course that is very well maintained, but it is pretty difficult. Emerald Falls is also excellent and usually a little less busy than Forest Ridge. Cherokee Hills is nice with some elevation changes, but it's difficult also. LaFortune is fun, it's not terribly hard and for a muni it's well maintained. Plus, it's fun to play a course that's right in the middle of Tulsa.

I personally don't like Battle Creek. Mohawk Woodbine and Southlakes are fun but a notch below the others that I have mentioned. Clary Fields is hit or miss on the maintenance but it's a fun layout.

There are also lots of great private clubs as well if you have friends who are members. I think the juniors would do okay at Forest or Emerald if they played from the whites.

[OK_Golf]

La Fortune is very playable ... lots of ability to run the ball up on greens (if they haven't over-watered). I think its pretty fun. some greens have wild sloping, but they aren't too fast, so its not that hard.

South Lakes is almost an "executive" course ... its pretty short, not too challenging which could be great for your juniors, but I'm not a huge fan, either design or conditioning-wise.

If you are south of town White Hawk in bixby is an option. its probably the right level of challenge, but the greens were pretty beat up with unrepaired ball marks the last time I played (quite a while ago).

[dasbill]

I'll throw another one in the mix. Clary fields in tulsa is a good one to try. Challenging and not boring. Greens were good as of last month. Putting pretty fast. Grass range. Around 50 bucks