Current Conditions of DFW courses

[OK_Golf]

some specific requests, but welcome any suggestions

Hello Wrxers,

I'm going to be in the DFW area this weekend visiting some friends and family and am trying to squeeze in one and possibly two rounds. Most likely one round will be in the north central part of the metroplex (base will be Keller) for a second round I could be coming from South Arlington area and will be headed toward Tulsa.

So here's my question: what are the current conditions at some of the better daily-fees?

Points North
Sky Creek Ranch
Bridlewood
Tour 18 (5 years ago was in terrible dis-repair, but the green fees I saw suggest better conditioning these days)
The Tribute
Westeridge
the Bridges
Trails of Frisco
Indian Springs - Creek
Grapevine
Is Woodbridge any good these days? I used to liked it on a budget 5 years ago when I lived there

Points South
WaterChase (never played)
Tierra Verde (never played, but heard good things)
Texas Star

Any other suggestions of decent value, good conditions and interesting layout?

Thanks all!

[burns9304]

Waterchase was in good shape when I played it 2 weeks ago and Tierra Verde was in just ok shape last month but still not bad at all for Febuary.

[sompin2do]

Played Bridlewood in late January and was glad I had a coupon. IMO they reopened too early as the greens needed more time. Maybe better now.

Been a few months since Tribute, Tour 18, Bridges and Trails of Frisco but when I did play them Bridges and Tribute were the best at the time. Trails of Frisco has the crappiest sand on the planet.

Woodbridge is my home course and is in really nice shape. They're finishing an upgrade of several tee boxes, remodeling the restrooms on the course, and new carts and GPS soon to come, along with upgrading bunkers and new range balls added 3/7. They still include a sleeve of Pro V's with the morning rounds too.

A friend played TX Star a couple weeks ago and said it's in good shape.

[OK_Golf]

Thanks burns and sompin ... keep it coming anyone else who has knowledge or opinions.

Sompin, I've always been surprised at how affordable Woodbridge was, because I've always thought its a pretty good course in pretty good condition ... maybe its location?

In input on Sky Creek or Tour 18?

burns, your Bridlewood comment has me worried, because we are zeroing in on that one ... anyone have a March-dated review of Bridlewood?

Thanks All.

[Hutch306]

Texas Star is in good shape right now for your south course. If you can afford it, The Tribute is usually very good shape. If you can't afford it, I'm always really high on Grapevine Golf Club. I haven't played Bridlewood myself, but from what I've heard from fellow golfers in the area, it's just kinda "blah" right now. I'm very strong against Tour 18 because of the experience I had out there last September, but some members have recently had nothing but positive reviews as of late.

[sompin2do]

[quote name='OK_Golf' timestamp='1331755708' post='4508111']
Thanks burns and sompin ... keep it coming anyone else who has knowledge or opinions.

Sompin, I've always been surprised at how affordable Woodbridge was, because I've always thought its a pretty good course in pretty good condition ... maybe its location?

In input on Sky Creek or Tour 18?

burns, your Bridlewood comment has me worried, because we are zeroing in on that one ... anyone have a March-dated review of Bridlewood?

Thanks All.
[/quote]

Update on Bridlewood from a friend that played there 2 weeks ago - He said the greens on the closing holes are still so-so. For the rate they charge you could do better.

He's also played Tour 18 in the last month and said it's in good shape.

[Bravo36]

Recommended:

[b]Sky Creek Ranch 9.0/10...[/b]bentgrass greens that are in great shape. Robert Trent Jones, Jr. designed.

[b]The Golf Club at Champions Circle...8.75/10[/b] Always in good shape... (Across from Texas Motor Speedway at Marriot) Playing tomorrow, and close to Keller.

[b]The Golf Club at Fossil Creek 8.75/10[/b]...always in great shape, new sand traps

[b]Tour 18 8.5/10-...[/b]has gotten better. May get worse in really hot weather.

[b]Bridlewood 5/10-...[/b]course is in good shape, greens are just not done yet. Need to go back in the oven. For the price they charge, I would avoid!

[kevch25]

I echo all the comments about Bridlewood. Played it in January and my thoughts are they opened it up too soon before the new greens were ready. Felt like I was putting on mud that was rolled to look like a green with a sprinkle of new grass here and there.

I know they have been running "promo" rates right now, but don't even bother with it. I'm not going back until I hear someone report back with a positive experience.


Ok, so coming down from my soap box, I'd also recommend Sky Creek Ranch. The Tribute and Old American are always in great shape, but will probably be on the more $$$ side compared to the courses you listed.

[andyville99]

I live in the development where Sky Creek Ranch is and played it last Sunday. It's in good condition. But I prefer Waterchase and Texas Star - just better layouts. Waterchase has fabulous greens. I'm playing it this Sat and Sun actually...

[OK_Golf]

Thanks everyone for the input.

It sounds like we settled on Golf Club at Champions Circle. Bravo36, its good to hear your review. I've never played it and only remember people saying it was way too difficult back when it was called Doral Tesoro, but after a re-design and now with managment by Troon I'm expecting a pretty good experience. Got a great rate on EZlinks as well.

I miss all the good public golf in the D/FW area. It will be fun to experience it again (though I've got say in Tulsa, OK is a pretty darn great place with a couple of GD 4.5* layouts a recent entry on the "best new public" list).

... off-topic plug: GolfWrx freakin' rocks. I've been able to find credible, unbiased course reviews from SW Florida to Texas, to Phoenix and even the Carribean. Just a great place to get good information about the game we all love. Keep it going Wrx and all your Wrxers!

[CosmosMpower]

Played Golf Club at Champions circle 6 months ago and it was a goat ranch. Some of the first few holes just off the fairway had dirt and rocks, not a fan Would rather play something else in that area.

Highly reccomend Texas Star. I'm playing Bridlewood this weekend and also Frisco Lakes.

[Bravo36]

Hey Cosmos,

Played Champions Circle today actually. It is in good shape. Just like every other course around North Texas, it does indeed have a few bare spots off of the fairways, but looking at them today, it was clear that they have been planted with new sprigs of grass so it shouldn't be long before it gets to 100%. The fairways were aerated about a week ago from the looks of it. No plugs visible, but you can see where the tool went...it may have only been de-thatched...not sure, but not bad at all. Had no problems getting a nice lie.

The greens, though a little slow, were all in pristine condition...not a blemish on any of them that we could see. Very impressed. Some of the sand traps could use a little more sand, but they were all groomed and trimmed.

Overall, I would probably lower my initial score from a 8.75 only down to an 8.5, IMHO.

[OK_Golf]

Hey All,

Thanks for the input. As I said earlier we played Champion's Circle and had a $36 rate off of EZlinks (the on-line process was easy and painless from purchase thru check-in at the course). I thought course conditions were good, not great. Greens were a little slow and very firm (barely made a ball mark with high-flying full sand wedge shots), but did roll true and looked nice. Fairways were in good shape, but rough was pretty much non-existant.

From a layout/design point of view, I'm not sure I'm a big fan (though playing something multiple times before making a judgement is ususally better). There were a handful of very difficult holes (for me a mid-capper, with decent length) ... ie 425+ yrd part 4s with hazards and/or OB to deal with on both tee shot and approach and then several very easy holes (ie ~300 yards with little or no issues for at least the tee-shot or approach or maybe both), not too many "in between" holes in my opinion. I'll probably go back to old favorites or new places I want to check out before returning to Champion Circle.

All that said, i did get my money's worth for $36, but would have felt like the rack rate ($59 I think) was too much for the experience I had.

[Conman48]

Cowboys is always fun, but are goin through an ownership stage. Tpc las colinas is not bad, frisco lakes has great finishing holes. One of my favorites is the due course at stonebridge even though it's one f the toughest courses in Texas! Tierra verde has a great layout for public. I wouldn't recommend bridle wood or tour 18 because they are just no in great shape. The bridges also have a fun layout, but there are always Gail force winds out there. Bear creek is cheap but has solid greens and is pretty tight. All and all Dallas is great for golf, and has even better private courses If you can land any

[tligg]

I play Bridlewood weekly as its in my back yard. Course conditions are getting better everyday as its coming out of winter and we've got rain! It also keeps improving with the new owners, but the new greens need TIME.. They are very thin and firm, lots of sand base evident..... they did overseed which means it will still be a while before the rye dies out. It's not like is it was, were you could fire at pins, must play the roll now. Intro rate is still a little high for what you get.. That all ends 4/1 which will really hurt as the cost of rounds went up with the new owners $$$$, play will decline some once word gets out which will allow the greens to fill in..... I figure August/September before we know how good the new greens will be, just hope they aren't as firm as the brother course (Lantana) but rumor is they will be, don't mind fast as long as they roll true and will hold a ball!

[OK_Golf]

tligg (or anyone),

Any update on Bridlewood? How have the new greens come in?

Thanks!

[OK_Golf]

Hello Wrxers,

I just played a couple of rounds in the metroplex and thought I'd share my thoughts.

Bridlewood: enjoyed the course as always. Forgiving enough to be fun. The new greens were "fine" ... 5+ years ago, Bridlewood's bent grass was awesome. the new Bermuda is just "fine" in my opinion. Nothing wrong with them ... they held the ball well (I know some people said early after the re-build they were too firm), but were relatively slow (from what I remember before) and were definitley grainy.

Sky Creek Ranch: in great shape (as I always remember it being), wonderful greens and a fun layout (though relatively short ... lots of holes played with less than driver from the tee). I shot my career round, a 75, so this is now officially my favorite course! Either the greens were great or I was "on", because I made more putts then I've ever made in my life.

Hope all the DFW courses survive a likely hot summer.

Hit 'em straight.

OK_Golf