Golfers in Austin, TX

[ramos104]

Why do you say that?? I'll be playing Friday morning. Sadly just enough time for one round

[just plain bill]

Maybe we could play somewhere, depending on the time you can play...the fun part would be not playing wolfdancer, where the fairways are lined with 8 bunkers each side, a tree in the middle, and greens running 14...I found myself asking the guys I was playing with, "why did they do that?" Like 2 bunkers 60 yds out on a par 3...wasnt happy with that course at all...

If you want a different golf experience, I'd play roy kizer! It's kinda links style, and a blast...in fact, if I knew I could only play 1 course the rest of my life, in the Austin area, I think it'd be kizer!

[Thug Hunter]

Your desire for Kizer is well known. I use to play it 20 years ago, when I was a broke college kid and haven't played it since, because it's simply not worth the trip from Round Rock or the money. I personally wouldn't recommend someone visiting Austin, who is also a WRXer, to play that course or any city managed course for that matter. I don't think a WRXer will be at all impressed with Kizer, Clay, Mo Willie, Lions, Bluebonnet, Riverside or Penick and I'm hesitant to ever recommend them to anyone but a hack because I wouldn't want that to reflect poorly on the golf courses in our area.

[ramos104]

I'm playing Friday morning and has to be before 8. Going up there for my fiances grandmothers 70th birthday. Took a whole lot of convincing to be able to sneak in a round but that's the only day and time i will be able to sneak away. I looked around at the map last night. From the lake house, wolfdancer is about 60 miles and says 1 hour 10 minutes. I believe falconhead was about 40 miles but had about the same drive time. Problem is we're on the wrong side of the like so it requires driving around and no direct road. Considering it is about the same drive time I'm really considering wolfdancer because I don't get up to that area very often

[J_Birdie]

Kizer would be a fantastic course if it were in better shape but the two times I have been out there it has been in just awful shape especially for $35. Maybe my views on value are skewed but I play Bandit, Brack, Canyon Springs, Vaaler, Silverhorn down here in SA for $20-$40 and those are in fantastic shape.*

 

Falconhead is a fantastic course and you'll love it.

 

*note: I walk so I usually get a nice discount on fees.

[jsanatx]

Kizer's greens are shot right now, they've been punched and sanded within the last week or so. There's even a temporary green on 16. They are charging $26 for walking it though, lol

[just plain bill]

played kizer today...greens are improving, but still spotty...still, i had a blast! had 6 putts come up short by mere inches, including 3 birdies on the 1st 9, which was the back...79...

once the greens return to form, kizer will be an outstanding course, imho...

of course, to each his own, lol...

[just plain bill]

I'm playing Friday morning and has to be before 8. Going up there for my fiances grandmothers 70th birthday. Took a whole lot of convincing to be able to sneak in a round but that's the only day and time i will be able to sneak away. I looked around at the map last night. From the lake house, wolfdancer is about 60 miles and says 1 hour 10 minutes. I believe falconhead was about 40 miles but had about the same drive time. Problem is we're on the wrong side of the like so it requires driving around and no direct road. Considering it is about the same drive time I'm really considering wolfdancer because I don't get up to that area very often

what are the crossroads where you are staying?

[ramos104]

Some of the guys found out I'm playing and now want in. One has only played maybe twice so I guess I'll see what happens

[just plain bill]

whatever your choice in courses...have fun!

[just plain bill]

lions today...greens are much improved! i'd say 90%...

the only thing that is a bit of a negative is the driving range is irons only, and on mats...i was basically cold with the driver, but stayed under control, hitting it on #3 270yds with an under control swing...unfortunately, i kept trying to kill it after that, but stayed outa trouble til 10, where i tried to clear the 2 ponds, and clearly didnt, as evidenced by the splash...lol...

lions is a fun, challenging layout, worthy of a drive from bastrop (or, even, round rock! ;)

[Thug Hunter]

I've played Lions at least 100 times. It's about the only city course I'd drive or spend my money on playing even though the greens typically suck. I only play it for nostalgia and the fact it's going to be turned into condos soon.

[just plain bill]

where do you usually play?

[Thug Hunter]

Teravista is literally in my backyard. I can hit driver or 4w to the 12th tee box from my backyard. I'll venture out to the Sun City courses, Star Ranch and Avery Ranch every once in a while, but not nearly as much now since I'm a member at Teravista.

[just plain bill]

i need to play terravista again...played it 8 years ago when i first moved here, along with a buddy from phoenix...we both thought it was flat and boring, as most phx courses are not flat, except the wigwam courses, which are a real bore...if a course wasnt rolling with elevation changes, i didnt care for it...i still prefer a course that does something visually, but i have gained an appreciation for any kind of course...

i was a member for 2 years at hillcrest out there, but after a yr and a half i got sick of playing the same place all the time...

granted, a muni is usually not going to be in perfect shape, but as long as fairways and greens are good, i'm a happy camper...one of the top courses in phx is papago, which is an awesome layout, but it's a muni...

each golfer has different 'gotta-haves' in a course...avery and falconhead seem to hit most of my buttons, but i have to watch how much i spend on tee times, as i play 100+ rounds a year, buy gear i dont always need, etc...

as long as a course is in reasonable shape, and the layout is fair, and the price is nice, i'm gonna get on it! although i must admit, i did spend $65 on a course while on my recent road trip, lol...shock!

[Thug Hunter]

I think most courses in this area are flat and boring. The only course around here that I've played on a fairly regular basis (up until 2 years ago) that isn't flat and boring is Crystal Falls. If you haven't made the trip to Crystal Falls, I suggest that. If you're not really bothered by a courses condition, I think you'd enjoy it. It's not kept in the best shape, my opinion, but it's fun. Bring lots of balls!

 

I travel back to my hometown, upstate NY, every two years and play a few different courses. That's when I get my elevation fix. That trip is fast approaching, August 2nd-10th. Can't wait to play Leatherstocking again!

[J_Birdie]

There's a some nice courses in the hill country/SA with nice elevation changes if you're looking for that and not wanting to wait until NY.

 

Cedar Creek, both La Cantera courses, Canyon Springs are ones with some dramatic elevation changes

[Thug Hunter]

Unfortunately I've had to cancel a tee time for this Thursday already and will probably not have any time to play before the trip. It's looking like trips to the range only between now and then. Damn work getting in the way!

[J_Birdie]

That sucks but at least there's options for those 2 year gaps. I don't like flat courses mostly but I have a huge soft spot for Brack which is as flat as it comes.

[just plain bill]

pine forest in bastrop has had some flood damage they're working on...one plus is #17, the loooong par 3 that runs along the road, and is tough...180 from the whites...tee box partially collapsed, and they moved the tees up to 160! yeah, i put it on the green, lol...great, fun course! and the breakfast sandwich is delicious and cheap!

i played thru a 4-some on 7 and 8, and was playing several balls working on things...amazing how well i play when i swing easy...seems like every time i try to crush it, force it, swing too hard, whatever, 8 outa 10 times the outcome is not pretty...

gonna try to take tomorrow off, play friday somewhere...TRY, i said...

[just plain bill]

Some of the guys found out I'm playing and now want in. One has only played maybe twice so I guess I'll see what happens

so....where'd y'all play? how did it go?

[just plain bill]

took the entire weekend off just to clear my head, lol...should be playing m-f this week...

[just plain bill]

mo willie today...greens are getting there, glad to say...much improved from last week...birdied 10, sticking approach to 2ft...doubled the last par 5 cuz of a bad decision....no, really...

tuna melt w/ bacon! awesome!

[ramradhakri]

Anyone play Landa Park Golf Course in New Braunfels? The greens were fantastic.. better than any country club I've played in Austin. Rest of the course was in great shape as well.. and interesting layout with water and bunkers that can make it challenging on bad misses.

 

Did I mention their fantastic greens?? It was 10/10.. not a bad spot on any of the 18 greens.. In the 50+ different of courses that I've played their greens would rank as #1 (at their current conditions)

[Thug Hunter]

Never heard of it so I had to google it. It's definitely a shorty course at just over 6000 from the tips.

[ramradhakri]

Never heard of it so I had to google it. It's definitely a shorty course at just over 6000 from the tips.

 

Got some elevation, carry over water etc.. so does not play like 6000 yards... would play it more if it wasn't an hour+ drive for me..

[just plain bill]

it's the drive BACK that kills me! but someday i'd like to play all those nb courses, as well as san antonio, which i'll do next week...played kizer today...greens are improving day by day...#7 was about 98%....

[J_Birdie]

Anyone play Landa Park Golf Course in New Braunfels? The greens were fantastic.. better than any country club I've played in Austin. Rest of the course was in great shape as well.. and interesting layout with water and bunkers that can make it challenging on bad misses.

 

Did I mention their fantastic greens?? It was 10/10.. not a bad spot on any of the 18 greens.. In the 50+ different of courses that I've played their greens would rank as #1 (at their current conditions)

 

Played there and it's in amazing shape as you say. It's fantastic since the reno my coworkers say.

[ramradhakri]

Anyone play Landa Park Golf Course in New Braunfels? The greens were fantastic.. better than any country club I've played in Austin. Rest of the course was in great shape as well.. and interesting layout with water and bunkers that can make it challenging on bad misses.

 

Did I mention their fantastic greens?? It was 10/10.. not a bad spot on any of the 18 greens.. In the 50+ different of courses that I've played their greens would rank as #1 (at their current conditions)

 

Played there and it's in amazing shape as you say. It's fantastic since the reno my coworkers say.

 

Yep, heard they did a renovation 3 years ago. Wish some of the ATX course green keepers can go there and get some tips..

[J_Birdie]

Anyone play Landa Park Golf Course in New Braunfels? The greens were fantastic.. better than any country club I've played in Austin. Rest of the course was in great shape as well.. and interesting layout with water and bunkers that can make it challenging on bad misses.

 

Did I mention their fantastic greens?? It was 10/10.. not a bad spot on any of the 18 greens.. In the 50+ different of courses that I've played their greens would rank as #1 (at their current conditions)

 

Played there and it's in amazing shape as you say. It's fantastic since the reno my coworkers say.

 

Yep, heard they did a renovation 3 years ago. Wish some of the ATX course green keepers can go there and get some tips..

 

Yeah man, outside of Falconhead I don't think I have yet to play an Austin course I would consider "in great shape", a ton are in good shape for sure. After the spring rains every course here in SA just went into amazing shape, including the low-level city courses. It's definitely a mystery to me why the courses aren't in better shape up there when I go play.