DFW golf Question

[Woogie]

Me and my golf group usually take a spring golf trip to the metroplex. I am not sure if it will be Spring or Summer, but it is never to early to start planning, right?

 

I have played The Cowboys Course, The Tribute, Tour 18, Texas Star, and the Links at Waterchase. I have enjoyed all of the above courses but we always look to play new ones.

 

Specifically has anyone played the Old American or Fossil Creek? I was also reading about the Lakes at Castle Hills. Is this course public or private? I was getting conflicting stories like it was public but now private? Any other course recommendations would be awesome.

 

Thanks in advance,

[ragweed10]

I have played old American, but it was in the summer and it was in great shape and fun layout. Bridlewood is another good course, but I don't know about any current conditions as I played it in the summer too. If conditions are good you would be happy with either place I'm sure.

[Woogie]

[quote name='ragweed10' timestamp='1357430318' post='6174911']
I have played old American, but it was in the summer and it was in great shape and fun layout. Bridlewood is another good course, but I don't know about any current conditions as I played it in the summer too. If conditions are good you would be happy with either place I'm sure.
[/quote]

Thanks! It will be a while before I will be there and I guess mainly asking about course layout as I know conditions can/will change.

[QuickFeet]

If you don't mind driving a little west of Ft. Worth (Aledo) take a look at Split Rail. It's a daily fee course and from the tips will probably provide all the challenge you want. It has hosted several USGA local qualifiers and tends to be in excellent condition.

If you have the means/contacts, Colonial CC and Shady Oaks would be awesome; both in Ft. Worth.

City of Arlington has a beautiful muni layout; Tierra Verde.

[GoStars]

I have played Old American and liked it a lot. Definitely a course where you should scale back to be absolutely sure you hit the fairways. Very tough greens which are multi-tiered to say the least..

[mctrees02]

As others have said, Old American is a must play. Fossil Creek is a good course but due to lower rates, it gets a lot of play and is often times very slow (even on weekdays).

Castle Hills is now semi-private with an eye on moving private. It was bought up 2 years or so ago by a group wanting to take it private. They renovated the bunkers as well as made some tee box adjustments and re-contoured a few greens. They also added on the Cowboys "all-inclusive" model and raised the green fees about $50-60/round (to $110-130 range at last check). For the price they charge, I would at Cowboys, Old American or Tribute (in that order) before Castle Hills.

I would also play Texas Star, Tierra Verde, Tour 18, Bridlewood, Grapevine, The Bridges, Tenison Highlands, or even head east of Dallas to Garden Valley or Pine Dunes before playing Castle Hills. Maybe you can tell that I'm not the biggest fan of that track...

On a side note, you might want to consider a trek to Pine Dunes. It's about 100 miles east of Dallas but is a thoroughly enjoyable course. It's the only course I've run across in Texas that offers anything remotely resembling that Pine Valley type course by utilizing waste bunkers and line trees to guide the course routing. It's a stiff challenge and one that our group thoroughly enjoys. We typically do 18 one day and 36 the next with an overnight in the cabins on property.

[Woogie]

[quote name='mctrees02' timestamp='1357651952' post='6189471']
As others have said, Old American is a must play. Fossil Creek is a good course but due to lower rates, it gets a lot of play and is often times very slow (even on weekdays).

Castle Hills is now semi-private with an eye on moving private. It was bought up 2 years or so ago by a group wanting to take it private. They renovated the bunkers as well as made some tee box adjustments and re-contoured a few greens. They also added on the Cowboys "all-inclusive" model and raised the green fees about $50-60/round (to $110-130 range at last check). For the price they charge, I would at Cowboys, Old American or Tribute (in that order) before Castle Hills.

I would also play Texas Star, Tierra Verde, Tour 18, Bridlewood, Grapevine, The Bridges, Tenison Highlands, or even head east of Dallas to Garden Valley or Pine Dunes before playing Castle Hills. Maybe you can tell that I'm not the biggest fan of that track...

On a side note, you might want to consider a trek to Pine Dunes. It's about 100 miles east of Dallas but is a thoroughly enjoyable course. It's the only course I've run across in Texas that offers anything remotely resembling that Pine Valley type course by utilizing waste bunkers and line trees to guide the course routing. It's a stiff challenge and one that our group thoroughly enjoys. We typically do 18 one day and 36 the next with an overnight in the cabins on property.
[/quote]

Thanks! Tierra Verde was another course I was thinking about. Now if we can just get to spring and warmer weather.

[doconnor]

Old American is a must play. It is located next to Lake Lewisville and you get the pure golf experience (no houses, no cement cart paths, good practice facilities, and not crowded). 36 a day would be easy along as it is during the week. Challenging course so pick the right tees (4 sets to choose from).

[GoStars]

You could also play Ridgeview Ranch in Plano or perhaps TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney.

[mctrees02]

Craig Ranch is private.

[CP Golfer]

I've played Fossil Creek numerous times over the past few years and I really enjoy the course. It is always in great shape and is a good deal for around $70 on a weekend. Another course around the same prices that is always in solid shape and is a fun, tough layout is The Golf Club at Champions Circle. It is a Marriott Resort/Hotel that is directly across the street from the Texas Motor Speedway.

Lastly, a course that I have not played, but heard a lot of good things about, is Sky Creek Ranch in Keller (about 5-10 minutes away from Fossil Creek).

[Bravo36]

Sky Creek Ranch is a great track and one of the few left here that still has bent grass greens. Bridlewood in good shape, but the greens are faaast. Old American is another great course, and the Tribute is basically just down the street. Would not suggest playing Tribute when it's windy though. Old American is a lot of fun, but do your homework or get their book to save a lot of heartache. Never seen so may fairway bunkers.

[NickPhillips]

Check out The Courses at Watters Creek. Just redone (closed or almost 2 years for renovation) and opened Hanuary 12th. Very nice course and fairly cheap (around 35 including cart). I would recommend it to anyone.

[callawayjay]

Aaaaaaand check out Sugar Tree 45 min west of ft worth. Hardest 6700 course you'll ever play

[nitram]

I'll just throw in another one that hasn't been mentioned and that's Coyote Ridge in Carrolton.

I'll also +1 the course at Pine Dunes. I've said it before that its the best kept secret in East Texas. Definitely a must play.....

[GoStars]

Sugar Tree may be a nice course, but unless they are staying in Ft. Worth, that's likely to be way more of a drive than they want. That could be easily 90 minutes or 2 hours each way if they were staying in Dallas, depending on traffic.

[cjblake09]

Coyote ridge, really??? I rate it about a 3/10. If you are going east try garden valley.

[Child Please]

Try the Creek course at Indian Creek in Carrollton. Its in great shape typically and its all you can handle from the tips.

[NickPhillips]

Does anyone want to go to Stevens Park in west Dallas on April 13, 2013. It seems as though we are just throwing around courses. The price is around $40ish per player with cart. Very quiet course located close to downtown Dallas. I have not made arrangements but easily can go that Saturday morning. Attached is a picture I took from one of the tee markers.

[cjblake09]

[quote name='Child Please' timestamp='1363566903' post='6632421']
Try the Creek course at Indian Creek in Carrollton. Its in great shape typically and its all you can handle from the tips.
[/quote]

I agree with you on that.

[Woogie]

We ended up playing The Old American, The Lakes at Castle Hills, and Fossil Creek. We had a blast and enjoyed all three courses.

[NickPhillips]

Okay, there is another topic in this forum about guys meeting up in the dallas area, and there are about 7 or so that are going to The Courses at Watters Creek in Allen, Tx on Saturday 20 April 2013 with a tee time of 8:30. I am the one reserving the tee times so if you would like to come out, please pm me so I can get a proper head count to reserve times.

This course just finished being renovated in January so the greens are fast and fairways are in nice shape.

[NickPhillips]

Correction, it looks like we may be changing courses to fireweel bridges course (garland, tx). We will be getting a group rate (will list price once I see how many people we will be getting). Please PM me if you would like to attend. It is still for 20 April 2013 at 830

[duffer987]

Hi fellas

Going to be going to DFW first weekend in May and will bring the sticks to break up the drinking sessions. Reps for all the helpful comments so far. So...

Old American looks to be a cracking course and a must play - I'm getting school girl giddy already - after that is there any point dropping another $100+ to play the Tribute?
This thread has given me loads of courses to look into and it seems we can get two rounds in at quality courses vs one at the Tribute.

Thanks

[endurancechiro]

Anybody want to get a round in Saturday morning in the N Dallas Area?

[Number6vRover]

Places we play outside of the Metroplex

Split Rail, Aledo - nice links layout
Squaw Valley Golf, Glenn Rose two courses
Pine Dunes, Frankston - worth the trip played late last year
Garden Valley, Lindale - always play late April early May
Links at Lands End, Yantis - water and wind on the lake
Twin Lakes, Canton - the tree farm is a good test
Stone Creek, Sherman - a front 9 with teeth

In town

Sky Creek Ranch, Keller - a real test of golf
Hawks Creek, Fort Worth - fast greens

[NickPhillips]

I am playing Trails of Frisco this Monday 8 April 2013 at 1012 tee time if anyone cares to join me. Just PM me if you care to join!

[duffer987]

Thanks for the list Rover, much appreciated

[John75402]

I definitely agree with
Twin Lakes
Links at Land's end
Garden Valley

Haven't played the others but Pine Dunes is next on my list for making a short trip.

[NickPhillips]

Not only on the 8th (see 2 posts above) but I am playing Indian Creek -Creeks Course on Friday 12 April 2013 with a tee time of 936. Just PM me if you care to join!