Top Places to play in Dallas - Mid May to early June

[Nick59210]

Hello All,

 

I am looking to head up to Dallas and play some golf. I am a 3 handicap and my father is a 10. Where are 3 places we HAVE to play while we are in Dallas?

 

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Woogie]

Do you want to stay in Dallas or travel in the DFW area? I recommend the Tribute, the Cowboy Course--although it is pretty expensive--and Texas Star.

[Nick59210]

[quote name='Woogie' timestamp='1359428080' post='6319117']
Do you want to stay in Dallas or travel in the DFW area? I recommend the Tribute, the Cowboy Course--although it is pretty expensive--and Texas Star.
[/quote] thanks! we are staying at great wolfe lodge in grapevine Are all three always in good shape? We had budgeted $250 per round. Should that cover it?

[nando]

Since you are staying there, Grapevine Muni is a good track.

If you play the Tribute, might as well play The Old Course there too.

[sompin2do]

[quote name='Nick59210' timestamp='1359566861' post='6330451']
[quote name='Woogie' timestamp='1359428080' post='6319117']
Do you want to stay in Dallas or travel in the DFW area? I recommend the Tribute, the Cowboy Course--although it is pretty expensive--and Texas Star.
[/quote] thanks! we are staying at great wolfe lodge in grapevine Are all three always in good shape? We had budgeted $250 per round. Should that cover it?
[/quote]

Good choices from Woogie. Might also throw in Old American Golf Club right next to Tribute. All are usually in good shape and with $250 budgeted you'll have money left over. Cowboys will probably be the most expensive but includes food, non-alcoholic drinks, and all the golf you can fit in a day.

[mctrees02]

At $250/round then definitely play Cowboys Golf Club. It's within a mile of you and has been the top public in DFW since it opened. 36 holes at Tribute/Old American will make for a great day (about a 20-30 minute drive depending on traffic.) The courses are right next to each other and are a wonderful experience. Texas Star is a popular track and fairly close to you. Depending on your travel dates, you could try to get a round at TPC Four Seasons in Las Colinas. The PGA's Byron Nelson tournament is there May 13-19 so the course will be in close to tour shape for the next week or two after the tournament.

[cjblake09]

I would also throw out Castle Hills in Lewisville. Agree on Cowboys and the two courses at the Tribute.

[GoStars]

I definitely liked Old American, but is skip the Tribute. It looks like the British Open rota, but doesn't play like them.

[baseballfrk8998]

Played Old American and The Tribute last summer and they were fantastic. I'd definitely recommend these 2 courses.

[DFW Snowman]

Cowboys Golf Club is right next to you at Great Wolf, so definitely should try that. Golfnow often has discounted tee times for Cowboys at $90 or $100 and includes all your food and non-alcoholic drinks.

Grapevine is also right there next to Cowboys and is a great course with 27 holes.

Old American and Tribute are right next to each other and both nice courses. I prefer Tribute because it's a little easier for me, but better golfers probably prefer Old American.

Castle Hills is another great course that's on the pricey side but includes food and non-alcoholic drinks as well. They also don't advertise well or something because that course never has anybody on it.

[nando]

I thought Castle Hills went private.

[mctrees02]

They haven't gone full private yet. They are on the Lantana path so enjoy it while you can. They likely won't be public for more than 18-24 months.

[nando]

Interesting. I don't see how those courses could/would survive as private. Thanks.

[nando]

Wow, just checked Castle Hills website, $160 a round on a Friday, haha, no way.

I see why nobody is every on it.

[mctrees02]

Castle Hills is a pretty high end residential neighborhood. Unlike most of the suburb courses surrounded by homes, their in a neighborhood that actually could support being a private club. Of course the balance of fees/ to course conditions comes into play but it is theoretically possible in that neighborhood.

[jahopki]

I play off a 3.8 index and accidentally stumbled on the Tribute about 18 months ago -- that was a LOT of fun! (Tip: don't hit driver off #1) The stranger I got paired with was talking about the other course on the property (Old American?) and said it was as good / fun if not even more so. My brother-in-law's a radiologist, not a golfer, but a lot of his doctor co-workers like to play The Cowboy. We took our boys to Grey Wolf Lodge last summer; it was tough staying so close to the Cowboy and not getting to play it... The thing about Tribute that absolutely blew me away was the complete absence of homes on the property; you can't even see the homes that are near it. Complete silence except for the wind coming off that big lake.

[nando]

[quote name='mctrees02' timestamp='1360602008' post='6406765']
Castle Hills is a pretty high end residential neighborhood. Unlike most of the suburb courses surrounded by homes, their in a neighborhood that actually could support being a private club. Of course the balance of fees/ to course conditions comes into play but it is theoretically possible in that neighborhood.
[/quote]

Yes, I've seen the homes, I have played that course several times over the years. But, it's not worth $160 a round.

[sompin2do]

[quote name='nando' timestamp='1360614436' post='6408295']
[quote name='mctrees02' timestamp='1360602008' post='6406765']
Castle Hills is a pretty high end residential neighborhood. Unlike most of the suburb courses surrounded by homes, their in a neighborhood that actually could support being a private club. Of course the balance of fees/ to course conditions comes into play but it is theoretically possible in that neighborhood.
[/quote]

Yes, I've seen the homes, I have played that course several times over the years. But, it's not worth $160 a round.
[/quote]

A friend of mine lives out there and said so far they only have 35 members. Might indicate lower prices in the not so distant future.

[OK_Golf]

You've probably heard all the recommendations you want, but here are $0.02 more (my two cents to be exact):

Sky Creek Ranch is great in my opinion, lots of elevated greens that repel shots, relatively tight (several holes that don't require driver) and always in great shape in my experience. should be ~$80 on a weekend morning

The Tribute and Old American Golf Club are both on my "must play" list ... I haven't experience them, but want to soon. I've heard mixed reviews of how truly "link-sy" The Tribute really plays, but the reviews of Old American I have seen were 100% positive.

Cowboys is over-rated and over-priced, particularly if you aren't a Cowboys fan (and have no interest in the "schtick" of the place). Several holes have unique (in the area) elevation changes that are fun, but I wouldn't spend $160 to play it.

Castle Hills is a great course, design and layout wise ... about 8 years ago it was always in immaculate shape, by about 5 years ago it had started to go downhill. Since the close-down, renovation and re-open as semi-private I've heard GREAT things, but have no personal experience. $160 sounds a bit high to me, though. This course may the most challenging, particularly as you move towards the back tees of all of these one's I'm mentioning.

Tour 18 in Flower Mound is a fun experience (replicas of famous holes: Augusta, Pine Valley, TPC Sawgrass, etc.), again about 5 or 6 years ago conditions were poor, but I've heard its much better now. it's not something I'd want to play every week (or really more than 2 or 3 times), but its a fun experience.

Hope you enjoy the trip.