Jump to content

Golf in Houston area


CAT GOLFER

Recommended Posts

My family is exploring a move to the Houston area because of a new job opportunity and I was curious what the golf scene looks like. I know the Houston metro area is huge, I would guess we would shy towards the eastern side?

just looking for general golf knowledge, I’m a typical hacker, like to keep a small rotation of good courses to play often, and venture out to explore new, exciting courses.

is golf mostly private, is it a better option? Are there enough public courses for hacks like me, lol?

Any knowledge or insight is appreciated. Thanks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There is plenty of public courses to play, but good practice facilities are pretty scarce. If you are gonna be on the east side, there is Gus Wortham that is a nice track. Further East is Battleground, but haven't been out there in a while since they had lost all of their greens a while back. Memorial Park is more in the central metro area and just got a face lift, but is currently closed due to COVID. There are lots of pubic courses out 290, but that is more northwest of Houston.

I've never belonged to a club so don't have much info or background for you there, but there are quite a few in the surrounding areas of Houston that are a part of Clubcorp.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There’s also Bay Forest in LaPorte, course is pretty good, and the practice areas are decent. But Houston is so big and it just depends on what East means.

Woods: Callaway Rogue ST Max LS 9*, Ventus Blue 6S / TM Stealth Plus+, 15*, MCA Diamana Thump 75S
Hybrid: PXG 0317 X Proto 3H & 4H, Ventus Blue 7S

Irons: Takomo IRON 101, 5-PW, Accra T90i S
Wedges: Cleveland CBX ZipCore  48* Accra T90i S, 53* & 58*, Accra T100i S
Putter: Evnroll ER 1.2, Tour KBS GPS, 33",
 SuperStroke MidSlim 2.0
Ball: Maxfli Tour
Bag/Cart: '20 Nike Air Hybrid 2 / Clicgear 4.0 / Alphard Club Booster V2 / V2 Swivel Kit
Accessories: Arccos 360 / Garmin G80 / Nikon Coolshot Pro Stabilized

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Best course on the east side is Eagle Pointe in Mount Belview. Pretty much always in good shape, lot of elevation changes especially for the Houston area. They also offer very affordable memberships as well.

DRIVER -     PXG Gen 4 0811X - 8* | 🔥PROXIMA 5S🔥
2 WD -         PXG Gen 4  13* |  🔥KHT AUTOFLEX SF505🔥
  

5 / 7 WD-    PXG Gen 5 | Project X Riptide CB 4.0 40g Ladies 

IRONS -       PXG Gen 6 XP DOUBLE BLACK | MMT 80 Stiff                     
WEDGES -  PXG Sugar Daddy II 54*/13 and 58*/10 | MMT 80 Stiff  
GRIPS -       JUMBOMAX ULTRALIGHT XL
PUTTER -   LAB DF 3.0 
BAG -           PXG Staff Bag

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was going to mention Eagle Pointe, but that was why I asked how far is east. That a pretty good distance East.

Woods: Callaway Rogue ST Max LS 9*, Ventus Blue 6S / TM Stealth Plus+, 15*, MCA Diamana Thump 75S
Hybrid: PXG 0317 X Proto 3H & 4H, Ventus Blue 7S

Irons: Takomo IRON 101, 5-PW, Accra T90i S
Wedges: Cleveland CBX ZipCore  48* Accra T90i S, 53* & 58*, Accra T100i S
Putter: Evnroll ER 1.2, Tour KBS GPS, 33",
 SuperStroke MidSlim 2.0
Ball: Maxfli Tour
Bag/Cart: '20 Nike Air Hybrid 2 / Clicgear 4.0 / Alphard Club Booster V2 / V2 Swivel Kit
Accessories: Arccos 360 / Garmin G80 / Nikon Coolshot Pro Stabilized

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You definitely want to look at Clear Lake/League City area as a consideration. It that works out there are three clubs to consider if you want to club, Bay Oaks, Southshore Harbor and Magnolia Creek. I don't know much about being a member of a club but I believe all three are Club Corp. There also GreenTee in Pearland that is close to the area. I have never played but I hear it's fantastic. I have visited for a few lessons, and it looks great.

If you end up living in Baytown then Eagle Pointe is a skip a way.

Woods: Callaway Rogue ST Max LS 9*, Ventus Blue 6S / TM Stealth Plus+, 15*, MCA Diamana Thump 75S
Hybrid: PXG 0317 X Proto 3H & 4H, Ventus Blue 7S

Irons: Takomo IRON 101, 5-PW, Accra T90i S
Wedges: Cleveland CBX ZipCore  48* Accra T90i S, 53* & 58*, Accra T100i S
Putter: Evnroll ER 1.2, Tour KBS GPS, 33",
 SuperStroke MidSlim 2.0
Ball: Maxfli Tour
Bag/Cart: '20 Nike Air Hybrid 2 / Clicgear 4.0 / Alphard Club Booster V2 / V2 Swivel Kit
Accessories: Arccos 360 / Garmin G80 / Nikon Coolshot Pro Stabilized

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am a member at Magnolia Creek / South Shore. It's 54 holes at two sites on one membership. It's a golf club not a country club, there's no pool / tennis / gym or anything like that.

Mag creek is links style over 7000 yards from the tips and pretty open modern style. Good practice facility. South shore is more classic country club style course shorter and tighter than mag creek with water in play on a bunch of holes.

The courses are south east of Houston about 10 mins off each side of i45.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Same here and pretty much agree with the above, I play Mag pretty much 100% of the time. You can't beat the conditions of this course year around and they have great practice facilities.

Also most of the members at South Shore have been there a while, kinda old school and from what I hear not too friendly to newcomers.

DRIVER -     PXG Gen 4 0811X - 8* | 🔥PROXIMA 5S🔥
2 WD -         PXG Gen 4  13* |  🔥KHT AUTOFLEX SF505🔥
  

5 / 7 WD-    PXG Gen 5 | Project X Riptide CB 4.0 40g Ladies 

IRONS -       PXG Gen 6 XP DOUBLE BLACK | MMT 80 Stiff                     
WEDGES -  PXG Sugar Daddy II 54*/13 and 58*/10 | MMT 80 Stiff  
GRIPS -       JUMBOMAX ULTRALIGHT XL
PUTTER -   LAB DF 3.0 
BAG -           PXG Staff Bag

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

I live in Baytown, and without a doubt, Eagle Pointe is the best course anywhere within a reasonable drive. They’re proud of it though, around $65 weekend rate and $45-$50 weekday. Last I remember, when I cancelled my membership a couple years ago, it was $105/month and $19/round to play. Basically, 2 weekend rounds and you’re near break even. They have a good range, decent enough short game area, big putting green. The food in the grill is good, and they do sell beer but they don’t sell any liquor. Good selection of stuff in the pro shop, cart fleet is brand new, and they have a regular skins game.

 

bay Forest in LaPorte is always in good shape, but has to be the most boring course in the entire Houston area. I love 15 minutes from it, and if I play it once a year it was a busy year.

 

battleground is a decent layout, but the course right now is complete trash. It has always been hit or miss, and right now it’s a biiiiiiiiig miss.

 

timber Creek can be nice, but it’s a journey from here and they’re quite proud of it. It is also hit or miss as far as conditions. I haven’t been there in months, but it was nice last time I was out there. 3 9s, so it is always a different combination or different order. Keeps it fresh if you don’t play it every day.

 

theres Newport in Crosby (about a 25 minute drive for me on the northeast side of Baytown). It’s a fun course, in good shape. It hosted an LPGA tournament for a couple of years back in the day.

 

after Evergreen in Baytown closed, I joined Eagle Pointe. The only reason I gave up my membership is my wife started playing and the course is tough for her so she doesn’t particularly enjoy it. We play most of our golf at Chambers County (about 15 minutes east of Baytown just off I-10 in Anahuac). It’s cheap, it’s BYOB, and it’s a good ol boy county muni. You will see people in anything from jeans to gym shorts and a t-shirt. I don’t get bothered by that kind of thing. Not difficult course, not a lot of trouble to get into with errant shots, usually in decent shape (good greens right now) and usually a 2.5-3 hour round on any given day. Weekend rate is $32 including a cart, I believe $22 if you walk. Can’t beat it if you’re close enough and not expecting a bunch of other “stuff”. They have no grill, the pro shop is lucky to have golf balls for sale, but the folks are nice. I probably have more of a sentimental attachment than anything else because my uncle pretty much taught me to play out there.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

East side of Houston proper isn’t a place you want to live. It’s pretty hood. East of Houston isn’t bad (Baytown/Mont Belvieu). Baytown has it’s shady areas, and it’s nice areas. Northeast side of town where I live is quiet, low crime, nice houses and neighborhoods. There’s 2 nice parks with trails through the woods connecting them walking distance from my house (it’s where I run a few days a week). I was born and raised here, and aside from a year in New Jersey, I’ve been here my whole life (40, so a been here a minute). Any questions you may have about the area, any specific locations on this side of town, I will gladly offer any advice I can.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Really appreciate all this information. I think the determining factor will be a combination of easy access to an airport and proximity to the Baytown/La Porte/ Pasadena areas for work. We also have two small children that will be starting school in the next few years , so I have a feeling a great school district will also be high on the list.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Proximity to an airport would depend on where you would be traveling to. Hobby is on the south side of town, closer to Baytown/Laporte/Pasadena than IAH, but hobby flys mostly Southwest Airlines and they are pretty limited in where they go. IAH is on the north side of town, a pretty good clip from the area you’re talking about, but flys pretty much anywhere you want to go in the world.

 

pasadena is closest to Hobby airport of the 3, but the crappiest one of the bunch to live. Depending on where exactly you would be working, clear lake area would be good if Hobby airport supports the locations you need to fly to. That being said, in Houston rush hour traffic, it could take you upwards of an hour to get from clear lake to Baytown for work.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What is the going rate for a junior membership at Magnolia Creek / South Shore these days? I live in downtown but I already drive an hour for most of the courses I play (High Meadow Ranch, Moody Gardens, Wilderness). I am spending $60-100 bucks every time and I play 1-3 times a week. I'm thinking its time for a membership somewhere.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Oh no, house selection is not based on golf(I wish), its more to do about proximity to the airport. My wife will have an office in Pasadena, but she’ll be on the road a fair amount. We will both likely WFH anyway, she might need to go into the office 2 times a week. I’ll let her deal with the consequences of a commute.?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

yeah that is a hike. Could easily be an hour plus drive depending on the exact locations and traffic, but only twice a week makes it way better. The closest privates in the woodlands area:

 

Carlton woods $$$$$ - and you probably need to know someone

The woodlands country club - Club Corp 36 holes - $$$

Golf Trails of the woodlands / Lake windcrest - club corp - semi / resort - 36 holes on one site and 18 on another $$

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not sure private is in my pay grade, I see a number of places have “memberships” where you just pay per month and some places you pay an additional “access fee”(?). I guess with all the threads on here I am hesitant to get involved with the semi-private model, has anyone had positive experiences with any up in that area?

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The woodlands to pasadena is an awful drive, even at 2:00 in the morning with no traffic. In rush hour, it will be anywhere from 1.5-2 hours of stop and go traffic. I would give it a day or two, and she will be looking to change jobs or move. There are no actual words I could say that could convey just how much she will hate it, and how much I would recommend against it.

 

People that have not lived here and experienced it really just cant grasp how bad the traffic is. The only place I have ever seen that rivals it is getting in and out of LA in rush hour. There are approximately 4.5 million people that live in harris county, and once you add the people that drive in from out of county/Houston to come to work, it is an absolute nightmare.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I’m looking for a WFH position, or at least one where I am remote support. I think my wife may luck out because she can “squat” in a business office closer to our targeted area.

I’m really just along for the ride, I know who makes the decision?. I’m excited regardless, I grew up moving a lot in my youth, so new and interesting is fine by me.

who knows, I may learn to enjoy early(pre-noon) golf.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

well, I appreciate the feedback for sure. Haven’t even made it down to the area to look yet, but I’ll be sure to have my wife drive the route in the morning/afternoon to really drive the point across.

any north easterners who have moved to the area? Have to change equipment?(needlessly trying to find a way to “explore” new/more equipment?)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Depending on where in the northeast you are and what kind of altitude you play at, you could possibly lose some distance as we're basically sea level. I did not notice any change in distance (or equipment needs in general) when I moved to New Jersey. The rough is different and putting surfaces are different. People love to talk about how hard bermuda is to play out of, but learning to play in it, I found the bent grass and whatever other strains are common up there wreaked havoc on my game.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Our picks

    • 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Discussion and links to Photos
      Please put any questions or Comments here
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Monday #1
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Monday #2
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Tuesday #1
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Tuesday #2
      2024 Texas Children's Houston Open - Tuesday #3
       
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Thorbjorn Olesen - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Ben Silverman - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Jesse Droemer - SoTX PGA Section POY - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      David Lipsky - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Martin Trainer - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Zac Blair - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Jacob Bridgeman - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Trace Crowe - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Jimmy Walker - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Daniel Berger - WITB(very mini) - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Chesson Hadley - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Callum McNeill - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Rhein Gibson - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Patrick Fishburn - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Peter Malnati - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Raul Pereda - WITB - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Gary Woodland WITB (New driver, iron shafts) – 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Padraig Harrington WITB – 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
       
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      Tom Hoge's custom Cameron - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Cameron putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Piretti putters - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Ping putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Kevin Dougherty's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Bettinardi putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Cameron putter - 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Erik Barnes testing an all-black Axis1 putter – 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
      Tony Finau's new driver shaft – 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open
       
       
       
       
       
      • 7 replies
    • 2024 Valspar Championship WITB Photos (Thanks to bvmagic)- Discussion & Links to Photos
      This weeks WITB Pics are from member bvmagic (Brian). Brian's first event for WRX was in 2008 at Bayhill while in college. Thanks so much bv.
       
      Please put your comments or question on this thread. Links to all the threads are below...
       
       
       
       
        • Like
      • 31 replies
    • 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put any questions or comments here
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Monday #1
      2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Monday #2
      2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Monday #3
       
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Matt (LFG) Every - WITB - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      Sahith Theegala - WITB - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      New Cameron putters (and new "LD" grip) - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      New Bettinardi MB & CB irons - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      Custom Bettinardi API putter cover - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      Custom Swag API covers - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      New Golf Pride Reverse Taper grips - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
        • Like
      • 15 replies
    • 2024 Cognizant Classic - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put any questions or comments here
       
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #1
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #2
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #3
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #4
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Brandt Snedeker - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Max Greyserman - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Eric Cole - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Carl Yuan - WITb - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Russell Henley - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Justin Sun - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Alex Noren - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Shane Lowry - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Taylor Montgomery - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Jake Knapp (KnappTime_ltd) - WITB - - 2024 Cognizant Classic
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      New Super Stoke Pistol Lock 1.0 & 2.0 grips - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      LA Golf new insert putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      New Garsen Quad Tour 15 grip - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      New Swag covers - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Jacob Bridgeman's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Bud Cauley's custom Cameron putters - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Ryo Hisatsune's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Chris Kirk - new black Callaway Apex CB irons and a few Odyssey putters - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Alejandro Tosti's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
        • Like
      • 2 replies
    • 2024 Genesis Invitational - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put any questions or comments here
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Monday #1
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Monday #2
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #1
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #2
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #3
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #4
       
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Rory McIlroy - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Sepp Straka - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Patrick Rodgers - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Brendon Todd - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Denny McCarthy - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Corey Conners - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Chase Johnson - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tommy Fleetwood - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Matt Fitzpatrick - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Si Woo Kim - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Viktor Hovland - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Wyndham Clark - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Cam Davis - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Nick Taylor - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Ben Baller WITB update (New putter, driver, hybrid and shafts) – 2024 Genesis Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      New Vortex Golf rangefinder - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      New Fujikura Ventus shaft - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods & TaylorMade "Sun Day Red" apparel launch event, product photos – 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods Sun Day Red golf shoes - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Aretera shafts - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      New Toulon putters - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods' new white "Sun Day Red" golf shoe prototypes – 2024 Genesis Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
      • 22 replies

×
×
  • Create New...