Golfers in Austin, TX

[mgoods23]

Just played clay and the greens are in the best shape I’ve ever seen. Pretty quick

[mgoods23]

Anyone ever buy the first tee players book? Deals look good but I assume it’s mostly weekday rounds?

[jckrjr7]

Anyone ever buy the first tee players book? Deals look good but I assume it’s mostly weekday rounds?

 

Yes a lot of weekday rounds. Horseshoe bay let’s you use it on the weekends and that can easily pay off the book in one trip.

[tbooty]

I snagged the players book a few days ago. There are definitely restrictions but it's really not all that bad. I thumbed through it again right now and the majority of them allow weekend rounds as long as it's after noon or 1 PM.

[timehoc]

I was looking at something at PGA Tour Superstore and said my item was available for pickup in Spring 2019. Looks like they're opening at Arbor Walk.

[Reidman]

I was looking at something at PGA Tour Superstore and said my item was available for pickup in Spring 2019. Looks like they're opening at Arbor Walk.

 

The rumors are true!! Golf Galaxy has been such a disappointment for me since the Golfsmith buyout. Late Spring can't get here soon enough. Nice find!

[Fish-N-Chips]

I was looking at something at PGA Tour Superstore and said my item was available for pickup in Spring 2019. Looks like they're opening at Arbor Walk.

 

The rumors are true!! Golf Galaxy has been such a disappointment for me since the Golfsmith buyout. Late Spring can't get here soon enough. Nice find!

 

Agreed. Golf Galaxy is so bad here. I typically drive up to Georgetown to see the folks at Golf Ranch.

[just plain bill]

what's wrong with golf galaxy?

[EricWGolf]

what's wrong with golf galaxy?

 

Dicks. Dicks is what’s wrong with Golf Galaxy.

 

With Golfsmith gone, the number of large golf retailers is down to ... one. Golf Galaxy is just the Dick’s golf section on steroids.

 

Specifically, the selection of brands has shrunk dramatically (i.e., pushing out other brands in favor of Dick’s in-house brands like Walter Hagen/Lady Hagen). While you can still find brands like adidas and Nike, the variety is minimal - just the basics.

 

Also, the club building and repair selection is almost gone. Not sure if it’s still the case, but when GG first took over, they pulled grip solvent (grip.solvent for Pete’s sake) from the stores and were telling customers to order it online from their club building arm. (By the way, that division’s service has gone down too now that they don’t have Golfsmith as a competitor.). And forget about finding an in-stock shaft.

 

The sales associates are nice enough, but nowhere nearly as informed about golf as before. And man do they look whipped - just beat down by the corporate machine that is Dick’s.

 

Basically, just a department store focused on golf with crappy selection.

 

Of course, well, that’s just, like, my opinion man. YMMV.

[just plain bill]

Sales: a lot of guys came over from gsmith. Jason, coach, and a coupla others. Jason has been my salesman for ten years. Coach has helped me a bunch as well. Yeah, the selection is waaaaay less, but my bag is set, barring a miracle club.

 

I do get clubs repaired, shafts changed, grips, etc with no problem.

 

Lord, I sure miss that outdoor range at gsmith...

[snagy2000]

what's wrong with golf galaxy?

 

Dicks. Dicks is what's wrong with Golf Galaxy.

 

With Golfsmith gone, the number of large golf retailers is down to ... one. Golf Galaxy is just the Dick's golf section on steroids.

 

Specifically, the selection of brands has shrunk dramatically (i.e., pushing out other brands in favor of Dick's in-house brands like Walter Hagen/Lady Hagen). While you can still find brands like adidas and Nike, the variety is minimal - just the basics.

 

Also, the club building and repair selection is almost gone. Not sure if it's still the case, but when GG first took over, they pulled grip solvent (grip.solvent for Pete's sake) from the stores and were telling customers to order it online from their club building arm. (By the way, that division's service has gone down too now that they don't have Golfsmith as a competitor.). And forget about finding an in-stock shaft.

 

The sales associates are nice enough, but nowhere nearly as informed about golf as before. And man do they look whipped - just beat down by the corporate machine that is Dick's.

 

Basically, just a department store focused on golf with crappy selection.

 

Of course, well, that's just, like, my opinion man. YMMV.

 

It mine too...GG is horrible because of how they're run by the corporate arm...It's like they have golf stores, but don't really want to be in the golf business...I don't buy anything at their stores unless I have a gift certificate...Too many friendlier and better priced online options to spend my money with...Will say, PGA Tour Superstore is pretty much like the old Golfsmith and you'll enjoy having one in your town...

[just plain bill]

Never heard of the golf ranch! Better investigate! Like, today!

[Fish-N-Chips]

Never heard of the golf ranch! Better investigate! Like, today!

 

Golf Ranch is a family owned store up in Georgetown off of Williams Dr. They've got some great club builders on the team, and I believe one of the fitters was a head fitter for Golf Smith before they closed down. Folks are always super nice, and they'll do what they can to help you out.

[epmonies]

Star Ranch was in pretty good shape this past weekend. Greens rolled well even in the foggy/damp conditions. Had never played out there before cus it’s on the opposite side of the planet for me but well worth the drive.

[Reidman]

Looks who’s back in the saddle...Monies! Let’s grab KK and play again soon.

[duffer987]

Never heard of the golf ranch! Better investigate! Like, today!

 

Golf Ranch is a family owned store up in Georgetown off of Williams Dr. They've got some great club builders on the team, and I believe one of the fitters was a head fitter for Golf Smith before they closed down. Folks are always super nice, and they'll do what they can to help you out.

They really are lovely folks there and if you're North-ish they are a good shout.

They can also quite easily "while you wait" grips or lofts lies and 'same day' shafts if you going midweek, whereas GG is typically an extra day or so on top of that.

[KK44]

I’m down for a round fellas. I went out to Forest Creek last weekend and it was looking pretty good. Especially for mid winter.

[epmonies]

Looks who’s back in the saddle...Monies! Let’s grab KK and play again soon.

 

Haha having a kid will do that to a man's golf game evidently... I'm starting to play a bit more so yea, let's definitely get out there in a few weeks!

[jflores8]

Played over the weekend in a Guys golf trip in Austin, played the following:

 

Avery Ranch - was in great shape, greens are bit slow but overall not bad

Yaupon - No. 1 is easily the stupidest hole in the state of Texas, course sucks

Hills of Lakeway - Very fun layout, very long. Greens were sloooowwwwwww!!!

[epmonies]

Played over the weekend in a Guys golf trip in Austin, played the following:

 

Avery Ranch - was in great shape, greens are bit slow but overall not bad

Yaupon - No. 1 is easily the stupidest hole in the state of Texas, course sucks

Hills of Lakeway - Very fun layout, very long. Greens were sloooowwwwwww!!!

 

Unfortunate that all three courses weren't in great shape but it's also been wet and nasty lately so that doesn't completely surprise me. You'll have to give it another go in the summer. Avery and The Hills usually are in great shape and run fairly quick when dry.

[J_Birdie]

Played over the weekend in a Guys golf trip in Austin, played the following:

 

Avery Ranch - was in great shape, greens are bit slow but overall not bad

Yaupon - No. 1 is easily the stupidest hole in the state of Texas, course sucks

Hills of Lakeway - Very fun layout, very long. Greens were sloooowwwwwww!!!

 

Unfortunate that all three courses weren't in great shape but it's also been wet and nasty lately so that doesn't completely surprise me. You'll have to give it another go in the summer. Avery and The Hills usually are in great shape and run fairly quick when dry.

 

I agree. All courses greens are slow right now because most aren't cutting with the damp and wet weather. This coming week should really get some of those greens drier and fast again.

 

Avery and The Hills are usually very fast. I played both a couple months back and they were amazingly smooth and quick.

[PTM]

Popping into Austin in a couple weeks, but clubs will be stuck in Florida. Any courses with a decent rental set I can play during the week?

[mgoods23]

Played grey rock today and the course is probably in the best shape of the local munis. Greens were a tad bumpy but the fairways were soft

[epmonies]

Popping into Austin in a couple weeks, but clubs will be stuck in Florida. Any courses with a decent rental set I can play during the week?

 

Probably the nicest you’ll get around town is going to be at one of the Barton Creek courses. Falconhead also has the 718s and all the new Titleist metals in their rental bags as well if that suits you. Beyond that, not too sure.

[timehoc]

Popping into Austin in a couple weeks, but clubs will be stuck in Florida. Any courses with a decent rental set I can play during the week?

Avery Ranch has Jetspeeds and AP1s.

[senseipro]

I moved to Austin and am looking for really inexpensive golfing spots that are easy to get on-off. 9 or 18. I lived in South Carolina with a lot of course options and am trying to get a 'lay of the land' here in Austin!

[KK44]

Hey fellas, some guys I know in San Antonio are bringing their golf league to Austin this year.  They are mostly 9-hole weekday evening events.  A couple 18-hole events sprinkled in.  And they are all held at top-end courses and private clubs (Onion Creek, River Place, Falconhead, etc).  Personally, I really like the format.  Check them out if interested: https://thegolffellowship.com/

[cjblake09]

Played Kizer and Clay the last 2 days and man i wish we had something like this in Dallas. Clay's greens were slow after getting punched last week but Kizer was in great shape. Walked both for $20 and started at 5 and finished both rounds walking.

[mrmatx]

> @senseipro said:

> I moved to Austin and am looking for really inexpensive golfing spots that are easy to get on-off. 9 or 18. I lived in South Carolina with a lot of course options and am trying to get a 'lay of the land' here in Austin!

 

Kizer/Clay are both great public tracks near airport. I prefer Kizer. Usually like $50 w/ cart.

Falconhead near Bee Cave/Lakeway is a great course. Probably $75.

Star Ranch in Hutto northeast of town is great. $50ish.

Lions in Tarrytown is classic. Like $25.

Many people like Avery Ranch near Cedar Park. I think it's overrated (maybe b/c I always play like shoot there).

Wolfdancer out on 71 at Lost Pines is fantastic, but farther away and more pricey. Over $100.

[TravelingGolfSticks]

Planning on being in Ausint May 11-12. Have an afternoon tee time on Saturday at Flintrock and calling later today on River Place if anyone wants to join.

*Full disclosure, you must pay for your round and cart (it got awkward one time)