Houston's Private vs Public Courses

[spfx]

This is my first initiated topic:

 

Most people on these forums seem very knowledgeable so I'd like your feedback:

 

Houston Golf Courses

 

1. What private clubs would you consider "overrated" or "underrated" in relation to the membership costs/fees? I'm talking about the quality of the golf experience a course has to offer. Not the extrinsic business opportunities a certain club membership may offer.

 

2. Same question for the public courses in relation to their green fees. Semi-private courses can be critiqued from either perspective.

 

3. How does the quality + cost of golf in Houston compare to other cities (Dallas, San Antonio and Austin in particular).

 

I'm very curious to hear your opinions.

[bmoores]

For me, I based my decision to join a club on similar criteria. I joined Sugar Creek and have not regretted my choice once. If you can wait a couple of weeks I'm happy to have you out as a guest. I've got a tournament this weekend (weather permitting) and another the following weekend. The course is still in somewhat of a transition but there has been a LOT of money spent lately. The course is really starting to come around and the camaraderie out there is as good as anywhere. It's a very exciting place right now and we have a ton of fun out there.

[jflores8]

If you guys are on facebook, you should come join Houston Golfwrx page, lots of guys constantly playing golf. Sugar Creek is a good one, received some membership information but was a bit more expensive than Riverbend CC.

[bmoores]

There's been a million and a half gone into the course and clubhouse in the last year at Sugar Creek with another million and a half slated over the next 18 months. The good news is that we've got 18 renovated holes that are playing right at 7100 yards with a challenging layout. Once the third nine is done towards the end of 2016 it should be a very fun option. The biggest seller for me at Sugar Creek is the camaraderie. It was regarded as an old mans club not that long ago but we've got a group of about 40 guys now that are under 45 that have all become fast friends and many days after rounds we're greeted in the bar by wives, girlfriends, and kids. There are big changes happening there and thats really what I bought into. Hoping for a great summer.

[jflores8]

The part about the wives and kids meetings after rounds is awesome, how are the amenities for family. I have heard about both Riverbend and Sugar Creek being an older membership.

[bmoores]

[quote name='jflores8' timestamp='1426795165' post='11174945']
The part about the wives and kids meetings after rounds is awesome, how are the amenities for family. I have heard about both Riverbend and Sugar Creek being an older membership.
[/quote]

The amenities are improving monthly. The pool was redone last year and all the pool furnitures, tables, cabanas, etc. were replaced. The only 19th hole is now a walk in snack bar that was fully remodeled and not serves snacks, ice creams, drinks, etc. for families and kids at the pool. The new bar is pretty damn awesome and the main dining room renamed "Bistro 72" is set to open at the end of the month. In the last year I would say the average membership age has dropped by a minimum of 4 years. The face of the club is changing big time. Very exciting stuff. I'm happy to bring anyone out who is interested. Might have to be limited to two or so at a time though.

[snagy2000]

[quote name='bmoores' timestamp='1426797427' post='11175179']
[quote name='jflores8' timestamp='1426795165' post='11174945']
The part about the wives and kids meetings after rounds is awesome, how are the amenities for family. I have heard about both Riverbend and Sugar Creek being an older membership.
[/quote]

The amenities are improving monthly. The pool was redone last year and all the pool furnitures, tables, cabanas, etc. were replaced. The only 19th hole is now a walk in snack bar that was fully remodeled and not serves snacks, ice creams, drinks, etc. for families and kids at the pool. The new bar is pretty damn awesome and the main dining room renamed "Bistro 72" is set to open at the end of the month. In the last year I would say the average membership age has dropped by a minimum of 4 years. The face of the club is changing big time. Very exciting stuff. I'm happy to bring anyone out who is interested. Might have to be limited to two or so at a time though.
[/quote]

I've been looking at Sugar Creek over the last year and have to agree things are turning around for the club. At the two outings I've been invited to attend, everyone has been very nice and welcoming. Plus, I can actually see the positive changes they've made in accordance to their long-term plan. I'm just not ready to make a move yet, but if/when I do, It'll probably be there based on family needs.

[bmoores]

[quote name='snagy2000' timestamp='1426815609' post='11177125']
I've been looking at Sugar Creek over the last year and have to agree things are turning around for the club. At the two outings I've been invited to attend, everyone has been very nice and welcoming. Plus, I can actually see the positive changes they've made in accordance to their long-term plan. I'm just not ready to make a move yet, but if/when I do, It'll probably be there based on family needs.
[/quote]

This is Scott, right? I believe we met when you came over for the Boys night out at Sugar Creek.

This is Ben.

[Milez28]

sent you a pm about Sugar Creek bmoores

[HeadofthePac4]

How difficult is getting a tee time? I often don't know which day of the weekend I can play until Thursday. Thanks in advance for the feedback and I love to check it out.

[Scratch N Stick]

There are a few hidden gems still. I thought Riverbend was one of them, this I joined about a year ago. If you want to know more about hit shoot me a PM and I will elaborate. Getting a tee time is not as bad out there for myself. I normally walk on on Fridays, and we normally have a few standing tee times around 9am, about 3 groups of guys between 25-35. I judged the ease of tee times based on how early young members go off. I've heard that Braeburn is difficult for young members to get times. There are a few that I view as overrated as well, not saying they are bad courses but they are just not as cost efficient as Riverbend.

I don't recall the cost in Dallas for some of the clubs but when I was up there I only looked at DAC and Brookhaven and they were not as beneficial for me at the time.

All in all quality of the golf experience and the types of players you find at the course in my opinion Riverbend is hard to beat. If you are interested like j said shoot me a PM.

[jflores8]

Riverbend is fun to play, need to get back out again since I am sure the greens are back to norm again. When we played a month back it had been punched. Trying to narrow it down but looks like for cost it will be between Sugar Creek vs Riverbend. Wife will probably check out both places during the summer time and see about families in our age (33 turning 34).

[SC-TX 88]

Depending on what part of town your in, you can't beat the value of Kingwood Country Club(I'm a young executive member here). 4 full 18 hole courses (5 if you pay extra for Deereood), 2 complete practice facilities, great gym, multiples pools, splash pad, lazy river, water slides, 26 tennis courts, restaurant and bar/grill.

[HeadofthePac4]

Only problem for me is that I live in the Museum District and work near the Galleria... I'm doomed!

[SC-TX 88]

[quote name='HeadofthePac4' timestamp='1430793099' post='11500115']
Only problem for me is that I live in the Museum District and work near the Galleria... I'm doomed!
[/quote]

Royal Oaks is over on that side of town (west) but it's pricey.

[jflores8]

I work and live off of 90/Stella Link so Riverbend/Sugar Creek are a straight shot down 90 and can get there in about 10-15 mins. All the others are far or not affordable at the moment like Braeburn. I need to get a plug at Braeburn.

[LHgolfer]

I believe Braeburn for the first time in a long time has a waiting list.

[jflores8]

[quote name='LHgolfer' timestamp='1431103037' post='11523699']
I believe Braeburn for the first time in a long time has a waiting list.
[/quote]

2016 for Junior Execs, way out of my price range. Would like to play it though.

[heisenberg]

[quote name='SC-TX 88' timestamp='1430790914' post='11499867']
Depending on what part of town your in, you can't beat the value of Kingwood Country Club(I'm a young executive member here). 4 full 18 hole courses (5 if you pay extra for Deereood), 2 complete practice facilities, great gym, multiples pools, splash pad, lazy river, water slides, 26 tennis courts, restaurant and bar/grill.
[/quote]

+1

I'm not a member but from the area. I've attended events there and it's top notch. Can't go wrong with Kingwood CC.

[jflores8]

Did play Breaburn and it is a very nice golf course and the amenities for the kids are there, they have a nice pull with a slide, water features, a play ground. However with a junior waitlist until 2016, and when you turn 35 it jumps up to $35k initiation and $560+ a month, just not feasible now and probably not for another ten years for me. Will play it again and wouldn't mind paying the guest fees every few months, it is that good.

[Esob]

I work and live off of 90/Stella Link so Riverbend/Sugar Creek are a straight shot down 90 and can get there in about 10-15 mins. All the others are far or not affordable at the moment like Braeburn. I need to get a plug at Braeburn.

 

I'm a Braeburn member and love the place. Challenging golf. Lots of water, great members.

[jflores8]

I work and live off of 90/Stella Link so Riverbend/Sugar Creek are a straight shot down 90 and can get there in about 10-15 mins. All the others are far or not affordable at the moment like Braeburn. I need to get a plug at Braeburn.

 

I'm a Braeburn member and love the place. Challenging golf. Lots of water, great members.

 

Ended up joining Riverbend about a year and a half ago, played Braeburn last year its a great golf course. IF ever want to a home and home, hit me up and we can make it happen.

[LeftyTPH]

Champions is a hell of a golf course