Walkup at Memorial Park

[Krose00]

Is Memorial doing walkups anymore? I'm visiting for the holidays and haven't seen/played the course since the reno.  Looking to play as a single on a weekday.  Related question - can you hit driver at the range? 

[Lefty_89]

I live a couple minutes away and was out there this past Saturday and Sunday.

 

They do have a "waiting list" for walk-up singles, I heard the starter calling names from it on Saturday.

 

Looked like 5 or 6 people were on the list when I was in the pro shop. I doubt you will have much trouble, if any, during the week. Heck you may get lucky an find a tee time online, same day, as a single.

Edited November 19, 2020 by Lefty_89

[Lefty_89]

And yes - happy to report that they extended the nets way back near the freeway so woods are allowed at the range now!

[Lefty_89]

[Krose00]

thanks for the feedback! Thought it looked great on TV and am looking forward to finally playing it.  Is that 7 or 15?

[cjblake09]

I believe 15 but could also be #2

Edited November 20, 2020 by cjblake09

[Lefty_89]

#2, probably my favorite par 3 along with #15

 

Course is in incredible shape right now, as you could imagine. The greens were slower on Sunday than I was expecting, they definitely let them grow out since the tourney.

[EDT501]

30 minutes ago, Lefty_89 said:

#2, probably my favorite par 3 along with #15

 

Course is in incredible shape right now, as you could imagine. The greens were slower on Sunday than I was expecting, they definitely let them grow out since the tourney.

I played Saturday and my experience with the greens mimicked yours. I was hoping they’d still be lightening quick but if we want them to last through winter I guess they can’t be that aggressive all the time. 
 

I also love #2 (see my avatar). One of my favorite par 3s in the city! I flip flop between liking it and #5 at Gus the most. 

[Lefty_89]

Just now, EDT501 said:

I played Saturday and my experience with the greens mimicked yours. I was hoping they’d still be lightening quick but if we want them to last through winter I guess they can’t be that aggressive all the time. 
 

I also love #2 (see my avatar). One of my favorite par 3s in the city! I flip flop between liking it and #5 at Gus the most. 

Love the new Chevron training center, champions fire pit, and the fact that you can hit woods on the range now! Not to mention the massive putting green. The tourney did the course some good.

 

I'll be playing at Gus on Sunday!

[dbdors]

On 11/19/2020 at 4:04 PM, Lefty_89 said:

And yes - happy to report that they extended the nets way back near the freeway so woods are allowed at the range now!

Great to hear that, I worked the tourney on hole 13 and had to walk 10 every day.  First I was wondering how they'd open up the range for the pros.  Then was hoping they would keep it after the tourney.

[Lefty_89]

22 hours ago, dbdors said:

Great to hear that, I worked the tourney on hole 13 and had to walk 10 every day.  First I was wondering how they'd open up the range for the pros.  Then was hoping they would keep it after the tourney.

Still on mats unfortunately, but I’ll definitely take that over irons-only!

[ND2005]

I played last Sunday. There were about 6-7 people sitting around waiting to get called as walk on singles. However...at least 2 of the same dudes were still sitting there when we made the turn...

[Austincountyag]

So are singles not able to call the pro-shop and get a tee time? Is the only way to get on by booking the ridiculous online tee thing, or just walking up to the pro-shop and waiting around until someone doesn't show? 

[Krose00]

OP here - been in town for a week.  I've been to the driving range a couple of times, and wow, it's a completely different beast.  Is the wind always this intense?  Feels like i'm hitting into a hurricane sometimes, never was like that before.  Does that translate to the course?  Also - either the wind is that strong or i've lost half my distance, but it sure seems like they are using limited flight balls?

[ND2005]

14 hours ago, Krose00 said:

OP here - been in town for a week.  I've been to the driving range a couple of times, and wow, it's a completely different beast.  Is the wind always this intense?  Feels like i'm hitting into a hurricane sometimes, never was like that before.  Does that translate to the course?  Also - either the wind is that strong or i've lost half my distance, but it sure seems like they are using limited flight balls?

It’s been a windy couple weeks, not normal. 
 
80% rounds I’ve played there wind has basically been a non factor on the course 
 

those range balls are the worst, I swear my driver only goes as far as my 6 iron

[Royal690]

I'm also going to be in Houston for the holidays and I'm looking forward to playing both Memorial and Gus.  Are they both pretty walkable?  I'm in good shape but wanted to check if a cart was advisable.

 

Thanks!

[EDT501]

1 hour ago, Royal690 said:

I'm also going to be in Houston for the holidays and I'm looking forward to playing both Memorial and Gus.  Are they both pretty walkable?  I'm in good shape but wanted to check if a cart was advisable.

 

Thanks!

Both very walkable - I do so year round even in 100+ summer afternoons.

[Royal690]

1 minute ago, EDT501 said:

Both very walkable - I do so year round even in 100+ summer afternoons.

 

Awesome!  I've looked at the website a few times, is it easier to call to make a tee time or use the online system.  I'm probably looking to play morning on the weekend like everyone else and wasn't sure which was easier.

 

I also read that twilight changes to 1pm in winter, when does that take effect? 

[EDT501]

For Memorial I've never had great luck getting morning weekend times either through the lottery or through the phone system. Getting there super early for walk up is one option, but also not super reliable. The morning tee times I have gotten have been by checking Friday throughout the day for cancelations. Easier to get times at Gus, but again haven't noticed a difference between calling and using their web portal.

[Lefty_89]

Yup - your best bet is to use the online portal, 100%. I would imagine calling the pro shop they'll redirect you to online anyways.

 

It's really hit or miss these days on grabbing a tee time inside of two weeks; I grabbed a 2:50pm spot out there yesterday, knowing that I'd only be able to get 9 in. 

 

They have a new greens fee system starting January 1st which will benefit Houstonians, but not so much out-of-towners...

 

Houstonians:

$30 weekday

$38 weekend

 

Non-Resident:

$120 weekday

$140 weekend

[Royal690]

Wow that's good to know about the price adjustments. Also just to confirm they don't have a 9 hole rate, you just payed the normal 18 rate and only played 9 holes right?

 

Also does anyone know of some decent public courses out near Katy?  My dad lives out that way and I'm hoping to get in a round closer to him.

 

Thanks!

[snagy2000]

16 hours ago, Royal690 said:

Wow that's good to know about the price adjustments. Also just to confirm they don't have a 9 hole rate, you just payed the normal 18 rate and only played 9 holes right?

 

Also does anyone know of some decent public courses out near Katy?  My dad lives out that way and I'm hoping to get in a round closer to him.

 

Thanks!

The fee is for 18. Cinco and Meadowbrook Farms are in Katy. I'd lean towards Cinco, Meadowbrook's greens are hit or miss. I haven't played either recently, but if history holds...

[Royal690]

3 hours ago, snagy2000 said:

The fee is for 18. Cinco and Meadowbrook Farms are in Katy. I'd lean towards Cinco, Meadowbrook's greens are hit or miss. I haven't played either recently, but if history holds...

 

Nice I was looking at Cinco, but wasn't sure if there were other decent options out that way, thanks!

[Krose00]

anyone know why the short game area is closed or when it might reopen?  Does it have something to do with the hospitality tent for the Open?  Having played the course this week, I realized how much work mine needs.

[ND2005]

2 hours ago, Krose00 said:

anyone know why the short game area is closed or when it might reopen?  Does it have something to do with the hospitality tent for the Open?  Having played the course this week, I realized how much work mine needs.

It’s never been open since the Reno to my knowledge 

[scott_Donald]

On 12/7/2020 at 8:23 AM, Lefty_89 said:

Yup - your best bet is to use the online portal, 100%. I would imagine calling the pro shop they'll redirect you to online anyways.

 

It's really hit or miss these days on grabbing a tee time inside of two weeks; I grabbed a 2:50pm spot out there yesterday, knowing that I'd only be able to get 9 in. 

 

They have a new greens fee system starting January 1st which will benefit Houstonians, but not so much out-of-towners...

 

Houstonians:

$30 weekday

$38 weekend

 

Non-Resident:

$120 weekday

$140 weekend

 

How are they going to place that?

 

Course is back to good again after a sketchy week with them letting everything grow before final cut before everything stopped growing. love the dormant rough framing the fairways. Gus greens are the best I have seen in town right now. 

 

3 hours ago, Krose00 said:

anyone know why the short game area is closed or when it might reopen?  Does it have something to do with the hospitality tent for the Open?  Having played the course this week, I realized how much work mine needs.

 

I know I really want to practice bunker shots! they are running out of grass next to the chipping green at the range. 

 

I was shocked they only opened a third of the putting green and not the chipping area after the tournament. There is a little kids area down the side of the 18th hole.

 

On 12/4/2020 at 2:07 PM, Royal690 said:

 

Awesome!  I've looked at the website a few times, is it easier to call to make a tee time or use the online system.  I'm probably looking to play morning on the weekend like everyone else and wasn't sure which was easier.

 

I also read that twilight changes to 1pm in winter, when does that take effect? 

 

Good luck getting a time on a Saturday, you literally have to be online as the times are open, since the tournament its just been ridiculously busy!

Edited December 11, 2020 by scott_Donald

[ND2005]

10 hours ago, scott_Donald said:

 

Good luck getting a time on a Saturday, you literally have to be online as the times are open, since the tournament its just been ridiculously busy!

 

Agreed, I thought it was tough getting times before the tournament but now it is even worse! 

 

Maybe that 2021 rate change will calm things down a little...

[scott_Donald]

1 hour ago, ND2005 said:

 

Agreed, I thought it was tough getting times before the tournament but now it is even worse! 

 

Maybe that 2021 rate change will calm things down a little...

 

But how will they police that? I live in the heights but how will they know that? I played on Wednesday with a guy who walked there, one who lived 2 minutes away and his friend from the Woodlands so what would count as the expensive rate. 

 

I am at memorial practicing 3 or 4 days a week and try and play it once a week. 

Edited December 11, 2020 by scott_Donald

[EDT501]

I’m hoping it rains this weekend and I’ll be able to walk on. I’ve been up for the lottery to try and get a single tee time for each weekend since the tournament and have never had success. I just have a hard time paying the pre-booking fee when I can get an easy time at Gus and it’s greens are in such good shape right now

[Royal690]

I have a tee time Sunday afternoon at Gus this weekend but it's looking like rain, might make for a quieter day though.

 

And then playing Cinco ranch next Wednesday.  Might just bite the bullet and take pto midweek for a decent tee time at Memorial. 

 

Any other courses I should look into while I'm here?