North Dallas Suburbs (Allen/McKinney/Frisco) club recommendations

[RoyalMustang]

Hi everyone,

 

Does anyone have input on which courses in the north of Dallas suburbs/exurbs are worth looking into?  I have a moderate budget, not insane (no more than $10k/year), but would like a fairly challenging course and interesting members (not Texas bubbas who get drunk and act like sailors on leave).  I am comfortable around anyone but my friend circle tends to lean smart professionals who can have a great conversation that doesn't involve Cowboys football.   It doesn't have to be world-class golf: just something as challenging as, say, Watters Creek but with better availability.  I can do 1-3 9-hole rounds a week and perhaps 1 18-hole round.  Currently a 6 cap but actively working on getting better. 

 

Courses I am NOT considering:

Twin Creeks (hear bad things about the course and ClubCorp management)

Heritage Ranch (I have a practice membership there but it is nearly impossible to get a tee time.  Slow play is a real issue there)

Watters Creek (already play there regularly, no membership required)

Ridgeview (hear it is pretty crappy).  

 

I am open to ideas, or an intro if you are a member and want to share things outside of the forum.  Thanks! 

[dfwgolf123]

Old American/Tribute is the best deal in DFW at $12k and $550/month carts included no BS fees. I've been a member at ClubCorp and would quit golf before ever doing that again. Message me if you want more info. 

[FuzzyKnuckles]

Was also going to say old American for sure too. Also, a local website avid golfer posts a yearly best of private, where you can see rough costs and all if you need some ballpark numbers

[Jalapeno]

With Old American / The Tribute being public as well, how hard is it to get tee times?  Is it even possible to just walk up and get on as a member w/o a tee time?

[dfwgolf123]

22 hours ago, Jalapeno said:

With Old American / The Tribute being public as well, how hard is it to get tee times?  Is it even possible to just walk up and get on as a member w/o a tee time?

It's semi private and they can't go full private because part of the course is on Army Corp of Engineer land. Membership is capped at 550 with 2 courses. They limit non-member play by charging up to $150/round but accompanied guest fees are more reasonable. You aren't showing up at 12pm on Fri or 9am Sat anywhere and just walking on but other times it's rather easy. 

[cacophony82]

Would recommend Old American, Stonebridge Ranch, Eldorado CC

[phil75070]

On 12/30/2021 at 9:59 AM, cacophony82 said:

Would recommend Old American, Stonebridge Ranch, Eldorado CC

I would say all three are at least worth checking out. I used to belong to the Dye Course at Stonebridge. It is a tough course that never managed to get to full membership due to its difficulty. Might be a good option for getting a quick round in. The Hills Course at Stonebridge can be pretty busy. You can join one or the other or both. Before Stonebridge I used to belong to Eldorado. It was decent though not Stonebridge caliber. I don't know how busy it might be these days.

 

Me and the guys I play with used to belong to Westridge in Mckinney. It is basically a public course that also offer annual passes. They raised their membership cost last year, more than doubling what we used to pay. However, it is well within your budget. I've only played in the mornings so not sure how late afternoon crowds might be. It got pretty busy with the Covid stuff as it was one course that managed to never shut down.

 

Due to that increase in cost, we went and joined The Bridges up in Gunter. About a 35-minute drive but a pretty decent course for the money, Fred Couples design and really great greens. They offer country club memberships and have an annual pass as well. Some days the tee sheet can be pretty full, mostly weekends and now around the holiday season. It is probably not the best solution if you are just looking to get in a quick 9 holes.

 

[RoyalMustang]

On 1/2/2022 at 7:53 AM, phil75070 said:

I would say all three are at least worth checking out. I used to belong to the Dye Course at Stonebridge. It is a tough course that never managed to get to full membership due to its difficulty. Might be a good option for getting a quick round in. The Hills Course at Stonebridge can be pretty busy. You can join one or the other or both. Before Stonebridge I used to belong to Eldorado. It was decent though not Stonebridge caliber. I don't know how busy it might be these days.

 

Me and the guys I play with used to belong to Westridge in Mckinney. It is basically a public course that also offer annual passes. They raised their membership cost last year, more than doubling what we used to pay. However, it is well within your budget. I've only played in the mornings so not sure how late afternoon crowds might be. It got pretty busy with the Covid stuff as it was one course that managed to never shut down.

 

Due to that increase in cost, we went and joined The Bridges up in Gunter. About a 35-minute drive but a pretty decent course for the money, Fred Couples design and really great greens. They offer country club memberships and have an annual pass as well. Some days the tee sheet can be pretty full, mostly weekends and now around the holiday season. It is probably not the best solution if you are just looking to get in a quick 9 holes.

 

 

Hey, thanks!  I inquired about Stonebridge and it is now a $20k initiation fee.  I can't justify that. I ended up going with Eldorado.  It is tough, narrow, tricky, and so far, not particularly busy.  It is also convenient and close to my house.  Also, if we move in a couple of years, I am not eating a huge initiation fee like I would be elsewhere.  

[heebiegeebie]

What are current initiation and dues at Eldorado?

Edited January 13, 2022 by heebiegeebie

[RoyalMustang]

15 hours ago, heebiegeebie said:

What are current initiation and dues at Eldorado?

 

$3500/$425

[North Texas]

39 minutes ago, RoyalMustang said:

 

$3500/$425

 

Does El Dorado still have a monthly cart plan? 

[RoyalMustang]

1 hour ago, North Texas said:

 

Does El Dorado still have a monthly cart plan? 

 

I believe it is $1900/yr-I don't know about monthly.  I walk so I didn't look at it specifically 

[cacophony82]

I looked at Eldorado for those reasons(before building a house/wasn’t sure how long I’d stay in DFW - nice club - has a weekend mens game, non clubcorp - I went a different direction for a club

[RoyalMustang]

On 2/20/2022 at 6:21 AM, cacophony82 said:

I looked at Eldorado for those reasons(before building a house/wasn’t sure how long I’d stay in DFW - nice club - has a weekend mens game, non clubcorp - I went a different direction for a club

 

yeah, I really like it!  Definitely a golfer's club with a lot of nice people; tough course, not always in the best shape, but overall I couldn't ask for much more given the price.  I am definitely improving by playing here.  It is a good fit for us.  

 

The internal joke is "this is a bar with a $425 per month cover charge, attached to a golf course".  

[heebiegeebie]

Are you still walking all of your rounds?  Walking friendly?  Many others walking?

[RoyalMustang]

12 hours ago, heebiegeebie said:

Are you still walking all of your rounds?  Walking friendly?  Many others walking?

 

Yeah, I have only ridden one round and it was a 2-man alternate ball. I wouldn't haven been able to keep up otherwise. I would estimate 20-30% walkers or so at my club

[heebiegeebie]

RM, sent you a DM.