DFW private course recommendations

Simp · January 4, 2011

Hey guys, hope everyone had a happy new year. The family will be moving to the Keller/SouthLake area in the Spring/Summer and I'd really like to join a club if possible. It would be a family plan because I have a son that loves to play as well. I'd like a club that is in good condition and since i'm a range rat a nice practice facility is almost a must.

Coming from NJ, the options for private membership are slim unless you have $10-20 grand to plop down. I don't want to break the bank but don't want junk either. Any input or recommendations you have will be greatly appreciated. Many thanks, Sonny

Marleyx30 · January 5, 2011

[quote name='Simp' timestamp='1294158483' post='2874459']
Hey guys, hope everyone had a happy new year. The family will be moving to the Keller/Southlake area in the Spring/Summer and I'd really like to join a club if possible. It would be a family plan because I have a son that loves to play as well. I'd like a club that is in good condition and since i'm a range rat a nice practice facility is almost a must.

Coming from NJ, the options for private membership are slim unless you have $10-20 grand to plop down. I don't want to break the bank but don't want junk either. Any input or recommendations you have will be greatly appreciated. Many thanks, Sonny
[/quote]

Sonny -

I was a member at Timarron in Southlake for 5 years. The superintendent, Charlie, does a great job with the course. It is a Byron Nelson layout and can be very challenging from the tips in a good Texas wind. I will tell you that it gets a lot of play and the club is not a full service country club in that they do not have swimming pools, tennis etc. - just golf, fitness and dinning. They MGA is very active and there are lots of club events to play in.

Downside - the practice facility, range, is very small and gets pounded. The club is surrounded by houses and it's not uncommon for the range to be shoulder to shoulder with residents just hitting balls. Guilty - as I was one of them but it can be hard to get your work in with all of the high school and Jr. high kids practicing. Also, initiation is about $ 18 - 20K.

Trophy Club may be a good alternative as they have two courses and a full service clubhouse with move of the traditional amenities. The course conditions are about what you would see at a mid-high end daily fee course. Layout is pretty easy on both courses.

Good luck!

Simp · January 5, 2011

Thanks for your insight! I appreciate it!

texagjosh · January 12, 2011

I think Trophy Club is probably your best option as you'll have reciprocity with about 10 other clubs in the DFW area. However, their practice facility is average. They do have two courses on site, though, and they are both walkable.

Another option is Sky Creek Ranch in Keller. I live on the course and they offer a reasonable membership if you're a resident of the particular HOA that Sky Creek is housed in (Hidden Lakes). The range is top notch, as is the practice green (bent grass), but the short game area is a bit awkward IMO. Still a fantastic practice area. It doesn't draw too much of a crowd, especially in the evenings after work. Many times I'm out there almost alone in the late evening hours (6-9 in the summers). Cart is pretty much a necessity, although juniors (and gluttons like myself) walk the course frequently.

Best of luck to you. And welcome, neighbor

Simp · January 12, 2011

Thanks! Sky Creek and Trophy Club keep coming up. I stumbled across Fossil Creek a couple of days ago as well. What are your thoughts on this club?

texagjosh · January 13, 2011

[quote name='Simp' timestamp='1294873763' post='2892423']
Thanks! Sky Creek and Trophy Club keep coming up. I stumbled across Fossil Creek a couple of days ago as well. What are your thoughts on this club?
[/quote]
Nice track, but busy busy busy busy busy. Good luck getting a quick round in on the weekends. It stacks up badly. Their range is pretty poor IMO. Pretty small for such a busy course, and it seems beat up quickly. Also, depending on where you're living and where your son goes to school, it's a pain to get over there and back with any ease due to the amount of traffic. Still, though, it's a fun course to play if you have time for a 5+ hr round.

Simp · January 13, 2011

I knew it was too good to be true! LOL! Fossil Creek has a decent membership plan, that's why I asked about it. I guess you get what you pay for. We'll be out at the end of January looking at houses so I plan on visiting Trophy Club and Sky Creek and getting some info. Thanks again for the help and info!