Best Public Course in Houston Area...

[bigred90gt]

Please do. I'm interested to find out.

[JJGold]

[quote name='bigred90gt' timestamp='1306989673' post='3279238']
Please do. I'm interested to find out.
[/quote]

For most, this would be a very difficult report as I shot my personal best -1 on Creekside.
Like many Houston courses, Timber has suffered with the lack of rain. The fairways were dry/firm and 5 of the 18 greens had small patches (2' x 3'), but otherwise rolled pretty true.

I'd rank the overall conditions as average at best. My game on the other hand was sweet. Sorry, I had to.

[mattshaver]

I like Southwyck okay, but it's too tough for me and my huge hdcp. lately i've just been wearing out hermann park and sharpstown. hermann because i just really like the layout there, and sharpstown because my house is right across the street. i've been on a walking kick lately, and i really only ever see people walking at the muni's so that's what i've been sticking to lately.

[GolferJeff]

Might move to Houston next year....looking forward to checking out some courses there...thanksa for the heads up on all. Any "You have to try it" courses?

[daco81se]

Have to stick my two cents in, been trying to play a diiferent (and one I havn't played) Houston area public course every week since I dropped my Kingwood m'ship a couple of years ago, I think I have played most all of them.
Played one today you do not hear much about, Evergreen Pointe in Baytown, I was impressed, nice course, in decent shape.
Although there are numerous courese around that are alot fo fun to play, the top two have to be Cypresswood Tradition and Fishcreek, although for some reason, my playing partners and myself usually opt to play Grand Lakes when we talk about driving to Montgomery, we really like that course, is it as nice as Fishcreek? No, but pretty nice with lower green fees, less crowded course, BYOB, different type of course, all those play a factor with our group. I've never turned down the opportunity to play Cypresswood, so I'd have to say, its my fav.

[bigred90gt]

[quote name='daco81se' timestamp='1308885652' post='3331590']
Have to stick my two cents in, been trying to play a diiferent (and one I havn't played) Houston area public course every week since I dropped my Kingwood m'ship a couple of years ago, I think I have played most all of them.
Played one today you do not hear much about, Evergreen Pointe in Baytown, I was impressed, nice course, in decent shape.
Although there are numerous courese around that are alot fo fun to play, the top two have to be Cypresswood Tradition and Fishcreek, although for some reason, my playing partners and myself usually opt to play Grand Lakes when we talk about driving to Montgomery, we really like that course, is it as nice as Fishcreek? No, but pretty nice with lower green fees, less crowded course, BYOB, different type of course, all those play a factor with our group. I've never turned down the opportunity to play Cypresswood, so I'd have to say, its my fav.
[/quote]

I'm a member at Evergreen. It is a fun course, and it has it's challenges. There are little trees literally a few paces off of every fairway, so if you miss the fairway, chances are, you will have a tree of some size (there are large trees a little further off the fairways) between you and the hole. It can get frustrating at times. The course is in ok shape right now, but the drought has not been kind to us. They do not have any water piped in to the course, and use the lakes to water (which is why most of them are nearly dry). They have been cutting back on watering the fairways, IF they're even watering them at all. They have been watering the greens some, but not like usual, and therefore, they have not been cutting and rolling them as usual, and they are somewhat slow and a little bumpy. Once we start getting back to normal with out weather, and the lakes fill back up where they can water the course again with regularity, you should come back out. They can really whip it into great shape when the weather allows. My only complaint about the course is #16 green. I've been playing there for about 6 years or so, and that green always looks like it does now. Actually, it is BETTER now than it used to be, because they cut out some of the dead spots and re-sodded them. The green gets too much shade and not enough air flow, so the grass doesnt grow well, and never has.

A quick word of warning though, there are several alligators on the course. I counted 7 in one round, and I know there is at least one more (momma, who is about 10-12 feet long). So, if you hit into the edge of a lake, be careful and keep your eyes peeled as you are looking for your ball.

Across town (actually in Mon Belvieu, but close enough) there is another course called Eagle Pointe. If you havent played there, you should. It is always in great shape, and it is a nice lay-out with a lot of elevation changes. Anyone from this area knows how uncharacteristic of the area that is, but they did a good job of making it natural looking. They have been watering the daylights out of that course. To the point that some holes have been cart path only. lol. It is really green though.

[swbyps]

If you havent already seen the thread, we are having another H-Town Wrx outing. It will be held at Augusta Pines. See the thread if you are interested in joining!

[url="http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/459255-h-town-wrx-outing/page__hl__%22h-town%22__st__90"]H-Town Wrx Outing II[/url]

[Timanator]

Greatwood is in pretty bad shape lately. quail valley el dorado is fun, just got home from there. Houston national is nice. Cypresswood is great and so is black horse.

[daco81se]

Yea bigred90GT, I found Evergreen in pretty good condition considering the drought (we actuaully played the day after we recieved a good rain last week), the greens were decent, had alot of regular grass splotches on the greens which is why I thoought they were bumpy, but overall, the course was nice.
We've played Eagle Pointe several times, always enjoy it as well. I don't mind the cart path only rule, we played the Island course at Kingwood last weekend, cart path only on all the holes, but what great condition that course is in.
Cypresswood gets brought up quite a bit from us Houston folks, played it Sat. and its just my favorite course to play, getting to play Walden on Lake Conroe in a couple of weeks for the first time, really looking forward to checking that out.

[EasyDDI]

I have very fond memories of Memorial Park GC in the center of Houston, but it was 15 years ago I last played it (used to study for my master in UH) :P No love for it anymore, something changed? I remember that getting a tee time could be difficult.

[youngun87]

How long before and after the SHC would you say redstone plays under tournament conditions? I am a new member at the houstonian country club and with membership I have access to the Houstonian course, Black Horse courses and Redstone courses.

[quote name='bigred90gt' timestamp='1302125125' post='3126851']
[quote name='oliversax' timestamp='1302108660' post='3125961']
I will have to respectfully disagree w/ Big Red in the above post. Redstone is the best value for TPC or PGA host course in the country, at $175 + caddy tip and $125 twilite. Just a quick comparison:
Torrey Pines - $285
TPC Sawgrass - $385
TPC Phoenix - $330
Harding Park SF - $245
Doral Blue Monster - $325

I heard both Phil and Johnny Miller say that Redstone greens are as perfect as any course in the country, so it's all relative. Sure, there are some less expensive courses in town, and Eagle Pointe is one of the best bargains in town at $30 for green fee + cart, but there's a big diff b/t a world class course like Redstone vs an above average local course. They are both great 'bang for the buck' but different levels.

[/quote]
Have you played the course when it is not being kept in tournament conditions? It is a completely different course. what you see on TV is not the norm for that course, and is actually quite far from it. If you've never been there during normal conditions, you really wouldnt understand the difference. The only similarities between the course during normal condition and tournament condition, is the layout.

At $175, in tournament conditions, it could be seen as a bargain (if you are into paying that much to play a round of golf). In normal conditions, it is an enormous rip-off and you are paying for fact that they host a PGA tournament there. The greens in normal condition are no where near what they are playing on during the SHO, so while they may be some of the best they play on throughout the year, they are only slightly better than average for the majority of the year.
[/quote]

[bigred90gt]

[quote name='youngun87' timestamp='1309831138' post='3364700']
How long before and after the SHC would you say redstone plays under tournament conditions? I am a new member at the houstonian country club and with membership I have access to the Houstonian course, Black Horse courses and Redstone courses.

[/quote]

I honestly dont know the answer to that question.

[dkhntr16]

woodforrest has to be on top of my list right now.

[LSUtgrboy]

[quote name='dkhntr16' timestamp='1310534420' post='3387351']
woodforrest has to be on top of my list right now.
[/quote]



I'm a member at Augusta Pines, but I played Woodforest last Thursday. As [i][b][u][size="7"]ALWAYS[/size][/u][/b][/i] the greens[size="3"] were in perfect shape on the front 9. They had just punched the back 9 holes, but they were still rolling at least a 10 on the meter and really true. (Pro Shop said the greens were a 12...I assume that was for the front 9.) The equipment that is used out there is fantastic. I'd put my money on those greens against almost anything in the state of Texas, no doubt! [/size]

[bogey_bakes]

[quote name='EasyDDI' timestamp='1309787026' post='3363174']
I have very fond memories of Memorial Park GC in the center of Houston, but it was 15 years ago I last played it (used to study for my master in UH) :P No love for it anymore, something changed? I remember that getting a tee time could be difficult.
[/quote]

I can't believe nobody has named Memorial Park. Houstonians take that place for granted. It is special.

[pyjlee]

I've played Wilderness in Lake Jackson a few years back and it's a great track...
I'm a regular at Quail Valley and El Dorado is great bang for the buck...a lot of good tough holes that will eat you alive if you are not careful...

Just came back from Pebble Beach and Pasatiempo - well worth it if you can spend the money...

[RickK]

[quote name='bogey_bakes' timestamp='1311475668' post='3417979']
[quote name='EasyDDI' timestamp='1309787026' post='3363174']
I have very fond memories of Memorial Park GC in the center of Houston, but it was 15 years ago I last played it (used to study for my master in UH) :P No love for it anymore, something changed? I remember that getting a tee time could be difficult.
[/quote]

I can't believe nobody has named Memorial Park. Houstonians take that place for granted. It is special.
[/quote]

I have only played it once since it underwent renovation. I can't say I was overly impressed but it was way better than it was before. Before renovation, it was just flat rundown. I think they did some good things with the renovation but they tend to not mow or use the back tee boxes at Memorial. They move the tees way up, I assume to try and speed up play. The greens are never very fast. Don't get me wrong, Memorial Park is a classic golf course and an excellent test of golf, if you play it from where the back and one set up from there tees used to be.

[RickK]

[quote name='pyjlee' timestamp='1311823515' post='3430368']
I'm a regular at Quail Valley and El Dorado is great bang for the buck...a lot of good tough holes that will eat you alive if you are not careful...

[/quote]

Have to agree. I am a regular at QV also. El Dorado got an excellent review in the Houston Chronicle recently. The golf course is in really great shape considering the drought conditions we are under presently. The greens are finally beginning to soften up and hold. QV-Eldo is an excellent value.

[JJGold]

Played Evergreen Point this morning and it's in the worst shape of any of any course I've played in the past couple of years. The drought has really payed its toll on both the fairways and there is virtually no grass on the tee boxes. The greens were ok, pretty quick, ran true, but looked like they had a fungus or something. I wouldn't be playing out there again for quite some time.

[saltywalt]

Don't hear much mention of Moody Gardens in Galveston. Since it's transformation from Galveston Municipal and recovery from Ike, it has been in great shape all year round and really doesn't get much traffic. The saltwater tolerant paspalum grass they put down is really nice. I hear a lot of Seaside courses around the country are using it now.
It is purposefully set up like a seaside links course, so the greens are hard and you have to account for some roll on your approaches. Wind is almost always blowing.
Try it if you're down that way.

[jpfndrsl]

I would say that Woodforest (Used to be called Fish Creek) is hands down the best conditioned public course in Houston year round. I agree with the other statements that Redstone the week after the tournament is is probably the best course but they do not keep it like that year round. Here is my list for best public courses for the money excluding Redstone.

Woodforest (Fish Creek)- Greens a true 12 on stimp all year round
Panther Trail (The Woodlands Resort Course)
Cypresswood Tradition
Cypress Lakes- Fast greens as well
High Meadow Ranch
Black Horse- Spring and Summer (not worth the $90 during the winter!)

[biggys]

+1 for Woodforest and also Panther Trail

Cypress Lakes has good greens but the course is boring and overpriced if you can't find a coupon.

[bigred90gt]

[quote name='JJGold' timestamp='1312491587' post='3452273']
Played Evergreen Point this morning and it's in the worst shape of any of any course I've played in the past couple of years. The drought has really payed its toll on both the fairways and there is virtually no grass on the tee boxes. The greens were ok, pretty quick, ran true, but looked like they had a fungus or something. I wouldn't be playing out there again for quite some time.
[/quote]

The greens have patches of crab grass growing in on them. Without any measurable amount of water, it is just going to get worse. The problem with Evergreen is that they do not have any water piped in to the course. ALL of their irrigation comes from the lakes on the course, and a couple of larger lakes in the woods near the driving range. As I'm sure you noticed, most of the lakes are near dry. That is because they they have been using the water to keep the greens alive (albeit very, very sparingly), and there has been no rain to refill the lakes. They have stopped watering the fairways so that they dont run completely out and have the greens die on them, and as a result, the fairways are plum burnt up. It's really a shame, as I like the course, and have been a member for a few years (have been playing there on and off for all 7 years that I've been playing golf). There is a water well back by the lakes in the woods, but unfortunately, it is subsidized with Harris County, and they have a flow meter on it, and only allow them to draw so much a year. They went through that allotment a while back. If we dont get a whole bunch of rain (something like Tropical Storm Allison unfortunately), the entire course is going to die.

[puttnforthe8]

[quote name='jpfndrsl' timestamp='1313011004' post='3471079']
I would say that Woodforest (Used to be called Fish Creek) is hands down the best conditioned public course in Houston year round. I agree with the other statements that Redstone the week after the tournament is is probably the best course but they do not keep it like that year round. Here is my list for best public courses for the money excluding Redstone.

Woodforest (Fish Creek)- Greens a true 12 on stimp all year round
Panther Trail (The Woodlands Resort Course)
Cypresswood Tradition
Cypress Lakes- Fast greens as well
High Meadow Ranch
Black Horse- Spring and Summer (not worth the $90 during the winter!)
[/quote]

What about River Ridge? Saw on another thread someone saying they though it was one of the best!?

[RickK]

[quote name='puttnforthe8' timestamp='1317069305' post='3592537']
[quote name='jpfndrsl' timestamp='1313011004' post='3471079']
I would say that Woodforest (Used to be called Fish Creek) is hands down the best conditioned public course in Houston year round. I agree with the other statements that Redstone the week after the tournament is is probably the best course but they do not keep it like that year round. Here is my list for best public courses for the money excluding Redstone.

Woodforest (Fish Creek)- Greens a true 12 on stimp all year round
Panther Trail (The Woodlands Resort Course)
Cypresswood Tradition
Cypress Lakes- Fast greens as well
High Meadow Ranch
Black Horse- Spring and Summer (not worth the $90 during the winter!)
[/quote]

What about River Ridge? Saw on another thread someone saying they though it was one of the best!?

[/quote]


River Ridge is a very good 27 hole layout and probably is one of the best conditioned courses in Houston behind Woodforest and Redstone.When you think about courses as far out as River Ridge, then I think you also have to consider The Wilderness in Lake Jackson. Not quite considered Greater Houston area but if I were considering it in this topic, it would also be ahead of River Ridge.

[bigred90gt]

[quote name='RickKimbrell' timestamp='1317074794' post='3592777']
River Ridge is a very good 27 hole layout and probably is one of the best conditioned courses in Houston behind Woodforest and Redstone.When you think about courses as far out as River Ridge, then I think you also have to consider The Wilderness in Lake Jackson. Not quite considered Greater Houston area but if I were considering it in this topic, it would also be ahead of River Ridge.
[/quote]

I have played both of them for the first time this year, and I would have to disagree with your order. I would rate River Ridge above the Wilderness as far as conditioning goes. I only played 2 of the nines at RR, but we have our tour championship out there next weekend and we are playing all 27 holes.

Dont take that to mean that the Wilderness is not a fantastic course, it absolutely is. It too was in great shape, I would just say I preferred RR a bit more.

[mattshaver]

[quote name='saltywalt' timestamp='1313009528' post='3470996']
Don't hear much mention of Moody Gardens in Galveston. Since it's transformation from Galveston Municipal and recovery from Ike, it has been in great shape all year round and really doesn't get much traffic. The saltwater tolerant paspalum grass they put down is really nice. I hear a lot of Seaside courses around the country are using it now.
It is purposefully set up like a seaside links course, so the greens are hard and you have to account for some roll on your approaches. Wind is almost always blowing.
Try it if you're down that way.
[/quote]

i'm going to be down in galveston next week for a conference and was thinking of playing moody gardens. i read online somewhere that the mosquitoes were horrible. is it still like that?

[txeconomist]

Played Grand Lake today, and while its a fun track, it was in pretty rough shape. I want to play it again when it isnt so windy (windiest day of golf Ive ever played in) and in better condition. Not worth the trek from Houston IMO.

Houston courses I like (no order)

Fish Creek
High Meadow Ranch
Wildcat Highlands
Memorial Park
Tradition
Black Horse
Longwood

[3eagles18]

+1 for Memorial Park. I grew up playing there; around 1964 or so. I still use the range from time to time, and Doug Sanders is usually there. He's always good for an interesting conversation.

Cypresswood Tradition and River Ridge are nice public courses. You can't go wrong with them.

[rockinar]

[quote name='EasyDDI' timestamp='1309787026' post='3363174']
I have very fond memories of Memorial Park GC in the center of Houston, but it was 15 years ago I last played it (used to study for my master in UH) :P No love for it anymore, something changed? I remember that getting a tee time could be difficult.
[/quote]





Getting a tee time can be difficult, the course is "OK". The people you play with leave a lot to be desired as do the people that work there. They are all idiots. I live 3 blocks away and won't play there. That's how bad I think it sucks.