Golfers in Austin, TX

[Thug Hunter]

Played Forest Creek with a buddy last week, and we had no idea about the greens. Wow, they are toast. It's literally just an excuse to practice ball striking. The greens range from 30-80% dead with poa overgrown on several They bounce everywhere, sand overlayed. It's awful. Thank goodness it was just $26, but we had no idea before we got to the number 1 green.

 

They are under new management, Kemper Sports, hired by the city of Round Rock. They are suffering from the previous superintendent who, politely, did not follow winter maintenance procedures before he left. Consequently, they lost the greens. However, the plans are to close the course (perhaps 9 at a time or the whole 18) in Sept./Oct. for renovation which has been budgeted for by the city. I was a monthly member for the past 8 months and they have made many changes/improvements to the clubhouse, tee areas, bunkers and fairways since the beginning of the year. It was going downhill fast. I terminated my membership this week and talked to the head pro and he cannot wait for the course renovations to begin. Optimistic!

 

Star Ranch is is good shape, but is a limestone tornado right now as every inch of land surrounding it is being developed commercial/residential.

 

Kemper know how to manage golf courses, so hopefully they wouldn't have gotten involved if they didn't see it as a good opportunity to take the property and course forward to better things.

 

Recently played Star for the first time. I really liked it - might be my new fave of the locals I've played - and while you do get overlooked by blocks of flats, an HEB, and some houses, they were well out of the corridors of play. Nothing I find more annoying then courses that are pretty much in someone's backyard, so at least they have a buffer.

 

It wasn't always like that either. The HEB is relatively new and the apartments and homes have only been there a few years. The course has been there much longer and use to feel like you were out there by yourself, only amongst the golf Gods and fellow golfers. Now you have people smoking on their apartment balconies and dogs barking non-stop.

[Redpro]

Played Forest Creek with a buddy last week, and we had no idea about the greens. Wow, they are toast. It's literally just an excuse to practice ball striking. The greens range from 30-80% dead with poa overgrown on several They bounce everywhere, sand overlayed. It's awful. Thank goodness it was just $26, but we had no idea before we got to the number 1 green.

 

They are under new management, Kemper Sports, hired by the city of Round Rock. They are suffering from the previous superintendent who, politely, did not follow winter maintenance procedures before he left. Consequently, they lost the greens. However, the plans are to close the course (perhaps 9 at a time or the whole 18) in Sept./Oct. for renovation which has been budgeted for by the city. I was a monthly member for the past 8 months and they have made many changes/improvements to the clubhouse, tee areas, bunkers and fairways since the beginning of the year. It was going downhill fast. I terminated my membership this week and talked to the head pro and he cannot wait for the course renovations to begin. Optimistic!

 

Star Ranch is is good shape, but is a limestone tornado right now as every inch of land surrounding it is being developed commercial/residential.

 

Kemper know how to manage golf courses, so hopefully they wouldn't have gotten involved if they didn't see it as a good opportunity to take the property and course forward to better things.

 

Recently played Star for the first time. I really liked it - might be my new fave of the locals I've played - and while you do get overlooked by blocks of flats, an HEB, and some houses, they were well out of the corridors of play. Nothing I find more annoying then courses that are pretty much in someone's backyard, so at least they have a buffer.

 

It wasn't always like that either. The HEB is relatively new and the apartments and homes have only been there a few years. The course has been there much longer and use to feel like you were out there by yourself, only amongst the golf Gods and fellow golfers. Now you have people smoking on their apartment balconies and dogs barking non-stop.

 

Thug, what are some of your favorite courses in the Austin area? I must agree about Star Ranch and Teravista, too. Once they were way out there and a real joy to play . . . needing a compass to find your way around! I tend to like parkland-style courses where homes aren't part of the picture . . so that means more travel to get to some . . . but even Delaware Springs is getting more houses on some holes. Am getting to actually love Jimmy Clay/Roy Kizer after all these years!

[duffer987]

 

Recently played Star for the first time. I really liked it - might be my new fave of the locals I've played - and while you do get overlooked by blocks of flats, an HEB, and some houses, they were well out of the corridors of play. Nothing I find more annoying then courses that are pretty much in someone's backyard, so at least they have a buffer.

 

It wasn't always like that either. The HEB is relatively new and the apartments and homes have only been there a few years. The course has been there much longer and use to feel like you were out there by yourself, only amongst the golf Gods and fellow golfers. Now you have people smoking on their apartment balconies and dogs barking non-stop.

 

Thug, what are some of your favorite courses in the Austin area? I must agree about Star Ranch and Teravista, too. Once they were way out there and a real joy to play . . . needing a compass to find your way around! I tend to like parkland-style courses where homes aren't part of the picture . . so that means more travel to get to some . . . but even Delaware Springs is getting more houses on some holes. Am getting to actually love Jimmy Clay/Roy Kizer after all these years!

 

Ya could tell the HEB is new ;) But I didn't realise the blocks of flats were recent. It gave the final 3 holes the feel like you were winding your way alongside some crappy resort. Again, far enough back to not impact play, it just looked odd. Used to going around housing communities, but not apartment complexes.

 

Keep meaning to get up to Delaware - how does it compare to (golfing wise, not houses) places like Star Ranch, Shadowglen, Wolfdancer, and Vaaler?

Think folks here are fortunate to have a facility like Clay/Kizer (although I see from reading here, they weren't both always in good shape) where you can play 36 holes of quality golf for $40!

[Thug Hunter]

Played Forest Creek with a buddy last week, and we had no idea about the greens. Wow, they are toast. It's literally just an excuse to practice ball striking. The greens range from 30-80% dead with poa overgrown on several They bounce everywhere, sand overlayed. It's awful. Thank goodness it was just $26, but we had no idea before we got to the number 1 green.

 

They are under new management, Kemper Sports, hired by the city of Round Rock. They are suffering from the previous superintendent who, politely, did not follow winter maintenance procedures before he left. Consequently, they lost the greens. However, the plans are to close the course (perhaps 9 at a time or the whole 18) in Sept./Oct. for renovation which has been budgeted for by the city. I was a monthly member for the past 8 months and they have made many changes/improvements to the clubhouse, tee areas, bunkers and fairways since the beginning of the year. It was going downhill fast. I terminated my membership this week and talked to the head pro and he cannot wait for the course renovations to begin. Optimistic!

 

Star Ranch is is good shape, but is a limestone tornado right now as every inch of land surrounding it is being developed commercial/residential.

 

Kemper know how to manage golf courses, so hopefully they wouldn't have gotten involved if they didn't see it as a good opportunity to take the property and course forward to better things.

 

Recently played Star for the first time. I really liked it - might be my new fave of the locals I've played - and while you do get overlooked by blocks of flats, an HEB, and some houses, they were well out of the corridors of play. Nothing I find more annoying then courses that are pretty much in someone's backyard, so at least they have a buffer.

 

It wasn't always like that either. The HEB is relatively new and the apartments and homes have only been there a few years. The course has been there much longer and use to feel like you were out there by yourself, only amongst the golf Gods and fellow golfers. Now you have people smoking on their apartment balconies and dogs barking non-stop.

 

Thug, what are some of your favorite courses in the Austin area? I must agree about Star Ranch and Teravista, too. Once they were way out there and a real joy to play . . . needing a compass to find your way around! I tend to like parkland-style courses where homes aren't part of the picture . . so that means more travel to get to some . . . but even Delaware Springs is getting more houses on some holes. Am getting to actually love Jimmy Clay/Roy Kizer after all these years!

 

I live in Teravista, at least for the next month. We sold our home in Teravista and will be much closer to Sun City courses and Berry Creek is just a 10 minute drive. I may start playing Crystal Falls again on occasion as long as it's in decent shape. It sounds like your on the Southside of town. I haven't played South of Lions Muni in many years, so can't say anything about the courses down that way. ShadowGlen was a good course a couple years ago, but I haven't played there in about 2 years now either. I tend to play Teravista, Avery, Berry Creek (friend is a member) and occasionally Cimarron Hills (which is also a private exclusive type course). I just don't get to play as often as in years past, so those courses are suitable for the amount I play. Since I'm moving ever further out, I'll be close to Sun City and will play them regularly. I'll likely not make the drive to Teravista anymore. I can see Teravista turning into Blackhawk in a few years. The course is overbooked and never gets a day to rest and it's starting to show. Star Ranch is a great course for a scramble and a good confidence building course, but no longer has the appeal that it once had due mainly to the lack of scenery.

[Redpro]

I live in Georgetown and am finding that I have to travel a bit to find courses on Golf18 or Golf Now, or the courses website. I played Shadow Glen today and it is in very good shape. Bunkers are full of sand and machine-raked well. Of course, the ponds and ditches have that bayou-feel, greens very smooth. Fairways are firm, as always. Took 4 hours to play and could have been 3.5 hours or less, easy. That's my kind of golf.

 

Yes, I played Teravista last Friday, in good shape, but they just throw people on and let 'em go. Their range is getting like Avery . . . a sea of sand.

 

White Wing at Sun City is undergoing renovations. The front nine is closed. They are removing some trees and bunkers. Legacy and Cowan are in good shape, as always. Gotta pick your spots out there for tee times.

 

I play in the Austin Skins group and in the Central Texas Golf Association, so I get to play a variety of courses on Saturdays and sometimes during the week.

[Thug Hunter]

I live in Georgetown and am finding that I have to travel a bit to find courses on Golf18 or Golf Now, or the courses website. I played Shadow Glen today and it is in very good shape. Bunkers are full of sand and machine-raked well. Of course, the ponds and ditches have that bayou-feel, greens very smooth. Fairways are firm, as always. Took 4 hours to play and could have been 3.5 hours or less, easy. That's my kind of golf.

 

Yes, I played Teravista last Friday, in good shape, but they just throw people on and let 'em go. Their range is getting like Avery . . . a sea of sand.

 

White Wing at Sun City is undergoing renovations. The front nine is closed. They are removing some trees and bunkers. Legacy and Cowan are in good shape, as always. Gotta pick your spots out there for tee times.

 

I play in the Austin Skins group and in the Central Texas Golf Association, so I get to play a variety of courses on Saturdays and sometimes during the week.

 

That's good to hear about ShawdowGlen. I'm gonna have to get a round in out there soon.

 

Tervavista's range is getting beat up daily. I'm a player's club member there and have unlimited range use and it's taking a toll on my irons because of all the sand. I try to keep the balls as clean as possible, but it's nearly impossible with all the sand.

 

I drove by White Wing and noticed the #1 hole was closed, but didn't realize the entire front 9 was. I can only imagine it's a must after all the complaints about the trees in the middle of some of the fairways on that course. When that course opened late 90's early 2000's, the trees weren't that big of a deal, but when you hit your drive dead center of the fairway and you have to hit a punch shot or a crazy high shot to go under or over the tree in the middle of the fairway, it gets ridiculous. 4-5pm on weekdays is the best time to hit Sun City. My parents live out there and most of the residents are eating dinner and asleep before you even finish your round.

[KK44]

Has anyone else seen this: https://www.facebook.com/events/660436884158129/

 

Looks cool. I'm going to go down and play.

[thatdogcanhunt]

Planning on playing Monday June 12th in Austin. Thinking about falconhead. Any advice for courses to play or recommend?

[epmonies]

I would always recommend Falconhead to anyone but they recently punched them so they may not be in great shape just yet. Either way, it's a fun track. Have fun out there!

[duffer987]

Question about green aeration and punching.

Is that typically an late summer Aug/Sept and early spring Marchish thing or will it vary some each year?

I did a search and I see some references to punching in July/Aug and was wondering.

[snagy2000]

Question about green aeration and punching.

Is that typically an late summer Aug/Sept and early spring Marchish thing or will it vary some each year?

I did a search and I see some references to punching in July/Aug and was wondering.

 

Just stayed at Lost Pines and Wolfdancer recently had theirs punched. Also, their 12th hole is closed for remodeling. Still asking premium money to play. I've been accustomed to May/August punching at my club in Houston.

[scott_Donald]

ahhh thats annoying about wolf dancer I was tempted to play there next Sunday...

[epmonies]

Also, I should've asked for this earlier, but if you responded to being down for a local get together, will you PM me your email addresses so I can send a blast to everyone later and coordinate this? Thanks fellas! Can't wait to make it happen.

 

Hey guys - Finally getting around to setting something up for a group of us to get out and play on a Saturday. I was thinking July 29 tentatively but I wanted to gauge interest once again to see who would be available to tee it up.

 

I've got emails from KK44 and Reidman so far but if you're interested, shoot me your email and I'll try to coordinate that way.

 

/ep

[KK44]

I could play that day

[youfromjoisey]

I'll be visiting my bro in Austin (Pflugerville) July 4th week and will like to get out as a single sometime. Any recommendations on courses in the area that don't cost an arm and a leg would be appreciated. I'd probably want to go out in the early a.m. to beat the heat..

[Thug Hunter]

Star Ranch is nice and close to P'ville as well. Avery Ranch is a better course and not too far. Teravista is just up the road in North Round Rock. All within 5-15 minutes from Plugerville.

[Justin.B]

Pm sent. Playing crystal falls (haven't played) or tera vista 8 am Sunday

[Thug Hunter]

Pm sent. Playing crystal falls (haven't played) or tera vista 8 am Sunday

 

Bring plenty of balls for Crystal Falls. You can hit a ball in the middle of the fairway on the fly and watch it roll out to OB territory on that course. It's a fun scenic track though.

[Justin.B]

Pm sent. Playing crystal falls (haven't played) or tera vista 8 am Sunday

 

Bring plenty of balls for Crystal Falls. You can hit a ball in the middle of the fairway on the fly and watch it roll out to OB territory on that course. It's a fun scenic track though.

 

Ok thx. Anything u would suggest besides it in terms of quality greens and fun lay out?Staying at a place in Leander/volente on the lake and don't want to drive far that Sunday.

[Thug Hunter]

Pm sent. Playing crystal falls (haven't played) or tera vista 8 am Sunday

 

Bring plenty of balls for Crystal Falls. You can hit a ball in the middle of the fairway on the fly and watch it roll out to OB territory on that course. It's a fun scenic track though.

 

Ok thx. Anything u would suggest besides it in terms of quality greens and fun lay out?Staying at a place in Leander/volente on the lake and don't want to drive far that Sunday.

 

I haven't played Crystal Falls in a couple years so can't say about their greens right now, but it's a fun track.

[Reidman]

Also, I should've asked for this earlier, but if you responded to being down for a local get together, will you PM me your email addresses so I can send a blast to everyone later and coordinate this? Thanks fellas! Can't wait to make it happen.

 

Hey guys - Finally getting around to setting something up for a group of us to get out and play on a Saturday. I was thinking July 29 tentatively but I wanted to gauge interest once again to see who would be available to tee it up.

 

I've got emails from KK44 and Reidman so far but if you're interested, shoot me your email and I'll try to coordinate that way.

 

/ep

 

I really want to do this...but out of town that weekend. Can we do the week after?

[swarlos91]

Hi everyone,

 

I'm new to these forums. I'll be staying at a friend's mother/father-in-law's home this weekend. Their house is right next to a few holes of UT Golf Club. The FIL isn't a member at the club. Would any of you have a connection that may allow my friend and I play to play a round over this holiday weekend? I see that Falconhead would be a great alternative if we are unable to get on. I understand this is a big ask and highly unlikely.

 

Thanks

[youfromjoisey]

Star Ranch is nice and close to P'ville as well. Avery Ranch is a better course and not too far. Teravista is just up the road in North Round Rock. All within 5-15 minutes from Plugerville.

 

I remember playing Star Ranch the last time I was out here a few years back. Golfnow has it for $50, but booking direct gets you free breakfast and lunch and free replay for $53. Both include cart and unlimited range balls. Nice deal even though it's unlikely I'll play 2 rounds in this heat. I'll probably be there Wesnesday a.m.

[Justin.B]

Just played TERAVISTA. I enjoyed it better than avery and similar to star ranch. Only 50 prime time rather than 75/80 at Avery. Check it out

[slice n dice]

Has anybody played falconhead recently? I'm wanting to take my dad there soon but wondering if I should wait until the fall now...

[golfdaddy01]

Has anybody played falconhead recently? I'm wanting to take my dad there soon but wondering if I should wait until the fall now...

 

Golfnow still has the aerification alert when booking tee times there still, so they may still be slow or alittle bumpy. That being said i have not been out there recently

[epmonies]

We've got a few guys for a Saturday round this weekend as an "inaugural" Austin page golf round. If anyone else is around and wants to get out there this Saturday morning, let me know!

 

/ep

[epmonies]

Has anybody played falconhead recently? I'm wanting to take my dad there soon but wondering if I should wait until the fall now...

 

Hit balls and rolled a few early this morning - They were still slightly bumpy but they're already coming back pretty nicely. I'd say you could probably go out there this weekend and it will be pretty close to normal. Definitely solid by next week - Hope that helps!

 

/ep

[scott_Donald]

Has anybody played falconhead recently? I'm wanting to take my dad there soon but wondering if I should wait until the fall now...

 

Hit balls and rolled a few early this morning - They were still slightly bumpy but they're already coming back pretty nicely. I'd say you could probably go out there this weekend and it will be pretty close to normal. Definitely solid by next week - Hope that helps!

 

/ep

 

awesome news - all the way from Scotland I will be heading there next week or the week after to play there and wolf dancer!!!

 

fed up of just range time here in Houston.

[KK44]

We've got a few guys for a Saturday round this weekend as an "inaugural" Austin page golf round. If anyone else is around and wants to get out there this Saturday morning, let me know!

 

/ep

 

Where you thinking for Saturday?