Affordable Memberships Houston

BrettB97 · May 24, 2013

I was looking into getting a membership as I am playing about 10-15 rounds a month. Currently play most rounds at San Jacinto as it is close to my house and for $15 I can normally get a good 27 holes + putting practice in 5 hours. The only downside is the course isn't too challenging and offers little in the way of practice facilities. I live in Seabrook and am willing to drive an hour. Just wondering if anybody is/was a member at any of the South Houston courses and could offer me direction.

I do have a budget limit so Cannongate/Redstone/etc are out the window.

RickK · May 24, 2013

Bay Oaks is down in your area. It is part of ClubCorp and is a pretty decent golf course.
Golfcrest is in Pearland. I heard they were hurting so you might be able to get a decent deal on a membership there.
Up in Baytown you have Goose Creek CC. Used to be pretty nice but I think the golf course has fallen on hard times. It was not in the best of shape last time I played it. But, you can get a tee time there pretty easily and check it out.
Sienna Plantation - used to be private but now is Semi-private. Not a bad facility. Decent deals on membership.
Quail Valley in Missouri City - public but they have 2 18 hole golf courses and you can buy an annual pass and play all the golf you want. You can also get an annual deal for golf cart rental and an annual deal for driving range. Very nice facility.

BrettB97 · May 24, 2013

I looked into a membership at Bay Forest after going through your list. Prices are more than affordable, the course is in good shape, they have all the necessary practice facilities, cart fees aren't included but I walk anyways, fifteen minute drive from the house, ten from school.

The Club Corp seems like a good deal but a little out of my range. I have played Bay Oaks a couple times through charity tournaments, very nice facilities.
Played at Goose last week with my pops. Hit a ball in the rough and ended up with so many stickerburrs I had to trim off all my leg hair.
Also looked at Evergreen Pt but I know for a fact that course plays better Sept-May. Another solid backup.

hryhorchuk · May 29, 2013

Check into the Arnold Palmer membership program (players club). They have a program at Southwyck in Pearland--- greens are in FANTASTIC shape. Played there friday and plan to play there this coming friday morning as well. Along with Southwyck, you get preffered rates at Tour 18 in Humble, Longwood in Cypress and Bear Creek World in north east Houston. They also have courses all over the US. Pretty helpful if youre a golfing traveler.

[url="http://www.palmergolf.com/public/list/"]http://www.palmergolf.com/public/list/[/url]

Thats the list of courses. check it out man.. might be worth it to you.

bigred90gt · May 30, 2013

[quote name='BrettB97' timestamp='1369451684' post='7103508']
I looked into a membership at Bay Forest after going through your list. Prices are more than affordable, the course is in good shape, they have all the necessary practice facilities, cart fees aren't included but I walk anyways, fifteen minute drive from the house, ten from school.

The Club Corp seems like a good deal but a little out of my range. I have played Bay Oaks a couple times through charity tournaments, very nice facilities.
Played at Goose last week with my pops. Hit a ball in the rough and ended up with so many stickerburrs I had to trim off all my leg hair.
Also looked at Evergreen Pt but I know for a fact that course plays better Sept-May. Another solid backup.
[/quote]I've been a member at Evergreen for several years now. Honestly, if it werent for the fact that I know everyone there, from the owners to the cart guys, and everyone in between, I would have given up my membership a couple of years ago. In the drought, they lost the greens. The super at the time was terrible, and was more interested in hanging out and fishing that putting in work at the course. We have a new super now, and they are finally doing good work to get the course back. They are battling crab grass on the greens now, and they almost lost #16 green completely. 3 weeks ago, it was bald. It has about 75% grass now, and is coming back. They are letting the greens grow in a little, and are spraying for the crab grass now. Sunday, it was going strong. Yesterday, the crab grass was yellowing in the process of dieing off. They are going through a full treatment of the course, and are planning to top dress the greens in the next week or so to smooth them out. In another month, it should be back in fantastic shape, so long as they let the super continue to do what he does. My choice was between Evergreen and Eagle Pointe. Eagle Pointe is always in great shape, but there is an attitude in that part of town that I just dont get along with, and that attitude is prominent amongst staff and members alike there.

Bay Forest is a good track as well. It's a little more monthly, but as you said, if you walk, they dont charge for a cart so you could save a bit more.

At Evergreen, they have 2 membership options. One is $800/year (comes out to $72/month if you elect to pay monthly), but you have to pay $15 when you play regardless if you walk or ride. It includes 1/2 off range balls and a 10% or 15% discount in the pro shop. They also have a $1600 membership, and I think it is $7 when you play. I believe the pro shop discount is also more for this membership, but I'm not sure. For me, it made the most for the $800 membership. Weekend rounds were $49. So, member or non-member, it costs $100 for 2 weekend rounds. I play about 10 weekend rounds a month, plus evening rounds during the week. I also go to the range during the week, and before every round, so it saves me a ton of money.

If you are even considering joining, give it another few weeks or a month, then come out and play the course. If you come out before then, just keep in mind they are putting in a lot of work on the course, and it is getting better by the day.

Word of warning though, the bunkers are garbage. There are a couple of them that are good, but most are pretty much clay with 1/4" or so of sand. Those are on the docket for repair as well, but the greens right now are priority.

RickK · June 3, 2013

[quote name='BrettB97' timestamp='1369451684' post='7103508']
I looked into a membership at Bay Forest after going through your list. Prices are more than affordable, the course is in good shape, they have all the necessary practice facilities, cart fees aren't included but I walk anyways, fifteen minute drive from the house, ten from school.

The Club Corp seems like a good deal but a little out of my range. I have played Bay Oaks a couple times through charity tournaments, very nice facilities.
Played at Goose last week with my pops. Hit a ball in the rough and ended up with so many stickerburrs I had to trim off all my leg hair.
Also looked at Evergreen Pt but I know for a fact that course plays better Sept-May. Another solid backup.
[/quote]

I forgot about Bay Forest. Been a long time since I played there. When I lived more centrally, I played Bay Forest just about every other weekend.
If they offer some sort of membership, that might be an excellent option.

Good luck.