Will be in Austin for two days during the GP, need courses near COTA

[souledge]

Never played golf in Austin before, where should I head to? Preferences will be for courses near COTA, such as Shadowglen or Wolfdancer.

[Morety]

Wolfdancer is a great course. Haven't played it in a few years, but really enjoyed it when I played it last.

[Reidman]

Wolfdancer is by far the best choice near COTA.

Star Ranch is about 15 minutes north of Shadowglen on SH130, and should be your second choice. Also easy access to COTA via SH130.

Shadowglen 3rd choice.

[souledge]

How is Falconhead or any of the courses not super close to COTA?

[HiSpeed48]

Hey I'll be at COTA too. Enjoy it!

[ctmason_98]

I'll be there too, planning on playing at Vaaler Creek on Friday. Had a great time last year, looking forward to this year!

[hryhorchuk]

Falconhead is amazing. hands down. Never had a disappointing round there.

[Reidman]

[quote name='souledge' timestamp='1382162818' post='8025329']
How is Falconhead or any of the courses not super close to COTA?
[/quote]

It probably appears close if you are looking at a Map app...but its quality of travel, especially COTA weekend. From COTA, you would have to go back through the City, and another 30-45 minutes out to Lakeway. Its definitely one of the best in Austin....just geographically undesirable from where you will be.

[souledge]

I'm planning on swinging by Falconhead from my hotel first thing in the morning, then onto the circuit from Falconhead on Friday morning, that seems doable?

[jsanatx]

depends where your hotel is, just try to avoid the Y in OakHill in the morning, its a mess til 9 or 10AM weekdays.

[ctmason_98]

If you can, get one of the passes for the Airport parking off-site. You'd have to force me at gunpoint to park in any of the on-site parking.

[souledge]

I parked in on-site parking last year, and again this year.

Ended up booking Falconhead for Friday morning and Shadowglen for Saturday afternoon. Will have to try Wolfdancer and Star Ranch if I'm in town again.

[Double K]

We played Shadowglen on Thursday. Course had a great layout, but was in awful condition. I get the whole overseed thing as I have been playing in Phoenix the week prior. The fairways haven't been cut since they overseeded so it was hard to even see your ball in the fairway. The bunkers were like concrete.

We were all charged $40 for 'Premium' rental clubs. The 'only' left hand set was missing a 3 wood and 6 iron, was 2005 Nike Slingshot irons that have been used to pound nails and the putter was bent. The dude from the proshop refunded me $5 when he saw the condition of the set. The other rental sets were newer Callaway X-hot woods, but one set was an old X-22 and the older set was old c. 2005 Big Bertha irons. Hardly premium by any common definition of the word. Lesson learned; need to call ahead and ask about the rental set.

I will commend the club on providing lunch and breakfast with included in the green fee, that was a nice touch.

[schwollo]

I agree with your assessment of shadow glen. It has had potential ever since. It opened but it has never reached it due to poor conditions. A few years ago it had to shut done bc it's water contract expired and they had to get a new source of water.. Obviously the super hot summers killed the course and they basically had to redo the course again .

[souledge]

Shadowglen wasn't memorable.

Falconhead was fun yet tough. Gonna play there again next time I'm in town!

[Endub]

[indent=1]Wolfdancer is great resort style golf. Take 71 a few more miles east, and hit up Pine Forest. Truly a hidden gem in the greater Austin area.[/indent]

[souledge]

Wolfdancer
Pine Forest
Star Ranch

2 out of 3 please.

or should I replay Falconhead?

[npark]

Not Pine Forest...

Star over seeded Monday so will be nice and extra green by the time COTA rolls around.

[Reidman]

[quote name='souledge' timestamp='1412011645' post='10206439']
Wolfdancer
Pine Forest
Star Ranch

2 out of 3 please.

or should I replay Falconhead?
[/quote]

Maybe someone can chime in with current conditions at Colovista, which is real close to Pine Forest.. But definitely Star and Wolf out of the three you have listed.

[DL4Golf]

I played Colovista couple of days ago. Greens are very good right now. Strange combination though. Back 9 great++. Front 9 layout is pretty plain though. Would be a top choice in the area, for the price, if you played the back 9 twice.

[kgk]

[quote name='DL4Golf' timestamp='1412392646' post='10232911']
I played Colovista couple of days ago. Greens are very good right now. Strange combination though. Back 9 great++. Front 9 layout is pretty plain though. Would be a top choice in the area, for the price, if you played the back 9 twice.
[/quote]

I always thought that about Colovista as well.

I have also enjoyed Pine Forest the two times I have played it. It's a fun, quirky course. I have more fun on that vs Wolfdancer, which will routinely kick you in the juevos over and over.

[souledge]

Whoops, bought a non-refundable for Pine Forest.

What's so bad about it?

[rcain1us]

Might be there next month and will only have Friday afternoon, anything worth playing within 20-30 minutes of the airport?

[Reidman]

[quote name='rcain1us' timestamp='1414439154' post='10358525']
Might be there next month and will only have Friday afternoon, anything worth playing within 20-30 minutes of the airport?
[/quote]

For sure...Wolf Dancer is 20 minutes...and one of the best semi-private tracks in town.