Question:
If someone would spend some money on Brock, you would really have something. For now though…. just remember, all putts break toward Mt. BFI 
rlm
Well, the city of Houston spent a few million rebuilding Memorial GC and they just finished rebuilding Herman GC. Maybe they’ll spend a few mill on Brock Park and bring it to it’s potiential. I enjoy playing Brock Park because of the challenge. It would be nice if the city put some money into the course. Imagine Brock Park with plush fairways and slick fast green greens. C.J. Elmore ( great golfer wannabe ) Tool & Die maker / Tooling Foreman Pentair Electronic Packaging (Houston Operations)
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I am relocating to the Houston Texas area next month. Any info on good courses to try would be greatly appreciated. I am interested in primarilly in the Southwest side of the city, although I wouldn’t mind driving every now and then to play a good course. I walk and carry my bag most of the time….although I imagine this summer I will take to the carts when the hot, humid weather kicks in. Any suggestions and info as to course difficulty, fees and traffic would be greatly appreciated! David
at this facility. I also like Evergreen Point in Baytown. It’s a little drive from Southwest but worth it IMHO. Regi
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There are a ton of great, cheap, walkable courses. We have a great muni course — Memorial Park — its very long and wide open (7300 from the tips). Also, try Old Orchard and Meadowbrook Farms (new Greg Norman course). E-mail me when you get here, and I can give you some more ideas. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am relocating to the Houston Texas area next month. Any info on good courses to try would be greatly appreciated. I am interested in primarilly in the Southwest side of the city, although I wouldn’t mind driving every now and then to play a good course. I walk and carry my bag most of the time….although I imagine this summer I will take to the carts when the hot, humid weather kicks in. Any suggestions and info as to course difficulty, fees and traffic would be greatly appreciated! David at this facility. I also like Evergreen Point in Baytown. It’s a little drive from Southwest but worth it IMHO. Regi
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When I spent a year in Houston in 1989, I was fortunate enough to have received as part of my employment deal a membership to a country club in southwest suburban Houston. If you’re interested at all in joining a club, this one is a sort of "poor man’s country club." Not all that expensive to join (as country clubs go). Quail Valley in Missouri City, TX (the home course for the PGA TOUR’s Billy Ray Brown). For two years, it hosted the Houston Open (though the pros hated it, mostly because it ran through a residential area, and there was OB on both sides of alot of holes). The tee box for hole number 2 on one of the courses (El Dorado, I think) is right behind Frank Beard’s back yard — no, not the golfer Frank Beard, but the Frank Beard who’s ZZ Top’s drummer. hehehehehe They’ve got two 18-hole courses, and an executive course. It ain’t Augusta National, but it’s a pretty good deal. Or it used to be anyway. Randy website: http://wwwgolfer.home.mindspring.com RSG Roll Call profile: http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/brownr.htm "You can’t teach an old dog math." – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am relocating to the Houston Texas area next month. Any info on good courses to try would be greatly appreciated. I am interested in primarilly in the Southwest side of the city, although I wouldn’t mind driving every now and then to play a good course. I walk and carry my bag most of the time….although I imagine this summer I will take to the carts when the hot, humid weather kicks in. Any suggestions and info as to course difficulty, fees and traffic would be greatly appreciated! David
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Hi for good golf information go to http://www.golfhoustonmagazine.com Web Site, and if you need more information contact the ole — Posted via Talkway – http://www.talkway.com Exchange ideas on practically anything ™.
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Hi Dave: Please go to Golf Houston’s Magazine Web Site at URL http://www.golfhoustonmagazine.com This site has all the answers Gene "The Machine" — Posted via Talkway – http://www.talkway.com Exchange ideas on practically anything ™.
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Herman Park Muni was completely redone and just opened a couple of weeks ago. Memorial Park Muni is another fine course. They have hosted some Houston Opens, many moons ago. Bear Creek has 3 courses, one of which is very nice and very difficult. We have a Tour 18 here also. I live on the west side and play these courses most: Green Meadows in Katy (2 courses, one just opened) Cinco Ranch Bear Creek ( I like the Presidents) Bluebonnet Country Club Herman Park Lake Houston Golf Memorial Park Treeline Golf ( new back 9) The Club at Falcon Point (private links course, bent grass greens, nice) Bruce
Bruce, Have you played Herman since it opened. I’m trying to pichure what they could have done with what they had to work with. C.J. Elmore ( great golfer wannabe ) Tool & Die maker / Tooling Foreman Pentair Electronic Packaging (Houston Operations)
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I agree with you on these but I’d like to add a few more that are in Houston or in the general vicinity: Stephen F. Austin (on the way to Sealy (when it’s not flooded)) Lake Houston (near Lake Houston) Texas National (north of Conroe) Bayou Golf Club (Texas City) Longwood Cape Royale (Lake Livingston) If someone would spend some money on Brock, you would really have something. For now though…. just remember, all putts break toward Mt. BFI rlm (just a little inside humour as the only distinguishing landmark near Brock is a BFI landfill) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I live in Austin now, but grew up in Houston and learned to play golf there. I still play allot of golf in Houston. There are some new ones that I have not seen, but they sound like housing developments. Houston has a large number of public golf courses. I think they are all pretty expensive, but I am used to Austin’s standards. If your coming from Chicago, California, or the Northeast — you’ll find them all very good values. Here are some thoughts on them: Central city: Memorial Park: THE PLACE TO PLAY. One of the finest public facilities in the nation. You have to pay three times as much or more to get this great a course anywhere else. Play here often, but tee times are difficult. Afternoon singles can useually walk on with ease. Great club house grill. Fine environment. Stay off the back tees unless you can REALLY drive your ball. Like 270 consistently straight. Really — play here allot, practice here, live here. A public golf shrine. Hermann Park: I have not seen the makeover, but they don’t have any land to work with. Knowing what they started with — all it can be is a cheap short course in good condition. Before the redo — it was cheap, short and horrible condition. Heavy traffic. Southwest: Greatwood: Avoid. Not near as nice as they charge for. No golf (walking) allowed. Stupid housing development golf course stuffed into powerline and flood control right-of-way to increase the selling price of lots. Sharpstown: Trash muni — avoid. Old Orchard: Very-very nice facility. Moderate-to-light traffic. 27 holes. Tight fairways through an orchard. Expensive cause there ain’t much competition, but can be worth it. Best public course in the southwest suburbs. Club at Cinco Ranch: I played it years ago and I can’t remember much that was outstanding, or distinctive. Seemed alright, but rather banal. Stupid housing development golf course. Rio Colorado GC (Bay City — 75 minutes southwest near the coast). Block out a day and go experience the river! This is a gem of a Gary Player designed golf course. The greens and fairways are generally in good shape, while they skimp on bunker maintenance. Holes 13 – 16 were laid out be God. Play 36, or head down to the secluded Matagorda beach. Light traffic. Really a wonderful experience. South – SouthEast: Southwyck: Wonderful, though expensive, demanding wind swept course. Very nice, great variety of holes. Heavy traffic. Cleer Creek: Inexpensive muni. Nothing great — but worth it’s low cost. Nice place to play. Heavy traffic. Gus wortham: Cheap trash muni. Avoid. Nuff said. Glenbrook: Another cheap trash muni. Avoid. Brock Park: What a shame — but avoid. Could be a really interesting little course with some neat holes. Galveston Isle Municipal: Wonderful island golf course. Light traffic. Well designed. Nice. Bay Forest (La Porte): Nice tight tricky muni. Snake like water channels curl about snatching at wayword shots. Some good holes, a good price, medium traffic. If your in the area not a bad option — but I wouldn’t go out of my way, especially since close by is ….. Evergreen Point (Baytown): Have not played it, but I hear it is very-very nice. A must play. I imagine traffic is medium to heavy. Battleground (Deer Park): Another new nice course I have not played. I hear good things about it. Northeast: Waterwood National (Huntsville): Do not get suckered in by the advertising. This course is not maintained and has fallen into almost unplayable condition. It’s a cool early Pete Dye torture chamber — and would be great (though painful) if maintained. But it’s not. Cypresswood: The second best public facility in Houston. 54 Holes. Two fine championship courses, with a new 18 (the Tradition) that I hear is spectaculor. Of course, they are awful proud of their golf courses, and want too much money for them all. But since most courses are like that, you might as well play these. Tour 18: Ought to experience once. Golf amusement park. Play it to play Amen corner from Augusta and TPC-Sawgrass #17 — little else translates well. It’s all fun, but it does not make for a cohesive good round of golf. Hard to call it a golf course — just a bunch of golf holes. The Pebble Beach hole is a joke — you have to imagine a bunch of pine trees is the pacific ocean. Heavy traffic. Bentwood: I hear this is nice, though of course, expensive. Northwest: Del Lago Resort: Don’t go out of your way. Go play Memorial Park. Tree lined, non-inspired. Only a few good holes. Too expensive. Longwood: Very nice, tree lined, some interesting holes. 27 holes. Somewhat expensive, but nice. Moderate traffic. TPC-Woodlands. Expensive but very-very nice. Treat yourself to this at least once every two years. Light traffic. Better than Tour-18 for the same cost. Pinecrest: Okay facility, though nothing inspired. Just good, nice utilitarian golf. Some strong holes. Reasonable fees. It’s maintained well. Good greens. Heavy traffic. Windrose: I hear it’s nice. Another expensive upscale course. Have not seen it yet. The Falls (Columbus – 90 minutes west): Really nice resort/development course that never made it. is generally maintained to a half-decent standard, and has many good holes. Tough but fair, lots of critters running about, a wonderful day in the country. Of course, they want way too much for it, but it’s worth an occasional trip. Houston Oaks: If your out that way — this is a cool course with lighter traffic. Some good holes, a little better priced. Back nine is nice among the trees. Bear Creek Golf World: Three courses constantly drunk (loaded) with golfers. The Masters course is the one to play. Great championship caliber course maintained to standard and worth the green fee. Presidents is a banal, over-played collection of greens and tee boxes in a flat open field. Best avoided. Challenger is a short executive style course with good short holes. You can break 80 here — it’s a par 66. Great beginners course. Hope all this helps! Enjoy Houston, and let me know what you think of the courses. Perhaps we will get a match up. I am relocating to the Houston Texas area next month. Any info on good courses to try would be greatly appreciated. I am interested in primarilly in the Southwest side of the city, although I wouldn’t mind driving every now and then to play a good course. I walk and carry my bag most of the time….although I imagine this summer I will take to the carts when the hot, humid weather kicks in. Any suggestions and info as to course difficulty, fees and traffic would be greatly appreciated! David
Response:
I live in Austin now, but grew up in Houston and learned to play golf there. I still play allot of golf in Houston. There are some new ones that I have not seen, but they sound like housing developments. Houston has a large number of public golf courses. I think they are all pretty expensive, but I am used to Austin’s standards. If your coming from Chicago, California, or the Northeast — you’ll find them all very good values. Here are some thoughts on them: Central city: Memorial Park: THE PLACE TO PLAY. One of the finest public facilities in the nation. You have to pay three times as much or more to get this great a course anywhere else. Play here often, but tee times are difficult. Afternoon singles can useually walk on with ease. Great club house grill. Fine environment. Stay off the back tees unless you can REALLY drive your ball. Like 270 consistently straight. Really — play here allot, practice here, live here. A public golf shrine. Hermann Park: I have not seen the makeover, but they don’t have any land to work with. Knowing what they started with — all it can be is a cheap short course in good condition. Before the redo — it was cheap, short and horrible condition. Heavy traffic. Southwest: Greatwood: Avoid. Not near as nice as they charge for. No golf (walking) allowed. Stupid housing development golf course stuffed into powerline and flood control right-of-way to increase the selling price of lots. Sharpstown: Trash muni — avoid. Old Orchard: Very-very nice facility. Moderate-to-light traffic. 27 holes. Tight fairways through an orchard. Expensive cause there ain’t much competition, but can be worth it. Best public course in the southwest suburbs. Club at Cinco Ranch: I played it years ago and I can’t remember much that was outstanding, or distinctive. Seemed alright, but rather banal. Stupid housing development golf course. Rio Colorado GC (Bay City — 75 minutes southwest near the coast). Block out a day and go experience the river! This is a gem of a Gary Player designed golf course. The greens and fairways are generally in good shape, while they skimp on bunker maintenance. Holes 13 – 16 were laid out be God. Play 36, or head down to the secluded Matagorda beach. Light traffic. Really a wonderful experience. South – SouthEast: Southwyck: Wonderful, though expensive, demanding wind swept course. Very nice, great variety of holes. Heavy traffic. Cleer Creek: Inexpensive muni. Nothing great — but worth it’s low cost. Nice place to play. Heavy traffic. Gus wortham: Cheap trash muni. Avoid. Nuff said. Glenbrook: Another cheap trash muni. Avoid. Brock Park: What a shame — but avoid. Could be a really interesting little course with some neat holes. Galveston Isle Municipal: Wonderful island golf course. Light traffic. Well designed. Nice. Bay Forest (La Porte): Nice tight tricky muni. Snake like water channels curl about snatching at wayword shots. Some good holes, a good price, medium traffic. If your in the area not a bad option — but I wouldn’t go out of my way, especially since close by is ….. Evergreen Point (Baytown): Have not played it, but I hear it is very-very nice. A must play. I imagine traffic is medium to heavy. Battleground (Deer Park): Another new nice course I have not played. I hear good things about it. Northeast: Waterwood National (Huntsville): Do not get suckered in by the advertising. This course is not maintained and has fallen into almost unplayable condition. It’s a cool early Pete Dye torture chamber — and would be great (though painful) if maintained. But it’s not. Cypresswood: The second best public facility in Houston. 54 Holes. Two fine championship courses, with a new 18 (the Tradition) that I hear is spectaculor. Of course, they are awful proud of their golf courses, and want too much money for them all. But since most courses are like that, you might as well play these. Tour 18: Ought to experience once. Golf amusement park. Play it to play Amen corner from Augusta and TPC-Sawgrass #17 — little else translates well. It’s all fun, but it does not make for a cohesive good round of golf. Hard to call it a golf course — just a bunch of golf holes. The Pebble Beach hole is a joke — you have to imagine a bunch of pine trees is the pacific ocean. Heavy traffic. Bentwood: I hear this is nice, though of course, expensive. Northwest: Del Lago Resort: Don’t go out of your way. Go play Memorial Park. Tree lined, non-inspired. Only a few good holes. Too expensive. Longwood: Very nice, tree lined, some interesting holes. 27 holes. Somewhat expensive, but nice. Moderate traffic. TPC-Woodlands. Expensive but very-very nice. Treat yourself to this at least once every two years. Light traffic. Better than Tour-18 for the same cost. Pinecrest: Okay facility, though nothing inspired. Just good, nice utilitarian golf. Some strong holes. Reasonable fees. It’s maintained well. Good greens. Heavy traffic. Windrose: I hear it’s nice. Another expensive upscale course. Have not seen it yet. The Falls (Columbus – 90 minutes west): Really nice resort/development course that never made it. is generally maintained to a half-decent standard, and has many good holes. Tough but fair, lots of critters running about, a wonderful day in the country. Of course, they want way too much for it, but it’s worth an occasional trip. Houston Oaks: If your out that way — this is a cool course with lighter traffic. Some good holes, a little better priced. Back nine is nice among the trees. Bear Creek Golf World: Three courses constantly drunk (loaded) with golfers. The Masters course is the one to play. Great championship caliber course maintained to standard and worth the green fee. Presidents is a banal, over-played collection of greens and tee boxes in a flat open field. Best avoided. Challenger is a short executive style course with good short holes. You can break 80 here — it’s a par 66. Great beginners course. Hope all this helps! Enjoy Houston, and let me know what you think of the courses. Perhaps we will get a match up. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am relocating to the Houston Texas area next month. Any info on good courses to try would be greatly appreciated. I am interested in primarilly in the Southwest side of the city, although I wouldn’t mind driving every now and then to play a good course. I walk and carry my bag most of the time….although I imagine this summer I will take to the carts when the hot, humid weather kicks in. Any suggestions and info as to course difficulty, fees and traffic would be greatly appreciated! David
Response:
I am relocating to the Houston Texas area next month. Any info on good courses to try would be greatly appreciated. I am interested in primarilly in the Southwest side of the city, although I wouldn’t mind driving every now and then to play a good course. I walk and carry my bag most of the time….although I imagine this summer I will take to the carts when the hot, humid weather kicks in. Any suggestions and info as to course difficulty, fees and traffic would be greatly appreciated! David
Response:
In rec.sport.golf I am relocating to the Houston Texas area next month. Any info on good courses to try would be greatly appreciated. I am interested in primarilly in the Southwest side of the city, although I wouldn’t mind driving every now and then to play a good course. I walk and carry my bag most of the time….although I imagine this summer I will take to the carts when the hot, humid weather kicks in. Any suggestions and info as to course difficulty, fees and traffic would be greatly appreciated!
David, I wouldn’t even know where to start. There are TONS of public courses in the Houston area. When you get here, pick up a copy of Gulf Coast Golfer free at any pro shop, range, or whatever. Herman Park Muni was completely redone and just opened a couple of weeks ago. Memorial Park Muni is another fine course. They have hosted some Houston Opens, many moons ago. Bear Creek has 3 courses, one of which is very nice and very difficult. We have a Tour 18 here also. I live on the west side and play these courses most: Green Meadows in Katy (2 courses, one just opened) Cinco Ranch Bear Creek ( I like the Presidents) Bluebonnet Country Club Herman Park Lake Houston Golf Memorial Park Treeline Golf ( new back 9) The Club at Falcon Point (private links course, bent grass greens, nice) Bruce