Question:
Twin Creeks–Not familiar with any course named Twin Creeks. (Could be a new course, opened after I left.) You sure it’s not "Twin WELLS?" If it is, cross it off your list. A waste of time. A flat, links-style course (very manufactured-looking) which runs along flood plain in Irving. If you like beating snakes with your 7-iron, you’ll find this an enjoyable course.
Twin Creeks is a new Jack Nickalaus course in Allen. It is spikeless, has great (big) greens, and most people score well there. It has electronic distance displays in the carts. A forgiving track; not a lot of water hazards, etc. but nice. Everyone I know who’s played there likes it. I like it too, but prefer Chase Oaks Blackjack. Call me a masochist. Ridgeview Ranch is also very good. Mostly, though, I play Sherril Park (newly redesigned by D. A. Weibring) or Firewheel. These are a slight step down, especially the greens, but a lot cheaper, and you can walk with a pull cart!
Response:
Here are the courses that I am leaning toward choosing from based only on literature I have read: Buffalo Creek, Tangle Ridge, Twin Creeks, Chase Oaks Blackjack, Timmaron, Bear Creek, Carswell, Iron Horse, and The Cliffs. I have only played one round of golf in the DFW area, and that was at Fossil Creek a couple of years ago. I really loved that one, too, but want to try something new.
Fossil Creek is an Arnold Palmer-signature course. There are few "daily fee" courses in DFW any better. I probably should add that I play to a 9 hcp. I prefer larger greens because I putt better than average. I am long off the tee, but not very accurate. Based on this info, what two courses should I chose?
Tim, My original website, though not recently updated, has probably all the info you need. It’s at http://randb.home.mindspring.com Now, having said that, I should warn you that several of the courses you mention here are not reviewed in my "List O’ Links." So let me offer what I know here… Buffalo Creek–An excellent (though, IMO, somewhat overrated) course near Lake Ray Hubbard. Overpriced because of the computerized on-cart monitoring system. (If you like that sort of thing, you’ll love it.) A Tom Weiskopf-designed course. It’s fine, though it winds through a residential area, which for me, takes a couple of points away from it. Tangle Ridge–An excellent golf course, a notch down-scale from Buffalo Creek. In a very quiet part of town, tree-lined with (as of a year ago) no houses on the course. This would be an excellent choice. The 8th hole, when you step up to the tee, looks like it’s about 800 yards long (it’s not). One of my favorites. Twin Creeks–Not familiar with any course named Twin Creeks. (Could be a new course, opened after I left.) You sure it’s not "Twin WELLS?" If it is, cross it off your list. A waste of time. A flat, links-style course (very manufactured-looking) which runs along flood plain in Irving. If you like beating snakes with your 7-iron, you’ll find this an enjoyable course. Chase Oaks Blackjack–Chase Oaks is two golf courses, Blackjack and Sawtooth. Blackjack, I believe, is the 18-hole course, and Sawtooth is a 9-holer, with two sets of tees. A little tricked up in spots, there are some outstanding holes. A Bruce Devlin-design which rewards accuracy (what golf courses don’t?). There are a couple of features of this course I really don’t like, for instance, "terraces" in the fairways which can result in a ball rolling up to the edge of a sudden rise (about 4 inches), rendering a perfectly struck ball down the center of the fairway unplayable. Unless they’ve smoothed these out, they’re annoying as hell. But there are some great holes on the course. Timmaron–Haven’t played it, but I’ve heard good things. A Byron Nelson-designed course, originally planned to be private (are you telling me it isn’t?). Definately an "upscale" course. Don’t know much about it, except that I’ve heard glowing reviews. (For what it’s worth, if Grapevine Municipal Golf Course, another Byron Nelson-design, is any indication of Mr. Nelson’s design characteristics, the greens at Grapevine are huge, and verrrrrry undulating. I’m sure Timmaron’s greens are in better shape than the ones at Grapevine, where they’re usually slow and bumpy bermuda–hey, it’s a city course.) Bear Creek–If you like six-hour rounds, you’ll love this place. Once included in Golf Digest’s "Best 100 Public Courses" (Bear Creek East Course), Bear Creek is very convenient (located at DFW Airport). Over-priced, over-rated, and over-played. And if you spray the ball, you could spend an excruciating afternoon there. Carswell–Like most military-base golf courses, the course at Carswell Air Force Base (closed by the federal government a few years ago) was typically well-kept for the base’s generals who played golf. I can’t vouch for its upkeep in recent years. A fairly old course, it’s not very long or very difficult. I’d steer you to other choices. Iron Horse–A good, solid municipal course. Not the high-end upscale course of, say, Timmaron or Buffalo Creek, but definately a cut or two above your garden variety city course. Some very interesting and challenging holes. A very fair test of golf. (BTW, you don’t want to walk this course, there are some lonnnnnnnnnnnng hikes from green to tee in a couple of places.) The Cliffs–Everybody swears this is a "must-play." But I, apparently, never got the memo. People like it because it’s hard (and, supposedly, quite beautiful). It’s also not exactly in Dallas/Fort Worth. Get a road map and plan on driving an hour or 90 minutes to get there. Here are a few others I’d hasten to add to your list: Tour 18 (Flower Mound, TX). About a 25-minute drive north from the airport, Tour 18 represents itself as "America’s Best 18 holes," and indeed, the holes are supposedly "replicas" of famous golf holes like #17 at TPC/Sawgrass (number 9); #11, 12 & 13 (Amen Corner) at Augusta National (numbers 16, 17 and 18). There are replicas of holes from such famous courses as Doral, Cherry Hills, Winged Foot and Riviera. While I wouldn’t vouch for the authenticity of these "copies," I will tell you that if the original holes didn’t exist (and how close these holes are to the ones they attempt to replicate weren’t an issue), you’d come away feeling like this is one helluva golf course. For anyone who loves the game, I’d say this is the first choice. Plan on spending about $100. I promise you’ll never forget playing Amen Corner. TPC at Los Colinas (Irving). If you haven’t booked a hotel in DFW, you might as well stay at the Four Seasons Resort and Club. It’s pricey, but there’s plenty to enjoy, including 5-star restaurants, an expansive full-service spa, easy access to either Dallas or Fort Worth, and two 18-hole championship courses on which the PGA TOUR’s GTE Byron Nelson Classic is held each spring. (Don’t be surprised if Mr. Nelson himself were to show up in the clubhouse, I’ve seen him there at least a half-dozen times.) Golf packages are available, and can include rounds at either the TPC or the Cottonwood Valley course across the street (where the first green is in the shape of the state of Texas–the trickiest hole location being Amarillo). If you don’t stay at the hotel, you won’t get on here, as it’s strictly private (or, semi-private, and available only to members and patrons of the Four Seasons hotel). The good news about these two courses is they both suit your game. Not alot of deep woods to swallow up your golf ball, and huge, perfectly kept bent-grass greens. Like putting on pool tables. Again, there’s quite a bit more information on my website, which is all about Dallas Fort Worth golf at http://randb.home.mindspring.com — but be forewarned: Many of my course reviews are geared toward the everyday golfer who is not necessarily looking for the type of "upscale" course your choices seem to represent. For example, one of my favorite Dallas courses is an old city muni named Cedar Crest. This is a wonderful old A.W. Tillinghast course, built in ‘26 for the 1927 PGA Championship (which was played there, and won by Walter Hagen, his 4th PGA Championship in a row). It remains one of the best layouts in town, though not nearly as well-kept as your newer "upscale" daily-fee courses (it’s run by the City of Dallas). And make no mistake, Cedar Crest is "golf in da ‘hood." Some would be terribly put off by this, so I hasten to mention it. But hey, you’ll be in a rental car, and I’m sure it’ll be insured. You’ll find more well-manicured courses, but you won’t find one with more character. Green fee: about $12. Just never let your clubs out of your sight. But if you’re playing with rental clubs, what do you care? (Seriously, I’ve played there many times and never had a problem. I love that old course.) Unfortunately, after 25 years living in DFW, I moved to Atlanta about a year ago. I miss "home" alot, and decided to continue publishing my old DFW Golf website, even though I’m not around to keep the information terribly current. Several new courses have opened in just the last year, and a few had already opened by the time I left that I hadn’t yet played. So there are a few courses missing from my lists. Hope that’s helpful. I’d be curious to find out where you decide to play, and what you think of it. Enjoy, Randy
Response:
: Here are the courses that I am leaning toward choosing from based only on : literature I have read: Buffalo Creek, Tangle Ridge, Twin Creeks, Chase : Oaks Blackjack, Timmaron, Bear Creek, Carswell, Iron Horse, and The Cliffs. Buffalo Creek is worth the effort (East of Dallas on 30) Stay away from Twin Creeks, too expensive, not a good layout. Chase Oaks is still under "redevelopment", needs another year to improve. Consider Ridgeview, newer "muni" in N. Plano. Bear Creek West is a super track. The Cliffs is a LONG drive West of Ft. Worth Consider Bridlewood in Flower Mound. If it was me, I’d take Buffalo Creek and Bridlewood… Others may see it differently. Good Putting! Mark p.s. Let us know when you’re here and we’ll make a group! — Mark Koenig, Technical Consulting || These views are my own.
Response:
I like TangleRidge a lot except for one green. SugarTree is a little bit of a drive, but a nice track. The Cliffs is over 2 hrs west of FW. I might be up to play also if it’s the right day. Ken – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Mark Koenig, Ken Pitts, or others RSG’ers that are familiar with the metroplex, would you mind offering opinions on a few good courses in the area? I am planning a golf vacation in early May. I will be making a circle from Austin through San Antonio, to Houston, then to DFW. I am pretty familiar with all areas but DFW. I want to play a round on the Dallas side one day, and the Fort Worth side on the second day. Here are the courses that I am leaning toward choosing from based only on literature I have read: Buffalo Creek, Tangle Ridge, Twin Creeks, Chase Oaks Blackjack, Timmaron, Bear Creek, Carswell, Iron Horse, and The Cliffs. I have only played one round of golf in the DFW area, and that was at Fossil Creek a couple of years ago. I really loved that one, too, but want to try something new. I probably should add that I play to a 9 hcp. I prefer larger greens because I putt better than average. I am long off the tee, but not very accurate. Based on this info, what two courses should I chose? Thanks for any input. Tim L.
Response:
Mark Koenig, Ken Pitts, or others RSG’ers that are familiar with the metroplex, would you mind offering opinions on a few good courses in the area? I am planning a golf vacation in early May. I will be making a circle from Austin through San Antonio, to Houston, then to DFW. I am pretty familiar with all areas but DFW. I want to play a round on the Dallas side one day, and the Fort Worth side on the second day. Here are the courses that I am leaning toward choosing from based only on literature I have read: Buffalo Creek, Tangle Ridge, Twin Creeks, Chase Oaks Blackjack, Timmaron, Bear Creek, Carswell, Iron Horse, and The Cliffs. I have only played one round of golf in the DFW area, and that was at Fossil Creek a couple of years ago. I really loved that one, too, but want to try something new. I probably should add that I play to a 9 hcp. I prefer larger greens because I putt better than average. I am long off the tee, but not very accurate. Based on this info, what two courses should I chose? Thanks for any input. Tim L.