Courses in Texas

[DiscGolfKid]

Twin Parks Country Club, Dripping Springs, TX... This place was amazing. I'm sure I can't explain half of what was done to make this place a resort with courses of high calibur. The "clubhouse" has it all from a bigscreen with gaming systems, other games including a chess table, poker table, ping pong table, and a brand new pool table, to nice rooms (inexpensive) with a fully accomodating facility. Two full 18 hole courses with red, white, and blue tees. 3 practice putting baskets. Plenty of discs for sale.

We played this on the clubs opening weekend. The course we played was awesome. I highly recommend playin this one if your in Texas.

[Schoen-hopper]

Thinking about going back to Texas. Went to Florida last year. This will be TX winter break trip #4. Looking into some new courses again. Will post back later...

[Schoen-hopper]

I'm sure I'll find time to play some classics, but, as always, I want to check out some new courses! I've listed the courses I've played in previous posts on this thread. I'd like to ask about some others. I'm trying to put a schedule together. Location and quality are probably the biggest factors on yeah or nay to puting a course on the schedule.

I'll probably be in the Dallas and Austin areas for about 4 days some time from Dec. 26th to Dec. 31


Here are the courses that I'd like to know more about. Maybe someone who has played them could compare them with one another or with some of the other TX courses that I have played? Any info would be (and has been) helpful!

Dallas area (east)...
I might try to get as many of these courses in on the first day of the trip. Which ones?

Rockwall, TX: Harry Myers DGC.
It sounds like this new course is a must play. A ways east though.

McKinney, TX: Alex Clark Memorial DGC.
Short but nice course that is challenging from the long tees?

Lewisville, TX: Leonard L. Woods Park.
How does this course rate? Worth playing?

Carrollton, TX: Greenbelt Park.
Carrollton, TX: Jimmy Porter Park.
I played a few holes on one of these courses in the dark. The parking lot was a little bit lower than a busy road that ran right alongside the course. I think it was Jimmy Porter. Seemed like I should come back and play it. How do these two compare?

Dallas, TX: Crawford Memorial Park.
How is this course? It has a swamp? Is it really that hard to navigate? I think this course was still being built when I last posted. How did it turn out?

Plano, TX: Shawnee Park.
Is this course worth playing?


Dallas/ Ft. Worth area (not east)...
Might play some of these on the last day of the trip. Might also play the Vet again and/or Bear Creek.

Irving, TX: Fritz Park.
This course is close enough to Grapevine. Is this the best 9 holer in Dallas/Ft. Worth area?

Ft. Worth, TX: Ideal Disc Golf Ranch.
I don't see this one listed anymore. Did this Fly 18 get pulled?

Haltom City, TX: North Park.
New course sounds like it's good, but still under some development. I don't know that I'll make it this far west this time. How is the course?

Weatherford, TX: Weatherford DGC.
How does this course compare?


Austin area...
I'll have the most of a couple of days here. I want to hit Peace Park again, but I doubt I'll have time to make it back down to Wimberly, which was my favorite. Maybe next time (when there are no more new courses to explore, yeah right)...

Waco, TX: Woodway Park.
I know the Cameron courses are the most reputed and I have had the chance to enjoy them. This course seems to have an excellent description as well...

Round Rock, Brushy Creek DGC.
I love Old Settlers and might play it again. Is Brushy Creek a fun short course? Tricky elevation changes? Thick cedars sounds like Seawright?

Leander, TX: Lambos on the Hill.
Leander, TX: Lake Line Ranch DGC.
These two 9 holers don't sound like they compare with the rest of the areas courses. What is with the tower?

Leander, TX: Williamson County DGC.
This just sounds like a must play. Tough par 61. Is the course marked? Is there more than one set of tees? How are the tees marked?

Lago Vista, TX: The Resort.
We played here and wanted to come back. I read on a thread that this one has been pulled for construction. I also read on the course directory that this course was called Arrowhead (which I don't remember) and that it had been changed to 9 holes. What is up with this place?

Austin, TX: Bartholomew Park.
I went here on my first trip in December of 2004. It was not marked well at all and I think it was only 14 holes. I didn't play it as I couldn't figure it out in a reasonable amount of time. I heard there have been some recent design changes. Is the course navigable and better than ever? How are the tees marked?

Thanks for the help!

[smitty]

Cedar Hill if you haven't played it before.

[Mace Man]

Ft. Worth, TX: Ideal Disc Golf Ranch.
I don't see this one listed anymore. Did this Fly 18 get pulled?

This golf course was sold and I think is being devolved for housing.

[scarpfish]

Brushy Creek was a fun little course of what little I played of it. Its in a greetbelt area (think drainage ditch) in a subdivision. Yes, there are some elevation changes.

Between the lack of orientation, 100 degree heat (it was July when I was down there), and having my disc land in cactus three times, I gave up after six holes. But here's a map..

http://www.brushycreekmud.com/_fileCabi ... olfmap.pdf
http://www.brushycreekmud.com/_fileCabi ... recard.pdf

I tried Bartholomew and Circle C too when I was down there, and again, I had to give up due to lack of orientation. The parks dept. in Austin seems to have a thing against signs or cement pads for some reason.

[Schoen-hopper]

I did get to play Cedar Hill last time and I did have a great time throwing both of those courses.

The city of Austin is huge on disc golf, but I heard some of the city people think that concrete tee pads would be some kind of environmental problem. Quite the opposite, I know.

A lot of the golfers are gung ho about Circle C. I played out there and loved the variety, but the lack of fairway on some of the tougher holes along with the dangerous tees and rocky landing areas didn't make it one of my all time favorites.

So far, it sounds like I got to hit Rockwall and Wilco. The rest is still under question. Tons of courses in the Dallas/ Ft. Worth area, that is for sure!

[Schoen-hopper]

90 hours and 1350 miles later, I gotta say we had a great time. I played 12 rounds on 8 new courses, which would bring my total courses up to 35! Here are my reviews on the courses that we played this time through…

McKinney, Alex Clark Memorial DGC: 12/27/07
I could not locate the long tees that were shown on the course map. I through from a flag on hole 1 in a different location than that shown on the map and lost my first shot in the drink. I realized that marked or not, this course was way too muddy to throw from any other tees than the concrete ones. I shot 48 and consider this score to be well “over” par. Open and short holes would be great for beginners, but don’t provide challenge to the competitive player. Sounds like McKinney is building a new course nearby that will be a lot tougher. I would have liked to play the longer course here, but there needs to be marked tees that are not in the mud.

Rockwall, Harry Myers DGC: 12/27/07
This course was outstanding! Two sets of concrete tees for most holes with 2 sets of excellent tee signs. Blue and red color system corresponds with PDGA skill levels of 950 and 850. Par was 64 for blue and 65 for red. The par 4’s and 5’s on this course were incredible. Not much extra length, but plenty more technical. Just like good par 4 and 5 design should be. Loved par 5 hole 3 and how the lake was extended on par 5 hole 17, using 8 marked trees to define OB. Houck did a great job of putting strategy into every hole out here. I played with some locals and shot 70. I know I could have done worse. Plamen shot 67 and beat me for the first time! I played another round and shot 59. And that score could have been better as I was only E on the back 9. That is the great thing about these relatively new higher par courses: scoring variety. Tons of shot and hole type variety, I recommend everyone to play this course.

Waco, Woodway Park: 12/28/07
Averaging just under 300’ per hole, this course was tougher than the distance suggests. Winds coming off the lake, sloped greens, and pesky cedars sprinkled throughout the fairways made it challenging. Concrete tees and huge numbers only for tee signs and those were located too close to the tee pad. Negative was that the baskets were single chains. Shot 54. Not a great course, but it was enjoyable.

Round Rock, Brushy Creek DGC: 12/28/07
This one lived up to the standard with concrete tees and great signs. The course was on the short side, but it placed a big demand on accuracy. Most holes played with cedar trees to both sides and those that were mostly open played in the wind. Some cool greens that had fast drop offs to one or more sides. Shot 56. Despite my routine taping of the hand, two fingers had already blistered and bled by this time in the trip. I wasn’t going to let the pain keep me from playing. This course would certainly improve my mid-range game. It reminded me of Cedar Hill or a better Seawright.

Austin, Pease Park: 12/28/07
I’ve played this course almost every trip down. I just love this place. It is my favorite course in Austin. Shot 60. I’d guess it as par 57 with par 4’s on holes 2, 4 or 6, and 13. I think 13 and 14 were new. 13 was a great uphill dogleg par 4. I also think the signs were new out there and those were great. I hope someday the powers that be will come around and agree to concrete tees out there.

Round Rock, Williamson Co. Park: 12/29/07
Wow! This was a beautiful “natural” type course that played through an area that was pretty much exclusive to DG. Concrete tees and large rocks with numbers only for tee signs. Par 61 that was tough to beat for a 950 golfer. Par 4’s and a killer par 5 featured doglegs with demanding landing areas. Fairways played around or under those gnarly TX trees (what are they called?) and off the fairway was pretty much jail. I shot 58 and was really happy with this score. This course reminded me of circle R and for a flat piece of land, it was a great design. Some holes played similar to others, but this didn’t subtract from the fun. I’m really glad I played this one.

Temple, Lions Park: 12/29/07
I wasn’t feeling up to Old Settlers after all the golf on this trip. I decided to check out the new course in Temple. I’m really glad I did as this one was a jewel. Two sets of concrete tees on many holes with small, but very nice tee signs. Very fair for lefty on this course. Par 58. The par 4’s played long and open, which may not have been optimal, but the rest of the course was great. I especially liked the short down-hiller (8 ) and the tough par 3 with both tons of trees and a bunch of elevation (11). Loved the elevation changes and variety of this course. Also liked the plentiful OB that was well indicated on the tee signs. I shot 57 from the long tees.

Waco, William Cameron Park: 12/29/07
Had just enough time to play the classic front 9 here. Plamen played liberal cali and I played “conservative” California. Though a shortish course, the elevation changes on this 9 make it very fun. Shot 23.

Haltom City, North Park: 12/30/07
Yet another new course in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area, I was in the neighborhood to check this one out. It didn’t take long to figure out that this course was a work in progress. The tee sign maps had been ripped off on all holes but a couple. The baskets were of two different types that did not follow a pattern as to which were on which holes. The baskets were numbered incorrectly. Most holes had 2 or more baskets that were possible targets. It got frustrating try to navigate the course. It took almost 3 hours and should have taken half that time. There was a tree indicating a tee area for hole 10. It took forever to find, but when I did, I saw that it was the wrong one. The correct one was labeled 11 and in a different area. The glory hole (hole 11) was pretty cool, with a basket on a platform up in a multi trunk tree. The plywood of the platform had been vandalized and there was trash in the park. No alcohol allowed in the park, but there were several trees that had been “decorated” with beer cans. As to the actual course play, there were several fun holes. Many lefty holes and also a few where a roller shot was a distinct possibility. Shot 52. I’m sure this course will be much improved after the baskets are all the nice chainstars (with numbers) I saw on half the holes and the tee sign maps with course flow directions are reinstalled.

Crowley, Bicentennial Park: 12/30/07
I was told that this course had a redesign since I was there 3 years ago, so I went down to play it again. About half the holes played a bit different, mainly in the middle of the course. It is now a 20-hole course. I liked it about the same as the last layout. Still 3 sets of tees: the short tees were not as short as they used to be and the longs weren’t quite as long. This did put them about 4-5 strokes different each, which would correspond with the breaks in the PDGA skill levels. The funny thing about the tees was that they had blue and red switched as red was the long, white middle, and blue as the shortest set of tees. I’d also say that if concrete isn’t realistic for this course, the huge boards used to mark the tees should be sank close to flush with the ground. Though a safety hazard, they sure keep you from foot faulting! All criticism aside, this is a great course that is well worth checking out. Great variety, plenty of trees and some elevation changes (usually both). From the long tees, there were many, many holes that played par 3.3 to 3.5, but no true par 4’s. I shot 54 from the whites and 57 from the reds, which I would consider under course par, whatever that may be.

We also had a good time when we weren’t discing. The Ft. Worth Zoo was very nice. Not huge, but a very nice facility with great animals and exhibits. The monkey jungle was huge and I liked the reptile house. In Austin, my wife and I went down to 6th st. We went to a bar called Buffalo Bill’s that had no less than 8, $1400 foosball tables, all in great shape. No smoking inside was a nice change! When we were walking back to our car, we saw some guy in a gas mask doing something with a group watching him. He was making outer space themed paintings using only spray paint, a box knife blade, a golf disc, and some newspaper. The most incredible thing was that he was working in a frenzy to some spaced out techno music: each painting was completely different and it was taking him only 7 minutes apiece! We bought one from him for very reasonable and when I asked his name, he only said Kerry. I found this video, which shows the same techniques, so I would have to say this is the same guy, though the name is different. Austin is a fun town.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/834508/li ... ainting_2/

[Schoen-hopper]

It turns out I've been to 38 Texas courses!

12/2003 Denton, North Lake Park: played just a couple holes, couldn't navigate
12/2003 Lewisville, Lake Lewisville Park: 1x
12/2003 Arlington, Veteran's Park: 2x (12/2004)
12/2003 Waco, William Cameron Park: 3x (12/2004 {9}, 12/2007{9})
12/2003 Round Rock, Old Settler's Park: 1x
12/2003 Austin, Bartholomew Park: played a couple holes, couldn't navigate
12/2003 Austin, Pease Park: 3x (12/2005,12/2007)
12/2003 Wimberly, Circle R, Rolling Meadows: 1x
12/2003 Wimberly, Circle R, Rolling Meadows: jogged through course, short on time
12/2003 San Marcos, SWT Campus, West Park: 1x
12/2003 Universal City, Universal City Park: jogged through course, short on time
12/2003 Live Oak, City Park: 1x
12/2003 Ft. Worth, Z Boaz: 1x
12/2003 Carrollton, Jimmy Porter Park: played a few holes in the dark
12/2004 Grapevine, Bear Creek: 2x (12/2005)
12/2004 Crowley, Bicentennial Park: 2x (12/2007)
12/2004 Waco, Cameron Park East: play some holes, short on time
12/2004 Temple, S. Temple Community Park: jogged through course, short on time
12/2004 Lago Vista, The Resort: 1x
12/2004 Red Rock, Moody's Disc Golf Ranch: 1x
12/2004 New Braunsfels, Prince Solms Park: 1x
12/2004 Austin, Circle C Park: 1x
12/2004 Austin, Seawright Park: 1x
12/2004 Garland, Audobon Park: 1x
12/2004 Dallas, B.B. Owen Park: 1x
12/2005 Cedar Hill, Lester Lorch Park, Beaver: 1x
12/2005 Cedar Hill, Lester Lorch Park, Coyote: 1x
12/2005 Georgetown, San Gabriel Park: 1x
12/2005 Georgetown, Rivery Park: 1x
12/2005 Dripping Springs, Twin Parks Country Club, Parkhill: 1x
12/2005 Dripping Springs, Twin Parks Country Club, Parkshire: 1x
12/2007 McKinney, Alex Clark Memorial DGC: 1x
12/2007 Rockwall, Harry Myers DGC: 1x
12/2007 Waco, Woodway Park: 1x
12/2007 Round Rock, Brushy Creek DGC: 1x
12/2007 Round Rock, Williamson Co. Park: 1x
12/2007 Temple, Lions Park: 1x
12/2007 Haltom City, North Park: 1x

Including repeats, that makes 15 courses in 12/2003, 14 in 12/2004, 8 in 12/2005, and 10 in 12/2007.

[Schoen-hopper]

Here's some TX course review for ya Crispin! I took a couple day trip last December. Got a round in at the Vet and a couple in OKC. The fun part of the trip was playing TOUR 18. A ball golf course in Flower Mound, TX that was surrounded by multi-million dollar homes where every hole on the course is a signature hole from a famous course! 17 at Sawgrass & Amen Corner at Augusta National were incredible.

[Bangrrr]

Go play Lake Lewisville. LL Woods was ok, but the lake course is SWEEEEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Unless you are left handed and can't flick!!!!!!!!!!!!)

[Schoen-hopper]

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[mrsenortyler]

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[Schoen-hopper]

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Bookmark so I could find this thread again.

Here are a few more reviews from another Christmas break trip down to Texas. It was unusually cold, rained and even snowed while we were down there, but I'm sure it was more golfable than up here.

12/27/09
Greenbelt Park, Carrollton TX
There are almost no trees in play on this course. But it gets lots of wind. And there is a waterway or creek that is very much in play on pretty much all 18 holes. A Golden Retriever was really handy here. Course was very muddy with very few concrete tees. Not well marked, the signs were ancient and the baskets had the wrong numbers on them. But pretty simple to follow once you know the course. Hole 11 was a classic diagonal over the waterway shot with the basket on the other side. I actually hit low into the wall, but the spin and angle of the disc plus the downhill of the hole let it climb up to safety. This course is not that interesting, but it has one cool feature: It is a great place to practice over the water shots (for RHBH throws), that is if you have a Golden Retriever.

12/27/09
Paschall Park, Mesquite TX
New course by Houck in a fairly small park. Dual concrete tees and great signs. Used the blue / red skill level theme with some holes using the same tees. Though the difference was definitely not 10 strokes as the PDGA skill levels of 950 and 850 would suggest. Most holes in the woods were pretty fun. This course was on the short side. The few holes outside the woods were not interesting. The one big downfall of the course was the flooding. The entire course went from mud to ponds. Standing water everwhere; sometimes the tees were islands and the water a foot deep! Not a bad course for learning the game while still providing some challenge.

12/28/09
East Metro Park, Manor TX
Michael Olse designed this one. Signs and techniques were very similar to Houck's so I'm sure he had some influence. This park was out in the middle of nowhere, but it was a super nice place. Lots of money put into it. And the course was amazing! Gotta be in my top ten all time. It had it all, concrete tees, dual tees (on most holes except for short ones), great signs, variety of shots, distances, elevation, OB, intense challenge. Par was 63 for the blue tees (long). I shot 65 and felt like I had shot under par. I think the blue tees were like gold tees (1000 rated) and the reds like blue. I bet the SSA out there is about 62+. This is partially due to the intensity of the rough out there. There is thorny brush if you get off the fairway. This stuff will tear you up if you try to do anything other than pitch out. I suppose that is a negative, but it sure helped put emphasis on keeping shots in the fairway. Hole 4 was the signature hole for me. Downhill dogleg left par 4. There is a creek running parallel to the 2nd fairway going left that must be crossed. If you play a safe hyzer on the drive, there are many more trees plus the creek to negotiate on the 2nd shot. If you go big and succeed in making it to the landing zone (golden shining grass beckoning across the creek) the player has a good straight shot for a birdie 3. If you want a real challenge on a beautiful course, play this one!

12/28/09
Met Center DGC, Austin TX
This is Houck’s recent urban disc golf project. There are 1000’s of cars in the lot for the workers here. Again, all the tees were concrete with a blue & red theme going and duals for most holes. Par was 64. I didn’t play, but ran through the course. Much variety in length, with holes from 150’ to 1050’. Lots of trees, but they all looked the same. Stems of 15-20’ and pretty bare except for the top. The density of them and shape of them made for some luck/ fun factor. Not any elevation to speak of. Creek in play on many holes, but OB might be confusing here. Lots of muddy areas. Good design with plenty of challenge for the land. Would have liked to play, but it would have taken the rest of the day.

12/28/09
Circle C Metro Park @ Slaughter Creek, Austin TX
This one was redesigned since I was there in 2004. And the better for it! Concrete, blue/ red dual tees. Par 64 and I didn’t come close. Very similar to East Metro (also Mike Olse) in terms of outstanding hole design, beauty, & challenge. The main difference is that instead of thorny brush lining fairways, here it was taller evergreen trees. Keeping shots in the fairway was critical, but the fairways were wide enough to be fair for the skill level designed for (advanced/ pro). I couldn’t believe how nice this place was as it obviously gets a lot of use. Not a ton of elevation, but there were a few holes. Top notch course everyone should play!

12/29/09
Austin Ridge Bible Church, Austin TX
Houck design: dual blue/ red tees with great signs. Natural tees though. It was raining heavily, so I walked though the course instead of playing. What a beautiful secluded place outside town. But the course was insane! Long holes, with dense cedar lined narrow fairways. And big elevation changes abounded. It looked fun if the thrower was either a top pro or possessed great patience. The blue par was 64 by individual hole count, but the SSA from the long tees had to have been 65+, which is extremely high. As difficult as the previous par 64’s were, this one had to have been tougher. While on many courses the par 4 holes are the easiest to birdie, on this course you could get a snowman 8 real quick! This course would be a slap in the face shock for some of us used to wide open golf. Interesting that a church would want such a difficult course.

12/30/09
Turner Park, Grand Pairie TX
New course right in the middle of the Dallas / Ft. Worth metropolis. Coolest thing about the course is that there is a lot of elevation in play. Not many flat holes, and very hilly for a TX city park. The negative was that due to the small size of the park, many mando trees were added for safety. Which doesn’t really help if casual palyers don’t heed them. Since tees were extremely muddy. This should be greatly relieved when concrete tees are put in. It looks like things are progressing here as they were building a pavilion by hole 1 as we played.

12/30/09
Flightline DGC, Paul’s Valley OK
Disc course at an airstrip. Thought it would be cool as it’s a Houck design. It was mostly wide open though. No trees to work with on most of the holes. Covered in snow when I played. The coolest thing about the course was the granite tee markers. These things were big, nicely engraved, and had to be very expensive.

[Schoen-hopper]

Bottom line is Austin is one of the most killer places to play. Where else will you find this many pro calibur courses with legit par 4's & 5's?

http://www.dgcoursereview.com/browse_map.php?mode=map

30+ good courses in the area is competitive with anywhere, and 15+ of those courses are really something special. Here are some of my favorites.

Wimberly Circle R (x2)
Dripping Springs Twin Parks CC (x2)
E. Metro in Manor
Circle C
Pease
Williamson Co.
Old Settlers
Brushy Creek
Moody's
Lago Vista
Met Center
Austin Bible Ridge Church