Community-Information

The Woodlands and the surrounding area offer some of the finest golf courses. It is the only area in the nation to have designs by the “Big Three”, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, & Gary Player.. Attached to the Nicklaus course is the Tom Fazio course, another world renowned golf course architect.

The East Course- Former Tournament Players Course – Former venue of the Shell Houston Open, is now the home of a Champions Tour event. This track tests all your skills. With water on 11 holes, you can test yourself against the games best. The two finishing holes are as good as any in golf. The 13th hole is a risk/reward par 5 with an island green. Many incredible history making shots are referenced throughout the course. I actually witnessed John Daly’s hole in one on 16! You better have your game in order to finish the final two holes!

The Oaks – A good test of golf, part of this nine was the original tournament site before the TPC was built. This course has generous fairways that are well maintained.

Holes 16 – 18 are as good of finishing holes as you will find. This is part of The Canongate Group.

Panther Trails – A revamped course with all the areas just outside the rough left as natural areas, very pretty when the wildflowers are in bloom. This course is public, is right outside the door of the executive conference center and is somewhat forgiving. This is part of The Canongate Group.

The Palmer Course – There are 3 nines here, King, General, & Deacon. My favorite are the first two as the deacon boasts three doglegs left (you’ll want to play this one if you draw the ball regularly!) Anything with Arnold ’s name attached to it is worth the effort.

The Player Course – Another good test of golf, you better score on the wide open front nine because the trees close in on the backside and shot making is at a precision.

Carlton Woods – With Jack’s signature on this course, it is the finest in the area. It has all the characteristics of a Nicklaus design. Since Jack faded the ball in his day you will find that most of the water on the golf course is on the left side of the holes. This is a come and get me kind of course, nothing tricked up, just long with nothing hidden. Exquisite greens!

The Fazio - Part of The Carlton Woods Group, this track is worth playing. The visuals off of the tee are excellent and the undulation (for this area) will give you some tricky lies.

There are many golf courses outside The Woodlands that are worth the drive!!!

Wedgewood – Play this course like a chess game, take what the course gives you. This is position golf, you may only hit your drive 3 or 4 times. If you try to take more, you will have a downhill or sidehill lie, be in the rough, or possibly in the trees. If you score well here, your are ready for many other courses. Fairway and greens could be kept up better.

Woodforest Golf Club – 3 nines, front, back & west. My two favorite are the back and the west. The west is as good a nine holes as you will find anywhere in the area.

Walden on Lake Conroe – Probably my favorite course in the area. This course has 3 par 5's in a row, which is very unusual for a golf course design. The 11th & 12th holes are the signature holes on the course. Eleven is a double dogleg par 5 with water all down the right side of your second and third shots. Twelve is a well guarded par 3 that is surrounded by water on three sides with bunkers on the remaining side. Number 8 is the #1 handicap hole, it demands a long, accurate tee shot and well placed second shot over water with a severely sloping green. Play this golf course.

Lake Windcrest – Usually a well manicured course, more so the greens. This course sets up fairly easy with wide open fairways. This is a golf course where you should score well. This is part of The Canongate Group.

High Meadow Ranch – A very interesting concept where every six holes brings you back to the clubhouse. Beautiful mature trees surround the golf course and it is worth playing.

Willow Creek – This course is hidden in Northampton and is somewhat of a diamond in the rough. There are some very demand holes on the course, especially the first three. Big numbers right of the bat can either make or break your round.

Augusta Pines – New home for the Champions Tour, this is a fairly open course and the tees that you play will ultimately determine the difficulty.

Grand Lake Estates – This is another Gary Player design and when the golf course matures it will be a very good track. There are many mounds throughout the entire course so don’t expect too many flat lies. Nice elevated tees shots are a pleasant surprise on many holes. Look for the subdivision to keep growing and the golf course to keep rising in popularity.

Blaketree – Play this golf course period!! Located in Magnolia, it is a great test of golf. The greens are not the most forgiving, a lot of undulation, and it takes some precise shots to get the ball in the right place. Number 4, 10, & 12 are great golf holes. There are many good, good golf holes here, a course you will look forward to playing time and time again. The layout is better than actual golf course maintenance.

Bentwater – With a new 18 that I have not yet played, this will give Bentwater three 18 courses. The Weiskopf & Miller courses are fun! The 11th hole, a double fairway on the Weiskopf course plus a green that is well guarded by water, plus.. wind conditions make this hole one of the tops in the area. A little par 3 that is to follow a couple of holes later also demands an accurate shot because of the usual lake breeze. The Miller course should set up a little easier than its counterpart, but has some holes that can create some big numbers!!

Texas National – Located in Willis, this golf course has a great layout, some very challenging holes. Some money has been spent to upgrade this golf course and it is worth the drive to play this little known course.