Hey Ya’ll (see what I did there?) – a buddy of mine is getting married later this year, and I’m in charge of planning the bachelor party. We’re gonna do Austin and we want to get out and golf. Any recommendations for good courses for probably 8 guys of very mixed skill (anywhere from a 6 HC to probably a 25)? Will want to booze, so probably nothing too fancy but also would like a nice, fun course. Will be out there in early Fall.
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Definitely try to get out to Star Ranch if possible. Great layout with a lot of open space for drunk golf. They aren’t too harsh on pace of play, but don’t count on 6 hour rounds being okay. If y’all can play at a pace of less than 5 and a half hours you should be fine. I don’t remember the exact rules, but I’m pretty sure they are a-ok with outside drinks. Can’t remember though. All that being said, good luck with the wedding and have fun!
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Perfect. I think we can keep it together enough to keep it to 5.5 no problem. Amazing handle, btw. Thanks!
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I agree, Star Ranch would be a good choice. Pretty wide open, easy from the whites, but still interesting enough to be fun for a semi-serious golfer. Not the most scenic, but in this area scenic=lost balls.
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Longtime NLU podcast listener from Austin here, just signed up on the Refuge. Handicap is around 15, try to play once a week or so, mostly on munis.
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Welcome to the world of lost work productivity. At 12:30 EST today, be sure to follow this thread! Who Wants to be a Millionaire: @Bamabearcat on Dec 5th, Noon EST
I have only played Wolfdancer once, liked it quite a bit. Your better golfers would appreciate it, but it didn’t strike me as terribly difficult or punitive from the forward tees. It’s a ways out from town, but so are your other options. Wolfdancer is pretty scenic (not in a Hill Country way) and pretty isolated, with no housing development.
I have played Falconhead twice, so know it a little better 
It’s a good course, in a West Austin Hill Country subdivision way. I do like it considerably more than Avery Ranch or Terravista. Reasonably scenic, but with houses.
Star Ranch is a decent course, quite different from the others. You really picked three courses that highlight the range of topography around Austin. Star Ranch is slightly rolling, with some trees, but pretty much a bunch of golf holes in a big field. It’s normally in quite good condition, and would be the easiest of the three. It’s also walkable, which I wouldn’t say about Falconhead or Wolfdancer.
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Haven’t played Wolfdancer in a while, but I think I remember the front 9 being way better than the back. Good track though
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Plays Gus Wortham today and loved it! Only got the front 9 in and lighting and rain ran me off…
For those that suggested Gus thank you!! Hope to play it again in the future
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This is true, the back 9 is more of the resort 9. It’s kinda out and back, but the holes are still fun. The front 9, let’s just say, “That’s wild man!”
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wolfdancer is great, just a bit of a drive out east from downtown
Love that course. I was there on a little babymoon with the wife and she surprised me by bringing my clubs and joining me for a round. Love the elevation and spotted some cool wildlife. Would play again
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Just checking into this thread as a Houston NLU guy. I am a 10.6 that plays during the week at Wildcat and weekends at Bentwater at Lake Conroe. Cannot wait for Memorial to re-open. Would second the sentiment that Gus Wortham has re-opened in great shape but you do get muni traffic and pace of play.
Contemplating a move to the DFW area next year. I’m leaning toward Fort Worth over Dallas. Married with a young daughter and son.
Any suggestions where the best spot would be to live (Anywhere in the metroplex) for convenience of good golf? I played Stevens Park and loved it, but not sure I want to live down there. Played Old American and loved that too.
Assuming this factors into the decision, where will you be working? Southlake is a great community, and sort of equidistant from just about everywhere.
Shoot me a DM and I’d be happy to talk your ear off about Dallas in some detail, it kind of depends on what you’re looking for in an area/neighborhood, short term and long term.
Ft. Worth is a great place too if you have a job there and especially if you know people already there, it can be a little insular to outsiders in certain areas but much more community type feel that goes with that and isn’t really in Dallas
And to McRiddles response, where you work and commute is key.
I’ll be working from home, so commute is not a worry. Priorities are 1) good spot to raise kids & 2) convenient to the best golf options.
Playing Brackenridge Park in San Antonio on Sunday. Haven’t been there since it was restored to AW T’s 1916 layout. Looking forward to it!
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i played there back in may, i loved every minute of it. the greens were phenomenal, and being that it was my first tilly design i’ve played i was obsessed with the design and walkability of the course. you’re gonna love it. if you’re willing, i’d love to join!