Seems like that tee shot is designed for someone who goes by “HardLeftSlice”. To hit it in the 9 fairway you would have to start it over the water.
Water is less of an issue if you run it that way, strangely.
vs
There are no trees blocking the first shot. I’m much more likely to hit 230 with plenty of lateral space with a 3W than hit a narrow corridor with a driver. I don’t know if I have the chutzpah to approach this way, but if enough money is on the line and that isn’t an internal OB…
ed: found this on a blog somewhere:
#1 par 4 385 yds.
The first hole is a sharp dogleg left with water all along the left side. You may occasionally see golfers intentionally hit the ball over the water and on to the ninth fairway to get a better, closer angle to the green. Even if you don’t feel it’s your place to correct them, notice that there are white stakes along the outside of the water hazard indicating that playing that route is illegal, out-of-bounds, and the golfer should be taking a stroke and hitting his third shot from the tee-box. Your approach shot must be straight because the water still lurks on the left and thick trees pose trouble on your right. The green slopes back to front and features two bunkers, one on the left and one on the right. Finding yourself in these bunkers isn’t terrible. It’s better than being in the water or punching out of the trees.
Still think this is my least favorite starting hole in Austin, with a close second being Lions #1.
only time I played Jimmy this whole was whipping like 30mph downwind and you couldn’t stop the ball from running through the fairway and into the trees.
Oh, I would take this over Muni for a starting hole any day. That photo makes is clear how much friendlier the #9 fairway route is than just going straight over the water, especially with the trees along the bank interfering with my push-draw shot shape. I’ve only had the guts to go over the water a couple of times with a huge tailwind, when over the water meant through the fairway.
Will have to look for these the next time I’m out there, as I don’t know that I’ve ever noticed white stakes lining the water. Will also have a look at the scorecard to see if it indicates any sort of local rule. Usually when courses set such rules, it’s pretty clearly posted on the card, or on some sort of sign on said hole, and I don’t recall either of those at Clay.
I’d bet the biggest factor stopping people from doing it is the number of people playing in carts. I definitely want to try this line next time i’m out there walking
or, you just play a scramble with @HellerHighwater, and let him drive the green. Easy game.
3 Likes
Lions is playing so good right now, highly recommend.
2 Likes
I played Morris Williams this morning for the first time in a while and was really impressed with the conditions. Maybe because we were off very early and the greens were soaked from watering, but I can’t remember fixing so many ball marks. I guess you can argue whether soft greens are a positive, but I was just happy that they were fully grass-covered and rolling pretty true. Fairways good, tee boxes good, even sand in the bunkers. 
It’s a bit like playing desert golf if you get out of the watering zone, but I guess if you pour enough (reclaimed) water on it, Bermuda doesn’t mind heat and drought.
4 Likes
Hey! I’m so sorry, I never used the link but just tried as we’re finally getting settled here in Austin but it says it’s expired. My bad! Wondering if you can send me a new link? Thanks again
1 Like
gotchu! STROH's
2 Likes
Alright yall, could use your opinions on which club to join…
I am debating whether to join The Hills or UT Golf Club. They are effectively the same distance from my house (I work from home). They are basically the same price.
What are your thoughts?
UT! We need an in there. We got Great Hills already!
Better question… Why are you not asking this question in the STROH’s discord?
1 Like
He said The Hills. Not Great Hills
1 Like
Visiting San Antonio in April for my wife’s aunt’s wedding. Which also happens to be my 40th birthday weekend. So I will be golfing.
I played TPC Canyons (was staying there) and Quarry a few years ago when I was in town. Anything that you’d recommend I try to get in when visiting?
2 Likes
Brackenridge
2 Likes
Definitely recommend Brackenridge, it’s a historical staple and the best muni the city has to offer. I live probably 100 yards from it and it’s always my go-to if I can’t get on to Dominion which is private.
Depending on where you’re staying Hyatt Hill Country has been in great shape recently and hasn’t been as jammed up as some of the other courses in the city.
Vaaler creek is always a great scenic round which is a half hour drive past the north side of the city.
1 Like
Sorry for clogging this thread more with course recs, but I’m coming down from MPLS early Jan, and need one or 2 courses to fill our itinerary. My bud is a member at Grey Rock, so we are doing a round there, probably 36 at Kissing Tree (because their replay rate is pretty good). Any other recs? He lives on the north side in the Domain, so traveling past San Marcos makes for a really long drive that I’m not sure we are prepped for.
Austin is a complete golf blind spot for me.
Onion is in pretty good shape. Have you joined the STROHS Discord?
I haven’t. Us NSU folks decided for some (dumb) reason that we would rather have 15 threads on here then use Discord.