Forest Creek Golf Club Review
Golf - Public Course · 18 Holes · Par 72
Round Rock
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Date Last Played: May 10, 2016
Forest Creek Golf Club Review
Review of Forest Creek Golf Club in Round Rock
Designed by Dick Phelps and opened in 1984, Forest Creek is a somewhat traditional tree lined course with rolling terrain, some very fun holes that require some strategic play, good conditions and challenging greens, and a very affordable rate. It's not surprising that Forest Creek was named as "Best Public Golf Course in Central Texas" by Golf Digest. Forest Creek Golf Club is owned by the City of Round Rock and managed by On Course Strategies.
Over the past year there have been several renovations (a couple bunkers were redone, several trees were cut back and trimmed, and repairs were made to the cart path) and within the next twelve months there are plans to redo all of the bunkers and some of the greens.
We loved the front nine because each hole is a little different from the previous holes, the fairways are lined by trees on one side and beautiful homes on the other side, the terrain is rolling and contoured, and you need to deploy some good course management and strategic shot making to turn in a good round. Plus Forest Creek's front nine is home to some really fun holes like:
- #3 is a 552 yard par 5 with a slight downhill tee shot leading to 6 bunkers that are guarding the sharp dog leg right which leads to a big green guarded by mounds and 4 pot bunkers - off the tee you've got a great risk reward shot if you think you can carry the bunkers, trees, and mounds
- #7 is a blast - a 537 yard par 5 dog leg left where off the tee it's easy to overshoot the fairway and end up in the trees; a second shot that needs to carry a creek and avoid a huge sprawling oak in the middle of the fairway that covers most of both sides of the fairway; and an approach to a green off to the right guarded by 4 good sized bunkers
- #9 is a challenging 405 yard par 4 that takes a sharp dog leg left - your drive needs to be perfect to not overrun the fairway and to give you a good angle at the approach shot which needs to miss two ponds that pinch the fairway that leads up a big hill to the green - and halfway up the hill trees on both sides narrow the approach and steep fairway slope can take your ball back down into or near the water
Most of the holes on the front require accuracy off the tee as well as some strategic shot making to avoid hazards and position your ball for the next shot. The driver will most likely enjoy a stay in your bag!
The back nine seems easier and more forgiving - on the first three holes the fairways are huge and you can pull out the big dog and let-er-rip. But this nine is no walk in the park: you'll find dog legs, creeks to cross, an intimidating 200 yard par 3 with a carry over the lake to a big green with 3 bunkers, some demanding green complexes, plenty of bunkers, and a really fun 16th hole. Our two favorite holes on this nine include:
- #15 is a long 474 yard par 4 with a slight downhill tee shot, two bunkers at the end of the fairway where it takes a sharp dog leg right, and a pond on the right front of the green waiting for your approach shot
- #16 is a fun 539 yard par 5 that takes a right turn off the tee (a temping risk reward shot is you think you can fly the trees to shorten the hole) and at 100 yards out there are three bunks where the fairway takes a sharp turn right to a green with three more bunkers guarding it.
The fairways at Forest Creek Golf Club are lined with trees on one side and some big beautiful homes that can come into play on the other side. The fairways are rolling with some uphill and downhill shots (including a couple blind shots) and they are heavily contoured with some mounding and plenty of strategically placed bunkers. When we played they were in good condition and firm providing some good extra roll.
The greens at Forest Creek are huge and a wide variety of shapes. All have some degree of slope ranging from gentle to severe, several have spines or ridges or tiers and mounds, and all but two are guarded by one to three bunkers. When we played the greens were running very fast and pin placement made putting very challenging - three putts were fairly common. The good news was we found it fairly easy to get on the green in regulation.
The bunkers range from some steep and deep pot bunkers to some large nasty monsters! The sand also varied from soft and deep to thin and gritty. They were well manicured.
Bottom line - very good conditions, a great rate, and a fantastic 18 holes that requires some good putting and excellent course management.
Head Pro's Corner
From Matthew Marx - Forest Creek Golf Club Head Golf Professional / Director of Instruction
The golf course speaks for itself. It's challenging, fair and always in good shape. Forest Creek Golf Club has played host to The Central Texas Amateur for 16 years. The Central Texas Amateur is one of the biggest scratch play amateur events in the state.
Forest Creek Golf Club is open to the public but we also have multiple membership options and very active and beneficial player development program. Please, check out the Forest Creek Website to see all that we have to offer.
Course Slope & Ratings
| Tee Box | Yardage | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 7,147 | 73.8 | 136 |
| Blue | 6,498 | 71.2 | 128 |
| White | 6,026 | 68.8 | 122 |
| Red | 5,394 | 71.9 | 124 |
Course Information
- Course Architect:
- Dick Phelps
- Greens Type:
- TIF Bermuda
- Greens Condition
- 8.5
- Greens Difficulty
- 9.3
- Fairway Condition
- 0.0
- Bunker Condition
- 8.0
- GPS:
- No
- Walkable:
- Yes
- Scorecard
- Course Map
- Beware of water on 12 holes and the 46 sand traps.
Texas Outside Rating
- Overall Rating:
- 8.8 out of 10
- Beauty:
- 8.5
- Difficulty:
- 8.8
- Variety:
- 8.8
- Fun to Play:
- 9.0
- Value:
- 9.3
- Condition:
- 8.8
- Front Nine Rating:
- 9.2
- Back Nine Rating:
- 8.5
FEES & AMENITIES
Approximate Weekend
Rates: $22.00 to $52.00
Service is excellent - very friendy from the pro shop to the cart ladies. The pro shop has a fair selection of everything and the practice facilities are adequate. The grill has burgers, dogs, and sandwiches made to order. The on-course restrooms could use some work.
Here's How Texas Outside Determines the Scorecard RatingThe Texas Outside rating scale ranges from 1 to 10 – a perfect 10 course would be something like this: links along a cliff overlooking the Pacific ocean and bordered by tall trees; lush fairways on rolling hills with lots of natural hazards; water (which is crystal clear) on most of the holes; immaculate greens (but they are undulating and tough); lots of variety and character (each hole is completely different and includes blind shots, elevation changes, doglegs, and significant challenges); perfectly manicured traps with the whitest and prettiest sand you’ve ever seen; a nice club house with great food and a 19th hole; a GPS; plenty of beverage carts or your own cooler and ice; and it only costs $40 bucks! What this means is that you probably won’t find any 10s in Texas – try Cabo San Lucas, Pebble Beach, or some of the Hawaii courses!
All of the above determines the overall score for the golf course. In other words, we like courses that are pretty, fun, very challenging with a lot of variety, and fairways and greens in excellent condition – all for $40. We also tend to play the courses that are affordable for the masses, which means in the $30 to $80 range. We rate hard and we haven’t found a 10 in Texas yet – don’t worry we haven’t given up and we’re still looking.
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About Texas Outside
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