Tangle Ridge Golf Course Review

Tangle Ridge Golf Course Review

Tangle Ridge Golf Course is not your typical muni course, in fact it is an outstanding 18 holes of golf that was rated as the "44th Best Municipal In America" by Golfweek in 2009.  It has also been rated

• "#16 in the State of Texas" by the Dallas Morning News
• "Best in Texas" by Texas Golfer
• "Top 10" by Avid Golfer
• And it made Texas Outside's Top 25 Favorite Courses

Tangle Ridge is located in the Grand Prairie hills and is the highest elevation in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex which means you'll encounter panoramic vistas, rolling tree lined fairways, dramatic elevation changes, and the secluded look and feel of some of the best Hill Country courses.  And it's just you and nature when you play Tangle Ridge - no homes, no freeway noise, and no barking dogs. 

Tangle Ridge Golf Course is relatively short from the tips at 6835 yards, but it's no walk in the park and has a slope of 133 and rating of 73.4.  The front nine is fantastic and the back is a little easier, flatter, and not quite as exciting.  This is a layout that will throw a little bit of everything at you and it requires good course management and shot making skills.  You'll get to use a variety of clubs as you try to manage the elevation changes, risk reward opportunities, doglegs and blind shots, trees and thick rough, numerous bunkers, creeks and ravines, dramatic mounding, and elevated and well guarded green complexes.  Make sure you pick the right set of tee boxes and don't try to be too macho if you want to score well and not have to buy the drinks after your round. 

But don't let those challenges discourage you from playing this outstanding track.  You can handle it and you'll find some very fun and memorable holes, for example:

• #1 sets the stage for your round - a creek cuts across the dog leg left fairway which is rolling, contoured, lined with trees, mounds and ten bunkers of all sizes (mostly large)
• #8 is a really fun 575 yard par 5 that requires accuracy and course management all the way to the green - an elevated tee box and downhill drive to a reachable creek (depending on the prevailing wind), then an uphill fairway that gets very narrow before it ends, and a tough approach shot back over the ravine to a guarded green - you'll want to stop at the club house for a beer after this one and you'll want to play it again
• #14 is short at 384 yards and you'll be tempted to try to shorten it by hugging the right slide of the fairway which horseshores around the lake - beware of the sloping fairway which will want to take your ball for a swim
• the 521 yard par 5 #18 offers a good risk reward shot off the tee box - head right with a longer carry and narrower landing zone or go left to stay dry and hit the wider fairway but you'll have to avoid the strategically placed bunkers - if you survive that then be prepared to nail the approach to a well guarded green for an opportunity for a birdie

Tangle Ridge is known for it's consistently good conditions and it's been in very good shape both times we've played it.  The rolling contoured  tree lined fairways are ample and the rough is typically a little thick but playable.  The fairways also have several mounds and berms that can create some very uneven lies and tough shots.  Miss the fairways and you're lost in the natural areas and trees.  

The greens were also in excellent shape and about average size. They seemed challenging the last time we played - very fast (10 to 11) and hard to read with subtle breaks, some steep slope, and minor undulation.   Several are surrounded by huge steep sand or grass bunkers and swales. 

The bunkers are treacherous - all shapes and sizes from pot to huge, strategically placed, and most are steep and deep.  The sand is soft and thick but you still need to do what you can to avoid them or bring a lawn chair, a cold beer, and an umbrella and enjoy the show as fellow golfers try to get out on the first try.  

Bottom line - wow, what a fun track that's challenging but fun, scenic, and a pretty good value.