Forest Creek Golf Course

Continuing my series this year on Austin's most challenging golf courses and outstanding golf communities--let's talk Forest Creek Golf Course and community. Located in Round Rock, just 25 minutes from downtown Austin, Forest Creek Golf Course is a semi-private/public course and this course is all about it's name sake--trees and water. With one of the higher slope ratings in Austin golf, this course has more than its share of signature challenges.

Forest Creek hosts one of the most important events in Austin golf each year--The Central Texas Amateur Open. Golfers with ambition to join the professional tour, have to clear the hurdles of the amateur tour first and in Central Texas that begins here.

This course has a few "signature holes" with lakes and beach front property, but if the water doesn't beat you--you may still not be out of the woods. Some of the deceptive holes to watch out for include #9. It starts out with a seemingly simple drive toward water and sand traps, but baring a perfect position in the drive, you are left with a short lay-up with water on both sides and a precise third shot to a very high elevated green. Very demanding green location. In fact, there are a number of holes with elevated or de-elevated greens. And many of the fairways cross the creek or encounter water just before the green. Double dog legs. Narrow gap entries to the green with forests on each side. Long charges up big hills that don't look so challenging on paper--but don't be fooled. There is a reason why the Amateur Open is held here every July.

The Player Development Program (PDP). Forest Creek is one of just a hand full of courses in Austin that offer an incredible program for individuals or families to learn how to play golf from the PGA Pro's. The PDP clinics are held four times a week. In the PDP you can learn how to use all the sticks in your bag--from putting, to driving, short irons, long irons, hill shots, sand--if you want to learn this game in less than 20 years, there is no better way than joining the PDP clinics. And if you live in Forest Creek, it is just that much easier.

It is the dead of winter out now and two things stand out here--golfers are playing golf in their shorts (most days) and this course is in great condition. Coming out of the great drought of 2011, you would never know it from playing at Forest Creek today. The greens are clean and the fairways are rich. If you have not played Forest Creek Golf, or you are looking for a great golf community to live--give me a call and let's go play Forest Creek this week!