Heading to Austin next week, wanted to squeeze in a round. I have played the Barton Creek courses and Wolfdancer, but wanted to try something new.

Any thoughts?

I enjoy both of those courses.

I would give Falconhead a try if you've never been there. Really good facility, then:

ShadowGlen (Manor)
Teravista (Round Rock)

you would play those three over Grey Rock or Avery Ranch?

Just depends. Here's a little guide to the courses.

Falconhead: A friend of mine just played there Tuesday and said the course is in excellent shape and recent rains made the greens receptive but didn't give much roll on the fairway. I like that course and have regretted the two tee times I had to miss there over the last month. It's a PGA Tour Designed Course.

ShadowGlen: I haven't played there in over a month so not sure if they've aerated or how the greens are. Fairways have a little too much clay for my liking but it's a great and challenging track. The front and back are really different so there is variety. Approach on #2 is really tough if the pin is on the left side....water to right will make you bail out on the short side. I really like the tree-surrounded #6 par 3. Tee box is at tree height and the green is downhill so the flag will not show the wind since its guarded. #7 is a great par 5 with a blind 2nd shot to both the green and the lay-up area....lay-up area slopes left so play the ball to the right and it will end up in the center....if you land it in the center of the lay-up area you may funnel into the trees on the left. Risk-reward par-4 #9. #13 may be one of the Top 10 hardest holes in Austin from the tips....narrow tree lined fairway and a small creek by the lay-up area that you can't see . #18 is a relatively easy reachable par-5...but word is they are turning the bunkers on the right side of the fairway into a lake which drastically changes the tee-shot and will make the hole more difficult.

Teravista: I played 2 weeks ago and it was in good shape....played hard and fast tee-to-green but they do have some natural bamboo type areas that they have reduced so there is plenty of places to get in trouble. #4 ruined my day...hit a great tee shot but ended up in a shallow playable creek by a few inches that I tried playing out of. #9 is a good hole that makes the average golfer realize why you want to hit an iron off the tee. Don't miss #11 long. #12 tee shot is the hardest on the course in my opinion, but the scorecard doesn't reflect that. Not sure if recent rains have impacted conditions.

Grey Rock: Played in late January and it was great. Very accessible course. #7 is a tough par 5. #9 is a risk-reward par 4. The green on #10 is deceptive. #13 par-3 requires an uphill putt so play short but must clear the water. Don't be tempted to drive #15...just lay it up and attack with a wedge.

Avery Ranch I haven't played in over a year...I need to take care of that so I can add to the write up!

Enjoy.

Thanks for the insight!

I prefer Avery hands down. Always in good shape and a fun layout.

Love Grey Rock when I've been. Part of that love is how close it was to my old home.

I'm 5 mins from grey rock and my parents live in Avery ranch. I put Avery ranch ahead of grey rock. A bit more challenging maybe. I do agree that Falconhead
Is better than both only if you can get a reasonably priced tee time. Played River Place today (private club but they do public deals from time to time) and it trumps all courses mentioned above.

how do you get on Riverplace?

Try golfnow for RiverPlace. Avery just aerated so beware. They are plenty sandy right now.

Thanks Stick