Has anybody recently joined a golf club in the Austin area? It seems to be a bit of a buyers market and I am interested in exploring different clubs. Would love to here feedback from people on various clubs.

i can't speak to anywhere but spanish oaks, but at least at spanish I don't see any indication of a buyers market. We just raised initiation to 100k and also just recently closed membership to new invitations. Maybe at some of the other places they are hunting for members. I know the hills is always hungry for more members (and I shamelessly need lots more people to sign up to get my initiation back from that club), so you may want to inquire there.

the first question is where do you live or how far are you willing to drive...

I think the best 'deal' right now is horseshoe bay + summit rock...

but that's an hour out....

my course is looking for members (Cimarron hills) but its in Georgetown, not Austin.

and the greens and bunkers are being re-done and will not finish until sept 1.

twin creeks is always cheap...

Hanrahan said:

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i can't speak to anywhere but spanish oaks, but at least at spanish I don't see any indication of a buyers market. We just raised initiation to 100k and also just recently closed membership to new invitations. Maybe at some of the other places they are hunting for members. I know the hills is always hungry for more members (and I shamelessly need lots more people to sign up to get my initiation back from that club), so you may want to inquire there

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What made you decide to leave the Hills? I like the fact that they have 36 holes. I played flintrock a few months ago and the conditioning was great too.

At Spanish Oaks, assuming they reopen membership in the future, do you think it would be difficult to find a younger group of guys, early 30's that are good players to play with? Obviously, with the price point it likely to attract a more established crowd.

Horseshoe bay maybe a little too far, although I have looked at AGC and that is pretty far as well. I live in South Central Austin so Cimarron is probably too far, although I played it when it first open and thought the course was fantastic.

Twin Creeks is pretty far from me and while I have enjoyed playing out there a couple times I'm not sure I like the course enough.

I left the hills mainly because of the membership; it's a much older crowd and I never really found a group I gelled with. I left five years ago to join spanish and never looked back. There were a lot of grumpy old man with the attitude of its their club and you are lucky to be there. That and the old man their rule the Tee-sheet and it's hard to get teetimes.

I could not possibly be happier with my experience at Spanish Oaks. The membership is young, extremely laid back, and very good at golf. I'm under 40 and I am the older guy in a lot of the groups I play in. The service is so far and above the hills it's incomparable, plus we do not have tee times. To give you an idea of the quality of golf, our annual Ryder Cup event is split into five flights and the first three flights are still all under a 10 handicap and it's a bear to just qualify for the team.

That is great feedback. I would love to get your take on some other clubs. It sounds like we like/want to avoid the same things.

I don't have an ag tag so not sure if there is a way I can reach you.

played two TXGA events at Spanish Oaks and have also played the Hills, and the Hills doesn't even come close.

You could also consider Lost Creek, but I would do your homework on the latest mgmt changes there

CapCity12thMan said:

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played two TXGA events at Spanish Oaks and have also played the Hills, and the Hills doesn't even come close.

You could also consider Lost Creek, but I would do your homework on the latest mgmt changes there

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I played Spanish Oaks several years ago and it is definitely a cut above the rest. LC is a course that I have played a lot of golf at. I just don't care for the course or conditioning enough to want to be a member. I have a lot of friends who are members though and I know they offer affordable terms.

Do you have any feedback on Barton Creek? It seems like good value with 4 courses but I would worry that it might not have much of a club culture or people to play with. Also, the resort aspect could get really irritating.

lots of very grumpy members at barton creek and a contingent that is currently suing them for unilaterally changing the bylaws once new ownership took over. Plus the added grief dealing with resort play and service staff that are focused on lot of other things than just the members. But they are redoing both of the fazio courses so that could turn things around quickly. Among my friends that are BCC members, their mantra is "Barton Creek, Where the Member Comes Third."

But I do like the place and enjoy playing with my friends over there, but I personally woudnt' want to be a member. I've spent way too much time and brain cells at the "Hole" though. Good times in there.

Hanrahan said:

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lots of very grumpy members at barton creek and a contingent that is currently suing them for unilaterally changing the bylaws once new ownership took over. Plus the added grief dealing with resort play and service staff that are focused on lot of other things than just the members. But they are redoing both of the fazio courses so that could turn things around quickly. Among my friends that are BCC members, their mantra is "Barton Creek, Where the Member Comes Third."

But I do like the place and enjoy playing with my friends over there, but I personally woudnt' want to be a member. I've spent way too much time and brain cells at the "Hole" though. Good times in there.

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That is kind of what I figured. Thanks for the excellent feedback. Any thoughts on AGC? I assume you looked out there too.

AGC is what you might expect. Very old, very subdued, very little play. The times I've played out there I've wondered if they opened just for us. Badass course (some people give the course hell and I don't understand why) and slick facilities add up to a pretty special place, but isn't a whole lot going on out there. Kinda like Escondido.

I should add about BCC I meant a lot of members grumpy at club management, not all around grumpy members. Lots of younger folks with families out there and a very active MGA (which can be a good and bad thing as its pretty political). Always a solid option if you can live with the few negatives.

I have heard the same about mgmt changes...the place caters to the resort crowd...BUT:

There is only one of the 3 courses at the resort I would regularly play and that is Canyons. I cannot stand Crenshaw and Foothills is OK - that is just my pickiness, but I have played Crenshaw enough to just not get that excited about it. I have not played Lakeside.

I think Barton Creek used to be the place, until all the other golf popped up. It's the traditional Austin style golf destination and rightfully so - hilly, scenic hill country golf - I get it. I just don't get too excited about it. Iespecially don't like the practice facility on the resort property.

oh yeah - give Escondido a shot

Hanrahan said:

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AGC is what you might expect. Very old, very subdued, very little play. The times I've played out there I've wondered if they opened just for us. Badass course (some people give the course hell and I don't understand why) and slick facilities add up to a pretty special place, but isn't a whole lot going on out there. Kinda like Escondido.

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What do the critics say about the AGC course? I only played the front 9 probably 10 years ago and remember loving it but don't remember specifics.

CapCity12thMan said:

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I have heard the same about mgmt changes...the place caters to the resort crowd...BUT:

There is only one of the 3 courses at the resort I would regularly play and that is Canyons. I cannot stand Crenshaw and Foothills is OK - that is just my pickiness, but I have played Crenshaw enough to just not get that excited about it. I have not played Lakeside.

I think Barton Creek used to be the place, until all the other golf popped up. It's the traditional Austin style golf destination and rightfully so - hilly, scenic hill country golf - I get it. I just don't get too excited about it. Iespecially don't like the practice facility on the resort property.

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I agree with you on Canyons. Great course and seems a little more private/less resort people...at least the few times I've been out there. I actually like Crenshaw quite a bit but I know a lot of people don't. I like Crenshaw's courses in general even his 9 holes at onion creek.

Lakeside - I have played and it is ridiculously short but fun. Also, I have a friend who used to work at Canyons that said the BC junior membership is pretty competitively priced and I do see value in having the different courses...all of which are a huge step up from my current rotation haha.

I grew up in Austin and you are right on about BC being the top place in it's heyday...especially back when ACC still had St. Augustine on a bunch of the holes and those other clubs didn't exist.

CapCity12thMan said:

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oh yeah - give Escondido a shot

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Played it this weekend. It was incredible. Nicest course I've ever been on.

CapCity12thMan said:

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oh yeah - give Escondido a shot

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Do people who live in downtown austin join out there? I have heard it is incredible but it seems like joining a club in San Antonio almost. It is an hour and 10 minutes from my house.

I would doubt Escondido has many downtown austin members with their primary membership there. We have a weekend placeon LBJ, so I've thought about it, but it would just be poorly spent money for me I'd still be st spanish 90% of the time even though it's 35 mins from my house. That and the place has been a ghost town when I've played out there. Hence the comparison to AGC.

On your canyons being "less resorty" comment, I would guess u played it with a member? They switch back and forth between the two fazio courses each day where one is member play only. Except now while foothills is still closed for the redo.

Hanrahan said:

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I left the hills mainly because of the membership; it's a much older crowd and I never really found a group I gelled with. I left five years ago to join spanish and never looked back. There were a lot of grumpy old man with the attitude of its their club and you are lucky to be there. That and the old man their rule the Tee-sheet and it's hard to get teetimes.

I could not possibly be happier with my experience at Spanish Oaks. The membership is young, extremely laid back, and very good at golf. I'm under 40 and I am the older guy in a lot of the groups I play in. The service is so far and above the hills it's incomparable, plus we do not have tee times. To give you an idea of the quality of golf, our annual Ryder Cup event is split into five flights and the first three flights are still all under a 10 handicap and it's a bear to just qualify for the team.

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I can get a foursome of under 40's together any day of the week for the Hills or Flintrock. I've only been at the Hills a few years, so maybe it was different when you were there. They have some really good deals on Champion Memberships (Yaupon, Live Oak, Hills and Flintrock) where it's easier for the younger members. If you are under 40, you can pay like $6K a year (for five years) and around around $625 a month in dues. I think Spanish Oaks wanted something like $80K upfront when I looked into it. That's a lot of money for people under 40 to cough up for golfing.

Outside of a tournament being played, I've never had trouble getting on a course. If the Hills is running something, Flintrock is open and so forth.