We went back a second time about a month ago. This time to play their 20 hole loop (1-10, 17, 18, 1-8). It was definitely getting warm to hot. Still walking.

I agree that 4 is the toughest that I played. Shot even first time I played and was three over on #4 (bogey and double) and agree it would be luck to birdie as you can't see the green yet alone the pin from the fairway.

Also agree that I won't carry again. I don't mind walking but at this stage of my life actually carrying a bag was tough. Pull cart would be fine and I assume they will have those eventually but they don't currently

"Official' opening was Friday, played yesterday and it's just the most amazing course; just immaculate condition. Elevation changes were far more than you would expect in East Texas. Two caddies carried for our foursome, both did a great job considering the heat and were really hustling. Fairways are wide and it's hard to get in trouble off the box, we played the Springs tees, 6388 yards but felt much longer. Greens fees were $297 including tax, and $150 pp for the caddies tip included, cash.

They don't have a range right? Is there any type of warm up area? I'm playing there next month.

there are two hitting areas in to a net. there is a masseuse, that
stretches you out before your round. that is pretty awesome.

Playing here Wednesday. This will be the first time I've ever played with a caddy. Is the $150 caddy fee added to the tee time or can it be paid in cash?

You'll pay the caddie direct so have cash

WSD is the best thing to happen to Nacogdoches.

$150 caddie fee per person is wild.

Mr.Bond said:

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$150 caddie fee per person is wild

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It wasn't that much when we went about 6 weeks ago. If I recall, $150 was to carry two bags....

Mr.Bond said:

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$150 caddie fee per person is wild.

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With tip included, that seems to be about the going rate to me.

same at Rodeo Dunes.

JCA1 said:

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Mr.Bond said:

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$150 caddie fee per person is wild.

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With tip included, that seems to be about the going rate to me.

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Just another reason I dont care for caddies. Most I've ever spent was $100 and that experience was awful at the ocean course. $150 is robbery

skippytimmy said:

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Mr.Bond said:

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$150 caddie fee per person is wild

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It wasn't that much when we went about 6 weeks ago. If I recall, $150 was to carry two bags....

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They do carry two bags, but for a foursome it's still $150 per player. Quite an expensive day at WSD, be interesting to see how demand is after the initial interest wears off given the price.

The problem is that none of these caddies really know this course yet. They certainly don't know the greens.

Our caddies were college students from SFA, and they carried the bags... didn't provide really any insight in to the course.

We were first off today at 7:30 this morning. Getting to see the sunrise from 1 tee was pretty cool. I'm going to give a mixed review on this, so hopefully I don't get too much hate.

I grew up in east Texas, so I've always loved ETX golf courses cut out of the pines. This was on a completely different level, though. IMO the design is incredible and it's awesome to have this type of course out east. From tee to front edge the course was in tremendous shape. Even if you sprayed it off the box there was still a decent chance you were finding your ball and would have a look into the green.

Where my critique/criticism comes in is the greens. I get it… the course opened 9/8 and we've hardly had any rain the past 3 months, but it felt like more than half the greens barely had any grass on them. To me greens make or break a course. 6-12 months from now I'm sure they will be in excellent condition, but I didn't feel that the $275 was justified with the shape of the greens.

Overall it was a great day and our group had a blast. Definitely excited to see what this place turns into over the next few years. From what we were told the 2nd course will open preview play in late '27 with regular play starting in early '28.

We've got a 9am tee time in December. Can't wait. For those who have played, how long does it take to play a round. Trying to schedule a twilight round. Was planning for 5 hours from tee time to driving off. Reasonable?

Teed off at 7:30 and back in the truck at 12:45.

Playing tomorrow. Gonna be a long day but excited. Greens always take a while on a new course. I've heard to expect the ball to release everywhere.

Fees for the caddies include tip. Still feels like a pretty steep price for what I'm expecting to get.

When we went before all 18 were open we had 1:1 caddy ratio.

I love walking but usually don't like getting advice on the greens unless they prove to know their stuff. My guy did not. He also left a sand bottle at the bottom of my bag.

Sweet course though heard the back is better than the front, is that true?

Once they have 2 18s and a place to stay should be fun. Make it a full weekend with pine dunes.

rhtexfish said:

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When we went before all 18 were open we had 1:1 caddy ratio.

I love walking but usually don't like getting advice on the greens unless they prove to know their stuff. My guy did not. He also left a sand bottle at the bottom of my bag.

Sweet course though heard the back is better than the front, is that true?

Once they have 2 18s and a place to stay should be fun. Make it a full weekend with pine dunes.

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I didn't notice a tangible difference between the front and back.

Get a Caddie. Heat exhaustion is real out there this time of year and it's a tough walk+carry from what I'm hearing.

You have to have a caddie. Just a matter of it you want them to carry or not. $50 for fore caddies. $150 for pro caddies.

Yall have fun playing. We can always host golfers that want to play out there as well. Half price green fees if you play with a founder

I played last Friday, went off around 10:30.

It was a beautiful course, obviously still needs some healthy growth and sand to pack in. Could hear the echo of the club hitting the ground everywhere on the course and I mean everywhere.

Caddies were fun, expensive, and obviously still getting the lay of the land.

It was HOT and it's got quite a bit of elevation change for walking. They have water coolers on every hole but even then it was a tough stretch those last few holes.

I'd go back again for a long weekend when 2 or more courses are open and after I've gotten my cardio up.

HoustonAg15 said:

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I played last Friday, went off around 10:30.

It was a beautiful course, obviously still needs some healthy growth and sand to pack in. Could hear the echo of the club hitting the ground everywhere on the course and I mean everywhere.

Caddies were fun, expensive, and obviously still getting the lay of the land.

It was HOT and it's got quite a bit of elevation change for walking. They have water coolers on every hole but even then it was a tough stretch those last few holes.

I'd go back again for a long weekend when 2 or more courses are open and after I've gotten my cardio up.

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the echo was crazy..... still don't understand it

Caddies said it's the sand under the entire course….it was wild.

Sand Valley is built on a deposit of sand 250' deep. Pretty wild some of the sounds you hear echoing down through it. I'm sure similar circumstances at Wild Spring Dunes.

Played last Friday, it was a fun experience, really cool course. It was really hot, we had caddies which are a must for us older guys. Pre-round massage was a nice touch. Will go back when the next course opens. Edit to add, no range or putting green, just a couple of mats with nets.

Heading out in 2 weeks, the forecasted high is 79! Looking forward to it

Played last week.
Pretty good but still needs some time to mature.
The greens do have the hollow sound that well built new greens have. That should lessen over time.
Stadium Zoysia fairways are going to be great in another year or two.

That being said, not Doak's best work IMO. At least now, WSD is inferior to all the other Keiser courses at Bandon and Sand Valley.

I thought from the hype that this course might challenge the best courses in Texas for the top spot but this course is not there yet and I don't know if it will ever contend for best course in Texas.

Worth playing to see it but a bit overpriced with green fee plus mandatory $150 for a double caddie who doesn't know the course well.

I played there Friday. It was good to be able to play the whole course versus the 8 hole preview play they had earlier this year.

It will be interesting to see how the whole property develops, and the timeline that it will happen.

I played last Friday as well. I really enjoyed the layout and can't wait to go back after Thanksgiving.

Did anyone see what was going on with the other course? Are they clearing or are they further along?

some hole corridors were cleared but I could not see any shaping yet
bus driver to the first tee said a third course is planned but no architect has been chosen

Mr. Frodo said:

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Did anyone see what was going on with the other course? Are they clearing or are they further along?

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Just played last week.

You can see where they have cleared some holes but there are large piles of trees everywhere. Bus driver said there is a burn ban currently that is slowing progress.

Caddies told us that ICE raids in East Texas have hurt labor availability and have slowed development.

They are guaranteed at least 5 courses including the par 3

I believe course 2 will have preview play by June.