Played Traditions this morning after being in town for yesterday's baseball game. I knew it would be wet and windy, but was fine with that. Fairways had recently been blade aerated as well.

I was fairly disappointed in the course conditions all things considered. I've played many many rounds of golf, so I fully understand what weather etc can do to a course.

Rain aside, the course just didn't look like it was in great shape. Bunkers looked like they each needed a truck load of sand. Greens were ok in some areas, but awful in other areas. Don't worry about putting on the practice green. It looks like a fungus or something has control of it currently. Tee boxes were solid, but the teeing area on each hole was about 6-8feet wide. Less than ideal in many scenarios.

Not trying to bash the course. I know they recently redid the fairways with different grass etc. I've played it numerous times in the past and enjoyed it. Today's round was just very disappointing on many levels that I don't think were affected by rain, or new grass. Bottom line, it just looks to me like they don't have enough staff to properly care for that course. I hope they get it squared away soon!

On the plus side, this was my first time to see the new player development area in person. That side of the property looks very nice.

It's been like this a few years now, no? Kind of sad…

I haven't played Traditions a lot. Maybe 6-8 times. I have never found it to be in good shape. Especially for what the members have to pay. I think the soil is not great in that location and the water is always a problem in areas of Aggieland.
And Traditions just spent a lot of money redoing and working on the course.

Got a Natty! said:

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And Traditions just spent a lot of money redoing and working on the course.

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This is the most concerning part for me. From what I saw today they may need to spend significantly more to make it the type of course it should be.

It's not on par with even the mid level private clubs in Houston by any stretch. To be frank, it has to be a recruiting liability for our golf program.

Wasn't there something about type of grass trying to be used? Soil is a problem that might not be able to overcome..

KentuckyAg2 said:

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Wasn't there something about type of grass trying to be used? Soil is a problem that might not be able to overcome..

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I have heard that also, but don't know any details. Hopefully they can get it squared away somehow.

Comparing Tradition to Miramont is like apples to oranges, I guess. But it is hard not to. Both are in the same area except Traditions seems to be in a river/creek bottom which may make the soil worse in that part of Texas.

But when I have played Miramont, once in a horrible drought in 2011 I believe, it was pristine. I know they are not comparable because Mr. Adam does not care if he loses money on that place. But the condition of the two are not even in the same universe.

Yes they are using a different type of grass now. Last time I played there was last September I think. Condition was not good and it had just re-opened I believe. I did not like hitting off the grass they had. It was spongey to me.

So maybe as a zoysia hybrid ?

I was told. But hell I'm getting old! Can't remember.

I thought they switched to paspalum. That type of grass does well with water that has a high salt content. Its also used at Black Jack in Lajitas.

Paspalum sounds like what I was told.

98Ag99Grad said:

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I thought they switched to paspalum. That type of grass does well with water that has a high salt content. Its also used at Black Jack in Lajitas.

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It's also on the greens and tees at Pebble Creek.

Last time I was there was September and it was in immaculate shape. I even text the Sup. (Tanner) to praise him for the shape the place was in.

Hopefully it'll be in better shape for the Aggie Golf Association outing in two months.

I've always thought the course was in pretty good shape considering the challenges they have with the property.

I'd give them a little grace on conditions st the moment. We're not too far removed from the freeze. Let it warm up a little and see how it looks closer to spring. There was a running thread about this very thing for a while and as the poster above mentioned things were looking good this past summer with the new turf growing in.

I played last October and the course was in pretty good shape although was cart path only. There was some collar redressing in place dictating heavy sprinkler use around the greens and therefore some of the bunkers were not attended (at least my understanding). Fairways and greens were very nice. Practice green was in terrible shape, however, at that time.

Mid-February after the amount of turf work they did is not prime for being in great shape, but the spring and early summer will be interesting

DargelSkout said:

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98Ag99Grad said:

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I thought they switched to paspalum. That type of grass does well with water that has a high salt content. Its also used at Black Jack in Lajitas.

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It's also on the greens and tees at Pebble Creek.

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And the end of the fairway near the water on par 5 #16, if I'm not mistaken. I love hitting from there, decreases my urge to "send it" from 240+ out.

If the fairways at Traditions end up looking and playing like that, I may consider a non-res.

Boy, tough crowd.

Before freeze, course was in excellent shape. They are prepping course for spring and summer, but its still in a nice condition. Let the grass start growing again before ****ting on a course.

Think you are thinking of hole 6. I've yet to go for it in 2. Probably never will.

Edit: NM thought you were talking about traditions par 5

Kentucky it's a Seaside Paspalum. It's not very good in dormancy and after the first year of installation. But it's a great grass for the salt content in CS water.