Will be visiting my family in The Woodlands, Texas. They live in a community where the golf is expensive and not easy...which is ok for me and my father and we will play there several days...but the wife (beginner)....wants to play a round with me, her sister and her husband....who are all beginners. Looking for an easy course (wide fairways and big greens) in the area where we could play at twilight and them not get in the way of other golfers so we can enjoy the afternoon/evening together. Can anyone recommend a course? Would prefer to be in the Woodlands area, so we do not have to drive far.

Start them out on the front nine here... http://www.woodforestgolf.com/index.php

It's no Carlton Woods, but it will get the job done.

If you have any more questions just shoot me a message.

What was Woodforest originally called? Elkington designed it and owned it didn't he? I played it about 5 years ago......nice track.

Fish Creek. It went bankrupt and the bank took over. The bank is Woodforest National Bank. So now, its Woodforest at Fish Creek. KJ Choi now calls it home, or he did.

Anyways, I'd second that. Its a nice course with wide open fairways that roll about 11 on the stimp meter. The ball rolls a long way out there, especially considering that its not too far from the San Jacinto river bottom. It gets hot out there, generally 5-8 hotter than most places because there isn't much wind. It is generally in great shape and its a fun course.

Another place I'd recommend is The Oaks course at the Woodlands, though I don't believe it is affiliated with The Woodlands anymore. There aren't a ton of public courses in and around The Woodlands, most are private.

One good course to play without the wife would be Augusta Pines (though I'm not sure on conditioning right now) down Kuykendahl and about 3 miles south of Woodlands Parkway.

I play out of Walden on Lake Conroe, though I live in The Woodlands.

Walden would be another option to consider for a round with your wife if you don't mind a little bit of a drive.

Walden is not open to the public. And, this is not the best place for beginner's, as it is one of the hardest courses in the state. We are ranked #5 in the state as best courses and #1 in the Houston area as best course. We have very small greens, and not very open fairways, that require precise distances.

That said, its a great course, and while I would like to extend an invite, I am pretty well done for the summer with a baby coming soon.

Try Wedgewood GC. Lots of hackers there! Reason I stopped playing there and joined Carleton Woods instead.

In my experience they are very receptive to a phone call and play could be set up. Technically private, but available. Playing from the correct tees I don't think it would be too difficult for a beginner and the scenery would keep them interested.

Thanks for the suggestions....I have played a few of those when I lived there. Will check out their info on the internet....any more?

Anyone play woodforest recently....that track sounds like the best deal for beginners.....thanks

I played woodforest about three weeks ago and it was in really good shape. They have a lot of tournaments out there so be sure to call ahead.

Another place to play would be Wind Rose it is off Kuerkyndall (Spelling?) just south of 2920 coming from the Woodlands. The greens are in pretty good shape right now and the fairways are pretty big. It is fairly easy course and forgiving from the front tees. There is a lot of play but pretty reasonable for afternoon rates.