[stubins]

Hello all - I am planning a guy's golf trip to Austin April 13-17 and would like some recommendations. I am currently looking at Barton Creek and Horseshoe Bay but am open to any and all recommendations. We're leaning a bit towards Barton Creek right now due to its proximity to downtown. I'm going with a group of 8 guys, all 30 somethings, and we'd most likely spend most of our nights on 6th street. Let me know your thoughts on best places to play and stay. Thanks.

[Sooner1]

For what you guys are looking for Barton seems like a no brainer. It's about 15-20 minutes from downtown. The only other option would be to stay downtown and drive to different golf courses. There are some steals on hotels downtown. Horseshoe Bay is about 1.5 hours from downtown. Hope this helps......and have fun in Austin............

[stubins]

Cool, thanks for the confirmation. That is what I was thinking, just wanted to make sure I wasn't overlooking better options....

[Greaseman1]

Your at the right place. You boys are two old for 6th St. Hang out in warehouse district, 2nd, 3rd , 4th street. Start at Sullivans, Pachenga and go from there.

[JeffJ]

Horseshoe Ba may be hard to get on without staying at the hotel or knowing a member. I have played it a ton but always with clients so Im not sure how the access works out. A couple other courses in the area besides the ones already mentioned:

Avery Ranch: Nice course a little north of downtown
Grey Rock: About 15 minutes south of downtown. Good little up and coming course. It is my home track.
River Place: Not sure on the access, uncle is a member. Pretty tricky little course.

I would stay away from the munis on the weekends.

[texagjosh]

Grey Rock in south Austin is really enjoyable and the service is top notch.

You also owe it to yourself to spend a few minutes at The Ginger Man on 4th one night.

[langlowe]

There is always Wolfdancer which is a resort course in Bastrop.

If you do decide to play a local muni I would recommend Roy Kizer. Pretty nice links course only a few miles from downtown.

[Bama_Rich]

Falconhead Golf Club is another good option. The time I played it, it was in fantastic shape and the elevation changes and views probably don't get any better in this area.

[Mikolar]

Depending on your hcp's, Barton Creek is good...but pass on the Crenshaw course there. Not very challenging or memorable. Someone mentioned Wolfdancer at the Hyatt in Bastrop and that's a really good, tough test with reasonable green fees. Check golf 512.com (I think) to get times and discounts.

HSBay has three resort courses. Ram is the toughest and in good shape....bent greens that are running around 10.5. Apple Rock has great views -- the greens are just ok but the course is fun. Slick Rock is the oldest and easiest of the courses (and the slowest). HSBay has some deals going, but they include lodging at the hotel there...look online for deals. And if you stay there, you could play their putting course at night -- definitely worth it, and about 55 miles west of Austin.

6th Street has gotten a bit run down...look at the Warehouse district, especially for restaurants. But, absolutely consider a show at Ester's Follies on 6th street. Sit in the front row for the best seats and just sit back and laugh.

[stubins]

Thanks to everyone for your responses. Josh, I've been to Gingerman a few times and love that place, we will be stopping by there for a few. I've been to Austin 8-10 times over the past few years, it will be a first for all my buddies I'm traveling with. I think we are going to do the Barton Creek unlimited golf package for Monday-Thurs, then will stay at the Austin Hilton on Thurs night, leaving back for Chicago on Friday. We'll avoid the Crenshaw course, I've heard it's not too good. Anyway, thanks for the tips!

[Sooner1]

That Hilton is a GREAT hotel and you MUST check out the bar around happy hour. There's a pretty good sushi joint in the Hilton too....Have fun...

[Carolina Golfer 2]

Sooner1, on Mar 3 2009, 03:33 PM, said:

That Hilton is a GREAT hotel and you MUST check out the bar around happy hour. There's a pretty good sushi joint in the Hilton too....Have fun...

+1 on the Hilton. I was there for 5 nights earlier this year. Great location, beautiful rooms and Finn & Porter should be open by now, it was being renovated.

[bladetp]

go to west 6th, not so much of the college crowd, more young money and such. JBLACKS, The Ranch, LIL Woodrows are pretty fun places with some eye candy to boot. As far as golf goes I Love Shadow Glenn, Avery Ranch.

[staunty]

stubins, on Mar 3 2009, 01:59 PM, said:

Thanks to everyone for your responses. Josh, I've been to Gingerman a few times and love that place, we will be stopping by there for a few. I've been to Austin 8-10 times over the past few years, it will be a first for all my buddies I'm traveling with. I think we are going to do the Barton Creek unlimited golf package for Monday-Thurs, then will stay at the Austin Hilton on Thurs night, leaving back for Chicago on Friday. We'll avoid the Crenshaw course, I've heard it's not too good. Anyway, thanks for the tips!

FYI - Gingerman is moving to a different location as of April 1st or so. New location is: 301 Lavaca. I'm not sure what date they open there but by the time you are here, they will have moved.

Stay away from Wolfdancer at all cost. Nice layout. Worst. Greens. On. Earth.

While I am at it, I see you're from Chicago. Where should I play while I am there end of June, early July?

[stubins]

i live in the NW burbs of Chicago - some of my favs are Thuderhawk (Beach Park, highly highly recommend), Chalet Hills (Cary, pretty tight, greens can be suspect from time to time), Foxford Hills (Cary, good layout great condition), Harborside (36 holes, 30 mins south of the Loop, can't go wrong with either 18), Cog Hill (#4 will be re-opend this year, it was redesigned in 2008. Cog is my fav golf facility in Chicagoland), White Deer Run (good layout, only downside is it is surrounded by houses), Pine Meadow (great course, very tough, great condition), Praire Landing (fun links style course, good condition), Balmoral Woods (pretty far south but fun course)

if you're staying in Chicago the only total hikes will be the courses in Cary (no traffic approx 60 min drive), Thuderhawk (probably 75 mins from Chicago) & Balmoral Woods (75 mins south of the Loop). if you need any other recommendations or have questions let me know.

[stubins]

also, thanks for the tip on Gingerman. i wonder how they're going to transport all those kegs & lines, haha. that place is near the tops for # of beer choices.

[staunty]

stubins, on Mar 4 2009, 06:39 PM, said:

also, thanks for the tip on Gingerman. i wonder how they're going to transport all those kegs & lines, haha. that place is near the tops for # of beer choices.

Yeah, no worries. Go to Fado as well. Especially if there is a big soccer match or something euro-centric going on in the sports world. For a dive bar you can't beat Jackalope on 6th.
Thanks for your help on the courses...I am not sure if I will have access to a car or not. My parents are headed there because my pops has a conference and they asked me if I wanted to meet them there. I'd imagine they are staying in the city center. It coincides with my dads 60th b-day so I'd love to head to cog hill or something like that...one of the more renowned courses in the area.