Meadowbrook is the only Greg Norman designed course in Houston (recall that he also did the new TPC San Antonio, site of the Texas Open) and it's an absolute gem. There's nothing tricked out about hi... Continue »

Meadowbrook is the only Greg Norman designed course in Houston (recall that he also did the new TPC San Antonio, site of the Texas Open) and it's an absolute gem. There's nothing tricked out about his course, what you see is what you get, but boy is it a tough one, esp. if the afternoon winds kick up. Blue tees are 6600 yds, but I like to test myself from the back tees, just over 7000yds. Gotta have your game when you come here, your driving, approaches, recovery shots my be on.

The fairways are always in great shape, not too dry, not too wet. The greens are usually in good shape, but they do tend to do frequent maintenance on them so be sure to ask specifically how long ago the greens were aerated, sanded, etc. One time I called and asked if their greens were aerated and the proshop said no. I come out and they were sandy. When I brought it up to the guy on the phone, he said, "well, you didn't ask about the sand." Whah?!

That said, this is one of my most favorite courses in the city. Conditions are usually great, layout is superb (very cool par 5 #18 that is reachable if you have the wind at your back and you bomb your teeshot. Great way to finish.) I find that when I try to overpower the course w/ aggressive lines off the tee, it kills me. But if I play conservatively, play target golf, I can score well.

Though the course winds through the high end neighborhood of Seven Meadows, the houses are not as penned in as some other courses (Houston National or Atascocita or the back 9 of Tour 18), so it didn't bother me a bit.

The mgmt is still trying to sign up enough members to take the club private, and you definitely get that high end, country club feel here, from the clubhouse to the nice range to the cart staging area. Sometimes if I can tee off early in the morning, I can whip around in under 3 hrs, unheard of for a public course. But what's most important to me, layout and conditions, Meadowbrook does just great.

One last tip, on the way to the 1st tee, across the ravine from the back of the club house is a terrific shortgame pitching/chipping green. Hardly anyone ever uses it. Great place for practice.