This 27-hole complex is far from Houston proper, but worth the drive. However, don't forget to bring your best driver swing b/c if you have a hard time hitting the fairways, this place will eatcha up... Continue »

This 27-hole complex is far from Houston proper, but worth the drive. However, don't forget to bring your best driver swing b/c if you have a hard time hitting the fairways, this place will eatcha up. Some holes require the proper flight off the tee, forcing you to squeeze your teeball through the canopy of the trees 50-150 yds out, a la Agusta National's #18 (not that I've ever played that hallowed course). There are just enough undulations in the layout to make things interesting, but the greens are relatively flat, although faster than most local courses. It's a true test of golf that will get you to pull out every club in your bag.

What I love most is how fast you can get around during the weekdays. I usually play all 27 in 4.5 hrs, and why not, after driving all that way. They do a good job hosting tournaments here so be sure to call ahead to avoid being stuck behind that logjam.

My only gripe is the quality of the bunkers, whose sand is akin to construction site stuff, full of pebbles and rocks, thin and inconsistent. I guess the best way to overcome that is to avoid the bunkers all together, like Tiger does at the British Open venues.

Great staff, nice halfway house w/ big covered patio. I always get the itch to stop an play when I'm driving back from San Antonio or Austin. Maybe one of these days when I'm not hung over on that drive, I can actually play at River Ridge.