The beauty of Tiger Woods' Bluejack National (or, what so many other golf communities get wrong)

MONTGOMERY, Texas -- As golfers and media critique Bluejack National -- the newest private golf club and community in Texas, not to mention Tiger Woods' first U.S. design to open -- there will be a lot of discussion in terms of just how well the 18-hole, 7,552 course fares.

Does it compete with Texas' best private clubs like Dallas National, Whispering Pines or Cordillera Ranch? Is it a top 100 candidate nationally?

After a day spent at Bluejack National, I was as impressed with the course itself (you can read my review here) as I was with the overall development and community concept from Beacon Land Development's Michael Abbott and Casey Paulson.

Yes, Bluejack has some unique advantages, like a great piece of 755-acre property, a high-end price point and an icon attached to the project who owns the sport's news-cycle.

But there are a slew of really unique amenities as well. And the thing is, maybe so many private golf clubs coast-to-coast wouldn't be struggling with their membership rosters had they thought a little more outside the box themselves.

Here are a few of the elements that stood out to me most about the total Bluejack experience (that, incidentally, were sorely lacking at many clubs developed during the 1980s and '90s).

A playground for beginners and juniors

The 10th green on the Playgrounds golf course at Bluejack National has a bunker in the middle of the green.

Not only does Bluejack have a driving range and a big, sloping putting green with 18 numbered holes, but the Playgrounds Course, an ultra-casual 10-hole pitch 'n putt, is the ace-in-the-hole here.

It's just a six-and-a-half acre footprint, steps from The Place (the clubhouse and restaurant) with holes about 50-100 yards. It's lighted, perfect for winter or after-dinner fun. You can even have some fun and make your own holes out there and play a golfer's version of H-O-R-S-E.

It's insane to me there are private clubs with more than one championship 18 but don't have a short course. How else can avid golfers walk side-by-side with beginners and juniors in a non-intimidating setting?

Meanwhile, the championship course, while certainly stout, has six sets of tees, including a "Frank" set, just about 3,000 yards. It's a very walkable course, too. Did developers who routed cart-only golf courses ever stop and wonder how two 10-year-old kids are going to play in the afternoon?

The residential component isn't suffocating

During the golf boom, many courses were routed entirely within housing developments with the simple goal of creating big, green backyards for as many residential lots as possible. But when homes line both sides of most holes, golfers never truly feel that "escape" golf is supposed to provide. When it comes to getting new golfers excited, these types of courses don't do the game many favors.

And, take it from a repeat offender: sailing a wayward drive into a backyard patio is the wrong way to meet the neighbors.

Bluejack National has a modest housing element (386 total units and 550 memberships). But the only homes that border the golf course are on the perimeter and there will be a pretty significant buffer of pine trees. Far more lots are off the course entirely.

You'll notice many of the modern courses in Europe and the U.K. keep their housing component separate from the course. But in the U.S., developers often feel they can only sell lots with the guaranteed green-space that golf courses provide in the backyard. Also, you've got home owners living on defunct courses fighting over what will happen with grown over fairways behind them, and it can get messy.

At Bluejack, it's tough to lose a golf ball or go O.B.

Bluejack National's par-4 fourth hole has a generous fairway.

Bluejack National has no rough and just a handful of water hazards, the two most intimidating on par 3s (nos. 7 and 12). Perhaps the biggest differences compared to the old BlakeTree National course that once occupied this property is that all the natural areas at the base of trees were cleared out and replaced with wood chips, and there is no rough, either. It's easy to find your golf ball and have a chance to recover. Golf is especially demoralizing to newbies when they are losing balls, taking penalties and hacking out of thick cabbage.

Off-course amenities for everyone

A glimpse at the plans of The Fort, the future main gathering area of the club currently under construction, has swimming and tennis just like most clubs, but it also has a movie theater, football/soccer field, hike-and-bike trails, zip lines and a skate park.

Clubs struggling with membership can bemoan Millennials, their short attention spans, student loan debt and inability to commit to a job or city. But we grow up eventually, should have a little coin in the bank and want a fun environment that gets the kids (and us) off the computer for a bit. A round of golf together would be great, but hey, a trail ride or soccer works too.

None of Bluejack National's amenities are earth shattering, but collectively speaking, there just aren't enough clubs with similar offerings in America for families to choose from. Perhaps the silver lining in the fact that golf communities are no longer being built in such a rapid-fire pace is that they are becoming more well thought out.

Bluejack's main hurdle to success will be luring Houstonian families past other top area clubs closer to the urban core like The Woodlands or River Oaks. I suspect that like with most thriving clubs, their amenities will evolve over time based on suggestions and popularity. But the Bluejack experience is a unique one, and one that hopefully existing and future golf course communities examine closely.

I'm curious: To those looking for a golf course membership currently, what are the primary factors necessary for you and your family to make the commitment? Let me know @brandontucker on Twitter or in the comments below.

Video: Tiger Woods on his design philosophy at Bluejack National

Brandon Tucker is the Sr. Managing Editor for GolfPass and was the founding editor of Golf Advisor in 2014, he was the managing editor for Golf Channel Digital's Courses & Travel. To date, his golf travels have taken him to over two dozen countries and nearly 600 golf courses worldwide. While he's played some of the most prestigious courses in the world, Tucker's favorite way to play the game is on a great muni in under three hours. Follow Brandon on Twitter at @BrandonTucker and on Instagram at @btuck34.
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As a Golf Community selection specialist with Golden Bear Realty, it's refreshing to see that the developer of Bluejack National is willing to step out of the box to try something new.  The fair design of the golf course along with the amenities should lead to a successful development.  Although buying in Bluejack National might appear to be straight forward and easy to do, choosing the right golf club membership may not be quite as cut and dry. Before you spend your hard-earned money on a golf club membership it is important to do your research to make sure that you make a well informed decision.  

If you are planning on buying a home in a golf course community, I recommend visiting  http://www.flgolfclubs.com and complete the golf club need analysis form.  The site's primary objective is to find a golf club/community that meets the needs and standards of their clients.

For more information contact Michael.summers@goldenbearrealty.com

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I work in the golf industry, and have for many years. But, very few golf operations impress me because very few are likeable. What does your gut say about this place? Mine says mildly likeable - maybe a C+. I am not a Millennial - my kids are - and get why their generation doesn't play as much golf - most golf courses: public, private, and resort are not likeable. That's the real problem. There's nothing wrong with golf. But there is a lot wrong with the culture of golf. And I'm not talking the cliche problem of snobs, etc. It's just as bad at low-end public golf courses.

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The beauty of Tiger Woods' Bluejack National (or, what so many other golf communities get wrong)