Bay Forest Golf Course in La Porte, Texas, USA | GolfPass
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Rating Index Rating
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4.3
686 Reviews 686 Reviews
5 Stars
325
4 Stars
303
3 Stars
44
2 Stars
6
1 Stars
8
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.5
Layout
4.6
Friendliness
4.5
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.1
94.8%
Recommend this course
658 out of 686 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.2
41 Reviews 41 Reviews
5 Stars
17
4 Stars
19
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.0
Value
4.4
Layout
4.5
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.0
StaffFriendliness
4.5
92.7%
Recommend this course
38 out of 41 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.2
80 Reviews 80 Reviews
5 Stars
30
4 Stars
40
3 Stars
7
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.1
Value
4.5
Layout
4.5
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.1
StaffFriendliness
4.5
92.5%
Recommend this course
74 out of 80 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Public/Municipal
Par 72
Length 6768 yards
Slope 135
Rating 73.0

Amongst the chemical plants, refinery towers, and wood-lined waterways of La Porte lies the 18-hole Jay Riviere municipal known as Bay Forest. Riviere's design opened in 1988, featuring a tight front nine that opens up on the lake-dominated back side. Water is in play on 16 of 18 holes. Because of La Porte's proximity to the Gulf, the coastal winds make this a long course.

Despite its tight nature, the front nine offers a few nice birdie opportunities, including the short par 3 No. 6. This hole generally only requires a 9 iron to carry the bunker fronting the green.

On the back, the par 5 No. 10 is one of the most birdie-friendly holes on the course. It's followed by the signature No. 11-a great-looking dogleg right that bends around a pond to a well-bunkered green. The play with the approach on 11 is to leave it below the hole.

The par 5 No. 18 is a challenging finisher that requires good golf shots into the wind and the accuracy to avoid the water that sneaks into the fairway in the landing area from the right. The second shot must carry water and a bunker, and the recommended play on the approach is to keep it on the right side of the green.

Getting there : From Hwy. 45 south, take the 610 Loop north. When you come to Hwy. 225 head east and take the Pasadena exit. Turn right, find Hwy. 146 and go south (right). Next, get off at the Fairmont Pkwy. exit and turn left. When you get to South Broadway St., turn right and drive 1 mile to the course. The clubhouse is on the right side of the street.

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Bay Forest Golf Club
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Course Details

Year Built 1988
Golf Season Year round
Architect Jay Riviere

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Pull-carts Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex, Discover Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes

Food & Beverage

Bar, Grill

Available Facilities

Conference Facilities
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Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top Courses in Texas (2022 #5)
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Reviews

4.3
686 Reviews (686)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 15
Patio Dining 9
Brunch 6
Course Challenges Include:
Water Hazards 25
Bunkers 14
Forced Carries 13
This course/club is great for:
Locals 20
Advanced Golfers 18
Seniors 12
This Course's Location is:
Convenient to the City 15
Worth the Drive 14
In the 'Burbs 10

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Bayforest Golf

Fairway and Greens are in nice shape. One hole is under repair for busted water lines. My only complaint is to many people walking. Pace of play gets slow, I love this course !!!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 37
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Beautiful course, great round, good times!

Enjoyed this course - will be back again and again!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Response from on 04/11/2025:
Thanks for the five-star rating. We’re thrilled you enjoyed your visit and appreciate your support. Our team looks forward to delivering the same level of excellence next time.
Played On
Reviews 139
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 500 Contributor
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

How slow can you go?

Bay Forest really has to do something about slow play. Like maybe have a marshal???

When a threesome plays slower -much slower- than a foursome behind them and two walkers behind the foursome, especially with two complete holes clear ahead of the threesome, SOMENTHING HAS TO BE DONE.

Waiting on EVERY SHOT dilutes the enjoyment of the game.

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Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great course!! Especially for the hot rate!

Course was awesome, staff and pace of play was great. Course doesn't drain well but was still playable after lots of rain just lots of standing water areas.

Greens were the only bummer, they weren't fast or slow and putted well except the spots of poana or whatever it is that were popping up in many places. Green #9 was covered in it.

Oleest of course was in fabulous condition.

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Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Response from on 03/31/2025:
Thanks for the five-star rating. We’re thrilled you enjoyed your visit and appreciate your support. Our team looks forward to delivering the same level of excellence next time.
Played On
Reviews 26
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 53
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 53
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 53
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 53
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Cold weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Bay Forest round

Wet wet wet
Not the courses fault about the rain they got the day before but I am just stating the conditions when I was there

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Well kept course

My husband and I played here on GolfNow for a very reasonable price. We had played a different course the week before that can’t even compare to how nice this one was there’s a lot of water. It’s beautiful. Everything is very well. Kept up. The greens were awesome! The staff Were super friendly and helpful!. I would definitely play this course again!

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Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
First Time Playing

Terrible course

Muddy and greens had been punched. No one told us this. No marshall and 2 groups of. 5 somes holding up players. Go elsewhere as this is a cow pasture

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 3
1.0
First Time Playing

Muddy and wet. Greens had sand and they sucked. Fairways are terrible. Don’t waste your money here. 2- groups of 5 somes in front of us and the useless Marshals didn’t care

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

The entire course was overall in good shape. Great course for the money. Will definitely be coming back

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Wet weather
Used cart

Definitely worth the money to play

On a golf trip and we played Bay Forest twice. The fairways were soggy so not much roll, but cannot blame that on the course. The greens were in excellent shape, and there is a mix of easy and difficult holes. I will definitely be back. The folks that checked us in were easy to talk to, the started gave us some good advice, and the lady in the snack shop was very polite. I will definitely be back next year on my annual trip to Houston.

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Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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