Sky Creek Ranch Golf Club
Rating Snapshot
About
One of the better public access courses in the state, Sky Creek Ranch boasts an immaculate Robert Trent Jones, Jr. design that is kept in immaculate condition by former Barton Creek Resort superintendent Steven Best. The clubhouse is perched atop the highest point in Tarrant County, and from this vantage point you’ll have a great view of the fine 419 Bermuda fairways and the bent-grass greens that are framed by a forest of oak trees and carved by the frustrating Big Bear Creek.
The key to Sky Creek is playing from the correct set of tees. Water comes into play on 16 of 18 holes, and most of the greens are elevated and surrounded by trouble that will make your score skyrocket. From the tips, high handicappers will struggle with their inconsistency, since there is virtually no room for error at any point on this course. Rounds from the more forward tees are amazingly different, with hackers being able to hit 4 irons off the tee and mid-short irons in–a huge advantage on this course.
Jones, Jr.’s design features five par 5s that offer some intriguing risk-reward opportunities. Three of them have water fronting the green, forcing hacks to think about going for home in two. No. 5 might be the best of the bunch: a snaking 534-yard hole that requires a precise fade around the dogleg right, followed by a perfect layup to be in position for the regulation approach. The creek circles around the elevated green, and trees loom left of the fairway for layups that stray too far left. This hole requires some strategy.
Sky Creek also offers five par 3s–some very difficult, and others nice respites from the other challenging holes. No. 14 is probably the scariest hole on the course, a 212-yard par 3 that is lined by trees on the left and a huge lake along the right and beside the green. This hole, which has ruined many a round, does have a small bail-out area left, but otherwise you’ll need a perfect shot to keep the score reasonable.
A bit pricey for some North Texas golfers, Sky Creek is worth it for the die-hards. In addition to the layout and condition, the practice facility is phenomenal–it features a driving range that plays downhill into an open valley with numerous target flags, as well as a large putting green that gives you a great feel for the round ahead. Chipping and pitching areas are available too.
Getting there : From Ft. Worth, take I-35W north to Exit 64. Turn right on Golden Triangle Rd. and drive 7 miles. Turn right on Bear Creek Pkwy. and drive to the Hidden Lakes subdivision (west side of road). Turn right on Promontory Dr. to the course.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional | 72 | 6953 yards | 73.4 | 136 |
| Championship | 72 | 6367 yards | 70.8 | 127 |
| Club | 72 | 5940 yards | 69.4 | 120 |
| Club (W) | 72 | 5940 yards | 76.0 | 140 |
| Forward (W) | 72 | 5390 yards | 72.8 | 132 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional M: 74.8/138 | 416 | 442 | 409 | 168 | 551 | 374 | 566 | 171 | 430 | 3527 | 401 | 196 | 526 | 430 | 211 | 537 | 442 | 228 | 531 | 3502 | 7029 |
| Championship M: 72.6/133 | 384 | 420 | 364 | 148 | 496 | 349 | 515 | 134 | 390 | 3200 | 383 | 171 | 505 | 381 | 191 | 482 | 394 | 183 | 477 | 3167 | 6367 |
| Club M: 70.7/128 W: 76.5/144 | 362 | 398 | 340 | 136 | 470 | 317 | 489 | 116 | 370 | 2998 | 335 | 160 | 483 | 344 | 174 | 463 | 371 | 162 | 450 | 2942 | 5940 |
| Forward M: 68.6/117 W: 73.4/135 | 321 | 373 | 321 | 120 | 449 | 260 | 474 | 88 | 342 | 2748 | 295 | 113 | 437 | 318 | 130 | 442 | 348 | 139 | 420 | 2642 | 5390 |
| Handicap | 9 | 7 | 1 | 15 | 13 | 5 | 11 | 17 | 3 | 6 | 16 | 8 | 2 | 10 | 14 | 4 | 12 | 18 | |||
| Par | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 36 | 72 |
| Handicap (W) | 9 | 3 | 11 | 15 | 1 | 13 | 5 | 17 | 7 | 10 | 18 | 2 | 6 | 16 | 12 | 4 | 14 | 8 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
RestaurantAvailable Facilities
Clubhouse, Banquet Facilities
Reviews
Reviewer Photos
Magnificent test, slow players
Two things kept it from being an outstanding day: #1 pace of play - just too many freaking golfers that don't know how to keep up with the group in front and non-existent marshals and #2 some dumb kid that picked up my ball knowing perfectly well it wasn't his. I sprayed it a little right on #15 - landing it just on the right side of the#18 - like a LOT of golfers do, and young dude wearing with dreads wearing a t-shirt just scoops it up and drives off. I yelled at him to stop, but he's just some newbie who doesn't have a clue about anything. Oh well. Still an awesome course with a ton of character. Just needs some golfer discipline to reduce the times on those 5 hour rounds.
Challenge
This course has elevated greens! If you don’t like being straight, having to utilize your short game clubs then don’t come here. This course will challenge you in a great way & make you a better golfer.
Driving range
The driving range was disappointing in it's size. It was packed with people and not only those warming up to play a round of golf. There were range balls on the fairway of the 1st and 9th hole. It took me a few minutes to find my ball on the 9th hole because of all the range balls. The fairways were in good condition along with the greens. There were a few mud spots in the fairways.
Brutal shape
Course was a wasteland of dried out barren areas and hard fairways, completely over priced probably a 50$ a round course!
Driving range is too close to 9th hole with no net
They need to put a net type barrier separting driving range and the 9th hole. We were almost hit twice by incoming balls from Driving range. Also no marshall was seen all day. We had to wait almost every hole for group in front of us.
Soon they need to replace these againg carts
This was my second time playing this course. I enjoyed this round better than first time with improved score. One thing I recommend is to replace their againg gas carys with new electric ones.
Challenging Course/Super Slow Rounds
This was my first time playing and people weren't lying saying it was a tough track. I would put this in the top 5 most difficult layouts in DFW. Conditions were great with some of the fastest greens I've seen here private or public. My group left after 9 holes took close to 3 hours. It will challenge you and it's a great course but try to play during the week.
Everyone had same tee time
4 groups were waiting on hole 1 and we had to start 20 minutes after our scheduled tee time. There were walkers in front of us. We should have had time to finish 9 holes but we only finished 5 holes
Everything about this place is slow
Slowest course in DFW, which is a shame because it’s a great actual golf course. They just need some management that can figure out how to space tee times and keep some sort of pace. Plan on a 6+ hour round on average.
Slow play
Great course and conditions. Pace of play is horrible though. 5 hour round.
Great conditions, challenging layout
Course was in great condition improved from last time I played. Many greens are elevated (mounded) so approach shots are critical. Greens roll true and not to fast perhaps due to recent rain. Fun course.
JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa Stay & Play Package
Horseshoe Bay Resort Stay & Play Package
The La Cantera Resort & Spa Package
What course were you playing? Sky Creek is in fantastic shape and has arguably the best greens in the metroplex!