Brackenridge Park Golf Course

I had not played Brack in 11 years. The renovation is great. Many new bunkers on the front and back is totally different. The course is in great condition and very we'll maintained. It was great to meet up with an old friend and reminice.

The is a must play if you are visiting San Antonio. The front nine was a little repetitive but the back nine has so much character. The condition of the course was top notch and the greens rolled true.

Outstanding golf at an old traditional course. There are many large trees lining most fairways. Course is not long, but drives must be strategically placed. Best conditioned course I have played this year.

If these things were changed it would be Great:

1. Water on the course was warm. Really? We can't get ice in the water jugs. There's no excuse and that's just plain lazy.

2. Fairway yardage markers. For the love of God, get this fixed. There were a few but they were so confusing or hard to see and read from a distance, and fat from consistent. Colored would be nice.

3. Flag placement. I had no idea where the flags were. It was my first time out here in 5 years and there was no way to tell placement. Nothing in my cart or on scorecard.

4. Holes on back nine were downright dumb. There was too much penalty and not enough reward. I think one was 16, tree in the middle of fairway.

Overall I did have a good experience. Course was awesomely maintained, greens were fantastic, cart worked good, and people were nice and attentive, expecially the starter. But if they fixed the items above this course would be more enjoyable for me. By the way I've played for twenty years, and I always play between 2 to 8 rounds a month.

Course was in good winter conditions but it played very slowly. Like the layout of the course with short but challenging holes.

So, I've been wanting to review Old Brack for a while and just haven't had the time. So here we go.

First off, Brackenridge Park Golf Course is part of the Alamo City Golf Trail (ACGT) and is its signature course. The ACGT is made up of 6 local courses and you can buy a basic (called "Level 1") membership for just 60$. Even if you are just going to play Brack once its worth the buy considering green fees are about 60$. After getting the membership you get a punchcard for 6 FREE rounds at ACGT courses.

Anyway, why do I love Old Brack? So, if you love golf you probably appreciate a little bit of history. Brack is the oldest public course in Texas and opened in 1916. The course design is by A.W. Tillinghast. Why is this cool? Tillinghast is probably one of the most prolific golf course architects in the history of golf. The guy designed 265 different courses and a few that you may have heard of... Baltusrol, Bethpage State Park, Winged Foot, Newport C.C., Ridgewood C.C. and the Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort. Brack is also the home to the Texas Golf Hall of Fame and was the original site of the Texas Open (now held at TPC San Antonio). Finally, Brack has become home to many of the top local amateur tournaments and will be holding the city's first Public Links Championship this fall.

Brack is great course for every type of golfer. All 18 holes are contained with OB around the external perimeter on the course. This allows for players to get a little forgiveness on some misses. It isn't uncommon to find a player playing the 9th hole playing from the first fairway or vice versa. I like playing the 14th hole down the 13th fairway (so watch out!). The course is always in great shape and the greens roll true. The front 9 features some tighter fairways and smaller greens than the very scorable back 9 with the two short par 5s 12 & 13. It's pretty neat to play Tillinghast's classic square cut greens on holes 2, 4, 6, 7, 11, 14, 15 and 18. Also, when the rounds done take a peak in the locker room where you see old lockers featuring the names of Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, and Sam Snead.

I was lucky enough to play just after the Jr. Amateur Tournament and the course was in excellent shape; greens were rolling excellently.

The whole courses was outstanding, green rolled true and fairways were perfect.

I was pleasantly surprised with the condition of the course. The recent rains have helped as the course had lush fairways and closely mowed, fairly fast Bermuda greens. The only complaints I would have is numerous unrepaired ball marks on the par 3's and no beverage cart on a Friday. The course experience provided exactly was I was looking for-a pleasant afternoon of golf on a well groomed course!

Overall surpassed my expectations. It is a fun golf course to play, just keep it in the fairway. A good mix of holes, especially from the front nine to the back nine. Course conditions were excellent for the price of the green fee. I wouldn't expect more without being at a private club or high priced public facility. Overall, a really fun afternoon and the nostalgia of the clubhouse and historical pieces only add to the charm.

Nice course for a municipal course, but it is tight! Would play again. Greens were good.

What a step back in time. This old track is magnificent. You just can't beat the old school charm of this classic golf course. When was the last time you saw square greens? I'm told that's the way it was in the 1920's when this course was built. Every hole is very fair...no trick shots required...well except for #16 (I think) where a large tree in the middle of the fairway right in front of the tee box makes you scratch your head. Do you go over, under or around? Yes this is a muni, but, "It jest don't get no better 'n dis." Go play Old Brack. You won't regret it.

Worth playing if you get a chance to play..nice tee boxes and grass in fairways..great staff :)

The staff was excellent. The course overall was good, the greens were good but slow. One thing that needs to be added is a warm up, driving range area. I know it is limited as far as space for a range. The fairways, due to lack of rain were just fair, nothing exceptional. Pace of play was average but I'm glad we played mid morning because it really got crowded by noon time.

Enjoyed the history and glimpse into the Texas golf origins. Course was vey nice and clubhouse had unique features. Challenging and tight course for the avid golfer.

Not a good value considering so many other courses in the area that are in better condition and with great layouts. This was a good course at the $45-$50 rate it use to have.

Greens were in excellent condition, tee boxes were a little rough but overall condition of the course was good.

Overall the course was good but would like to know before hand if greens have been airraded and sanded before setting tee time and had a fifth player pay a cheaper price than the foursome.

Be for the renovations. Brak was an old time course, tons of shade, minimal bunkers, and lots n lots of trees! Now, the course has a whole new feel. I felt like I had a membership to the BEST golf club in TEXAS !

Enjoyed Brack. Would like to get rain check. Lightning caused us to stop play after 10 holes.