andygoeslow

This course is well reviewed, but I found it to be lacking. I was not told of the recent arifying of the greens, the all 18 holes had been punched and top-coated within 2 weeks. Also, there were way too many brown and burned patches on the greens. Disappointed.

While the golf office staff was nice and very helpful, my round at The Ranches was a dud. The staff altered me that the greens keeping staff would be topping the greens on the day I played, but that wasn't the issue. I played the front 9 quickly (they let me out as a single), I had to wait 45 minutes for the back 9 to open before proceeding. On my way to the 10th tee to do my waiting, the head superintendent back at me the the back was closed. I said I knew and that I would wait. 45 minutes later I was able to tee off on 10. By the time I reached the 16th tee, I saw there was a worker down on the green (it's a Par 3) just finishing up his work on the greens. Now, this worker saw me on the tee waiting, then proceeded to turn on the green sprinklers keeping me from playing that hole. Same on 18. Sprinklers on and no consideration for the guests paying to play The Ranches. Sad. It could have all been handled with a simple wave up on 16 before he set off the sprinklers.

Upon arriving early for my 7AM tee time, the gentleman in the Pro Shop said to me, "You had better start on the back 9 and play fast. We have a shotgun start across the entire course at 8:30AM every Tuesday." Why did the course not inform golfers through Golf Now about their Tuesday activities, or maybe book 9 holes only. I love to play fast. But to be told I have to is just wrong. Two other things stick in my craw, as well. First, the course is running gas golf carts. Slow, noisy and polluting the air. I know Texas is all about gas and oil, but let's get real. Electric is better. Finally, the course was horribly signed. I got turned around twice due to lack of signage between holes. There was spray painted arrows on the cart paths. Really? You can do better. Add GPS to the carts and make the course more enjoyable for golfers of every level...