Old American Golf Club

I've read many old, critical reviews here but I recently found the course to be beautiful and well maintained. Perhaps the LPGA's presence has helped improve course conditions but the three and four year old reviews are just no longer accurate, imo.

Absolutely not worth the money. Maybe 40-50 dollars but definitely not 150..

Course layout was great & challenging. Was overseeded likely due to COVID moving LPGA event to late last year, so have to give some grace on that with the greens. They were he’s to gauge speed due to the overseed grass being longer, but that will likely correct itself by summer. You don’t have to be good to enjoy this course, but don’t bring a novice. Too crowded & easy to lose balls in the hay for most beginners to have fun, and you might get hit into a couple times like we did lol. Cart paths were gravel, but that’s the way it was 100 years ago, which this course is styled after I guess.

Manager did not wear mask because they club employee had COVID 19 and manager talking bad attitude should be need more professional training!

The other reviews on Old American are quite accurate. Firm conditions and perfectly rolling greens. Also, it’s not pretty - a little scruffy around the edges - but it is December and partly, that is the desired look. Course is fair off the tee. Many distances to choose from and generous landing areas. However, fairway bunkers will make you think and many have high lips to make it impossible to advance the ball yo the green. The course’s bite is around the greens. Elevated green complexes with false fronts and steep run off areas. Narrow serpentine greens with aggressive bunkering make you work for every green in reg. This is the toughest test of your approaches and shirt game in DFW. OA will rarely be “fun” but if you want to test your game and grind, this is your course.

The Old American is a nice change of pace when compared to the DFW golf scene. The lynx style is unique to North Texas, with a creative layout and beautiful views of Lake Lewisville. It's almost always windy in these parts, but with that windy has a lot of bite coming off the water. Even if there was zero wind, this golf course would be very challenging. Bring your lunch pail, because there aren't many birdies at Old American. Now that the LPGA calls The Old American home, the course has risen its game. The course conditions are great and well manicured.

Had the opportunity to play Old American, which hosts an LPGA event. I didn't know much about the course except that it was designed by Justin Leonard (hook 'em!) and that it's right next to The Tribute, which I had played before.

The first thing to call out is the extremely welcoming and friendly staff. Very professional and treated me kindly despite not being a member. The members in the clubhouse were also very friendly, and warned us it was going to be a tough day if the wind kept up.

Well... it did. All day the winds were in the high teens with gusts well into the 20s. It was brutal.

This is an interesting course. It's difficult. There are bunkers and water in play on just about every hole. Many of the drives are intimidating and force you to choose which hazard you're most afraid of. The greens are also well protected, and many of them are small. Of course none of that was any easier with crazy wind.

The front nine winds around and several of the holes are lined by houses, but as you turn to the back many of the holes are right up against Lake Lewisville. It's very scenic, but it seems to make every hole play right into the wind.

For me the highlights were holes 5,7,9,12,13, and 16. 12 is a cool par 3 right against the lake.and 13 is a tight, but shorter par 4.

Hole 14 is a unique hole. It's a double dogleg par 5, which is an abosolute monster into the wind. I'm excited to watch this hole the next the the LPGA rolls through to see how pros handle it.

Long story short, this is a great facility and a good and challenging course. Unfortunately, the greens had been punched (maybe the whole course) recently, but it's clear this is a place that takes care of their course and I'm sure it'll be back to pristine in no time.

While pace of play was not a problem, the condition of the course needs improvement if you want to charge $135 to play. For instance on hole 3 green there were clumps of grass on the green that interfered with play.

Also there needs to better information about where not to take the cart. For instance there is no warning about hole 2 and not taking the cart onto the hole! We got pretty sick of the hideous cart beeping! The bunkers throughout the course need SERIOUS help as many are unsafe to enter without holding onto dear life with a rake and then have no sand!! Sorry I expect better!!

As for the free snacks it would have been nice if there had been more available on the last few holes.

In conclusion, Old American needs to up the course conditions if they want to charge the rates they do today!!I

For the local golf scene, Old American has even one of those quiet gems for years with a unique and challenging experience with a taste of old world charm with the quaint clubhouse to the crushed rock cart paths. And in recent years, Old American has tried to position itself as worthy of hosting top-class golf with LPGA, PGA Professional, AJGA and other events. While the intent is genuine, I’m here to tell you that the delivery is falling woefully short.

In my last few rounds there, the course itself has been in generally decent condition. The greens are smooth, fairways lush and overall appearance on the surface is ok. But when you get on the course and really experience it, you realize just how appearances can be deceiving.

Let’s start with the bunkers. I’ve never experienced a course with such inconsistent bunkers than Old American. Raked? Yes. But that’s where any positive marks end. In several cases, my footing gave me ample confidence that there was a nice amount of sand under the ball, only to have my club bounce off of clay/hard mud or even the underlying canvas layer. And then other times when I took precautions with a shot I’d find out that there was a good 6-8 inches of soft sand. Did I mention inconsistent? Someone needs to tell the staff that just because they rake the bunkers to make them look nice, it doesn't mean that they are in good playing condition.

One last comment regarding the course and it's setup is the Rough and natural growth areas. While I understand the concept of the course and it's setup, several items seem to show a general lack of maintenance rather than course setup. For instance, on the Par 5 7th hole, you have a choice to hit your tee shot straight away, or try to carry the corner for a relatively short approach to the green. In this instance, the corner to carry includes several large bunkers with some very high grass. And when I mention very high, I mean 'lose your golf ball' high. Should there be a penalty for missing the shot? Yes. Should you lose your ball? No. And many other areas around the course, particularly around bunkers, have grass/weeds so unkempt that a shot that you clearly see land in a specific area is lost, if not unplayable. Agian, is this good course design/setup, or just lack of proper maintenance? I obviously lean towards the latter in this instance.

And now to the next concern: the cart paths. Old American outwardly tries to deliver an experience of early century golf with the rustic clubhouse and crushed rock cart paths. The problem is that those cart paths are nothing but a collection of washed out holes that force you to bounce your way through them, or drive around them on the grass. So what's the point of having paths anyway? When you have to take a 1/2 mile ride to the driving range on such a path, and basically bounce and jar your way there and back, you wonder if it was worth it in the first place. I was in need of a chiropractor before I ever hit the first tee!

Then there's the 'clubhouse', a quaint old woodframe building that houses the Pro Shop, Bathrooms, and Dining. If you noticed something in that last statement that didn't seem to align to a top-notch golf course, you'd be correct: I stated 'bathrooms' and not 'locker rooms'. That's right, the nearest Locker Room is down the street at the Tribute Golf Course. Somehow Old American is hosting a LPGA event and only has a small bathroom with 3 stalls each. No space to change your clothes, clean up or stretch and relax.

Some additional context and feedback from the members that I played with showed that the experience is beginning to wear on their patience as well. Each of them have been members for several years and live nearby, therefore it being relatively logical to join Old American. But each of them made comments implying that they are considering leaving as they just don't enjoy the course anymore and are frustrated with the lack of investment and progress. They mentioned playing The Tribute more frequently as the new greens have improved dramatically and the overall course and clubhouse experience surpasses that of Old American.

Old American has the potential for being a top-notch course and experience, but simply isn't delivering. My instinct tells me that the owner/developer is too concerned with profit from the surrounding real estate growth and using the course as a tool to attract home buyers. Not a bad strategy, but only if the course is actually an attraction and not a deterrent. This potential gem is in dire need of investment, and it's beginning to show. Will I return to play Old American again? Sure, but only if someone else is paying for it or I receive some feedback that changes have been made.

Old American can and should do better.

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Old American Reviews

Golf Advisor

For the local golf scene, Old American has even one of those quiet gems for years with a unique and challenging experience with a taste of old world charm with the quaint clubhouse to the crushed rock cartpaths. And in recent years, Old American has tried to position itself as worthy of hosting top-class golf with LPGA, PGA Professional, AJGA and other events. While the intent is genuine, I’m here to tell you that the delivery is falling woefully short.

In my last few rounds there, the course itself has been in generally decent condition. The greens are smooth, fairways lush and overall appearance on the surface is ok. But when you get on the course and really experience it, you realize just how appearances can be deceiving.

Let’s start with the bunkers. I’ve never experienced a course with such inconsistent bunkers than Old American. Raked? Yes. But that’s where any positive marks end. In several cases, my footing gave me ample confidence that there was a nice amount of sand under the ball, only to have my club bounce off of clay/hard mud or even the underlying canvas layer. And then other times when I took precautions with a shot I’d find out that there was a good 6-8 inches of soft sand. Did I mention inconsistent? Someone needs to tell the staff that just because they rake the bunkers to make them look nice, it doesn't mean that they are in good playing condition.

One last comment regarding the course and it's setup is the Rough and natural growth areas. While I understand the concept of the course and it's setup, several items seem to show a general lack of maintenance rather than course setup. For instance, on the Par 5 7th hole, you have a choice to hit your tee shot straight away, or try to carry the corner for a relatively short approach to the green. In this instance, the corner to carry includes several large bunkers with some very high grass. And when I mention very high, I mean 'lose your golf ball' high. Should there be a penalty for missing the shot? Yes. Should you lose your ball? No. And many other areas around the course, particularly around bunkers, have grass/weeds so unkempt that a shot that you clearly see land in a specific area is lost, if not unplayable. Agian, is this good course design/setup, or just lack of proper maintenance? I obviously lean towards the latter in this instance.

And now to the next concern: the cart paths. Old American outwardly tries to deliver an experience of early century golf with the rustic clubhouse and crushed rock cart paths. The problem is that those cart paths are nothing but a collection of washed out holes that force you to bounce your way through them, or drive around them on the grass. So what's the point of having paths anyway? When you have to take a 1/2 mile ride to the driving range on such a path, and basically bounce and jar your way there and back, you wonder if it was worth it in the first place. I was in need of a chiropractor before I ever hit the first tee!

Then there's the 'clubhouse', a quaint old woodframe building that houses the Pro Shop, Bathrooms, and Dining. If you noticed something in that last statement that didn't seem to align to a top-notch golf course, you'd be correct: I stated 'bathrooms' and not 'locker rooms'. That's right, the nearest Locker Room is down the street at the Tribute Golf Course. Somehow Old American is hosting a LPGA event and only has a small bathroom with 3 stalls each. No space to change your clothes, clean up or stretch and relax.

Some additional context and feedback from the members that I played with showed that the experience is beginning to wear on their patience as well. Each of them have been members for several years and live nearby, therefore it being relatively logical to join Old American. But each of them made comments implying that they are considering leaving as they just don't enjoy the course anymore and are frustrated with the lack of investment and progress. They mentioned playing The Tribute more frequently as the new greens have improved dramatically and the overall course and clubhouse experience surpasses that of Old American.

Old American has the potential for being a top-notch course and experience, but simply isn't delivering. My instinct tells me that the owner/developer is too concerned with profit from the surrounding real estate growth and using the course as a tool to attract home buyers. Not a bad strategy, but only if the course is actually an attraction and not a deterrent. This potential gem is in dire need of investment, and it's beginning to show. Will I return to play Old American again? Sure, but only if someone else is paying for it or I receive some feedback that changes have been made.

Old American can and should do better.

It was my first time playing golf in the Dallas area, picked this course on a nice Tuesday afternoon weather afternoon.

Great course and layout, well maintained and overall staff were very nice. I scheduled the twilight tee time - 2pm which was around $108 which included the driving range, drinks, snacks et all. Usually a bit more than which I am used to pay for golf but considering the course and ameneties it is worth it. I will definitely play again here during my next visit.

Is bit difficult for intermediate players like me but playing from the blue tees helped, will do better next time :)

Just have to say I was amazed at how beautiful this course is. Very difficult but in such great shape. The people who work there are top notch as well.

What I loved the most is the gravel cart path vs. concrete. Definitely gave it that Old feel. I will definitely be back and I strongly suggest playing here, you will not be disappointed.

This is still my favorite course in DFW! The course has been renovated since the flood, including downsizing some of the bunkers making the course more playable. With that being said I believe this is the most challenging golf course open to the public in the metroplex. The greens are small and very undulating making ball placement key. Sitting on Lake Lewisville makes for great views and major headaches when the wind is blowing.

First time at Old American. Have played it's neighbor The Tribute many times. Overall it's a very nice course with many views of the lake that are scenic. Seemed like they had many "redan" style greens, less the slope element, in that they were narrow, long, and often angled. Greens generally rolled nice even in the dead of winter. Bunkers were terrible perhaps due to the recent rains but no excuse for that condition on a course like this. "Signature snacks" were granola bars, cheez its, and bags of trail mix to go with the included soda, water, and gatorade. No cart girl on the course so that aspect pails in comparison to Cowboys, which is about the only other area course that dares to charge as much as Old American. Worth playing once if you get a deal but not rushing back to spend $150 in the summer no matter the views.

This course has long been on my ‘must play’ list as it’s consistently ranked one of the top facilities to play in the DFW area. I’m thrilled to say it lived up to the hype and my only regret was not getting out to play it sooner.

Nestled along the shores of Lake Lewisville the architects did a great job of creating a true links golf experience by incorporating many unaltered features the terrain had to offer. I personally loved the bunkers and the challenge they provided in their ‘natural’ state. We played from the middle tees and at around 6,400 yards the course offered a perfect blend of play-ability and challenge. For those brave enough to play the back tees this course tips out at right under 7,000 yards and provides a challenge to the best of players.

Course conditions were immaculate and I loved the greens – they rolled smooth and fast.

Prior to the round we ate breakfast in the grill room and everyone enjoyed their meals. I recommend the 3 egg omelet that was complimented with a dynamite fresh homemade salsa on the side.

I can’t say enough good things about this facility and the experience it offers. If you happen to be in the DFW area make sure to add this to the list, you won’t be disappointed.

This links style course is a gem in the Metroplex. The greens are in superb shape, fast but still fair. Bunkers dot the fairways so accuracy is key on this track as well. Golf purist will love the stone/dirt cart paths and smaller flags. Playing here you actually forget that you are in the Dallas area. The staff is extremely helpful and friendly, especially Matt. He took the time to give us a tour of the area and answered all our questions. If I lived in The Colony I would join The Old American in a second!