The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas - Cottonwood Valley

Cottonwood Valley Course was generally in good shape but rough was very thick. Sprinklers went off on the green and soaked me and my partner. I paid over $350 for greens fee, club rental and cart on a hot Tuesday afternoon on an empty course. I wanted to shower after before heading to DFW for a flight but was told by GM that I could not enter locker room without a member. Shocking how poorly they treated this guest.

Little known fact. This was the course Tiger ended his unbreakable cut streak at 142 with a bogey on 18.

The opening hole's green is in the shape of Texas. The bunker behind the green Oklahoma. So putting from the "pan handle" to the Houston area of the green was interesting. The course itself is in magnificent shape. From tee to green you could not tell it was August in Texas. Greens are very receptive and in superb shape. A couple of par fours are drivable for bombers. I highly recommend this course. Staff is top notch!

great course: it is the "private" course of Four Seasons. Fairways are wide and forgiving from blues. Some interesting holes that force you to make choices, pick shots. Greens are very fair, but a little local knowledge goes a LONG way on approach shots. It is much easier than the TPC course on the same property.

Pro: Played a practice round for a tournament. Greens and bunkers were in nice shape. Fairways were in nice condition with lots of green grass. It is a challenge.

Con: Course is a little right in some places to hit a drive. Too much water that comes into play as well.

I've always enjoyed Cottonwood Valley, which used to be part of the rotation for the Byron Nelson Classic. Perhaps one reason I liked it so much is that Nelson had a hand in the design with Jay Morrish, or maybe just because it's a little more "resorty" than the TPC course. In any event, I love the Texas-shaped green on the first hole and there are a couple of really good risk-reward par 5s.