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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
Great outing
Greens are fast. The course layout is great along with chipping and driving range. First outing and will go back
Ball Eater with a view.
Paid full price and several greens were aerated and sanded. Course itself is a low handicap layout. Trouble everywhere… lots of water and thick vegetation right off the fairways, crossing fairways and green side. Bring a box of balls if your not playing consistently in the 80s.
Bunkers everywhere, I mean everywhere, but I have to say, some of the best sand bunkers I’ve seen in a while. No, mud, gravel, hard pack. Light white sand that tests your skills.
Nice views. Carts are nice, bolstered seats and no crazy GPS that stops your cart. Pro shop is tiny. Grill is meh. Driving range is very nice. On course drink service was good and steady. 18th hole surprise, young man cleans your clubs, cold towels for your face and cup of lemonade. Bring a cash tip.
I won’t play again until I get down to 12 handicap. Too frustrating.
Nice Track Brutal Conditions
I would recommend playing this course when it actually has grass. Poor conditions make this course extremely difficult. Would not play it again this time of year.
Great layout, but condition wasn't great
A great layout and I am looking forward to going out there again in the late spring summer, when the conditions will be much better. If you were off the many elevated greens, there is a good chance you were on the dirt. The course is just dormant right now and once spring hits, things will be much better.
Tough
Course was a little difficult. We played from the tips which was a mistake for me. But when in Rome. I’d like to try it again from the blue tees.
Layout was pretty cool and the conditions and greens were excellent.
As far as value, at $65 it’s an A++.
Sky creek ranch review
Beautiful course. Great course layout. For the price, I’d expect GPS golf carts but that’s really my only small complaint. Highly recommend playing if you can get a hot deal!
Burned Up
Absolutely burned up with heat wave. Management decided to save money and not water the course. Fairways are horrible and greens are barely hanging on. Don’t pay full price for this course.
Fun course, good facilities, rough green
This course is great! I would give it a 9/10. The course is very easy to navigate and it challenges you off the tee. The greens are elevated for the most part and if you miss long or left/right you will have a 50ft high chip to get back up to the putting surface. The greens were punched about 2 weeks ago and they have not made a full recovery yet, so putting it a hassle. The greens are also VERY firm right now. Overall.. the layout of the holes are great and the course is in great condition overall. Good practice facilities too
A Challenge
Sky Creek is always challenging - and the round in late February was no exception. A player needs to use every club in the bag - and be thoughtful about that club selection. Great layout. Always a fun challenge.
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