Grey Rock Golf Club

Been a few years since I last played Grey Rock. In fact, I don't think I've previously reviewed the course here on GolfAdvisor. Ironically, it's the closest course to my (current) house. Well, I had the opportunity recently as part of a tournament.

For this mid November cold and rainy day, I found the course to be in really great shape overall. But, I also noticed a couple of missteps by the course and/or staff.

I must say I really do like the grounds around the club house. I like how the high rock wall separates the area from the parking lot. You just get a nice, calm feeling once you're walking up to the club house while passing the putting greens. And the driving range is just behind the club house yet not in the way nor are you distracted by others while warming up. Warming up off of mats instead of real grass is a problem though. No one likes it ... no one except the course maintenance folks. Overall, it's really a great use of the land. And the landscape is very well done .. grasses, trees, up-lights, brush/bushes, etc. Anytime I think "I could live here" ... well, that's a sign that you're doing something right.

Being a tournament, I didn't get to directly interact with the course staff on this particular occasion. With regard to the carts, we all noticed the lack of towels. On the majority of courses I've played, a towel is provided for each player. And being that it was cold and RAINY this day of play, they should've provided towels; no exception.

For the most part, the tee boxes were just fine. However, my players all commented on several boxes that were severely mounded. I understand course maintenance and water runoff, but these are definitely in need of being rebuilt. All of the tees had also seen a bit of play and had a significant number of divots, etc. I was surprised that the staff didn't move the markers for this tournament. The course is full of players and it's Sunday afternoon. Pretty sure you won't have a ton of play over the next few days so why not give us a fresh area of grass off which to hit our tee shots!? The #3 tee is especially large and it was almost painful to look back at a massive perfectly smooth green grassy area ... that was no where near the markers.

Not much to say about the fairways. They were all in fine shape. No complaints. And my players certainly like having the yardage markers (bumps) on the cart path. They're colorful and very easy to see ... unlike the paint that so many other courses use.

The bunkers were a-ok -- perfect amount of (good) sand. The water was plentiful ... likely due to heavy rains during the previous month. There was a nice amount of varying vegetation around the course. And being on the edge +/- of the hill country, there are plenty of oaks (and other large trees) along with the heavy rough which really like to turn the head of that iron you're swinging.

The greens were all in excellent shape. I can't recall seeing a single bad spot on any of them. They'd likely been aerated within the past week and I saw tiny bits of fertilizer all around which often collected on your ball. No worries ... just part of yearly upkeep.

Grey Rock is in fantastic shape. Greens are rolling true and quick. Overall, the course is in great shape and looks to be going into the winter months at top notch. No complaints on the course; however list price of $84 is steep. I am guessing that since they are the only course in a rather wealthy area, they are able to maintain a high price point.

I enjoy this golf course. Pretty much everything about this course is just as good or better than any other public course in the Austin area. Brand new putting green is huge and gorgeous. Course is always in good shape. The employees are always helpful and friendly. I would definitely come here 4-5 times per week as opposed to 1-2 times per week if they would simply allow to hit off the grass at the driving range instead of the fake turf mats. They only allow hitting off grass area on saturdays and sundays. When a round costs upward of $50-60, you would think they would be able to afford the labor/supplies to tend to repair of driving range divots. All other courses in the area you can hit practice balls off of real grass, 7 days a week. Kizer/Clay, Plum Creek, Onion Creek, Bluebonnet Hill are all examples and are less costly. Huge issue for me and probably many other golfers who try to improve their golf game on a regular basis.

Grey Rock, an Austin public course, was formerly private and it shows in the layout and condition of the course.

I was a single and played as a single the entire 18 holes, so the pace was great. Now, getting to the first tee is a drive and would take 15 minutes to walk from the clubhouse, but once there, it was easy to follow the course direction back to the other side of the highway.

The course was in very good shape as the day before dumped a ton of rain on the course, but it had drained well by the next morning.

The staff was very helpful and courteous. In fact, one of the rangers notified me that the foursome that I ran into before the turn had gone into the clubhouse for food & drink and I could advance to the 10th tee and jump out well ahead of them.

So, I finished the course in less than 4 hours. I wish I had known more about the course layout. I probably would have saved a lot more strokes and balls.

I would definitely play this course again at the same or slightly higher price.

Course in great shape! Never had a bad lie in the fairway all day. Great price for a last AM tee time. Wouldn’t know we’re in drought conditions looking at the course.

Had a bad experience a few months ago.. and gave it another try after my son play a STPGA event there. This time around, the course is in much better shape.. . especially the greens. The marshals were every friendly and helpful. Glad I gave it another try.

Love to play Grey Rock, the amenities are great, the staff is friendly and the course is challenging and well maintained! Will be back many times more in the future as time permits...

Pace of play was terrible. Apparently if you play in the afternoon their staff just decides to jump in in front of you. Delay delay delay. And of course they thought they could hit every shot 300 yards. Not! Would not let faster players go ahead. Joke.

Pleasantly suprised. I’ve played all around this course until iust recently. It is on the list now, for sure.

Really enjoyed this course. Wasn't too hard and the greens were in excellent shape

Course was in great shape. Beautiful layout and very fair for all abilities.

Loved the course layout. Greens were nice but slow. Fairways had some dry spots near the edges by the rough. But over all a nice course.

Effective today walkers may NOT use a cart to shuttle the almost 1/2 mile to the first tee box from the driving range or pro shop. Players may not use a cart to shuttle from the 8th green to the 9th tee either. This new policy will slow play potentially add confusion as riders pass walkers in transit between the location above. I would think twice before trying to walk this course in the future

A really good course for the money! A very long course but not an extremely difficult! Definitely recommend for any skill level!