Tierra Verde Golf Club

Located in a remote southwest part of the city, Tierra Verde is the successful result of Arlington’s Parks and Recreation Department’s effort to provide an upscale, daily fee municipal to complement the other public golf options in town.

Labeled with the new and prestigious Audubon International Signature Certification, this course was the first in Texas and the first municipal course in the world to achieve that honor. The certification signifies that the course was “designed, constructed, and maintained using wildlife conservation and habitat enhancement, water quality management, and water conservation.” What this means for the inconsistent hack is that sprayed shots are not out-of-bounds, but instead buried in a “protected environment.” Unfortunately, the penalty still applies and you’ll need to take your drop. The opening hole is a good example–it’s a basic 355-yard hole, but anything sliced right will find a plum tree thicket, which is the same as hitting it into a lake.

In terms of strategy, you’ll be able to enjoy the generous fairways, but the approaches will require much more precision. Look at the scorecard and get your pars in on the shorter holes, then manage your game to avoid huge numbers on the more difficult holes.

One of the better holes on the front is No. 8, a 518 yard doglegger left that bends hard enough to favor a severe hook. Watch out for the multi-level green and its deceptive turns.

Water is more prominent on the back, as you’ll see on No. 9, a short par 4 that requires a tee shot over water. The narrow fairway squeezes toward the green, and it’s nice to know that the green widens on the back side. The par 5 No. 13 is a birdie hole if you pay attention to the flag position on the huge figure 8 shaped green. This one has water off the tee, as does No. 12. In fact, if you’re short on balls at the turn, you should stock up. Water impacts play time and time again. No. 18, a long par 4 at 437 yards, involves a creek in the fairway that must be carried on the approach.

Other notes: Another bonus at Tierra Verde is the club’s three-hole practice course and lighted driving range.

Getting there : Take US 287 south off of I-20. Find Eden Road and turn right. The entrance is on the left.