Houston National Golf Club

I hadn't played Houston National in a couple years because they had let it go downhill and increased prices since opening Sterling.

Well, they're doing something right. I took a chance an booked and had a great time on the course I remembered when I first started playing there 10 years ago.

Not a $70 course maybe, but it's a nice layout and in fine condition. The greens are stellar.

In these inflationary times, it’s good that you can still find such value on such a fun links style course. Every hole is a challenge with shotmaking rewarded. Greens fees are half what you pay on a comparable layout. Staff is friendly and will work with you on ordering that cheeseburger and a beer for a stop in that cool clubhouse at the turn.

This was my first time to play here. With a name like Houston National I figured let's try it. Also figuring cooler temps and all the recent rains would provide a nice environment for golf. Unfortunately, this is a typical public golf course. Greens

held and rolled nicely but the fairways were hard with many bare spots on them It was far from lush as hoped. Teeoff got me a $15 discount ($55) but full

price ($70) got you a beer, chips and hamburger. Beers we're cheap enough on the course. No price

gouging there.

Greens were great! Fairways had a few problem areas but overall good shape.

The long par 5 number 12 got me as I found the bunker left of the green on my 4th…my lone double bogey. Otherwise I managed to stay out of trouble. This is the course to play when temps hit 97 with 104 heat. There’s always a cooler full of ice in the clubhouse with ice water next to it. Putts rolled true.

My white tee was in the back hitting into a northeast wind. A short drive was made worse when my second failed to clear a large bunker. Result was a double bogey. So I moved up to the forward tees which netted me plus two over the last five…playing it forward works. Greens were superb, fairways had plenty of roll out. Clubhouse and pro shop are outstanding.

While the cost of our round was not what I would consider premium, it was high enough where I expected more from the course. I realize that we have had a lot of rain in the area, but my experience on the course was poor. The bunkers were unplayable by any stretch of the imagination. The upkeep on the course was marginal at best on some holes and poor on the vast majority. Disappointed and will not return.

Need to spend some time and effort on the traps...not one was playable. Fairways and greens were good. Rough hasn't been mowed in a while, but shouldn't be there anyway. Overall the course is challenging, just need to work on the traps.

Did notice the Sterling CC course traps were well maintained. Maybe they could send those guys to the National course.

The layout is nice, the staff was nice and helpful.....need to get the maintenance staff to spend some time on the traps and mowing.

Looks like they are spending all their time on the members course and neglecting the other.

Greens where fast and responsive.....well done there.

Course held up to rains quite well. Traps need work, but greens and fairways were good. Expected cart path only, but 90dg. Will need some mowing soon but overall great!

this course is reknown by all golfer in the city and i was excited to try for the first time.

the lay out was amazing, so hard yet so fun but the a lot of part in the fairway wasn't maintain and the grass was rough and puddles everywhere.

it rained a lot the past couple of weeks so i give the benefit of the doubt...but 100% of the bunkers were all flooded or no sands at all and just concrete under...

i was desapointed but i will try it again one day

Just 3 weeks ago it was dead dry grass but with all this rain…grass is growing back strong and maybe a bit too much rain. Pace of play is great due to me playing g alone and most let me by quick. There was just 1 group of beginners that did not know or didn’t want to let me pass and made me wait even when they saw me and did. Just started to tee off.. Maybe there can be some kind of reminder of golf edicate to let people or groups pass if you are holding up the pace of play. Facility and staff are great.

Overall the fairway were in horrible shape, bunkers were awful, grass was not cut in a while. On a positive note the greens were in good shape.

The heat index was expected to be a manageable 102 but I knew I was in for it by the 5th kole as the wind died and the heat hit a stifling 105. Fortunately the clubhouse had cool and comfortable seating with ample ice. Being 72, I availed myself to moving up to the red tees. Fairways were soft from recent rain. This course drains very well. Greens were in good shape, fairways were also good. Traps hadn’t dried out yet. Of special note…thanks to the guy washing down carts at the barn. I thought I left air buds in my cart and he took the time to begin searching the place. I found them and thanked him for his time. Good staff!