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Dogwood at Garden Valley Golf Resort
Rating Snapshot
About
The older Hummingbird Course, which has taken a back seat to the now-famous Dogwood Course, still offered some adequate golf even though the quality was not up to the standards of its more popular brethren. Highlighted by extreme elevation changes, the course’s signature hole was the 566-yard No. 2, which required two shots over a hill followed by a tricky approach back downhill to the green. Hummingbird course was closed recently and only the newer Dogwood course can be played.
In 1992 John Sanford was blessed with some amazing terrain for the Dogwood Course addition. Cut out of the thick East Texas forest with 100-foot-plus tall pines, this course is most often compared to the famed Augusta National because of the abundant crape myrtle, Carolina jasmine, hollies, and dogwoods–not to mention the more than 1,500 azaleas that bloom beautifully in the spring.
Although there are only two par 4s over 400 yards, the Dogwood is plenty difficult, playing to a 132 slope rating. Water is in play on 12 holes, the elevation changes are extremely confusing, and the bent-grass greens are lightning-fast.
The regulars know that a good start is imperative because the first four holes are the easiest on the course–two short par 4s and two easy par 3s over water. You’ll need that momentum as the holes grow increasingly more difficult.
The par 3 9th hole plays 212 yards with an intimidating body of water lurking left. Hole 11 features a lake to the left and behind the green. No. 13 is the most difficult, featuring a testy drive through the chute of trees off the tee and a massive lake that protects the green.
Getting there : From I-20, take Hwy. 110 (Exit 548) south. After .5 mile turn right at the sign for the golf course. Travel about 1.5 miles and turn on FM 1995.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Back | 72 | 6840 yards | 72.4 | 132 |
| Middle | 72 | 6269 yards | 70.1 | 126 |
| Front | 72 | 5532 yards | 72.5 | 130 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue M: 71.9/130 | 320 | 190 | 325 | 165 | 520 | 470 | 285 | 365 | 300 | 2940 | 370 | 125 | 345 | 150 | 475 | 420 | 275 | 510 | 519 | 3189 | 6129 |
| White M: 69.7/124 W: 75.9/134 | 305 | 175 | 315 | 150 | 500 | 450 | 275 | 350 | 280 | 2800 | 355 | 110 | 335 | 100 | 425 | 405 | 260 | 495 | 490 | 2975 | 5775 |
| Red M: 67.2/115 W: 71.5/121 | 285 | 160 | 300 | 100 | 460 | 420 | 255 | 290 | 270 | 2540 | 340 | 105 | 325 | 90 | 350 | 395 | 250 | 480 | 445 | 2780 | 5320 |
| Handicap | 9 | 7 | 13 | 17 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 15 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 14 | 10 | 2 | 18 | 12 | 16 | 6 | |||
| Par | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 36 | 72 |
| Handicap (W) | 7 | 11 | 15 | 17 | 5 | 9 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 16 | 2 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 18 | 10 | 14 | 12 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Available Facilities
Clubhouse, Meeting Facilities, Banquet FacilitiesAvailable Activities
Swimming, Fishing
Reviews
Sad to see
This course used to be one of the best in all of East Texas and was once dubbed "the Augusta of East Texas". I have played it at least 35 times since it was built. But this past weekend I played 3 holes and quit because the greens are absolutely unplayable. Some grass, some dirt. And where there was grass, it was so bumpy that putts would not stay on line. Tee boxes and fairways are fine but the greens are deplorable at best. Golf Now should remove this from their list. I encourage you to save your money to avoid disappointment. Even a hot deal is overpriced which is what I had.
It is sad to see such a nice track waste away. I hope either the current ownership or a new owner will put some money into this place and get it back where it was once before.
GV
Always a beautiful course with panoramic views. The greens are pretty horrible this year. That is not normally the case though. Fairways, tee boxes, and approach areas are on good shape. The greens are better than a month ago, but don’t know if they will make it back to normal standards this year.
Only play if you got a “Hot Deal”
Starting from the get-go here, they booked us as a 5-some and I was a single, not complaining but a heads up would’ve been nice. If it hadn’t been for the Hot Deal it would’ve cost me over $70 to play and that would’ve been highway robbery for this course. The greens are just flat out awful, the cart paths are destroyed, the fairways are OK at best, and the pace of play is absolutely horrendous. I wouldn’t waste your money playing here.
Not so good
Greens were really bad. Lots of sands and grass not coming in. Maybe next month it might be better?? Pace of play pretty slow. Sad to see this course in this shape.
Sad, Sad, Sad!!!
I should have known something was a miss when the putting green was horrible. Every green on the course was bad, not just because they were recently sanded but like a wasteland bad. The bunkers were full of water, however, the fairways were in decent shape. I understand that East Texas has received lots of rain over the past few weeks but having played Garden Valley in the past, this was a real let down! Don’t waste the money, or at least give them a month or so to get the course back in shape.
Pleasantly Surprised
Snuck out to this course when a friend mentioned it to me. You won’t find it on GolfNow or really any advertisements. It’s a nice hidden gem. I hit literally every club on my bag today on this course and pulled 2I just as many times as I hit driver. This course is a total ballstrikers paradise and is a nice change from the bomb and gouge tracks that are littered across Texas. Some bald spots on the outer lying edges of greens but they were in otherwise phenomenal condition.
Would definitely come back out and play as this course was a great architectural achievement with the intertwined pine trees and lake views. Really nice track.
Great stay & Play
Stayed with a fairly large group just beyond the 18th green looking out at the lake. The course was great, would play again!
great course
easy to get to using gps
but needs more signage
will play again
Greens were smooth, back 9 holes are have great views
Fairways were dormant but very playable. Greens were the best part of the course. Front nine holes were nice but were mostly straight and easier than the back 9. Back nine were more tree lined with elavation changes and more course management needed to score well. Will definitely come out again during April or May.
Nothing short of amazing year round
I played this course on a cool afternoon in mid-December and could not have been more pleased with the conditions. The greens were flawless, the fairways (dormant) provided perfect lies, and the scenery was beautiful. The course features rolling hills, giant Texas pines and great views. I drove from Dallas and once on the property, knew the hour or so drive was so worth it. Garden Valley is immediately off of I-20 and with the raised speed limits, an effortless drive.
great Course
The course was in great shape when we played there
This is the best course for the money in the area.
I have played Garden Valley numerous times and have always found it to be in excellent shape.The greens are always smooth and the bunkers and fairways are in perfect shape as well.I have heard that it is referred to as the Augusta of East Texas,and that is a pretty good description.Overall ,I highly recommend a trip from Dallas or any area about the same distance to give this course a try.
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