El Dorado at Quail Valley Golf Course
About
Developers eventually had their way with this cow pasture on the fringe of Houston. Loaded with native pecans and oaks and supplemented with even more transplanted trees, the terrain is ideal for golf, with two creeks and five natural lakes on the property. In fact, it's good enough to host the PGA Tour's Houston Open in 1973 and 1974.
The traditional El Dorado Course plays to a par 70 and features five par 3s that go 190-yards-plus from the tips. Jay Riviere designed the back nine.
Jeff Blume managed the redesign and complete renovation of the El Dorado Course in 2009.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 71 | 6931 yards | 74.6 | 138 |
| Blue | 71 | 6552 yards | 72.8 | 135 |
| White | 71 | 6146 yards | 71.0 | 128 |
| Gold | 71 | 5685 yards | 68.7 | 122 |
| Gold (W) | 71 | 5685 yards | 73.8 | 136 |
| Red (W) | 71 | 5100 yards | 70.7 | 123 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black M: 74.6/138 | 526 | 201 | 425 | 403 | 399 | 222 | 578 | 211 | 397 | 3362 | 516 | 222 | 404 | 412 | 224 | 401 | 403 | 399 | 588 | 3569 | 6931 |
| Blue M: 72.8/135 | 515 | 151 | 406 | 378 | 383 | 198 | 552 | 195 | 372 | 3150 | 499 | 204 | 388 | 398 | 208 | 382 | 377 | 385 | 561 | 3402 | 6552 |
| White M: 71.0/128 | 505 | 143 | 374 | 352 | 347 | 187 | 533 | 178 | 358 | 2977 | 484 | 191 | 360 | 372 | 184 | 362 | 342 | 350 | 524 | 3169 | 6146 |
| Gold M: 68.7/122 W: 73.8/136 | 462 | 129 | 352 | 304 | 322 | 170 | 522 | 155 | 339 | 2755 | 468 | 173 | 339 | 355 | 154 | 350 | 320 | 321 | 450 | 2930 | 5685 |
| Red M: 66.3/117 W: 70.7/123 | 420 | 107 | 329 | 261 | 298 | 147 | 463 | 127 | 311 | 2463 | 427 | 148 | 303 | 323 | 115 | 336 | 297 | 264 | 424 | 2637 | 5100 |
| Handicap | 5 | 13 | 7 | 9 | 1 | 17 | 3 | 15 | 11 | 8 | 18 | 14 | 6 | 16 | 4 | 10 | 2 | 12 | |||
| Par | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 35 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 36 | 71 |
| Handicap (W) | 5 | 17 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 15 | 3 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 16 | 14 | 4 | 18 | 10 | 12 | 2 | 6 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
Bar, Snacks, Grill, RestaurantAvailable Facilities
ClubhouseAccolades
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Golf Advisor: Top Courses in Texas (2022 #22)
Reviews
Reviewer Photos
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Photo submitted by u000003288063 on 10/22/2025
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Weather beautiful Photo submitted by u000003288063 on 10/22/2025
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Conditions great Photo submitted by u000003288063 on 10/22/2025
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Photo submitted by Houston2020 on 09/27/2025
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Photo submitted by Houston2020 on 09/27/2025
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Photo submitted by 18Hdotorg on 05/30/2022
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Photo submitted by afmarko99 on 09/19/2020
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Photo submitted by caddyshack79 on 07/06/2020
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Photo submitted by Floyd600 on 04/08/2020
Never play on Sunday
They allow five-somes on Sunday. We were a twosome behind 3 fivesomes and the greens are aerated. Not a good day.
Nice course...but
Nice course, but definitely not for the casual golfer. I found this course VERY challenging as there are narrow fairways and water on nearly every hole. Fairways were in good shape. However, the greens were aerated recently (staff did not tell our group). Greens were bumpy as Jamaican streets and slick as ice. Although most people have this course rated high, I dont think I'll be back anytime soon.
Great Golf Course
El Dorado is quite challenging. But a great golf course. One of my favorites in the Houston area. Heads up, greens will be punched on 7/13/20.
A nice course.
It was my first time playing at the El Dorado. The course is nice. The course had lots of water "bunkers" (I'm no expert on golfing terminology). The grass wasn't green as I expected, but definitely looking forward to playing the course again.
No twilight!
I loved the course! Beautiful scenery and layouts! Had a bunch of hiccups though. The golf cart I got was a dud, the first tee box had such hard ground that I couldn’t get my tee in deep enough to have a decent drive. I assume it had something to do with it being a twilight round, but there were tons of people all over the course either jumping on for practice shots, fishing, walking, or riding around in personal carts. The straw the broke it for me was a group of kids that drove up on my ball and took it before I was able to get to it to hit my second shot. Very frustrating, but again, probably just has to do with it being in a residential area at twilight. I would live to try again mid-day.
Overall good
Course in pretty good shape, fairways thick and most greens very solid. Staff helpful and pleasant.
Great shape
Really like playing El Dorado great layout some challenging to holes look forward to playing again
If it wasn't for 3 holes
I feel like this course is stuck between being a water course and a woods course. I think this is a really excellent value. Usually you can get a round here for less than $30. El Dorado is definitely harder than La Quinta. For us amateurs I'd recommend LaQuinta. Overall I've yet to have a negative experience either with staff or other players. This is a very friendly place.
Fantastic course
Really well set out course. Challenging holes asking you to hit shapes in both directions. Friendly staff and patrons. I think maybe the fairways and greens could do with a little trim to totally finish the course off but a really good experience nonetheless.
Very nice!
Despite significant rain fairways and greens were in great shape. Bunkers will require work as a result but nonetheless enjoyable round. Will be back for sure!
Championship Caliber Course
Was passing through Houston and wanted to get in a round of Texas golf (Floridian). I can't say that I've ever played a course that big that was located within a neighborhood. The course seemed unwalkable. It had to be over 10 miles long.
Summer mid day golf in the Texas heat presents its on challenges. Sure the grass was on the dry side and the ground was hard but the course seemed well maintained. Fairway shots rewarded the golfer while missed fwys presented additional challenges. Greens were fast and fair. 135 course slope is well earned and deserved. Definitely recommend some kind of navigation if you aren't familiar with layout.
If I had to complain i would say the practice facilities aren't 4*. But everything you need is there.
Overall strong course deserving of its 4* rating.
Great conditions
Course in great condition. Greens were punch but coming back nicely.
Can feel safe with all equipment sanitized.
Also has restaurant to sit down after hot round!
Corse in great shape!!
Fairways and greens in great shape. Tee times spread out now waiting on the tee. Felt like we had the whole course to ourselves!