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Turtle Hill Golf Course
Rating Snapshot
About
Former airline pilot and cattle rancher Dick Murphy turned his place eight miles north of Muenster, TX into one of the neatest 18-hole tracks in the state, and for around $30 on weekends, you can have the privilege of playing Murphy’s self-designed and self-built masterpiece.
Mr. Murphy’s design makes up for the lack of driving range by opening with several basic golf holes: the kind where you can relax, swing easy, and get into the flow of the round. Of those early holes No. 2 is the most challenging–it’s a mid-length par 4 that doglegs right and requires a blind approach into an elevated green.
The back side continues with a solid mixture of holes highlighted by the spectacular par 3 No. 11, which is considered by many to be the most beautiful par 3 in Texas. The hole plays down into an amazingly deep ravine, and requires a 2-3 club less than you would normally hit. If the tee shot isn’t perfect here–tough with the wind and drop in elevation–you’ll find yourself in the rugged Hill Country-like scrub that surrounds the green.
The bent-grass greens at Turtle Hill, surprising for a self-built ranch course, are large, roll true, and hold shots well.
You’ll wonder where the heck you’re going, and when you get there you’ll know to expect the basic amenities. But even though there’s no driving range, and the food and beverage service is limited, the Turtle Hill experience is definitely worth the trip.
Getting there : From Gainesville, take Hwy. 82 west to Muenster. Turn north on Hwy. 373 and drive 8.5 miles to the course. The entrance is on the left.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | 72 | 6510 yards | 71.2 | 127 |
| White | 72 | 6078 yards | 69.4 | 121 |
| White (W) | 72 | 6078 yards | 73.9 | 127 |
| Red (W) | 72 | 4821 yards | 64.9 | 154 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue M: 71.2/127 | 390 | 310 | 480 | 193 | 382 | 352 | 500 | 145 | 395 | 3147 | 303 | 200 | 355 | 150 | 385 | 483 | 335 | 333 | 450 | 2994 | 6141 |
| White M: 69.4/121 W: 73.9/127 | 375 | 295 | 460 | 160 | 365 | 320 | 465 | 120 | 357 | 2917 | 261 | 170 | 290 | 120 | 360 | 435 | 300 | 290 | 430 | 2656 | 5573 |
| Red W: 68.9/114 | 325 | 257 | 375 | 126 | 300 | 265 | 370 | 99 | 290 | 2407 | 252 | 154 | 237 | 88 | 275 | 350 | 210 | 272 | 385 | 2223 | 4630 |
| Handicap | 9 | 5 | 14 | 8 | 4 | 18 | 11 | 16 | 1 | 17 | 15 | 3 | 10 | 2 | 13 | 7 | 12 | 6 | |||
| Par | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 36 | 72 |
| Handicap (W) | 7 | 5 | 1 | 11 | 10 | 18 | 4 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 8 | 14 | 9 | 3 | 12 | 2 | 6 |
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Reviews
Reviewer Photos
Over Booked
I’ve been here many times but today was awful. I teed off at 1:20 and finished 12 holes by 4:30. No Marshall, several goobers hitting balls out of bounds on the tee and dropping 2-3 more balls. I paid $38 for 12 holes and that’s an ok price for 18 here. Disappointed in management for allowing this to go on.
Very crowded
No ones fault.. but the course was packed but it's to be expected being it was so close to the holidays. Great time though!!
Good value
The pace of play was extremely slow. It took our 3 some over 5 hours to play the course. We had a 5 some in front of us that hit several balls off the tee at times and from the fairways. They lined up every putt and really took their time.
Several of the greens have bald spots and the par 3 greens are pot marked from players not fixing their ball divots. Its like putting down a gravel road at times.
The front 9 is mostly wide open and the back 9 is a little tighter and with more scenery..
If you like to drink a beer while you play be sure to bring it with you. The closest store is 8 miles.
Course review
Course in great shape, countryside, beautiful in October
Good value with variety of play
Front and back nine were like playing 2 different courses. Many holes were tight and challenging. A few too many blind tee shots for first time on the course
Interesting layout
The course has an interesting layout on the back nine, challenging at times but easy holes mixed in.It is a course you can score good on. The greens are well watered and soft, teeboxes are a little hard and fairways could use a little work, over all a fun place to get away and play golf
Great layout
Fun coarse. Great layout. Well worth the drive. Played several times and pace of play is always good. Staff is very friendly.
The Turtle
First time playing here and it was worth the drive. Great setup and Hole #11 just a fantastic view and hole. Will make the trip out again.
Great Scenery
The views and layout of the course are amazing! Good hole locations and challenges throughout. The course needs a few more cart paths for convenience and a few patches in some greens. Overall great time though. Must go see the scenery.
Been better
Played this course a few times. Staff was friendlier than last few times. BYOB which was great. Course is little rough. But should be be better cause it usually is
Fairways could have been better
The fairways were like concrete. I lost a couple of balls due to the ball running to far
Totally turtle
What a find! Front nine is wide open with nothing special added. But wait til you get to the back nine. Wow! Elevated tee boxes, hills, hitting over ravines and chasms... Beautiful. Well worth getting out of the city to play. I'll definitely play it again.
Not worth the money
Not worth the money. Tee boxes and fairways need a lot of work the course reminds me of a paster. The greens were way to soft. Hit a pitch shot from 45 out an the ball just plugged in the green.
Hello and thank you for your feedback regarding your visit to the course earlier this year. We hope you can visit us again with a fresh perspective.
Course Condition
The Course is in excellent shape due to all the rain everything is very green. If have ever wanted to play this course now is the time. I've never seen it this nice.
Thank you so much for the positive feedback. We hope to see you back soon! ~THGC
Perfect Day
Course was in very good shape. If there is a problem, it is the tee boxes. For the drive from Denton, it is well worth it.
Thank you so much for the feedback and we're so glad you had a good time! ~ THGC
Nice course with some challenging holes
Played at Turtle Hill yesterday with two good friends of mine. The staff was friendly and helpful, but we did not see a beverage cart on the course. The course has a lot of narrow fairways so if you are a long driver focus on accuracy and not raw distance on this course or you will be in the woods or another fairway the entire round. The signature hole is the 11th hole (Par 3 186 yards from White Tees) with a tee box 120 feet above the green. With the elevation change a PW or 9 iron works great. If you use a 6 iron or similar you will hit it way too long. I had my longest ever drive that stayed in the fairway, 319 yards, on the 16th hole (Par 4, 385 Yards from White Tees) which is one of the few holes on the course that a long driver can open up on without putting it in the trees. Course should appeal to both the high handicapper and the low handicapper.
Thanks for coming and golfing with us! I am so pleased that you enjoyed the course, and congrats on that long drive on 16! ~THGC
Worth the drive
Played on a beautiful Saturday in February. Course was very crowded but completed the round in just over 4 hours. The layout of the front nine has the feel of a country course, wide open, no real surprises. The back nine is completely different. There are blind shots, strategic tee shot placements, and the greens are incredible. They roll true and this being my first visit, I had no idea of the level of undulation. The signature hole is the par three 11th. I dare you to keep your phone camera in check the first time you play this hole. I drove just under 2 hours to get to the course and I can't wait until everything is green so I can drive there again.
JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa Stay & Play Package
Horseshoe Bay Resort Stay & Play Package
Thank you for your great review regarding your recent visit at Turtle Hill! We hope to see you hit the greens with us again soon!