Austin Country Club
Austin Country Club
Hole #1
This hole goes almost to the brink of Deer Creek's canyon. The narrow plateau at the back of the green is the "last mesa" before the downslope to the canyon. If you go over this green, you may stay up, but not often will you get down in two.
Photo by Keyur Khamar / PGATOUR.COM
Hole #2
There's no land in site between the tee and the distant landing area. Then, all along the fairway's left side and around the green is a rubbled slope of limestone pieces stacked to shore up the edge of the earth, otherwise your ball would surely fall into Deer Creek Canyon.
Photo by Keyur Khamar / PGATOUR.COM
Hole #3
Again, Deer Creek runs down the left side of the fairway but on this hole it crosses in front of the green as well. From the back tees, drive long down the fairway's valley to give yourself a decent chance to carry the creek crossing. Crowding the fairway bunker left is the shortest route.
Photo by Keyur Khamar / PGATOUR.COM
Hole #4
The green for this one shot hole, atop a knoll between Deer Creek and its tributary, Fawn Creek, is terraced and sloping; it is a slippery, formidable putting challenge.
Photo by Chris Condon / PGA TOUR
Hole #5
This is roadrunner country. Even the reluctant flyer, in its course toward the green, would go airborne with a long, fluttering hop rather than run through the grassy put in front of the green. Your approach shot should do the same.
Photo by Keyur Khamar / PGATOUR.COM
Hole #6
Only the longest drives will reach the beginning of the long downslope to the green. If you are too short of the crest, you won't be able to see your target. Cat Mountain is the highest point on the horizon ahead; a good line is slightly left of the peak.
Photo by Keyur Khamar / PGATOUR.COM
Hole #7
The sands of the course's largest bunker run from tee to green and around the green to the right.
Photo by Keyur Khamar / PGATOUR.COM
Hole #8
Your drive will tumble right and the second will tumble left, unless hit high and long enough to carry all the way to the green. Always with your drive, and most often with your second, align your shot to borrow from the high side.
Photo by Keyur Khamar / PGATOUR.COM
Hole #9
A canyon partially fronts the green and continues all along its left side. From the back tees at 475 yards, you will have done well to leave an approach of only 215 yards or so. From there, high on a hill looking down at the green, you will see a dramatic second shot vista. A bail-out right is not much of a bargain; short or left, and Satan's got you down in the deep, dark glen.
Photo by Keyur Khamar / PGATOUR.COM
Hole #10
Harvey Penick frequently served as starter after retiring as Head Professional. He would offer the advice "take dead aim" on the first tee. The course demands the player's concentration and thoughtful attention.
Photo by Keyur Khamar / PGATOUR.COM
Hole #11
The target here is a basin cupped in the hillside across the pond. The green's hollow is shored up pond-side by limestone slippers. Even the drop area required limestone shoring. When you finally reach the green, you're met by the soothing drone of a waterfall.
Photo by Keyur Khamar / PGATOUR.COM
Hole #12
Play down the slope toward the iron arch of the bridge across Lake Austin. A strong second shot aligned anywhere outside of the span of the arch will likely find water.
Photo by Keyur Khamar / PGATOUR.COM
Hole #13
On the shortest par 4 of the course, designer Pete Dye tempts you leftward to a green astride a cape jutting into a small lake. The adventurous shot may "dye" in the watery grave; the prudent golfer may want to circle in from the right.
Photo by Keyur Khamar / PGATOUR.COM
Hole #14
The waves of Loch McDonald, the first of the large Colorado River lakes, once washed the banks forming the left side of this hole until the massive 1900 flood did the old dam in.
Photo by Chris Condon / PGA TOUR
Hole #15
If you could look down this fairway from an aerial perspective, you would discern the shape of a question mark. But the view from ground level is a puzzle - where to land? Shape it left to right if you can, but start it left; if you don't overdo the fade, your drive will continue down the fairway. Overdo it and you are in the sandy wastelands right, but a draw carrying the sand will roll through to the left rough.
Photo by Keyur Khamar / PGATOUR.COM
Hole #16
On this transition hole from the lakeside lowlands to the highlands, play your second through the pass - the slot between the hills - to reach the up-slope short of the green.
Photo by Keyur Khamar / PGATOUR.COM
Hole #17
Look left and down to see the Lake's cove. The green lies cupped around by a hillside which blocks the prevailing southeasterly wind at ground level but not up high. Although the flag may hang limply from the staff, the wise will consider the name of the cove before making their club selection.
Photo by Keyur Khamar / PGATOUR.COM
Hole #18
Look toward the clubhouse; the chimney on the right is your best line but the one on the left will do; the fairway slope moves your ball right.
Photo by Keyur Khamar / PGATOUR.COM