In response to this thread http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6799, (post 37) I have compiled my list of what I believe to be the hardest to easiest courses in the greater Houston area. This means that I included all the way out to Conroe, but not the Clute or Lake Jackson courses. Granted this list is relative to what I believe is hard for me. That means primarily length, layout, and hazards served as the real considerations. This also means I considered "what would be my relative score on this course versus another.
This is not a "What's Best" course list. I'll make that once I finally play the last 7 or 8 in the area I haven't experienced yet. Courses I haven't played were intentionally not listed. A good example of hardest versus best is Terramont Park. I clearly think that it's the "best" 9 hole in the area, but IMO doesn't rank 1st in hardness. Likewise is the case with McDade Park one of the best courses in the great Houston area – but not necessarily very hard. Also – this list is based on playing the course from the regular tees, not alternates.
Also note that I separated any course over 10 holes onto a separate list because I don't believe one can't make great comparisons between 9 and 18 holes. Finally I have separated courses into Tiers since I feel certain courses are beyond the scope of others. This also means there may be a world of difference between (for example) Gwen Hurska – ranked #10 and Cedar Brook Elementary – ranked #11. They really aren't close in terms of hardness so it fell into a different tier. If you would like to search these courses – http://www.dgcoursereview.com/browse.php?cname=&country=1&city=&state=&zip_distance=50&zipcode=77002. And without further ado – the lists.
Not Yet Played/Not Ranked:
First Colony Aquatic Center
Shadow Creek
River Point Church
Imperial Park
Pecan Grove
Erickson Payne Home
McClendan Park
Hardest 9 Hole Courses:
Tier One Courses
1. Northside CC
2. Wortham Trail
3. Jim Mazola DGC
4. Terramont Park
5. Miramar Park
Tier Two Courses
6. Bridgepoint Church
7. Missouri City Community Park
Tier Three Courses
8. T.C. Jester Park
9. CrossPoint Comminuty Church
10. Gwen Hurska Park
Tier Four Courses
11. Cedar Brook Elementary School
12. Burke Crenshaw
13. Stonebridge Church
14. Mason Park
Best 12-18 Courses:
Tier One Courses
1. Spring Valley DGC
2. Oak Meadows Park
3. Tom Bass: Wilmont
4. Jack Brooks – Cedar Hills
5. The LINKS
Tier Two Courses
6. Tom Bass – Powell
7. River Grove DGC
8. McDade Park
9. Jack Brooks – Gulf Meadows
Tier Three Courses
10. Agnes Moffitt Park
11. MacGregor Park
12. Bear Branch Park
13. Nottingham Park
This is not a "What's Best" course list. I'll make that once I finally play the last 7 or 8 in the area I haven't experienced yet. Courses I haven't played were intentionally not listed. A good example of hardest versus best is Terramont Park. I clearly think that it's the "best" 9 hole in the area, but IMO doesn't rank 1st in hardness. Likewise is the case with McDade Park one of the best courses in the great Houston area – but not necessarily very hard. Also – this list is based on playing the course from the regular tees, not alternates.
Also note that I separated any course over 10 holes onto a separate list because I don't believe one can't make great comparisons between 9 and 18 holes. Finally I have separated courses into Tiers since I feel certain courses are beyond the scope of others. This also means there may be a world of difference between (for example) Gwen Hurska – ranked #10 and Cedar Brook Elementary – ranked #11. They really aren't close in terms of hardness so it fell into a different tier. If you would like to search these courses – http://www.dgcoursereview.com/browse.php?cname=&country=1&city=&state=&zip_distance=50&zipcode=77002. And without further ado – the lists.
Not Yet Played/Not Ranked:
First Colony Aquatic Center
Shadow Creek
River Point Church
Imperial Park
Pecan Grove
Erickson Payne Home
McClendan Park
Hardest 9 Hole Courses:
Tier One Courses
1. Northside CC
2. Wortham Trail
3. Jim Mazola DGC
4. Terramont Park
5. Miramar Park
Tier Two Courses
6. Bridgepoint Church
7. Missouri City Community Park
Tier Three Courses
8. T.C. Jester Park
9. CrossPoint Comminuty Church
10. Gwen Hurska Park
Tier Four Courses
11. Cedar Brook Elementary School
12. Burke Crenshaw
13. Stonebridge Church
14. Mason Park
Best 12-18 Courses:
Tier One Courses
1. Spring Valley DGC
2. Oak Meadows Park
3. Tom Bass: Wilmont
4. Jack Brooks – Cedar Hills
5. The LINKS
Tier Two Courses
6. Tom Bass – Powell
7. River Grove DGC
8. McDade Park
9. Jack Brooks – Gulf Meadows
Tier Three Courses
10. Agnes Moffitt Park
11. MacGregor Park
12. Bear Branch Park
13. Nottingham Park