38-38-76 - Bluejack National - Montgomery, TX
1 eagle, 1 birdie, 7 bogeys, 9 pars
Well I can say this is hands down the best course I have ever played in my life. I will go beginning to end on the experience.
I was able to get on as my boss' brother-in-law is a member. Guest rate is $150. It is in the middle of nowhere. Closest city would be The Woodlands which is about 20 minutes away.
Once you pass the entry gate you drive by a water park, bowling alley, restaurant, football goalposts and soccer field, all for the exclusive use of the members and residents.
When you get to the drop off area it's valet only. They take your clubs directly to the driving range. There is a separate locker room area with an attendant. They have whatever you want to drink along with some candy and snacks. There is a sitting area where you can watch TV as well.
The clubhouse (a temporary one) is a short walk away. You walk over the 25,000 sq ft practice green to get there. The clubhouse has two hitting bays and a putter fitting bay. The two hitting bays have doors that open out to the driving range. You can play golf on the simulator there.
Our group was the only ones on the range. Your range balls are ProV1's or TP5's, whichever you prefer.
Off to the first tee!
We played the acorn tees at around 6600 yards, maybe a touch less. These were the furthest back tees out there today. On the back of the first tee they have a hole cut and you use your driver to putt to it to determine the order of play. They even ask your name and home clubs and announce it before you tee off. We had a forecaddy for the group as well. He had a caddy bib with the name of the member on the back of it.
2nd hole approach (par 5)
Reached the 2nd hole in 2 and had a massive breaking eagle putt. Ended up 3-putting for bogey, did that a total of 3 times on the front 9. They were just coming off of 2 weeks of being closed for maintenance and the greens were sanded apparently making them significantly slower. Only about 10 times was I told a putt or approach would have ended up 50 yards off the the green.
When you get to the 6th tee there is clubhouse for the old course that was there prior. Inside they have every kind of candy you could imagine. Also whatever you want to drink, they have it. It looks like there was some management offices in there as well.
The 8th hole is a driveable par 4 that was playing 283y. I hit driver to 15 feet and made the putt for eagle.
As we approached the 9th green the alarm was sounded for a weather delay. We hung out in the locker room watching tv, drinking soda and snacking on candy for an hour while the lightning passed, never rained though.
The back nine is something extra special. It plays a little tighter but there is still pelnty of room. There are tall pines with pine straw off of the fairways, very little rough.
When you approach the 12th green they have a bbq stand with beef jerkey available. They also have something different each day to eat. Not sure what I had but it was good. They also have beer and whiskey on tap along with a wide selection of bottled beer.
BBQ Stand
The 12th hole is one of their many signature holes. A 160ish par 3 over water.
So yeah, best experience I have ever had at a course, from beginning to end.
Random other thoughts:
- They greet you with cold towels on the 9th and 18 greens, lime scented.
- Tee boxes and fairways are zoysia grass. You never have a bad lie.
- The bunkering is severe.
- The greens are massive. They have relatively easy and damn near impossible pin positions.
- Customer service is impeccable.
- They have a par 3 course which is lighted.
I hope to get back here again at some point.