Sky Creek Ranch Golf Club
About
One of the better public access courses in the state, Sky Creek Ranch boasts an immaculate Robert Trent Jones, Jr. design that is kept in immaculate condition by former Barton Creek Resort superintendent Steven Best. The clubhouse is perched atop the highest point in Tarrant County, and from this vantage point you’ll have a great view of the fine 419 Bermuda fairways and the bent-grass greens that are framed by a forest of oak trees and carved by the frustrating Big Bear Creek.
The key to Sky Creek is playing from the correct set of tees. Water comes into play on 16 of 18 holes, and most of the greens are elevated and surrounded by trouble that will make your score skyrocket. From the tips, high handicappers will struggle with their inconsistency, since there is virtually no room for error at any point on this course. Rounds from the more forward tees are amazingly different, with hackers being able to hit 4 irons off the tee and mid-short irons in–a huge advantage on this course.
Jones, Jr.’s design features five par 5s that offer some intriguing risk-reward opportunities. Three of them have water fronting the green, forcing hacks to think about going for home in two. No. 5 might be the best of the bunch: a snaking 534-yard hole that requires a precise fade around the dogleg right, followed by a perfect layup to be in position for the regulation approach. The creek circles around the elevated green, and trees loom left of the fairway for layups that stray too far left. This hole requires some strategy.
Sky Creek also offers five par 3s–some very difficult, and others nice respites from the other challenging holes. No. 14 is probably the scariest hole on the course, a 212-yard par 3 that is lined by trees on the left and a huge lake along the right and beside the green. This hole, which has ruined many a round, does have a small bail-out area left, but otherwise you’ll need a perfect shot to keep the score reasonable.
A bit pricey for some North Texas golfers, Sky Creek is worth it for the die-hards. In addition to the layout and condition, the practice facility is phenomenal–it features a driving range that plays downhill into an open valley with numerous target flags, as well as a large putting green that gives you a great feel for the round ahead. Chipping and pitching areas are available too.
Getting there : From Ft. Worth, take I-35W north to Exit 64. Turn right on Golden Triangle Rd. and drive 7 miles. Turn right on Bear Creek Pkwy. and drive to the Hidden Lakes subdivision (west side of road). Turn right on Promontory Dr. to the course.
Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
---|---|---|---|---|
Professional | 72 | 6953 yards | 73.4 | 136 |
Championship | 72 | 6367 yards | 70.8 | 127 |
Club | 72 | 5940 yards | 69.4 | 120 |
Club (W) | 72 | 5940 yards | 76.0 | 140 |
Forward (W) | 72 | 5390 yards | 72.8 | 132 |
Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Professional M: 74.8/138 | 416 | 442 | 409 | 168 | 551 | 374 | 566 | 171 | 430 | 3527 | 401 | 196 | 526 | 430 | 211 | 537 | 442 | 228 | 531 | 3502 | 7029 |
Championship M: 72.6/133 | 384 | 420 | 364 | 148 | 496 | 349 | 515 | 134 | 390 | 3200 | 383 | 171 | 505 | 381 | 191 | 482 | 394 | 183 | 477 | 3167 | 6367 |
Club M: 70.7/128 W: 76.5/144 | 362 | 398 | 340 | 136 | 470 | 317 | 489 | 116 | 370 | 2998 | 335 | 160 | 483 | 344 | 174 | 463 | 371 | 162 | 450 | 2942 | 5940 |
Forward M: 68.6/117 W: 73.4/135 | 321 | 373 | 321 | 120 | 449 | 260 | 474 | 88 | 342 | 2748 | 295 | 113 | 437 | 318 | 130 | 442 | 348 | 139 | 420 | 2642 | 5390 |
Handicap | 9 | 7 | 1 | 15 | 13 | 5 | 11 | 17 | 3 | 6 | 16 | 8 | 2 | 10 | 14 | 4 | 12 | 18 | |||
Par | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 36 | 72 |
Handicap (W) | 9 | 3 | 11 | 15 | 1 | 13 | 5 | 17 | 7 | 10 | 18 | 2 | 6 | 16 | 12 | 4 | 14 | 8 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
RestaurantAvailable Facilities
Clubhouse, Banquet FacilitiesReviews
Reviewer Photos
Challenging Course/Super Slow Rounds
This was my first time playing and people weren't lying saying it was a tough track. I would put this in the top 5 most difficult layouts in DFW. Conditions were great with some of the fastest greens I've seen here private or public. My group left after 9 holes took close to 3 hours. It will challenge you and it's a great course but try to play during the week.
Everyone had same tee time
4 groups were waiting on hole 1 and we had to start 20 minutes after our scheduled tee time. There were walkers in front of us. We should have had time to finish 9 holes but we only finished 5 holes
Everything about this place is slow
Slowest course in DFW, which is a shame because it’s a great actual golf course. They just need some management that can figure out how to space tee times and keep some sort of pace. Plan on a 6+ hour round on average.
Slow play
Great course and conditions. Pace of play is horrible though. 5 hour round.
Great conditions, challenging layout
Course was in great condition improved from last time I played. Many greens are elevated (mounded) so approach shots are critical. Greens roll true and not to fast perhaps due to recent rain. Fun course.
Water features( hidden streams) greens with steep sides.
Over it’s a fun course to play. The par 3 holes on the front nine were ball eaters .I pared the first par 3 . Took a five on the next par 3. The two ladies playing with me cussed both holes.
The back nine was a lot more enjoyable. The fairways were also better and more enjoyable. Over all, the course was fun considering the damp condition.
The only negative was the pace of play. We were over five hours. The three of us normally play in three hours. Of course, we usually have the first tee times too.
The staff excellent I give them five stars ⭐️..
slow play
Course was extremely crowded. No Marshall's working. Called at 9 to have someone come out to get the play going.
At the 18th. 5 foursomes on the hole as it was getting dark.
Great Course - Quite Challenging
The course was in great condition and the staff was excellent!! Very challenging, but still enjoyable for a hack like me.
Return to Sky Creek Ranch
It has been several years since I've played Sky Creek Ranch and was looking forward to it. Course amenities were better than ever. Course condition was outstanding. Only suprise was the amount of golfers on a Monday, which caused a slight back up, but I've experienced worse.
Layout is as tough as I'd remembered. And the greens, although still recovering from areation, were fast just like I like them.
Will definitely return soon.
Challenging course and extremely slow pace of play
Monday through Thursday they have many seniors that use the course which really slows down the pace of play. First six holes are very challenging and opens up more on the back nine. Lots of opportunities for lost balls if you’re not familiar with the course.
One of the best in the area
Easily one of the best public courses in DFW. Challenging but a fun layout with excellent conditions every time. One of the few courses I'd consider getting a membership for
Conditions
This course was in fabulous condition. The layout is gorgeous. The greens were a pleasure to play on.
Everything's great except it takes four and an half hours to play around
The course is in good shape, the greens are good, the staff is friendly, but the pace of play is absolutely atrocious. They run people every 8 minutes. We were stuck behind a foursome that took forever and we played with someone who had never shot a round of golf in their life before. It took four and a half hours. This is not the first time. Last time, it was backed up like crazy as well. I don't know if they are desperate for money, but I would rather pay an extra 10 or $15 more and have it spaced out by 15 minutes or more.
Sky Creek Ranch
Tame the 1st 5 holes and course becomes much more friendly! Course in good condition. On this day, a very nice pace at under 4 hours on a Saturday. Good Round.