Hill Country Golf Club Oaks Course

Review of Hill Country Golf Club Oaks Course – San Antonio

Hyatt Hill Country Resort has 27 holes of some of the best golf in Texas. The three nine hole courses play through more than 200 acres of diverse terrain with tree lined and rolling fairways, tranquil lakes and ponds, wooded ravines, hillsides, and dry rock creek beds.  All three courses at Hill Country Golf Club were designed by Arthur Hills and he gave  each of the nines it's own unique challenges, personality, and character:

• the Oaks Course is the hardest of the three thanks to tight fairways, forced carries, and dog legs plus you need to place shots and work the ball to score well – here is a link to read our review of the Oaks Course
• the Creeks Course is the easiest thanks to wide and forgiving fairways and easier approach shots to the greens
• the Lakes Course is the middle of the road course and offers several risk reward opportunities – here is a link to our review of the Lakes Course

Although each nine is different, here is what is common to all three nines:

• they are all well maintained and manicured
• the greens and fairways are in very good condition
• each nine takes maximum advantage of the terrain
• the pace of play is excellent
• with 4 sets of tee boxes, you can find a yardage that fits your game and handicap
• the GPS is excellent and beneficial to helping you decide where to try and place your shots
• service is impeccable with an experienced, friendly, and helpful staff
• you'll have a fun and memorable round on any of the nines
• all are open to the public with a fantastic rate for locals with proof of residence and a good stay and play package
• the 19th hole Cactus Oak Tavern has good food, cold drinks, TVs, and a pool table

The Oaks course is named after all the oak trees that line the fairways – if you spray the ball, you'll be lost in the oaks and dense brush.  This nine is a little short from the tips but it is the most challenging of the three courses and thanks to trees, strategically placed bunkers, overhanging limbs, and doglegs you need to shape or carefully manage both your tee shots and approach shots.  Most of the holes are tight and narrow with dog legs and a dry creek bed crosses six different holes requiring a forced carry or a layup. 

Some of the holes that we really liked included:

• #3 is a 328 yard par 4 that is fun and demanding thanks to a tight fairway, a sharp dogleg right with a fairway split by a tree that can catch your drive and/or block your approach to a green which has a big bunker in the middle of the fairway in front of the green – long drives will outrun the fairway and be under the trees with a tough shot
• #6 is a 540 yard par 5 with a tight sloping left to right fairway that can take your ball under the trees, a huge bunker covering a large part of the fairway 80 yards in front of the green and 3 bunkers guarding the green
• #9 will make you want to play the Oaks again – an elevated tee shot down a tight fairway, across a dry rock creek, and a very tough approach shot past two big right-side bunkers and water on the left side of the green

When we played the Hill Country Golf Club's Oaks Course in late October the fairways were in very good condition.  They are firm offering a lot of roll, tight and tree-lined, and rolling and contoured.  The first cut of the rough is thick but the grass holds the ball on top of it – making for a pretty easy shot.  Miss the rough and you'll hear your ball ricocheting off the trees!

The greens on the Oaks Course were near perfect (one had a little damage), soft and held the ball well, and ran true.  The greens range in size and shape with most being about average size – 26 to 44 yards long.   Most are raised, well guarded, and have some slope and undulation.  They had just been over-seeded and were running slow – they normally run around 9 or so.

The bunkers range from some big nasty well-placed monsters to some smaller steep and deep ones guarding the greens.  They were wet thanks to over an inch of rain the night before and weren't playable.  All of the bunkers will be redone (reshaped, new sand, and new drainage) starting in December 2014.

The Hyatt Hill Country Resort & Spa is fantastic and it has a very good Stay & Play Package.