Golf Club of Houston - Tournament Course

Review of Redstone Country Club Tournament Course

Redstone Country Club is home to two of the best courses in the Houston area – the private Members Course and the Tournament Course, which is one of 11 courses in the United States that hosts a PGA tour event and is available for public play. On the Tournament Course you can enjoy a round where the pros compete for the big bucks during the Houston Shell Open. Redstone opened in 2005 and was recognized by Golf Digest as “Best New Golf Course” in 2006. In 2009, Avid Golfer listed Redstone as the "Best Overall Golf Course in The Houston Area." We rated Redstone as one of the best in Houston.

Redstone is an upscale and first class operation that you’ll experience from the minute you arrive in the parking lot to the time you leave – the service is impeccable, the staff is very friendly, the maintenance and landscaping are immaculate, the fairways are lush and soft, and the greens are perfect. In fact, we felt very guilty making a divot. When you play Redstone, you don't have to contend with homes, power-lines, and freeway noise and the serenity and natural beauty further enhances this fantastic golf experience. We rated both nines close to a perfect 10 – excellent conditions, very scenic, challenging but fair, and plenty of variety with each hole being a little different than the previous one.

Although you'll encounter water on 10 holes, strategically placed soft sand bunkers, forced carries, and more, if you pick the right tee box and can hit the ball straight, you'll have a good round. In general, the fairways are fairly traditional with what-you-see-is-what-you-get (no tricks or hidden surprises) and they're wide and forgiving – pull out the driver and let 'er rip. The rough was cut short and playable when we played the course and you really need to spray the ball to get wet or lost in the trees. 

Forecaddies are required in the morning and they can provide tips and techniques to help you off the tee box, on the approach shots, and on reading the greens. As important, they are excellent at spotting lost balls and keeping the pace of play moving. Redstone's Tournament Course is a course that if you pick the right tee boxes, hit the ball fairly straight, can read the greens, and implement what the forecaddie tells you (sounds easy), you'll walk into the club house boasting about your low scoring round.

Redstone has some great holes like the dog leg right 429 yard #2 which requires a precise shot to carry the wet lands, avoid the fairway bunkers and position your ball for an approach that must carry another natural area to a multi-level green protected by deep sand bunkers on each side; or dramatic #18 which offers a risk reward opportunity to try and carry more of the lake that runs from in front of the tee boxes to the left side of the green which requires a precise approach shot to avoid the water and the right side bunker.

Bottom line, Redstone Tournament Course is a fantastic course and a must play if you're in the Houston area. As a first class operation, Redstone is a tad pricey but worth spending the money for!