Canyon Springs Golf Club

What a fun track to play.  Canyon Springs was rated the "Best Overall Public Golf Club in San Antonio" as well as a 2009 Reader's Favorite and it's well deserving of it's accolades.  The front nine is a blast as it plays up and down the north San Antonio Hill Country and the back nine is more traditional with some very fun holes.  

Canyon Spring's facilities and grounds are impressive and loaded with history, some of which includes that it was the site of the last stagecoach out of town and a sabre tooth tiger's remains were found in a nearby cave.  The course is equally impressive and this is a must play if you're in the San Antonio area.

We loved the front nine and it's a nine that you will either love or hate because it can test your shot making and club selection skills and it requires a bit of guesswork the first time you play it.  Some might say that this nine is tricked up – we say its very fun! The front is short at 3493 yards from the tips but you'll encounter blind shots, sharp dog legs, risk reward opportunities, forced carries, sloping and contoured  fairways, challenging roughs, terraced fairways, and more.  Every hole on the front is different and unique with something to test your game.  For example:

• #2 is a 520 yard dog leg right that requires an accurate shot of the tee to avoid the two long fairway bunkers on the left, the wishing well in the middle of the fairway, and the trees on the right – survive that and start planning your next shots to the downhill green with no room for error
• here's a hint for #6 – ask the staff where the pin is placed because the answer will help you decide which of the split fairways to play to have an opportunity to par this beauty
• #8 is a 480 yard downhill shot from an elevated tee box (with a lot of carry to the landing zone) to a sharp dog leg left with a terraced fairway leading to a sloping elevated green – club selection and course management are critical to par this baby

Survive the front and you'll enjoy a more traditional and relaxing back nine.  On a number of holes you can see the pin and what you're up against but the back still offers you plenty of challenges including pin placement that can be a par killer, dramatic elevation changes, thick roughs, water, dog legs, and some tough approaches. 

The fairways were in excellent condition and ample off the tee box.  The fairways vary from flat to gently rolling with both slope, terraces, and plenty of contour.   The first cut was thick and tough and if you miss it you're in the Live Oaks and native areas.  Some condos or apartments line one of the holes, but the rest of the course is beautiful with some beautiful homes set well back and out of play. 

The greens were also in excellent condition, about average size, and have both slope and undulation.  Pin placement can make the approach shots very challenging.  Some of the greens can be daunting and tough with speed ranging from 9.5 to 11.

The bunkers range in size and the sand is good. 

Bottom line:  great course, good conditions, fun to play, and a pretty good value.