Comanche Trace - The Creeks Nine

Review of Comanche Trace Creeks Course Kerrville, Texas

Comanche Trace is home to three fantastic nine hole layouts all within the 1300 acres of the upscale Comanche Trace golf community just a few miles south of Kerrville.  Comanche Trace was voted the "#1 Private Course in the Texas Hill Country."  Each of the nines has it's own unique characteristics and personality:

• The Creeks, designed by Jay and Carter Morrish, is the newest  and hardest of  the nines and is characterized by the meandering creek that twists and turns along and across seven of the fairways
• The Valley Nine at Comanche Trace was designed by Tom Kite along with Roy Bechtol and Randy Russell and opened in 1999 and it plays in the valley and as such it is the most open and flattest of the nines – read our review of the Valley Course
• The Hills was part of the original 18 that opened in 1999 and as you would expect from it's name,  it leverages the beautiful Hill Country with plenty of elevation changes and rolling terrain – this nine has the reputation as the easiest of the nines.  Here is a link to our review of The Hills nine at Comanche Trace

Common to all three nines are excellent conditions, challenging Bent grass greens, beautiful scenery and views, lots of fun and challenging holes, great service, a 15-acre practice facility, and a 24,000-foot upscale clubhouse and pro shop high on a bluff with an unbelievable view of several golf holes and the surrounding countryside.  Everything is very well maintained and manicured. 

The Creeks is a Jay and Carter Morrish masterpiece and a very fun and challenging nine holes that opened for play in 2008 .  This nine is the hardest of the nines by about three shots thanks to the cascading clear creek that meanders along and across the fairways of the first five holes and then a couple lakes on two other holes, plus you'll need to manage elevation changes, uphill shots the greens, blind downhill shots, and some challenging green complexes.  You'll also need to watch out for the deer, let them play through, and try not to think about them snickering when you duff your ball or slice it into the trees or the natural areas. 

Part of what makes playing The Creeks Nine fun is that each hole is a little different from the previous hole and each hole throws something at you to keep you focused on your game.  This nine can test most of your game and it requires accuracy off the tee, precision approach shots,  a good sand game, and an ability to read the tiers, speed, and slope on the greens.  There are  some outstanding holes, for example:

• #1 is a 417-yard par 4 with an elevated tee box with a forced carry to a downhill green with a tough approach thanks to a clear blue lake and waterfall on the right side of the green
• #4 is a monstrous 636-yard par 5 (#1 handicap hole) with a blind downhill shot off the tee box, a cascading creek that parallels the fairway and then cuts across the fairway twice, and an uphill shot to a two-tier green guarded by 4 deep bunkers
• #9 is a beautiful finishing hole with a blind tee shot followed by a roller coaster ride down a multi-tiered fairway that ends with a large natural area that you need to carry downhill to a green surrounded by 4 bunkers – you'll want to play this fun hole several times

When we played in late May the fairways at Comanche Trace were in very good condition.  In fact, we felt guilty taking a divot!  The fairways play both up and down the rolling Hill Country terrain and most have some contour, mounding, and slope you'll need to manage.  Generally speaking, the fairways are ample and generous with some exceptions and the rough was very playable – after that you're in the natural area and if you can find your ball you may have a shot to get back to the fairway.   This nine plays through natural areas with a scattering of beautiful big homes dotting the hillside and the stunning clubhouse sitting on a bluff overlooking several holes.

The bent grass greens at Comanche Trace were in near perfect condition when we played.  The greens range in size and shape with most on the large side.  They run fast, around 11 or so, and true but you'll need to be able to read the breaks and manage the tiers, slope, ridges, and undulation.  Pin placement can also add some strokes to your score.

The bunkers were perfect and range from small to steep and deep.  The sand is thick and soft and at times I felt like I was hitting from the beach at Destin and I considered pulling out my lawn chair and popping a cold beer – but the ocean was missing.    

The Creeks course at Comanche Trace is challenging but don't let that discourage you from playing it – pick the right set of tee boxes (there are six to choose from) and play conservative and you'll have a blast on this scenic and unique nine.  Esthetically, Comanche Trace is a very eye-pleasing course – you drive up a long hill to a beautiful clubhouse perched on the top of a hill with 360-degree panoramic views, the cascading creeks and ponds are clear blue water, and the contrast of the natural areas, white sand bunkers, and green fairways are stunning.  Comanche Trace is a private club but Reciprocal play as well Stay & Play is allowed.

The slope and rating are based on playing the Creeks and Valley nine which is the hardest combo of nines by a stroke or two.