Echo Creek Country Club

Echo Creek opened for play in 1988 and was rated "Best Places To Play" (I'm not sure what category) in 2008 by Golf Digest and from our perspective it comes close to being a hidden gem. Located in the rolling hills of east Texas between Murchison and Leagueville (you'll need to consult a map to find either one these two cities), Echo Creek is truly, as one golf member described it, "just a good 'ole country course."

It's actually easy to get to and you can have a fun and enjoyable round of golf here. It's short at 6217 from the tips, but tricky with lots of dog legs, some ups and downs, very narrow fairways, and natural waste area hazards. Even with all those challenges the slope and rating is 69.2 and 120 from the tips – so play smart and you can score well.

From the tee box you can't see the flag on most of the holes and you may want to leave the driver in the bag. In fact, on the first hole you have to use a tall periscope looking apparatus to check for players in the fairway before you tee off. On a majority of the holes, if you spray the ball, you're most likely history and lost in the trees. If you're lucky you'll catch the rough which is "rough" but playable. On most of the holes you need to select the right club from the tee box and manage the course thereafter. Take number 8 for example – a 470 yard par 5 with an elevated tee shot to a narrow landing zone in front of a natural waste area and your approach shot is to a small oblong green which is well protected with a creek three quarters of the way around it. Or number 12 which is a 475 yard par 5 where your tee shot from the tips needs to carry a large natural waste area and then needs a precise landing to avoid trees on the left or the creek which crosses the fairway. Then you have a tough approach shot to a small green with a creek in front and trees lining the green – a fun and challenging hole!

The greens and fairways are in below average condition but playable. The back nine fairways seemed to be in much better condition. The greens had recently been aerated and were bumpy and a little fast, with minor slope and undulation. There are only three traps to contend with on two of the holes and the sand was soft and thick.

The club house is dated, the menu at the snack bar is limited to a few items, and the pro shop has a fair supply of equipment. All that said, we walked off the course after an a fun and enjoyable round at a fantastic price – can't beat that, so we'll be back.