Course Type: Golf - Public

Number of Holes: 9

Par: 36

Beauty: 8.5

Profile

Review and Rating Of Mill Creek Country Club Creek 2 Nine

Mill Creek Country Club in Salado is home to three nines that were designed by Robert Trent Jones in 1983. Each of the nines has it's own personality and characteristics:

Creek 1 is a par 37 and the hardest of the nines thanks to water on six holes, 19 bunkers, and some tough approach shots – read Texas Outside's review of Creek 1
Creek 2 is the shortest of the nines, the most traditional with tree-lined fairways, water that can come into play on 6 of 9 holes, greens that are a little faster but flatter, 28 bunkers, elevation changes, and doglegs – this nine requires some target golf and good shot-making
Creek 3 is a 3258-yard par 34 (one par 5, 3 par 3s, and 5 par 4s) that is a mix of tree-lined fairways and several wide links-style fairways plus 26 bunkers and water on 3 holes – here's a link to Texas Outside's Review & Rating of Creek 3

Common to all three nines are traditional Robert Trent Jones, Jr designs (with near-sadistic use of huge bunkers, ponds, and creeks), pretty good conditions, very reasonable rates, friendly service, and a great grill.

Of the three nines at Mill Creek Country Club we liked Creek 2 the best – it seemed to have the most variety of holes, is fair but no walk in the park, has a little bit of everything (water, huge bunkers, doglegs, elevation changes, forced carries, hidden hazards, risk-reward opportunities, and more!) that we find makes golf fun and challenging. Although the course is short (3178 to 2514 yards with 4 tee boxes) it demands some shot-making and course management to score well.

Some of the holes on Mill Creek Country Club's Creek 2 included:

#4 is a fun and shot-making 556-yard par 5 – your drive needs to stay in the fairway and avoid the bunker on the left and stay out of the trees where the fairways turns left and the second shot needs to give you a view of the green across the creek and set off to the right
#5 is a 411-yard par 4 that turns left around a big fairway bunker – it offers a good risk-reward shot to try and carry the bunker, avoid the large pond that's hidden from your tee shot, and stay out of a big left and right bunker guarding the green
#9 is a 369-yard par 4 with a pond on along three-quarters of the right side of the fairway and a green set off to the right side of the fairway – depending on where you land on your drive, you may have a risk-reward shot to carry the lake and stuff it on the green

When we played the course was dormant but the fairways were firm, thin, and in pretty good condition. The rough was thicker and in good condition – miss the rough and you're most likely in the trees or maybe another fairway. The brush has been back from under the trees, which means if you spray it into the trees you'll most likely have a worm burner shot back to the fairway. You also need to miss the huge fairway bunkers on every fairway, except the par 3s.

The rest of the bunkers on Mill Creek's Creek 2 nine are guarding the front, sides, or back of the greens, putting a premium on your approach shot. The majority of the bunkers are huge and most have a lip that can be challenging – don't expect to hit in the bunker and roll out! The good news is that the sand is excellent – soft, light, and fairly deep. Some of the bunkers have some matting showing, otherwise, they are in great condition.

The greens were in fair to good condition and very playable. A few had some damage but that didn't impact putting. Most of the greens are huge and a variety of shapes. Some are raised and all are guarded by one to three bunkers. When we played they were a little bumpy and slow. You'll encounter minor slope and undulation – nothing dramatic.

Bottom line – a fun nine with some interesting holes, some shot-making required, fair conditions, great service, and very reasonable rates!

Texas Outside

This is our official Texas Outside rating

June 2, 2022, 1:33 pm

Reviews are closed.

Front 9 Rating: 8.6

Total Rating: 8.6

Difficulty Rating: 8.7

Variety Rating: 8.7

Fun Rating: 9.2

Value Rating: 9

Greens Condition: 7.2

Fairway Condition: 7.2

Bunker Condition: 7.5

Water Holes: 6

Traps: 28

Walkable: Somewhat Hilly

Service:

The pro shop has a limited supply of the basics, the putting green and range are adequate, the grill has a great burger and drinks, and the service is very good.

Weekend Cost Low: 40

Weekend Cost High: 50

Head Pro's Corner:

Yardage Black: 3178

Rating Black: 71.1

Slope Black: 130

Yardage Blue: 2722

Rating Blue: 66.3

Slope Blue: 117

Yardage White: 2514

Rating White: 69.2

Slope White: 121

Yardage Gold: 2946

Rating Gold: 68.7

Slope Gold: 124

Mill Creek Country Club - Creek 2 Nine