Twin Creeks Country Club

Review of Twin Creeks Country Club Cedar Park

Twin Creeks Country Club is a par 72 7033 yard Fred Couples signature course that meanders through 195 acres of very pretty, hilly, and picturesque west Austin hill country. Twin creeks that have etched valleys out of the natural limestone and come into play on several holes are part of what make this outstanding 18 holes challenging and fun to play.

Twin Creek is very scenic, a blast to play and very challenging thanks to:

• demanding green complexes that put a premium on your approach shots and putting
• strategically placed bunkers
• meandering creeks that line some fairways and cross others forcing you to lay up or risk carrying them
• huge elevation changes, blind shots, and dog legs
• rolling fairways that are fairway tight, tree-lined, and if you miss them you're most likely lost

But don't let that scare you off, there are 6 sets of tee boxes and if you pick the right set and if you play smart you'll have a blast playing Twin Creeks.

The front nine is the easiest nine as it plays from the bottom of the valley up to the top and along a ridge and then back down into the valley – offering some majestic views and dramatic elevation changes. The first few holes start off fairly traditional helping make this nine much easier than the back nine. Holes five through nine define this nine and make it unique and enjoyable to play. For example, number 5 is a 593 yard par 5 with a wide open landing zone from a dramatic elevated tee box (a great Kodak moment) but then it gets tough – as the fairway narrows as it crosses a creek leading to a very well protected green, making course management and club selection critical to scoring well on this challenging hole. And 7 and 9 are also beauts – #7 is an uphill blind shot that then heads downhill through a steep and narrow fairway to the green and #9 (a 208 yard par 3) requires a very accurate shot off a huge elevated tee box to carry the natural area and nail a small green and landing zone. You'll want to play these last 4 holes again.

The back nine plays along the valley bottom and is defined by the creeks that run alongside and cut across 7 of 9 fairways, sometimes twice on the same hole. Club selection and course management are keys to scoring well on this challenging nine and you'll most likely use the vast majority of your clubs when you play Twin Creek's back nine. Number 15 is a good example of where you need your A game to score well – a 627 yard par five requiring a good shot off the tee box to avoid the bunkers and rough and position your ball to miss the two trees in the middle of the fairway obstructing your next shot which also needs to be accurate to carry the creek or land short of it for a chip to a very well protected green.

When we played the fairways were in near perfect condition.  They range from wide open let-er-rip to tight and twisting.  Most have some contour and slope.  The rough is fairway wide and a little thick but playable. The fairways are lined with century-old oak and pecan trees, follow or cross ravines lined with limestone outcropping, and have a few homes lining a couple holes on the front nine.

The Tif Eagle greens were in perfect condition and running fast – around an 11 or so.  You'll need some accurate approach shots to have a great round – all of the greens but 3 are well guarded with one to three bunkers and most are raised with significant slope off the sides – a couple times I watched my shot roll off the green and down the side of the green to the fairway and a couple of my chip shots touch the green and come right back down the hill to me!  Once you're on the green, most of which are large, there is plenty of slope and undulation.

The bunkers at Twin Creeks Country are strategically placed in your tee shot landing zone or guarding the greens.  The sand is very good – fine, soft, and thick.  The bunkers range in shape and size and most have some very steep faces. 

Twin Creeks Country Club is a fantastic layout that is fun and challenging and a pleasure to play. One of the membership options has rights to play some of the other sister courses like River Place and Onion Creek in Austin and The Dominion in San Antonio, all of which are excellent.