INTRODUCTION
A Different Kind of Golf Travel Guidebook
The Texas Golf Bible springs from the desire to play golf and travel the open roads of Texas. Despite the fact that golf is exploding new courses are being built what seems like every day, and more and more people are reaching beyond the provincial horizons of their home course to explore the magnificent golfing opportunities throughout the world, until now no one has compiled detailed information about playing golf in small towns across the state like Alpine, Texas. Our goal is to fill the gap by providing accurate, colorful, and valuable information about all Texas courses, included the off-the-beaten-path tracks that are seldom mentioned.
Most golf guidebooks are more like directories than actual guides--they throw a lot of information together and avoiding emphasizing the golf experience itself. This book is not about regurgitating basic golf course information. A few books alleging to be Texas golf guidebooks have been published that are nothing more than compilations of addresses, holes, names, and phone numbers, along with a few tidbits about the layout of a course (if they even offer that).
This book is about every course in Texas--all 932 of them. We cover the best golfing destinations and the not-so-best, as well as giving you information about non-golfing activities and travel in Texas. This is the ultimate Texas travel book because it transcends the typical Texas guidebook as well as the standard golf directory. With this book in your truck you can road-trip through Texas and find out where to play the greatest game of all.
The number of courses in Texas is astounding and the rate of new construction is surprising, given the current economic climate. Courses continue to pop up everywhere. As you would expect, most of the activity is centered around the major cities. However, even small towns like Uvalde are getting into the mix.
The number of new courses and the sheer size of Texas also mean that this book will always be a work in progress. Inevitably, by the time we go to press some of the information here is already out of date. Future updates will not only ensure accuracy and inclusiveness, but continue to build upon the style in which the book is written, as well as develop content that might be lacking because of the vastness of the subject.
The Texas Golf Bible is more than a golf directory. This isn't just about where to play golf, but rather your guide to getting out there, period. Nothing equals the game of golf, and being able to travel the roads of Texas. “One of life's greatest joys is traveling and playing golf-wherever it may be.”
The ultimate golf experience involves an instant escape to gorgeous scenery, fresh air, mental and physical rejuvenation, and the renewal of your love affair with the game itself. This book will help you achieve that experience, whether you're working in your normal weekend round, scrambling to get your fix after Christmas dinner on a local muni that allows free play on Christmas day, or plotting the ultimate Texas golf road trip.
This book is about golf. And it's about Texas. It's also about traveling and taking things in stride as you experience the great game. You haven't really experienced Texas golf until you've walked a 9-hole course in a town of 1,000 people where the money to build a championship course isn't available. Where the community supports the course and they host cross-country meets on Saturday mornings before the first tee time. Where you can buy a cold bottle of beer for $1.25 after the round and get to know the locals.
In small towns across Texas, you can still find a game that's more about character than coin. Pasture pool on 9-hole courses offers golf in its most basic form. When you're in the rough, you know it's rough. When the wind blows, it really blows.
We've included private courses because, well, at some point you'll find yourself on a private course. This is about every available experience, not just the public courses.
It's helpful to know that the new course outside of Waco, Bear Ridge Golf Club, doesn't sell cold beer. We give you that warning and mention that the HEB down the highway can help you out if that's what you need for that particular round.
It wouldn't be any fun to write a book about Texas golf and not include other details about the intangibles of the game. To make the most of your reading experience, we've included bonus material here that you'll want to refer to regularly. We touch on subjects such as booze and golf, gamesmanship and gambling, and rules, etiquette, customs, and superstitions. We provide sample Texas golf road trips for you to dream about or duplicate.
This book is not written solely for the avid Texas golfer. Remember that one of the best things you improve your game is playing a quick round of par 3 golf. This lets you hone in your short irons and work out the kinks in your game. Whenever I go toe-to-toe with the evil demons of the shanks, I always find that I can work through it by spending time at a par 3 course. There's just something about it, and Texas has a multitude of quality par 3 layouts. We cover these facilities, along with the driving ranges for each destination. So if you're in Wichita Falls visiting the Griswolds over Thanksgiving, you'll know where you can work on your game
Texas offers an endless variety of golf experiences. In general, the West Texas and Panhandle courses have never before been covered in detail. The typical layouts have been addressed, but no one knows about the hidden gems of the Texas plains. The Texas golf experience is wide open. There are no limits to what you can experience.
We're going to provide you with information and inspiration, but what you do with that is the key. This book transcends any other guidebook because it will help you create your own ultimate golf experience. Fill up the ice chest, spread out the maps, throw the clubs in the back of the truck, and head down the road for your own Texas golf adventure.
Jason Stone
Dallas, Texas
April 2003
|
|
The Book
 About
the Book
Buy
Now!
Table
of Contents
Testimonials
About
the Author
Check out The
Colorado Golf Bible.
|
