Horseshoe Bay Golf Resorts' Oldest Course
SLICK ROCK – Traditional & Fun

The Million Dollar Hole.

Horseshoe Bay Golf Resort is a premier Texas golf vacation destination. Slick Rock is the oldest of the four flawless Horseshoe Bay courses. More traditional and less demanding than its younger siblings, Ram Rock and Apple Rock.

Slick Rock opened in 1972. Has undergone improvements and upgrades over the years including completely rebuilding the greens in 1997.

The course is fun. A traditional Texas golf course with large old oaks lining the wide fairways. By far the most forgiving of the eclectic mix of Horseshoe Bay courses.

Par 72 – 6,839 yards. Water, bunkers, trees. Fourteen gets all the talk at Slick Rock. Your tee shot must carry over a wide ravine that includes water hazards and your approach shot to the green is also a water penalty waiting to happen.

The scenery is green and lush. Not distracting like Fazio Foothills at Barton Creek. But what Texas golf courses used to look like.

Course difficulty is above average but some holes are still very challenging. Course management is not a major factor because the design is true, routing is straight forward and the greens are large and flat to gently rolling for the most part.

This is a putters paradise. Not difficult to manage the bunkers because the greens are so large they are hard to miss.

When you visit Horseshoe Bay Golf Resort, I recommend you begin your Texas golf vacation by playing Slick Rock first. It provides an insight to the more difficult Ram Rock and Apple Rock. A great warm up course and a very relaxed good time.

Variety on Slick Rock could be better. But everything considered this is a very nice course.

The front nine are tree covered while the back nine are more wide open and rolling. Seventy-one sand traps, 12 water hazards on approximately 170 acres.

Don't get me wrong. Slick Rock is not a walk in the park. This course can offer every golfer a multitude of 'Tums' moments.

Only when you start comparing Slick Rock to Ram Rock does Slick Rock become more appealing.

Frankly, I'm not a Texas golf vacation or resort golf player. I like daily fee courses. I don't like the crowds, clutter or hustle and bustle of golf resorts.

Horseshoe Bay Golf Resort is different. First, you're out in the country. Second, the resort capacity is moderate compared to other golf resorts. Third, the courses here are down right majestic. Yeah – expensive, too.

What other Texas golf course gives you a 35 yard winding cart path through waterfalls that deposit 8,000 gallons of water into Slick Rock Creek every minute? Horseshoe Bay Golf Resort calls the amazing 14th hole the Million Dollar Hole for a good reason.

A very, very good time. Well maintained with an intelligent design. Reviewed as a 'hard par, easy bogey' course -- it's true. But not so true if your short game is tight and accurate. I do well playing Slick Rock. I recommend it.

AUSTIN TRAVEL TIP: Marble Falls is a small town six miles east of the resort. Eat at Francesco's Italian Restaurant (701 Hwy. 281 # A, Marble Falls, 830-798-1580). Save room for desert. I recommend the best Tiramisu and Cannoli I've eaten. Great food.

Slick Rock Golf Course
Horseshoe Bay Golf Resort
PO Box 7766
Horseshoe Bay, Texas 78657
(830) 598-6561; www.hsbresort.com/leisureactivities/golf/slickrock/

RESERVATIONS: Call (830) 598-2561 for reservations.

LOCATED: From downtown Austin, about 45 – 50 miles northwest.

Take Hwy. 71 West for about 40 – 45 miles. You'll cross over Hwy. 281, go another 6 or 7 miles and turn right (north) on FM 2147. The course will be on your right.

FEES: You must be a member or guest of the resort to play this course.

$90 – 150, including use of practice greens, range balls and shared cart. Discounts for Twilight, Replay, Junior. Personal lessons available.

Check their web site for current golf packages. Off season discounts are roughly November through February.

GOLF COURSE & FACILITIES: 18 holes - par 72. Driving range and practice green.

RESTAURANT/BAR: Slick Rock Grill & Bar, Slick Rock Pro Shop.

MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSES :: Jimmy Clay :: Hancock :: Roy Kizer :: Lions :: Morris Williams

DAILY FEE / PUBLIC GOLF COURSES :: Avery Ranch :: Blackhawk :: Bluebonnet Hill :: Falconhead :: Forest Creek :: Grey Rock :: Harvey Penick :: Riverside :: ShadowGlen :: Teravista

GOLF RESORTS :: Barton Creek Crenshaw :: Barton Creek Fazio Canyons :: Barton Creek Fazio Foothills :: Barton Creek Palmer Cliffside :: Horseshoe Bay Apple Rock :: Horseshoe Bay Ram Rock :: Horseshoe Bay Whitewater Putting Course :: Hyatt Lost Pines Wolfdancer :: Lakecliff Country Club

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