Ram Rock Golf Course at Horseshoe Bay Resort (830-598-2511)
Texas Golf Course Review
Introduction
Horseshoe Bay Resort in Marble Falls, Texas - just a short distance from Austin - is an award winning golf resort in the heart of Texas Hill Country featuring luxurious villa accommodations in The Waters at Horseshoe Bay Resort and Four Diamond AAA hotel & passeo accommodations in the Horseshoe Bay Resort Marriott. This property features the full-service Bayside Spa and Fitness Center, a 24-hour workout center, four swimming pools, volleyball, twelve tennis courts (six lit for night use), an activity center with table tennis, fooseball and video games, a private sandy beach, a Japanese water garden, and a marina with a wide variety of water sports available. The dining options at Horseshoe Bay Resort include country club dining overlooking Lake LBJ, the Lantanna Grill, the LaBahaia Restaurant, and a variety of poolside grills. Also on property is a Market and well-stocked Tennis Shop and a private airstrip.
Three 18-hole championship golf courses are on property that take full advantage of the Texas Hill Country landscape - each designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. Slick Rock, Apple Rock and Ram Rock are available for play by guests of the Horseshoe Bay Resort. Resort shuttles provide complimentary transportation to all of the resort courses and facilities.
Two Pro Shops at Horseshoe Bay Resort offer a wide variety of quality golf attire, clubs, balls and paraphernalia. The Cap Rock clubhouse that services Apple Rock and Ram Rock features a beautiful swimming pool with views of the Apple Rock course. Lockers and showers are available for both men and women. The practice facilities at each clubhouse include a complimentary range, a short game practice area with a putting green, a chipping green, and a practice bunker. PGA Professionals are on staff and offer a selection of private lessons and clinics. A unique feature of the Horseshoe Bay Resort is a multi-million dollar 18-hole, par 72 Bermuda grass putting course. Located next to the Marriott Hotel, it is designed like a regulation 18-hole golf course, complete with fairways, bunkers, and water hazards. This lushly landscaped course boasts a collection of exotic birds, cascading waterfalls and lavish rose gardens.
For more information on the Horseshoe Bay Resort, click here
Ram Rock Golf Course Review
Considered by many to be one of the toughest golf courses in Texas, Ram Rock at Horseshoe Bay Resort is certainly one of the most beautiful resort courses we've seen. Lush landscape, elevation changes, gorgeous water and rock features and pristine conditioning will have you feeling "privileged" to play on this piece of paradise.
The Ram Rock course features hybrid bent grass green, tees and fairways while dense Bermuda rough lines the fairways. The 62 sand bunkers on the course are placed either strategically at the turn on one of the many doglegs or as guardians to the smallish sloping greens. Water comes into play in some way, shape or form on 8 holes. Two holes - number 8 and number 14 - have water features protecting the greens that are not readily apparent on approach.
There are four sets of tees on Ram Rock ranging from 5306 yards with a slope of 127 , executive tees that play 5930 yards with a slope of 132 for men and 137 for ladies, regular tees that measure 6405 yards with a slope of 135, and the championship tees measuring 6926 yards with a slope of 137. Although the forward tees eliminate many of the hazards on this course, the layout still provides an ample challenge. Yardage markers are located in the center of the fairways at 100, 150 and 200 yards on all par fours and fives. Some sprinkler heads are marked and large rocks on the side of the faiways designate 150 and 100 yards. Pin placement locations are rotated daily and hole locations sheets are provided. Comfortable electric carts are equipped with coolers.
The easiest hole on this course is the first hole. The most difficult is - well that's hard to say. The designer plays tricks with the golfers psyche on this tract. The fourth hole - a gorgeous par 3 - plays almost 200 yards to an island green. Number 7 is an absolutely gorgeous day at the beach - sand is everywhere - but there is ample landing room for well thought out shots. The approach on #9 is very narrow and water protects the green on the left - making this par 5 dogleg left seem a lot more difficult that it actually is. Perhaps the most intimidating holes on this course are the back to back par 5's - numbers 10 and 11. Narrow tees, water, trees and sand will reek havoc on the game of even the most seasoned golfer.
We were suitably impressed by this formidable piece of Hill Country golf and highly recommend a visit to the Horseshoe Bay Resort property and a round or two on Ram Rock. With its unique location on Lake LBJ, the quality of the courses on property, the impeccable conditioning of the layouts and country club service, Horseshoe Bay Resort will not dissapoint! For more information on Ram Rock at Horseshoe Bay Resort - click here
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