WOLFDANCER AT HYATT LOST PINES RESORT (512-308-4770)
Texas Golf Course Review 4/12/07
The Wolfdancer is a 7205 yard Arthur Hills designed championship course that is the centerpiece of the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa in Lost Pines, Texas. This beautiful resort property features the finest in guest accommodations (492 rooms), over 60,000 square feet of meeting/function facilities with separate meeting, board and ballrooms, a first class 18,000 square foot spa, a well equipped fitness center, swimming pools (with water slide and lazy river) and Jacuzzis, fine and casual dining plus other recreational activities on and off property that include tennis, horseback riding, kayaking, and much more! For more info, visit our page for the resort, with direct link to their website by clicking here.
The 21,000 square foot clubhouse includes a wonderfully stocked pro shop plus Major Neighbor's Bar Grill (open for breakfast, lunch and bar items). The incredible practice facility includes a multi tiered, targeted grass range, putting green plus short game area with sand bunker. This is one of the most comprehensive facilities we have encountered at a resort property! The course, clubhouse and practice facilities are within a short walk off all the rooms at the resort, and the course is also open for public play. Avid Golfer Magazine rated the Wolfdancer the # 1 Golf Experience and the Best Overall golf club in the Austin region for 2007!
This Arthur Hills design features a great variety of holes, with the terrain featuring a mix of rolling prairie land, heavily wooded ridgeline and river valley topography that is dotted with native pecan trees. The initial holes are links inspired, while 5 through 12 play into a heavily wooded area with extremely rolling playing surfaces, and the final six holes level off to feature tree lined fairways with strategic bunkering. There are 76 soft white sand bunkers - some of them quite sprawling, and water comes into play on 4 holes.
Five sets of tee boxes play to distances and slopes measuring 7205 yards/137 slope, 6836 yards/130 slope, 6314 yards/128 slope, 5636 yards/1290 and 4953 yards from the forward tees. The front tees are quite women friendly! Average players and mid-handicappers will have all they can handle from the white tees, especially on the long par four 8th, 13th and 16th holes. The initial links style holes are particularly affected by the wind, and while the middle holes have more tree line protection, they are difficult due to the consistently uneven lies golfers will encounter.
Throughout the design, the green complexes provide challenges with sloping, undulating (and quick) TifEagle putting surfaces, protective sand bunkers, grassy swales and slopes that often drop off on the sides and back. There are a generous amount of raised greens, which make accurate short iron and wedge play a necessity. Up and down recoveries can be quite difficult. The course has yardages posted at 100, 150 and 200 yards on all par fours and fives, and sprinkler heads are measured to the front, middle and center of the green. Pin placement positions are indicated on sheets mounted on the golf carts - but golfers will not need them.
Trained, professional for-caddies provide all the info one needs, and are especially adept at reading putts. This service is mandatory for foursomes and during outings, and is also recommended even for twosomes - provides good jobs, promotes etiquette, and especially helps with speed of play! These caddies provide a valuable service. Our caddie Adam was knowledgeable and great company.
Expect to offer a tip - that is worth the price. Remember - this is not your usual resort golf experience! Pace of play on a challenging course such as this could become an issue - especially with the number of outings and resort golfers that visit. Come early to take advantage of the complimentary practice facility (including comp range balls), and enjoy the round! For more info, visit our page for the Wolfdancer, with direct link to their website by clicking here.
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