Lakes Course at Firewheel at Garland in Garland, Texas

The Lakes Course at the Firewheel at Garland golf facility in Garland, Texas is one of those layouts that can trigger fierce debate among players. Some folks may truly enjoy the relentless guessing game that is a first round here. Tricky shots keep some golfers interested. Others, though, might tire very quickly of the tricked-up nature of the 7,134-yard Dick Phelps-designed golf course.

Ten lakes and 52 bunkers demand quality shot-making, and the greens are lightning fast, especially above the hole. Although the course feels at times to have been wedged a bit too snugly into a residential community, there are plenty of holes meandering through woods and ponds.

Yet the main hazards here are not the lakes or the bunkers, or the numerous yards lying just past the OB line (though the 393-yard 16th is totally claustrophobic). Instead, the most damaging feature to your score (and ultimate enjoyment) will be the dozens of blind or semi-blind tee shots and approaches.

The Lakes Course at Firewheel starts out with a blind, uphill tee shot to a 90-degree dogleg.

Firewheel at Garland - Lakes Course - hole 1

The Lakes Course at Firewheel starts out with a blind, uphill tee shot to a 90-degree dogleg.

Kiel Christianson/WorldGolf.com

The 183-yard 11th at The Lakes Course at Firewheel is the prettiest of the par 3s, even if its yardage is almost identical to two of the other par 3s.

Firewheel at Garland - Lakes Course - hole 11

The 183-yard 11th at The Lakes Course at Firewheel is the prettiest of the par 3s, even if its yardage is almost identical to two of the other par 3s.

Kiel Christianson/WorldGolf.com

The 426-yard 12th hole doesn't give you any place to hit your tee shot, as a completely uncecessary pond juts into the landing area on the right, trees block an approach from the left, and the fairway cants hard down toward the water.

Firewheel at Garland - Lakes Course - hole 12

The 426-yard 12th hole doesn't give you any place to hit your tee shot, as a completely uncecessary pond juts into the landing area on the right, trees block an approach from the left, and the fairway cants hard down toward the water.

Kiel Christianson/WorldGolf.com

The 554-yard 13th culminates with a shot to a nearly blind green (with a false front) over a steep, rocky creek bed. The green is much deeper than it looks, though.

Firewheel at Garland - Lakes Course - hole 13

The 554-yard 13th culminates with a shot to a nearly blind green (with a false front) over a steep, rocky creek bed. The green is much deeper than it looks, though.

Kiel Christianson/WorldGolf.com

The 418-yard 14th at The Lakes Course is another hole that gives first time visitors no clue where to aim off the tee.

Firewheel at Garland - Lakes Course - hole 14

The 418-yard 14th at The Lakes Course is another hole that gives first time visitors no clue where to aim off the tee.

Kiel Christianson/WorldGolf.com

The 406-yard closing hole on The Lakes Course is extremely awkward: a snaking fairway with minimal landing area that is cut short by a cross-stream.

Firewheel at Garland - Lakes Course - hole 18

The 406-yard closing hole on The Lakes Course is extremely awkward: a snaking fairway with minimal landing area that is cut short by a cross-stream.

Kiel Christianson/WorldGolf.com

Firewheel at Garland Lakes Course's fourth hole is a 512-yard par 5 with water along much of the right side.

Firewheel at Garland - Lakes Course - hole 4

Firewheel at Garland Lakes Course's fourth hole is a 512-yard par 5 with water along much of the right side.

Kiel Christianson/WorldGolf.com

The 414-yard seventh at The Lakes calls for a tee shot over the corner of one of the golf course's 10 lakes.

Firewheel at Garland - Lakes Course - hole

The 414-yard seventh at The Lakes calls for a tee shot over the corner of one of the golf course's 10 lakes.

Kiel Christianson/WorldGolf.com

The eighth hole on The Lakes Course at Firewheel is one of three par 3s measuring in the 180s from the tips, and 160s from the blues.

Firewheel at Garland - Lakes Course - hole 8

The eighth hole on The Lakes Course at Firewheel is one of three par 3s measuring in the 180s from the tips, and 160s from the blues.

Kiel Christianson/WorldGolf.com

Firewheel at Garland Lakes Course challenges even the best putters with turtle-back greens, saddleback greens, and some devilish pin placements.

Firewheel at Garland - Lakes Course - hole 9

Firewheel at Garland Lakes Course challenges even the best putters with turtle-back greens, saddleback greens, and some devilish pin placements.

Kiel Christianson/WorldGolf.com

Related Links

Lakes Course at Firewheel Golf Park

600 W Blackburn Rd
Garland, Texas 75044
Dallas County

Phone(s): (972) 205-2765
Website: www.golffirewheel.com

18 Holes | Public/Municipal golf course | Par: 72 | 7134 yards | Book online | ... details »

Also see these nearby courses: