Southern Oaks Golf Club

Designed by PGA Pro and fomer Texas Longhorn Mark Brooks, Southern Oaks is a very tough test of golf. Tipping out at over 7,300 yards to a par 71, it has lightning-fast greens highlighted by very extreme undulations. And while multiple tees offer shorter distances, average golfers will still struggle to have decent rounds on Brooks’ first design.

The greens are moderately undulating and fast. Although well-bunkered, the greens accommodate roll-up shots. Most of the fairways are open, with some holes lined by mature oaks.

The signature hole is No. 16, a 441-yard, par 4 that requires a demanding tee shot. A creek runs across the fairway approximately 60 yards short of the well-bunkered green.

Live oaks dot the landscape, and the course lays out over some impressively natural-looking terrain. Off the tee there aren’t too many problems, and driver is probably the way to go given the length and lack of out-of-bounds.

The real challenge is dealing with the elevated greens, the sucker pin placements, and the deep-faced bunkers that guard them. One of the best-looking holes is the scenic 181-yard No. 3, which plays uphill and is guarded by four black-hole-like bunkers. The best hole on the front is the 49-yard No. 9, which is unfortunately a par 4 that usually plays into the wind.

On the back, No. 16 is rated the most difficult--a 440-yarder with a creek crossing the fairway and in front of the elevated green.