Ridgeview Ranch Golf Club

Ridgeview Ranch is a Jeff Brauer design that opened in 1996. It’s friendly to the average golfer because there are rarely forced carries of water or sand to reach the large greens, making short approaches good candidates for easy ups and downs.

The design rolls through hills and trees, incorporating two creeks that come into play. The fairways are average-sized and flat, although there are a few surprising elevation changes for this flat part of north Texas. The course rolls through a housing addition and some of the holes are very tight.

Nos. 7 and 11 stand out in particular. The 7th goes 161 yards over White Rock Creek to a sloping green. No. 11 is tough because is plays well over 400 yards uphill into the prevailing wind.

Other notes: Carts are mandatory on weekends before 2 p.m. The cemetery next to the No. 3 green has graves dating back to 1800 and a historical marker to commemorate the settlers commissioned by Stephen F. Austin.

Getting there : From Dallas, travel north on the Tollway and exit Spring Creek. Turn right and drive 5 miles to Independence. Turn left and drive north to Ridge View Dr., then take a right and the course is on the left.