Pebble Beach 5th Hole

The Club at Carlton Woods (Nicklaus and Fazio courses)

Golf Course Review by: Bill Satterfield (2009)

Quick Facts

Designer:  Jack Nicklaus in 2001 and Tom Fazio in 2005

Cost:  Private

Contact Information:  Phone: (281) 863-5818 - Mark Steinbauer, Director of Golf

Course Website:  Official Website - Visit Carlton Woods' official website by clicking on the link provided.

Directions:  Get here! - One Carlton Woods Dr., The Woodlands, Texas 77380

Photos:  See additional photos of Carlton Woods (Nicklaus) and photos of Carlton Woods (Fazio)

Accolades: Nicklaus course ranked 7th and Fazio course ranked 8th in Texas on Golf Digest's 2009-10 Best in State list.

Signature Hole:  Nicklaus 15th - 455 Yard Par 4

Continually voted on as one of the best par fours in the state
15th Hole at Carlton Woods (Nicklaus) (455 Yard Par 4)

Runner up:  Fazio 18th - 548 Yard Par 5

The clubhouse stands guard above the 18th green at the Fazio course
18th Hole at Carlton Woods (Fazio) (548 Yard Par 5)

What to Expect:  Carlton Woods is a gated community on the north side of Houston that houses two of the areas finest courses; one designed by legendary player Jack Nicklaus and the other by legendary golf architect Tom Fazio. It is difficult to identify two more successful modern day golf course designers than these two titans whose work on the property is fantastic. The Nicklaus course was the first one opened on the property and has a separate clubhouse from the Fazio course. The parkland Nicklaus course weaves through mature trees and alongside several water features. The course is characterized by challenging par fours and water that comes into play on half the holes. The Fazio course features undulated terrain (rare in Houston) and an incredible variety of hole lengths, shapes, and strategies. The bunkering on the Fazio course is a memorable feature that ties the flow of the course together and has its own version of Hell's Half Acre on the par three 16th where a bunker runs from tee to green. Both courses are solid routings and are widely considered Houston's finest tracks with Fazio just edging out Mr. Nicklaus for the club's best course. (To my knowledge, only Pronghorn located in Bend, OR Carlton Woods have the distinction of each offering a Nicklaus course and Fazio course at their club.)

By the Numbers:

Tees (Nicklaus) Par Yardage Rating Slope
Nicklaus 72 7402 75.3 135
Member 72 6959 72.7 130
Chairman 72 6558 70.8 128
Middle 72 6273 69.8 124
Forward (Women) 72 5496 71.2 127

By the Numbers:

Tees (Fazio) Par Yardage Rating Slope
Fazio 72 7358 74.8 140
Member 72 6806 72.0 131
Chairman 72 6562 70.9 128
Middle 72 6345 69.9 127
Forward (Women) 72 5078 70.6 127


Individual Hole Analysis

Best Par 3:  Nicklaus 12th - 192 Yards

Another par three that contends with water on the Nicklaus course
12th Hole at Carlton Woods (Nicklaus) (192 Yard Par 3)

Runner up:  Fazio 16th - 207 Yards

Can you say sand?
16th Hole at Carlton Woods (Fazio) (207 Yard Par 3)

Best Par 4:  Nicklaus 15th - 455 Yards

The funnest and most attractive par four at the Carlton Woods facility is Nicklaus' 15th
15th Hole at Carlton Woods (Nicklaus) (455 Yard Par 4)

Runner up:  Fazio 10th - 430 Yards

A classic dogleg left with a creek guarding the turn
10th Hole at Carlton Woods (Fazio) (430 Yard Par 4)

Best Par 5:  Fazio 2nd - 583 Yards

A hilly par five is a rare treat in Houston
2nd Hole at Carlton Woods (Fazio) (583 Yard Par 5)

Runner up:  Nicklaus 8th - 578R/544L Yards

Split tees gives this hole a different look day to day
8th Hole at Carlton Woods (Nicklaus) (578R/544L Yard Par 5)

Birdie Time:  Fazio 7th - 307 Yard Par 4

A very drivable par four with water to contend with - the perfect risk/reward
7th Hole at Carlton Woods (Fazio) (307 Yard Par 4)

Runner up:  Nicklaus 6th - 378 Yard Par 4

The shortest par four on the course is your best chance at birdie but it's hardly a gimmie
6th Hole at Carlton Woods (Nicklaus) (378 Yard Par 4)

Bogey Beware:  Fazio 15th - 506 Yard Par 4

Over 500 yards for a par four at sea level in high humidity? You HOPE for a bogey here!
15th Hole at Carlton Woods (Fazio) (506 Yard Par 4)

Runner up:  Nicklaus 2nd - 468 Yard Par 4

There are a ton of tough holes on the Nicklaus course but with little warmup the 2nd hole requires a right to left tee shot and a left to right approach shot
2nd Hole at Carlton Woods (Nicklaus) (468 Yard Par 4)