Royal Portrush Golf Club (Dunluce)

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Lochinvar Golf Club (Houston, Texas)

Lochinvar Golf Club logo Golf Course Review by: Bill Satterfield

Rankings: 

 

The Takeaway:  Grade B+

Quick Facts

Designer:  Jack Nicklaus in 1980.

Cost:  Private

Phone Number:  (281) 821-0220

Directions:  Get here! - 2000 Farrell Road, Houston, Texas  77073 – UNITED STATES

Photos:  See additional photos of Lochinvar Golf Club

What to Expect:  Lochinvar is a very exclusive, male-only private golf club hidden just west of George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. While I've never been to Augusta National, I've seen it plenty on TV. Lochinvar reminded me a lot of what I see on TV at Augusta National; towering pines, beautiful water features, colorful flowers, and immaculate conditioning. In fact, the only major feature difference between Lochinvar and Augusta is the lack of rolling terrain and elevation changes at Lochinvar; anyone who has been to Houston knows that it is VERY flat. All in all, Lochinvar is a beautiful club with a caddy program where the roots of the game are revered.

By the Numbers

Tees Par Yardage Rating Slope
Black 72 7008 73.4 133
Middle 72 6497 71.2 130
Front 72 5989 69.2 121

Individual Hole Analysis

Signature Hole:  9th Hole – 547 Yard Par 5 – Recognized as one of the "1001 Golf Holes You Must Play Before You Die" in Jeff Barr's book, the former finishing hole at Lochinvar is both beautiful and challenging. Pine trees line both side of the hole and thus pine needles piles do as well. A long bunker is found on the left side of the fairway about 250 yards from the tee and acts as a net to catch balls heading to the wide water hazard that runs the left side of the hole. At the green there are three bunkers that protect the green; a lengthy bunker that runs the entire left side of the green and a pair of bunkers right of the green. Missing right of the green creates a very difficult shot from a tight lie over a steep ridge to a green that runs back toward the water. Not only is the hole the signature of Lochinvar, it is signature of Nicklaus' early work featuring difficult holes.

Best Par 3: 

Best Par 4: 

Best Par 5: 

Birdie Time: 

Bogey Beware: 

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