With summer coming to a close and fall rapidly approaching, the Texas heat should give way to more bearable temperatures and allow for opportunities to get out on the golf course. Community Impact Newspaper has compiled details on six courses open to the public within close proximity to either Tomball or Magnolia. The list is not intended to be comprehensive.

Augusta Pines Golf Club
Augusta Pines Golf Club in Spring is an 18-hole, semi-private course open to the public. The course was designed by Tour 18 Inc. and the facility features a clubhouse, practice facility and Savannah’s—a fine and casual dining restaurant. The course itself negotiates a number of trees, such as pines, dogwoods and oaks as well as 30 acres of lakes that come into play on 11 of the 18 holes. PGA professionals on staff offer lessons. The club offers member, guest and tournament services.
Public fees: Prices range from $25 to $85
18 Augusta Pines Drive
Spring • 281-290-1910
www.tour18.com/augusta-pines-home

Gleannloch Pines Golf Club
Gleannloch Pines Golf Club in Spring is a semi-private, 27-hole course designed by Jay Riviere that is open to the public. The club, which was formerly named Gleannloch Farms, is now owned and operated by Tour 18 Inc. The course’s natural landscape and tall trees resemble famed courses found in Ireland and Scotland. The club offers member, guest and tournament services and has amenities, such as a clubhouse, dining options and a pro shop.
Public fees: Prices range from $29 to $61
19393 Champion Forest Drive
Spring • 281-225-1200
www.tour18.com/gleannloch-pines-home

Grand Lake Golf Club
Grand Lake Golf Club in Montgomery is a semi-private, 18-hole course that is now open to the public. The course was built in 2005 and sits within the Grand Lake Estates development. The club offers member, guest and tournament services.
Public fees: Prices range from $25 to $46
8901 Grand Lake Estates Drive
Montgomery • 936-447-4653
www.grandlakegolfclub.com

High Meadow Ranch Golf Club
High Meadow Ranch Golf Club in Magnolia is an 18-hole public course designed by Tim Nugent and former PGA touring professional David Ogrin. The golf course, which is located within the High Meadow Ranch development, is designed in three, six-hole loops. The club features amenities, such as a pro shop and practice facilities, and also offers golf lessons from PGA professionals on staff. The facility offers dining at Ogie’s Grill and has a pavilion that can be used for corporate parties, social gatherings and awards banquets. The club offers member, public and tournament services.
Public fees: Prices range from $15 to $82
37300 Golf Club Trail
Magnolia • 281-356-7700
www.highmeadowranchgolf.com

Windrose Golf Club
Windrose Golf Club in Spring is an 18-hole public course with a championship layout that features a diverse terrain consisting of oaks, pines, water hazards and sand bunkers. The club also has amenities, such as a pro shop, practice facilities that include a driving range, putting green and practice bunker, and dining at the Windrose Grill. Windrose also offers several membership options and private and group golf lesson clinics.
Public fees: Prices range from $20 to $55
6235 Pine Lakes Blvd.
Spring • 281-370-8900
www.windrosegolfclub.com

Woodforest Golf Club at Fish Creek
Woodforest Golf Club at Fish Creek in Montgomery is a 27-hole public course designed by Steve Elkington that is known as a player’s course because of its appeal to players of all skill levels. Club facilities include dining at the Sandbagger’s Grille, pro shop, driving range, putting and chipping greens, and practice bunkers. The golf course employs PGA professionals who are on-site and offer daily private and group lessons.
Public fees: Prices range from $45 to $75
1199 Fish Creek Thoroughfare
Montgomery • 936-588-8800
www.woodforestgolf.com

Commonly used golf terms


Albatross: A British term used to describe a double eagle.
Birdie: A score of one under par on a hole.
Bogey: A score of one over par on a hole.
Bunker: A hollow area made up of sand, grass or both that is intended to be an obstacle or hazard.
Carry: The distance a ball will fly in the air. The term is used when trying to safely reach a target.
Divot: The ground displaced when the ball is struck on a descending path. It also refers to the hole left after play.
Double Bogey: A score of two over par on a hole.
Double Eagle: A score of three under par on a hole.
Dormie: The point in match play when a player is up in a match by the same number of holes that remain.
Draw: A shot that flies slightly from right to left for right-handed players.
Eagle: A score of two under par on a hole.
Fried egg: A slang term used to describe a buried ball in the sand.
Hooding: When a player places his or her hands ahead of the ball, both at address and contact. It is said to reduce the loft of the club.
Hook: A shot that curves sharply from right to left for right-handed players.
Lag: A shot (usually a pitch, chip or putt) designed to drop shy of the target.
Level-par: A term used to describe an even par score.
Lie: As it relates to the ball, the position of the ball when it has come to rest. As it relates to the club, it is the angle of the sole of the club relative to the shaft.
Lights-out: A slang term describing a well played round or stretch of holes.
Line: The intended path of the ball, usually referred to in the context of putting.
Lob shot: A short, high shot, usually played with a wedge, that is designed to land softly.
Mulligan: The custom of hitting a second ball—without penalty—on a hole, usually the first tee. (Mulligans are not allowed according to the rules of golf.)
Par: An even score an accomplished player is expected to make on a hole—either a three, four or five.
Rap: To hit a putt with a short, firm stroke.
Reading the green (or putt): The entire process involved in judging the break and path of a putt.
Recover: To successfully hit a shot from a poor location.
Round Robin: A tournament format in which players or teams play a number of other teams, with the winner being the player or team that accumulates the most points.
Scramble: Is used to describe when a player is recovering from trouble. Also, a popular form of team play where team members pick the ball in the best position and everyone plays from that location.
Shank: When the ball is hit improperly with the club, usually sending the ball shooting off to the right.
Slice: A ball that curves from left to right more than a fade shot would.
Stroke play: Also known as medal play, is a form of competition based on the total number of strokes, either for one round or several rounds.
Tee box: The area where players setup to start a hole.
Texas wedge: A term describing a shot where a player uses a putter from well off the green. It is used by players who lack confidence in their chipping and pitching skills, and also used in windy conditions.
Waggle: A motion or motions designed to keep a player relaxed at address and help establish a smooth takeaway and swing.
Whiff: A complete miss. Also known as an “air ball.”
Yips: A condition, believed to be psychological, which causes a player to lose control of his club. The British refer to it as the “Twitchies.”