Dallas National Golf Club

Tom Fazio might not design the world’s toughest courses but there is little doubt in our mind that he designs appealing and generally exciting layouts. He is also a man on a mission, a mission to have his name tattooed on the top Texan courses. Naturally, Fazio is the man behind Dallas National Golf Club.

We’ve know a fair bit about Tom Fazio and we think he is a magnificent architect but we do sometimes wonder: “If Dallas National were the only course I ever designed, I feel I would have had a great career.” The fact of the matter is that Dallas National is just another of Fazio’s top-notch creations. If you have a multi-multi-million dollar budget and you want to create another exclusive private members club then he is definitely the man for you.

Elevation, elevation, elevation seems to be the motto for successful modern US golf courses and Dallas National is no different. Set in a limestone canyon, which plunges through and across ravines to raised plateaux landing areas, the course is dramatic and exciting. The conditioning is naturally immaculate and the panoramic views of the city of Dallas and the absence of houses makes a lovely change with a genuine feeling of escape.

This is quintessential Fazio design but a couple of ordinary par threes have sneaked in along with a weak 17th which may peg Dallas National back in the long-term rankings. But there's no doubt that this is a bold new millennium design which will sadly be kept under its members’ lock and key. We think a simple but limited visitor policy would actually help the Dallas National cause and put into practice some of the preacher’s quotes – “They say seeing is believing. But actually seeing Dallas National Golf Club is unbelievable” – which appeared in the local press.