Royal Oaks Country Club - Houston - Texas - USA
2910 Royal Oaks Club Drive,
Houston,
Texas (TX) 77082,
USA
+1 281 899-3200
20 miles W of Houston
Members and their guests only.
Dave Altemus
Fred Couples, Brian Curley
James Brown
Fred Couples and Brian Curley combined at the onset of the millennium to create the course at the Royal Oaks Country Club, and it can’t be denied that there’s a dramatic flair at many holes. No. 16, a short par three, is considered the signature hole and it also serves as a good representative for Couples and Curley’s style at the club. The green runs along a pond, within which there’s a well-planted island surrounded by waterfalls (as if water isn’t enough to spook the average duffer).
Similar island ornaments can be found near the greens to Nos. 7 and 18. No. 9 shares the waterfall features with No. 18, but also sets up as a strategic gambit coming out of the front half, featuring a very reachable par five. A broad centerline bunker prevents any shots from drawing in but a big hitter can try to cross the pond and get on the putting surface in two.
Despite all the water, Royal Oaks doesn’t imply itself as a punishing course. Rather, it celebrates inclusivity by advertising 10 different sets of tee boxes, ranging from 4,700 to just over 7,000 yards.