Houston's Back Nine
Inside Houston Magazine, August 2001

British philosopher Bertrand Russell said, ³The place of the father in the modern suburban family is a very small one, particularly if he plays golf.² But this doesn't have to be the case. Houstonians with a lust for long drives can indulge their need to tee, even if their schedules are stuffed – if they know where to look. So when's the last time you let your golf shoes gather the well-groomed grass of a Houston golf course? For many Bayou City residents, it's not recently enough. Business schedules, social engagements and steadily escalating green fees can keep us off the fairway and yearning for yardage. The answer: Houston's Back Nine.

Back nine play is a great way to maneuver a little fun (or frustration) into your busy schedule. As the name implies, only the back nine holes of a course are played, starting at the 10th and continuing on to the 18th – and perhaps the 19th. This quick and dirty arrangement is beloved by both time-challenged Houstonians and out-of-towners visiting the Bayou City on business. Some may scoff at these short-course quickies, for those whose schedules are tight, these brief fairway trysts can bring sporting salvation to a day otherwise devoid of drives and divots.

Terry Wood is course manager at Bear Creek Golf World, a lush three-course facility on Houston's west side. ³We think it's a win-win arrangement,² says Wood. ³We have people who love to come out and enjoy quick nine holes before they go to work. For those golfers it's a terrific deal. We've had a back nine special for as long as I've been course manager – at least ten years.

Some course managers are flexible about allowing back nine play for guests, even when it's not an official course offering. Mike Shoelen, manager of the Tour 18 Golf Course in Humble says, ³we don't offer an official back nine special, but when space is available we do give guests that option. It depends on the time of day and season. We like to give our guests as many options as possible so they can enjoy the course.

If you need a quick fix, here are some of Houston's best spots to find some pseudo-Scottish satisfaction:

Bear Creek Golf Club
Back nine play is available at all three courses between 6 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. Green fees are only $17 for the Challenger and Presidents courses and $28 for the Master's course. On Sunday's back nine, players might catch a glimpse of hot air balloons from a nearby champagne breakfast balloon ride.

Family Golf Center (Humble)
Back nine play at this cute little gem is always available during course hours. It's a miserly $7 on weekdays, inflating to a whopping $9 on weekends. This course has a real Tin Cup meets Leave it to Beaver quality.

Fox Creek Golf Club (Hempstead)
Back nine play is available anytime. The cost of play for the back nine is a ridiculous $5.25 to walk and $10 with a cart on weekdays. Weekend play is $7.25 to walk and $12.50 with a cart.

Meadowbrook Farms (Katy)
Back nine play availability depends on course traffic. The cost of play is $30 on Mondays and Tuesdays, $35 on Wednesdays and Thursdays and $42.50 on Fridays. This attractive course has a sprawling, rural feel to it, but is just a chip shot from the city limits.

River Ridge (Sealy)
Single players can play the back nine anytime, but groups are requested to play no later than 5:30 p.m. The cost is $35 Monday through Thursday and $40 Friday through Sunday. Located on the Brazos River, each nine-hole layout covers more than 120 acres.

Tour 18 (Humble)
Back nine availability is based on season and course traffic. Back nine green fees vary between $32.50 and $47.50. The back nine is sweet, including replicas from Oakmont, Doral and the Disney course in Orlando.

The Training Station (Richmond)
The back nine is available during all course hours because there are only nine holes on this course. On weekends, the course is $16 to walk and $21.50 with a cart. The price is the same on weekdays, but allows for two people to play for the price of one. Lots of nice par four holes.

Treeline Golf Course
Back nine play is available during all course hours. Back nine green fees are $13 ($19 with a cart) on weekdays and $15 ($21 with a cart) on weekends. On Saturdays, back nine players must start after 4 p.m. Beautiful course.

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