Golf Club of Houston’s Tournament Course delivers the authentic big-event feeling of a former PGA Tour venue, combining speed, strategy, and tournament-level polish. It’s not a cross-country pilgrimage, but for golfers in Texas and the Gulf South, it’s absolutely a worthy detour—where you’ll feel a hint of pre-Masters pressure on every green.
If you play the week before the Masters, ask if the greens are set up 'Augusta quick'—locals know it’s the closest you’ll get to tournament-speed practice in Texas.
The Tournament Course at Golf Club of Houston is purpose-built for championship drama, blending water, bunkers, and formidable green sites into a muscular modern layout that tests both the bomber and tactician. Designed by Rees Jones with David Toms, the routing is strategic but fair: every hole offers escape for the well-planned miss, yet punishes carelessness with gnarly roughs and hungry ponds. What sets the course apart is its blend of bold, forced carries and nuanced layup choices—especially across four meaty par 5s and a daunting closing stretch that demands your full focus. Tournament-ready conditioning and fast, cleverly contoured greens define the big-event feel.
Rees Jones, known as the “Open Doctor,” designed the Tournament Course to serve as a pure tournament test, collaborating with David Toms for PGA Tour strategic insight.
A sweeping par 5 with water looming down the right and a green tucked just beyond reach for many, the fourth demands planning from tee to flag. Go for it in two at your peril, as aggressive lines risk disaster in the hazard or deep bunkers.
Favor position off the tee for an ideal layup; the angle for a third shot is critical, and the penalty for missing the landing zones is severe.
A careless second brings water and bunkers sharply into play, often turning eagle dreams into double bogey realities.
Tour-level manicuring with fast, pure greens and tightly mown fairways; firm but fair with hazards cleaned for tournament play.
Expect mid-to-long rounds, especially on weekends and during busy public booking periods.
Polished, serious, and championship-focused—more tournament energy than casual resort feel.
Collared golf shirts, pants or proper shorts, and soft-spike shoes required; no denim or athletic attire.
Work on lag putting to multi-tiered, tournament-speed surfaces—the biggest defense of the course is on and around the greens.
Review aerials or flyovers before playing; knowing which par 5s truly tempt risk and which beg for layups can save strokes.
Houston humidity and sun are serious, especially in summer—bring water and proper sun protection for a four-plus-hour walk or ride.
Tournament Course opens as Redstone Golf Club
Rebranded as Golf Club of Houston
Houston Open moves to Memorial Park
Host of Women’s U.S. Open Qualifier
Host of LIV Golf Houston
During its years as home of the Houston Open, Golf Club of Houston was intentionally set up to mimic Augusta National’s speed and conditions the week before the Masters. The pros treated it as their major-week tune-up, amplifying the pre-tournament tension on every green.
Phil Mickelson famously won here in 2011, clutching up on a course that demanded every shot in the bag. His aggressive, creative play remains a staple lesson for ams hoping to navigate the risk/reward drama at Golf Club of Houston.
Though the club swapped ‘Redstone’ for ‘Golf Club of Houston’ after 2013, its Tournament Course never let go of its championship bones—or its reputation as the Texas tour stop where the greens always ran Augusta-quick in April.
Houston Open setup often mimicked Augusta National conditions for Masters prep.
Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott, and Ian Poulter are among former Houston Open winners here.
The Tournament Course is one of the longest public tracks in Texas.
Water hazards come into play on ten distinct holes.
It was originally opened as Redstone Golf Club before the 2013 rebranding.
Recently renovated, hosts the current Houston Open, big-city public bucket list
Underrated layout with friendly access for visitors
Two diverse courses and excellent public experience on Houston’s northwest side
Replica holes from America's most famous courses—perfect for variety
Stay downtown Houston or in the Humble/Northeast corridor for the easiest access to both city life and tournament golf.
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: Muirfield Village Golf Club is a natural next stop after Golf Club of Houston: it offers similarly polished playing surfaces.
Why it matches: What links these two? Puts the same premium on presentation — a familiar feeling, expressed in Karsten Creek Golf Club's own setting.
Why it matches: What links these two? Puts the same premium on presentation — a familiar feeling, expressed in TPC Southwind's own setting.
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