Gus Wortham Park Golf Course — Attraction in Houston

So disappointed. The GOOD -- The course is in pretty good condition, considering we're in the off-season. As for course conditions, I'd give them 4 stars. As for the re-design, I like a lot of it, but some of it felt unnecessary. Some of the bunkers they added were not needed, IMO, and is just going to add to their overhead cost for maintenance. The BAD - The HGA has done a lot of good for this place, but right now there's very limited parking and they're operating out of a trailer until the new facility is complete. The price went up and they seem to have a bit more of an attitude in the "clubhouse" than I would expect. There doesn't seem to be much appreciation for the customer. They were almost a bit snobbish. And now The UGLY - Pace of play and Tee Times. OMG! I had a tee time as a single booked online. When I get there, they tell me I'm going to have to cart up with someone...no problem. I expected that. However, when I make my way over to the line for the first tee box (yes, there was a line), I talked to the starter and he said I would need to cart up with someone. A minute later, he tells me there's a foursome already booked at my tee time and he'll work me in with another group. Wait...what? I can only assume the other 3 guys at my tee time brought a friend and the guy in the clubhouse just added him to the tee time and opted to move ME! I voiced my displeasure at this. Then, it just so happened a walk-up two-some came up at that same time. Despite there not being any available tee times for hours, they decided to pair them up with me and sent us off within 15 minutes of my expected time and shoved everyone else back, I guess. The round took well over 4.5 hours and it was painfully slow the entire day. They're so worried about getting as many people on the course as possible, they create a huge backlog. I won't be going back any time soon. Maybe in 6 months or a year, once the "newness" wears off, it won't be so crowded and it will be more enjoyable. Right now, I've got way too many options for equally manicured courses at a MUCH...

There are a couple of nits (discussed below), for which I would probably really rate this course 4.75*. Start with the great: (1) incredible value, I am a senior who walks weekdays, $18 all in, more expensive for younger golfers and on weekends but still a great value, (2) great greens by Houston standards, marred only by failure of many dolt golfers who don't go to the trouble of repairing pitch marks on greens, (3) great layout for Houston, most courses are flat as pancakes, when they redid Wortham they moved a lot of dirt, now have many elevation changes which greatly adds to the ambience of the course and challenge around around the greens, (4) good online reservation system, (5) very friendly, courteous and helpful staff, unlike many courses that act like they are doing you a favor to let you play on them; The nits: (1) parking lot leaves much to be desired, (2) not many yardage markers, if you are a good enough golfer for that to be critical, I recommend getting the inexpensive Garmin Forerunner distance finder, Wortham is in its system, (3) not Wortham's fault, its the hand it was dealt, but first three holes run along a very busy/noisy thoroughfare, which takes a little bit from the ambience, but after that, beautiful course. Other comments: driving range a bit small, mats (typical for public courses these days) were really nice two weeks ago when I was there, balls a bit substandard. No chipping or bunker practice area. Pretty easy to get on Monday/Tuesday mornings if you book in advance, Wednesday opens late due to maintenance. Pace of play good for walkers like me, average round 4:15. Only 6400 yards from the blues, so if you are a long hitter, it will be a little short for you, but age 70, some of the par 4s are a bit long for me at 400+ yards. On most holes, no real rough, so you can be a little short, find it hit it again, and get there in three. Hats off to whoever redid this course and put the current...

Rebuilt course is fun to play... but

As for the rest, not so much. Staff is rude. Starter acts like a prison guard. At the turn, a gasping old man who walked the front came in to get a cart for the back and they made the poor guy pay full rate. Anyone could see he was near dead from walking. So what? In 2020 they stayed open during Covid, two of their employees died of it.

A friend went to make a tee time and was told he was banned from the course - because he previously did not return his cart to the designated area. Are you kidding me? How did they know it was Mr. Martinez?

I was shortchanged once in the clubhouse and my amigos have been told to go outside because they were making too much noise. If you want more than one tee time better tell them your name is John, not Juan. Everybody who has played there has a story about the rude treatment of customers.

The green fees and carts cost half again more than the other munis in town, what is happening to the money? The course rebuild is completely paid for and everything from cart paths to sprinklers is brand new. Filling the pockets of HGA management is where it's going.

Putting green is a mile from #1 tee and there is no chipping area, no toilets on the back 9, bayous full of trash, cheap pencils and overpriced drinks . Gus is a great walking course but bring your own pull cart because you can't...