Alright, let me tell you about my trip out to Stevens Park Golf Course over in Dallas. Been meaning to play there for a while, heard some good things, so I finally carved out some time.
Getting Started
Rolled up there on a weekday morning, hoping to beat any major crowds. Finding the place wasn’t too hard, navigation got me right there. Parking was straightforward enough, found a spot without much fuss. Walked over to the pro shop, which is kinda built into the side of a hill, pretty neat.
Checked in with the folks inside. Seemed like nice people, got me sorted out quickly with my tee time and a cart. Didn’t spend a ton of time warming up, just hit a few putts on the practice green near the first tee. It looked okay, gave me a little feel for the speed.
Hitting the Course
Right off the bat, you notice the terrain. This ain’t no flat course. Lots of ups and downs, which I actually enjoy. Makes you think a bit more about your shots. The first few holes wind through some really mature trees, big old oaks I think. You definitely need to keep the ball in play here.
Made my way through the front nine. Some holes were tighter than others. I remember one par 3 that played downhill, looked simple but getting the distance right was tricky. The condition of the course was decent. Greens rolled pretty true, maybe a touch slow but fair. Fairways were mostly good, a few thin spots here and there but nothing terrible.
- Lots of elevation changes.
- Mature trees line most fairways.
- Some nice views, especially when you get to higher points.
The layout keeps you engaged. You’ve got doglegs, some forced carries over little creeks or gullies. I specifically recall a couple of the par 5s being pretty challenging, needing good placement on your second shot if you wanted a chance at reaching in three.
Found myself using most clubs in the bag, which is always a good sign. Driver wasn’t always the play off the tee because of the trees and the shape of the holes. Had to rely on my irons and fairway woods quite a bit to position myself.
Wrapping Up
Finished the round feeling like I’d had a proper test of golf. It’s not overly long, but the hills and the trees demand accuracy. Walked off 18 feeling pretty satisfied. I didn’t shoot the lights out, but I managed my game okay and hit some decent shots.
Returned the cart, quick stop back at the clubhouse area. Didn’t hang around too long, just gathered my stuff and headed out. Overall, it was a really enjoyable experience. It’s a classic kind of course, feels like it’s been there forever, in a good way. Definitely a solid place to play if you find yourself in Dallas looking for a round.
