Summit Rock at Horseshoe Bay Resort
10th Hole / 469 Yards / Par-4
Architect: Jack Nicklaus (2012)
Horseshoe Bay, Texas, USA
The Hill Country of Texas provides some of the finest topography in the Lone Star State. Horseshoe Bay Resort has several courses in its portfolio; however, Summit Rock is the only Jack Nicklaus design and is a private club.
The Summit is aptly named as the course starts at its lower point before moving upwards through the hills for much of the middle portion of the round.
Credit Nicklaus for not attempting to overwhelm the innate beauty of the property with too many man-made inclusions. The golf experience is also helped by keeping the intrusive nature of housing to a minimum.
The par-4 10th provides both a spectacular vista for the eye and a golf challenge of special note.
A total of 11 bunkers are on the hole – 9 of which are placed in a smaller pattern on the inside corner of this dog-leg right hole.
There is a slight elevation change upward from tee-to-fairway although the tee box and green share the same elevation. The fairway landing area is banked inward somewhat from the left side. Two trees stand alone on the right side of the hole.
The longer the tee shot the more the fairway narrows.
The approach shot is played to a diagonally-angled green measuring 5,479 square feet. From the viewpoint of the fairway the green is situated on a lower left to back right angle.
Two bunkers protect the right side. Golfers have to decide how aggressive they wish to be for the approach. Those seeking a more conservative line of attack can play to the left side thereby avoiding the bunkers and leaving themselves a fairly straightforward pitch onto the green. The putting surface also has an array of vexing subtle internal movements.
Texas is renowned for the influence of wind and the 10th can play vastly different at certain times of the year. During winter months the prevailing pattern is downwind from north-to-south. For the balance of the year the hole generally plays into a headwind from south-to-north.
The 10th is akin to an honest judge. State your case directly and have the evidence of a golf game to win the verdict.
No bribes accepted.
All judicial decisions final — no appeals.
Compelling holes of this type accept nothing less.
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For more info go to:
Summit Rock Golf Course | Horseshoe Bay Resort
Photos and rendering: Courtesy Summit Rock at Horseshoe Bay.
Related: Nicholai Stein interview
M. James Ward
A long-time member of both the GWAA and MGWA. The 68-year-old has covered all facets in golf since 1980 — including reporting on over 100 major championships and 13 Ryder Cup matches. His writings have appeared in various outlets. On a personal level, has played over 2,000 courses globally and is lead reviewer for Top 100 Golf Courses.
Previously served for 17 years as national course rating panelist for Golf Digest. Has also personally competed in USGA Championships. Resides in the metro New York City area with his wife Celeste. Favorite quote paraphrased for golf — “You are what your golf score says you are.”