Indian Springs Golf Club

Indian Springs had a change in management in 2011 and the new player friendly philosophy is really starting to show. The course has always been a good test of golf as the fairways are narrow but a well placed tee shot can lead to a birdie putt on some of the best greens in the area. There have been numerous changes to the course to improve the pace of play and the maintenance and attention to detail have improved as well. This is evident in the renovation of the par 3 13th hole.
If you have never played Indian Springs I recommend you give it a try. If you played it in the past and had a bad experience you may want to try it again.

The first 4-5 holes are right beside the interstate wtih all of the noise. The fairways were not invery good sahpe and the bunkers had little sand. The only positive were that the greens were decent. The clubhouse person did not bother to tell me I would have to walk up the street about 1/2 mile from the 7th green to the 8th tee. The walk was ok, just wasn't sure where to go. I have no desire to play the course again.

Played Indian Springs the morning of Friday, April 30, 2010 and, without any doubt or hesitation, can honestly say that it was the WORST golfing experience I have ever had. We had originally wanted to play Weissinger Hills, but could not get a tee time until 1:30pm. I soon found out why it was so easy to get a tee time at Indian Springs.

Upon arrival, we were informed that the credit card machine was broken and therefore, the other three in our foursome had to leave and get cash. While waiting for their return, I got some insight into what the rest of the day would bring. I overheard the employee working the counter answer the phone and abruptly tell the caller that "they could not accomodate his request" and that "he should look to play somewhere else." After hanging up the phone, I witnessed him get on the radio and remind the Marshal to conduct "cooler checks." Something I would expect at a rap concert or High School Prom, but on a Golf Course full of grown men??

At the first hole, while the others were up on the T-Box, I was met by the Marshal, who, in his best Drill Sergeant impression, began his five minute rant about all of the rules of the course. After hitting our first shots, we were looking for a ball near the rough, when we were chased down by the Marshal, who ordered my partner to "get his cart out of the rough." I attempted to tell him that it was my fault for not passing that rule onto my partners, but he just drove off in a huff. Could not help but wonder why this course was so worried about the rough, when the fairways were littered with weeds and divits the size of moon craters.

As we progressed, we found a bit of solice in the form of the beverage cart. We purchased a few cold, adult beverages and continued play. While on the green at 7, we looked back at our carts and observed the Marshal rummaging through our bags and coolers. He then drove closer and asked if we could produce receipts for our beer. Recipts for beer?? Searching our belongings and cooler without even the courtesy of having us there or asking to do so??? I am a Police Officer, can you imagine me searching your car while you are in the grocery store?

At the turn, we pulled aside, with the intention of letting a twosome behind us play through. As we were waiting for them to finish on 9, the Marshal drove up on us and demanded that we "pick up the pace." We informed him of our intentions to allow the twosome to play through and also took that opportunity to voice our opinion about how unpleasant he was making this outing. The Marshal advised that he was just doing his job and that he wasn't going to stop because we were uncomfortable. As far as searching our bags and coolers, he said that he has every right to do so and that he didn't need our permission.

Golf, to me, has always been "pure", "untainted" and "dignified." Truly, a sport of gentlemen and ladies, where one can "get away from it all." What this outing brought was not serenity, peace, fun, or enjoyment, but rather frustration, stress and displeasure. I believe this course should be avoided at all cost. They need to look hard at the United States Golf Association's mission statement, as they certainly have not adopted their values. I have included it below, just in case they are so far removed that they have forgotten what golf should be about.

"Our promise based on a shared love and respect for golf, we preserve its past, foster its future and champion its best interests for everyone who enjoys the game."

Lance Fisher
Houston, Texas