The Sweetens Cove architects newest course is a ton of fun

At GOLF.com, journey — and enjoying golf — is a half of the gig. Here, as we rely down the ultimate days of 2023, is a take a look at some of the favourite programs our staffers performed over the previous 12 months.

ICYMI: A stunner within the Utah desert
ICYMI: A central Wisconsin hidden gem
ICYMI: A Walker Cup host with bent grass greens (in Scotland!)
ICYMI: A golf course — and group middle — in West Palm
ICYMI: A bucket-list course with a secret memento

Golf — like most issues — is a little bit completely different in West Texas. It’s bought its place, to make certain, however there are far larger priorities than whacking a little white ball round. Most public programs in Lubbock, the city of 250,000 the place I grew up, seldom require a tee time to get on. Perhaps it’s the whipping winds that hold the programs clear, or the truth that soccer will at all times be king. Whatever the explanation, golf isn’t at prime of thoughts for many on the South Plains.

Heck, the one purpose I bought began within the sport was pure coincidence. I performed basketball most of my childhood, and I totally anticipated to pursue that keenness by way of highschool. But once I entered ninth grade standing simply over five-feet tall, I made a decision to retire from the hardwood. My childhood finest buddy began enjoying golf competitively across the identical time, and he invited me to tag alongside on that pursuit. One factor led to a different, I fell in love with the sport and now right here I’m.

Golf hasn’t grown a ton in Lubbock since I left, however I at all times make it a level to deliver my golf equipment again dwelling with me anytime I go to. It’s usually so I can play the programs that helped me fall in love with the sport (like this one!), however on my most up-to-date go to, I bought a probability to take a look at Lubbock’s newest course — Red Feather Golf and Social Club.

The course — designed by up to date architects Rob Collins and Tad King, the brains behind Sweetens Cove — was constructed on an previous cotton subject south of city. But don’t let the location’s earlier topography idiot you; the course has extra character than simply about any in Texas.

During my current journey to Lubbock, I ventured out to Red Feather for my first take a look at the brand new course. Walking it away, it was one of my favourite programs I performed in 2023. Here’s what it was like.

Wide-open golf

When I rolled as much as Red Feather the primary time, membership president J.J. Killeen (a former PGA Tour participant with deep roots within the space) greeted me within the parking zone. “I’ll take you out there so you don’t get lost,” he mentioned. I didn’t see how that might be potential, however after enjoying a few holes, I understood what he meant. From nearly each spot on the property, you’ll be able to see your complete course — all 135 acres of it. Tee containers bleed into fairways all the way in which as much as the greens, with solely bunkers and barrancas breaking apart the swaths of zoysia.

If I had been on the market alone, I nearly definitely would’ve teed off going on the mistaken inexperienced no less than as soon as. But therein lies the attraction of the structure — it offers you choices. There’s nobody right path to the outlet. It has a choose-your-own journey really feel and offers gamers a probability to get artistic. The membership plans to plant some bushes across the property, which can assist with intention factors off the tees, nevertheless it gained’t rob the course of the variability of choices obtainable to gamers.

Keep your Texas wedge helpful

Red Feather has some severe inexperienced complexes. They’re huge, daring and quick. Killeen instructed me they had been rolling proper round 14 the day I performed, though they’ll seemingly calm down round 12 most days. “We can’t have people putting off greens all day,” he mentioned. After a loop across the course, it appears he wasn’t kidding. If you’re within the mistaken place above the outlet, your ball higher hit the cup — in any other case it might by no means cease rolling.

Those daring contours additionally permit for some imaginative shot-making. If which slopes to intention for, you’ll be able to funnel the ball towards the flag. Flinging the ball up within the air aiming for the slopes isn’t a requirement, although. (And within the winds of West Texas, it’s not prompt, both.) With nearly your complete course made up of tightly mown grass, you should use your flatstick nearly wherever. They name it a Texas wedge for a purpose.

Prepare for selection

King-Collins Golf isn’t recognized for his or her conventionality, and Red Feather is a testomony to that. The course options each the shortest par 3 (No. 17, 99 yards) and longest par 5 (No. 14, 721 yards) in your complete state, and there are lots different thought-provoking holes.

The sixteenth, a drivable par 4 that begins the closing stretch, may seem like a pushover on paper, nevertheless it performs as something however. Leave your lay-up within the mistaken spot, or hit it within the mistaken greenside bunker from the tee, and also you’ll make a huge quantity in a hurry.

No. 11, a mammoth par 4 that stretches over 500 yards, requires a good bit of thought — and a good bit of energy, too. Get prepared for a problem while you attain the placing floor as effectively. The double inexperienced, which it shares with No. 8, is one of the most important on property. Hit it within the mistaken spot and also you’ll be fortunate to stroll away with simply a three-putt.

Some holes are extra intriguing than others, however every has its personal character — and a selection of methods to assault it.

God’s nation

Red Feather (like most nation golf equipment) gained’t be low cost to affix, however don’t let a hefty price ticket make you imagine it’s a stuffy place. Quite the other, truly. There’s no costume code at Red Feather — you’ll be able to exit in swim trunks and flip flops in case your coronary heart so needs. Music blaring from carts is typical, and enjoying in a six-some isn’t uncommon. Killeen, a native Californian who relocated to Lubbock as a teenager, likes to name West Texas “God’s country.” And with all of the fun you’ll be able to have at Red Feather, it’s exhausting to disagree with him.

Zephyr Melton

Golf.com Editor

Zephyr Melton is an assistant editor for GOLF.com the place he spends his days running a blog, producing and modifying. Prior to becoming a member of the crew at GOLF, he attended the University of Texas adopted by stops with the Texas Golf Association, Team USA, the Green Bay Packers and the PGA Tour. He assists on all issues instruction and covers novice and girls’s golf. He could be reached at zephyr_melton@golf.com.