Golf Course Review: The Bridges Golf Club, Gunter, Texas

 

THE BRIDGES GOLF CLUB

Gunter, Texas

May 28, 2023



OVERVIEW

FACILITY TYPE: Public

YEAR OPENED: 2008

ARCHITECT: Fred Couples & Jeff Brauer

PAR: 72

LENGTH: 5,193 - 7,612

USGA RATING: 66.1 - 77.5

USGA SLOPE: 115 - 141

TEE OPTIONS: 7

WEBSITE: www.BridgesTexasGolf.com

PHONE: (903) 696-0022

 

The Bridges Golf Club is my first experience on a Fred Couples Signature Golf Course and with 17 courses to his name, it makes me want to seek out more. Like Fred Couples himself, the course can be open and easygoing if you choose the appropriate tees and offers plenty of opportunity to “Boom-Boom” the big stick off the tee. Stretching over 7,600 yards from the back tees, The Bridges is able to accommodate every skill level and offers a great layout that’ll keep you coming back for more.



COURSE CONDITIONS RATINGS

TEES: 3.5

FAIRWAYS: 3.75

GREENS: 4

BUNKERS: 3

SCENERY: 4

LAYOUT: 4

–

OVERALL: 3.71


The Bridges reminds me of Bulle Rock Golf Club in Havre De Grace, Maryland, which is typically ranked as one of the best public golf courses in the state. While Bulle Rock is a Pete Dye Design, The Bridges shares many parallels that remind me of being back East. Both courses are over 7,600 yards long, offer multiple tee options, and follow similar routing and design aesthetics that use the natural land to their advantage to create a unique layout that offers challenging shots for better players while remaining accessible to less accomplished golfers.


The major defense of the course other than the length is wind, tall grass, and guarded greens. This makes choosing the appropriate tees more important than ever and with a couple combo tees to choose from, it’s important to scope out the scorecard ahead of time to choose tees you feel comfortable playing. My suggestion is to look at the Par 3’s for insight into what tees to play. From the back tees, the shortest par 3 is 203 yards with the longest stretching close to 250 yards. If you’re unsure which tees to play, take the distance you hit your 5 iron or 5 hybrid in the air and multiply it by 36. (example: 180 yard carry * 36 = 6,480 = Blue Tees @ 6,487 yards)


ACCESSIBILITY

COURSE DIFFICULTY: 4

WALKABILITY: 2.5


The bridges can be as easy or as difficult as you’d like to make it. Obviously, conditions such as wind and green speed will have a big impact on how easy or difficult the course can be but with course ratings ranging from 66.1 - 77.5, you can easily make the course 10 shots easier or harder depending on where you choose to play from. Because of the length of the course and some of the distances between holes, it’s not necessarily the best course to walk, especially in the Texas Summer heat, but it can be done if you really want to. If you do choose to walk, I highly suggest a pushcart where you can bring extra water, sun protection like an umbrella, and be able to save your shoulders and back from having to carry.



AMENITIES

GOLF SHOP: 4

PRACTICE FACILITIES: 4

COMFORT STATIONS: 3.5


As a facility that’s able to accommodate events such as US Open Qualifiers, local PGA Section Events, and other USGA qualifiers, The Bridges has all the amenities you’d expect to get your game dialed in and prepped before or between rounds. With a grass driving range, practice greens, and a well-stocked golf shop, The Bridges has everything you need for a great golfing experience.


SUMMARY


If you want to get out of the DFW Metro area and go a little “out in the country”, The Bridges has you covered. It’s close enough to the DFW Metro area that it’s not too far of a drive yet it feels like you’re a world away. The pace of life and atmosphere at The Bridges is a little slower and allows you to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the daily grind and instead, get away and enjoy your time on the links.


With plenty of tee box options and much-welcomed length for longer players, The Bridges offers everything for everyone. And with the name Fred Couples on the scorecard, you know you’re in for a great time. So be sure to get out of town and check out this gem of a course that’ll have you coming back for more.



MOVE BETTER - PLAY BETTER

COACH BLAINE ⛳🏌️‍♂️


For more, visit www.TourShotGolf.com


Location: 2400 Fred Couples Dr, Gunter, TX 75058, USA

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