Detailed description of Pine Dunes Resort & Golf Club
Pine Dunes Resort & Golf Club is a Public, 18 hole golf course located in Frankston, Texas.
Pine Dunes Resort & Golf Club first opened for play in 2001. The course was designed by Jay and Carter Morrish.
The course replaced a a rundown nine-holer called Dogwood Trails. The owner, Jodi Lutz, professional ice skater, banker, investor and entrepreneur, purchased the course reportedly to draw her parents to Texas to manage the small course. She never would have built the course if not for a chance meeting with then-PGA Tour player David Frost. When he heard she had a golf course, he insisted he wanted to see it. And the rest is as they say, "history."
They drove to Frankston with Jay Morrish’s son, Carter. Frost’s reaction was similar to others who see it for the first time. “It just reminded me so much of Pinehurst, and I said she should really look at having somebody upgrade the place,” Frost recalls.
Morrish was even more enthusiastic. “Carter was, like, crazy,” Lutz says. “He kept jumping out of the cart.”
Carter Morrish recalls that “... the land out there was phenomenal, a white-sand base. I was really excited."
Course architects Jay and Carter Morrish have designed a masterpiece Par 72 Championship layout that meanders through the East Texas piney woods and natural sand washes. The fairways vary from tree-lined to open and offer players a variety of options off the tee. As the name implies, the course actually rests on top of some natural sand hills in the middle of the Piney Woods. The look is so unique that you will not believe you're in Texas. Anything out of the fairways results in sandy lies among the pine needles. The fairways are framed by both formal and natural bunkers that are reddish-brown in color. In fact when the course first opened, the natural sand framed most of the fairways, but the Bermuda has now grown into the sand, changing the rustic look. The club has even considered ways to eliminate the hardy Bermuda to re-establish the waste areas.
The Pine Dunes Resort & Golf Club is a mixture of styles but is somewhat similar to a high desert pine forest style course. The rolling fairways are lined with tall pines, and numerous bunkers are strategically placed throughout the design. The greens are large (averageing 6,800 square feet), undulating and fast. Some are multi tiered as well. Water comes into play on three holes. Pine Dunes plays from 5,150 to 7,117-yards and features four tees to accommodate all skill levels.
Gold tees: Par-72, 7,117 yards, 74.4/131
Blue tees: Par-72, 6,537 yards, 71.3/126
White tees: Par-72, 5,819 yards, 68.1/119
Red tees: Par-72, 5,150 yards, 72.0/127
$26 (cart included), played on Sunday, June 2015 at 8:07 AM
Buddy of Mine and I played this wonderful course on a Sunday morning. 2 hr and change drive from our residence in NW FTW. Received discount rate of $29.xx for play via Ideal Golfer.....regular weekend rate was $85.xx per player. Absolutely over the top rate which I would NEVER pay. For $29.xx an absolute bargain, OK steal! Very challenging golf course, well designed, generously maintained and used every club in the bag. Love the E TX pines.....it is for me, in the middle of nowhere, but I found the peace and quiet exactly to my liking. If it were closer I would be a regular and a better golfer, because it tests every facet of your game. Staff - NOW SO MUCH. Apparently they didn't like the idea of playing their golf course for almost free. We loved it. If you live in Dallas or E TX you know what I am talking about - this is a TOP SHELF GOLF COURSE. But not $85.xx GF!
$66 (cart included), played on Wednesday, September 2013 at 6am
Stunned by the overall quality. The layout is well conceived and quite challenging. Some long par 3's. One measured at 200+ yards! Starts easy and gets progressively harder. I am playing it again this week.
$76 (cart included), played on Saturday, July 2012 at 6am
The golf course has never been in bad condition in all the years I ve been coming but the lack of customer service has gotten terribly bad over the last five years. The overnight accommodations are over-priced for what you get. I haven t seen as many flies in a horse barn as I ve seen in my room over a two day period. No normal refrigerators? How are you suppose to store your food for grilling after playing golf? The answer, in your own ice chest. The food preparation and service in the grill is less than desirable. Burned hamburger patty and cold fries? The Pro Shop staff make you feel your visit to the course is burdensome to their day. There s no means of showing appreciation for coming and spending thousands of dollars. No flexibility of arrangements or pricing, even if you brought 20+ players! They won t get another penny from me unless I hear and see some dramatic positive changes in their customer relations and updating of their overnight accommodations. The golf course is a 4 but all other negative issues bring the rating down to a 2.
$46 (cart included), played on Thursday, June 2011 at 8am
Having a yardage book would have been advantageous. Many visual challenges made determining yardage difficult. Yardage book would have help greatly in club selection for tee shots. Beautiful course. Wish it were closer to where I live.
Member (cart included), played on Thursday, July 2010 at 2pm
Very good course! You would never expect it to be hidden in the woods like it is!
(cart included), played on Sunday, April 2010 at 8am
Played Easter Sunday weekend. No traffic. Stayed on premises which are clean but lacking amenities. Not much for restaurants, etc nearby but worth the trip for the experience.
$76 (cart included), played on Saturday, March 2010 at 6am
My favorite remote course in the Dallas area - bar none.
$46 (cart included), played on Monday, April 2008 at 8am
This is a course that every golfer should make the drive to play. It's 90 miles south east of Dallas but well worth the drive. Huge pine trees and sand swept dunes frame this well designed course. The greens are the best bermuda I've ever played. They are very sloped and very smooth. The course is so peaceful and secluded. I have seen deer on the course everytime I've played it. It'd be a great weekend get away. I'll play it again and again.
Latest Golf Course Reviews
-
1
by Brian Clark 2023-10-08
-
2
by Brian Clark 2023-10-08
-
3
by Brian Clark 2023-10-08
-
4
by soundhar G 2023-10-07
-
5
by Brian Clark 2023-10-05
-
6
by Brian Clark 2023-10-05
Newsletter
Off the Fringe, “Golf’s best short read.” The award winning newsletter, sent twice monthly, that provides an unconventional perspective on the golf world.
$51 (cart included), played on Thursday, January 2018 at 9:30 AM
The course was designed by David Frost. It is ranked the #1 public golf course in Texas. It is far above all courses within 35 miles - public or private. Practice facilities are incredible. I am a member at PD, leaving a private club. The membership prices are laughable - so affordable. Pace of play - never played in more than 4 hours. The best hidden jewel in America.