River Oaks

River Oaks excels at providing a player-friendly experience that still has its challenging moments. Are you looking to find a course for your next golf vacation that strikes a perfect balance between fun and fair, all while not breaking your bank account? River Oaks is a popular choice. River Oaks has two 9-hole courses - Fox and Otter. Here’s what you can expect to encounter:

FOX

River Oaks’ Fox side presents a mix of reachable par 5s, creative, stern par 4s and par 3s that are relatively short and gettable. The side’s third hole is one such par 3, and is extra notable because of the exceptional view players get from the tee box, with the Intracoastal Waterway lurking in the background (but still far enough away from the green to cause much of an issue).

One of River Oaks’ signature holes, No. 7 on the Fox side is a reachable, dogleg par 5 that forces players to navigate a water hazard about halfway between the tee box and pin. With a good tee shot played to just before the hazard, getting to the green here is very doable. Never made an eagle before? Well, there is a real chance you could make it happen at No. 7.

OTTER

After shooting a good number on the Fox side — which often serves as the front nine at River Oaks — be sure to harness all of that confidence for the Otter nine, a layout that can be more challenging for players, especially if one hits it off line from the tee.

For example, the side’s eighth hole is a difficult par 4 — perhaps the most challenging hole on the property — a dogleg to the right with a fairway protected to the right by a water hazard and to the left by trees and out-of-bounds. Hitting a good tee shot here is an absolute must, and if accomplished, leaves a mid to long iron into a raised green protected by a bunker in the front left.

Finally, the last hole on the Otter side, No. 9, is another stern but fair test. Once again, a water hazard guards the right side of the hole while trees and OB come into play down the left. This hole’s large green is protected by multiple bunkers as well. Our suggestion? Play this one as a true three-shot par 5. It’ll leave only a wedge in for a third shot.