Trinity Forest is Awesome. Here’s Why.
If you follow the DFW sports landscape on the reg, then you are fully aware that the AT&T Byron Nelson has a new home in 2018. Trinity Forest Golf Club is located in South Dallas on a spot that was once occupied by a landfill.
If there’s ever been a more clear cut example of “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”, I’ve never seen it. Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw literally took a trash dump and turned it into one of the most beautiful pieces of property in Dallas.
When I was asked to play in the media event at TF last week, I was excited. I had heard mixed reviews from several others that had already been out there. Some loved it, some were indifferent. I expected to fall somewhere in the middle. Neither overly impressed or immensely disappointed. Having played Pinehurst No. 2 several years ago, I expected this Coore-Crenshaw design to be similar. Lots of native areas, table-top slick greens that at times would border on Six Flags “Casa Magnetica” stupidity (which is exaclty what you get at Pinehurst No. 2). Having read reviews and seen photos, one thing I was sure of as I made my way through the gates is that this course was going to be very unique to the Metroplex. Very different from anything else I had played in DFW.
Texas has so much varying topography that it’s possible to see a little of everything in this state. From Hill Country classics like Barton Creek, to the mountainous jagged rocks of Lajitas, to the immense pine trees framing holes at Whispering Pines or Bluejack. You can basically see it all. And if you’ve played any of the above courses, then you have seen a multitude of design elements. However, Trinity Forest rivals any of the aforementioned courses in terms of personality and an overall unique playing experience.
Now, despite being called Trinity FOREST, don’t expect to have any nuggets rattling off trees as you play. There’s not a single tree on the property that’s in play. At least, I didn’t notice many. The whole property looks more like the surface of a distant planet that a golf course. “Links style” is a term you may hear when describing Trinity Forest, but it’s so much more than that. It’s like the glorious love child of the rural Scottish courses and some of the newer western courses. The rolling fairways and subtle elevation changes make you have to think, but not so much so that your head hurts. Basically, when in doubt, get the ball on the ground and rolling as fast as you can.
A great example lies on the par-5 14th. Now, the tour guys will likely play this as a three-shot hole 90% of the time. For the amateurs, you can give this one a go with a good tee shot, but the blind, downhill second shot leaves you crossing your fingers at contact. Based on the yardage, of course you’ll play a club that you’re used to hitting a certain distance. I believe the shot I had was around 200 yards, but way downhill and a little downwind. Should be a stock 7-iron for me. So, that’s what I hit. Ball hits in the middle of the green, releases, and rolls off the back, which is D-E-A-D. Hard for me to believe I should be hitting an 8 or 9-iron from 200, but for that shot you have to land the ball short of the green and let it release. If you carry it all the way there, it’s game over.
That was just one example of the quicker you get the ball back on the ground the better. Of course you can find countless other examples as well. The short par-3 8th is another one. If you carry the ball all the way to the surface, expect a big bounce and then a putt that is straight downhill and breaks hard toward the southern property line. Bail out a little right, and you’ll be lucky to three-putt. Although there are certain spots they can put the pin that will be VERY ace-friendly for the tour pros. Will be a fun spot for spectators.
Another fun hole is the par-3 17th, this one can play as long as 215, but the length isn’t the issue here, it’s the most absurd green I have ever seen. The undulations look like something that you would see an inner tube sliding over at Schlitterbahn. There will be some absolutely comical putts on this green. Another great place to take in some of the tournament action.
And speaking of greens, Trinity Forest features the largest green in North America. This one is a shared green, one half plays as the 3rd, the other half, the 11th. At 35,000 square feet, it’s the most unique feature on the course. And, if you do get to play it, drop one on one side and putt to the other just so you know what it feels like to have a 300 foot putt. Trust me, it’s no cakewalk.
Trinity Forest also has “misses”. Which to me is a sign of a great course architect. If you can look at the hole and right away determine where the miss should be, you’re playing a well designed course.
However, at times, designers can throw you a curve ball and the spot where you think you should miss leaves you in more trouble that you bargained for. Left of number 14 green or left of the driveable 315-yard par four 5th are great examples. The 5th is exceptional in its design. Classic risk vs. reward. If you pull the driver and hit it pin high left, you could hit a shag-bag full of balls and not keep one on the green. If you’re smart and lay-up, you still have to be precise with the wedge, because this crowned green is a 10 on the difficulty scale.
To be fair, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and Trinity Forest admittedly fits my eye very well. There are a bunch of holes where you pick a target in the distance and carve a power fade, and that’s my predominant tee ball. I also love old-world style golf. Bump-and-run heavy, where players have a variety of options. Places where you can putt from 20 yards off the green, or use a hybrid, or a seven-iron, or if you choose, you can take out the 60-degree (something that all Americans want to do every chance they get). Either way, this course puts a premium on old-school play. Before the westerners started tinkering with equipment and technology advanced to the point where the bomb and gouge became the way to play. A 350-yard drive followed by a 120-yard wedge that carries past the hole and with 3,500 RPM sucks back to kick in range. To me, there’s not as much thought and creativity in that game. Don’t get me wrong, it’s entertaining, but in my mind that’s not how the inventors of golf drew it up.
Please don’t paint me with the “get off my lawn” brush here, that’s just how I enjoy playing. I’ve never been able to put much spin on the ball, and by far the worst part of my game are my sand wedges around greens… so anytime I have other options, you better believe I am going to use them. Regardless of my affinity for links style courses, there are plenty of other elements that really shine here. From the expansive interesting greens, to the pristine tee boxes lined with native grasses and flowers, this is a gorgeous golf course. And not gorgeous in the traditional Dallas National/Augusta way. It’s naturally beautiful.
After playing all 18, I must admit, I was absolutely stunned. Blown away by the experience. The course is simple, yet spectacular. If it’s not my favorite course I have ever played, it’s certainly toward the top of the list. Also, I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you we managed to luck out and get Trinity Forest on a day where there wasn’t much wind. I imagine if the wind is blowing 35, you might not find this experience as enjoyable, but let’s be real, you could say that for any course.
I honestly have no idea if the pros will like Trinity Forest. I hear guys on bar stools saying they won’t, but I suspect it will be like any other course. Some will fall in love, and some will four-putt no. 8 and bust a spring about how “unfair” it is. That’s just the way golf courses and tour pros are. Not everyone will love it. Not everyone will think Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw nailed it, but I do, and regardless of what others think, I think the area has a spectacular new venue for the Nelson.
*Thanks to everyone at Trinity Forest Golf Club, as well as Jon Drago of the Salesmanship Club for a spectacular media day. If you have any questions or feedback, you can always check out www.trinityforestgc.com, www.attbyronnelson.org, or find me on Twitter @TheEliJordan.*
