Those in DFW proper have likely heard of Mabank, which sits about 90 minutes south of the Metroplex. But what many aren’t aware of is the stupendous golf course sitting along the shores of Cedar Creek Reservoir. The Pinnacle Golf Club, located in a gated community, offers a great option for those with property in the area or those looking for a quick weekend getaway. Although it’s semi-private, there are opportunities for guest play without a lot of legwork. There is no online booking process, but the public can book a tee time simply by calling the pro shop.
Originally opened back in 1988, Pinnacle was a bit of an unknown to all but those in the area until the local Homeowners Association purchased the property in 2016. Since then, the course has spent millions updating the clubhouse, restaurant, and, of course, the 18-hole layout. More renovation work is underway now, with new rock faces being installed on some holes with water features, and updates to the clubhouse and outdoor areas that surround the main hub.
One of the first things you notice as you approach the opening tee shot is the hedges spelling out PINNACLE. It’s a great place to snap a quick photo with your group before you stick a peg in the ground. While the front nine of this Don January design is fairly tight, it is also ripe for great ball-strikers to make tweeters. At 6,600 yards from the tips, this isn’t a hulking golf course, but what it lacks in distance, it makes up for with narrow landing zones and water featured on 10 of the 18 holes.
The first hole is a slight dogleg left that plays a little uphill. A pair of fairway bunkers guard each side of the landing zone, but playing at just 377 yards from the tips, a fairway metal off the tee for additional control can be a better course management decision. With a good tee shot, a short iron is all that will remain into a green that is guarded by a pair of bunkers.
After a short par 3, Pinnacle really displays some of its challenge at No. 3. This short par 4 only plays 296 yards from the back tees, making it a bombers delight, but be wary, as this fairway is one of the tightest on the golf course. Out of bounds right is easily reachable, and trees lining the left add to the challenge. This is a great opportunity for an early birdie if you can manage to chase something down the center up near the putting surface.
No. 4 is the first par 5 of the par-72 layout. Again, it’s not long, playing less than 500 yards, but with the dogleg off the tee, it does play a little longer than the card suggests. It’s one of the more interesting tee shots, with a pair of bunkers on the left and trees lining the right. A found fairway offers the chance to take a shot at the green, but again, it gets tighter the closer you get.
After a hard, narrow dogleg right par 4, players come to the par 4 6th hole, which again winds to the right down a hill, and then ascends back up to an elevated green complex guarded by a bunker short left. This tee shot doesn’t require a driver unless you want to be very aggressive, as the challenge lies with the approach which plays significantly back uphill. Club selection is key to ensure you are not short with your second shot.
Although No. 2 is a fairly rudimentary par 3, the other trio of three-pars at Pinnacle are worth the price of admission. No 7 plays over water, and flexes as the longest par 3 on the course at 208 yards from the back set of tees. The green slopes significantly from back to front, so don’t expect much chase once the ball hits the putting surface. A pair of sand traps guard the front right and front left. It is a challenging par 3, but one of the most visually stimulating on the property.
After the 531-yard par 5 8th, comes the final hole of the outward nine. Again, a narrow fairway greets players as they head for the turn. The hole features an ever-so-slight twist to the right that leads to a downhill approach shot. At 403 yards, it is the longest par 4 on the front, but with a good tee shot, it’s still gettable. A duo of bunkers guard the multi-tiered green, so distance control must be precise to offer the best chance for a birdie.
If it happens to be your first time at Pinnacle, No. 10 can be a little tricky to navigate. This gorgeous par 3 plays over an inlet of Cedar Creek Reservoir to an elevated green that is carved into the side of a hill. It’s a white-knuckle iron shot over water, but one heck of a pretty golf hole. When I said this hole is tricky to navigate, I wasn’t specifically referring to the shot itself, as it plays just 165 yards. Getting to the green from the tee is the tricky part. After firing your tee shot across the water, you retreat back up the hill to the Pinnacle Club Drive and make your way through a neighborhood around the water to St. Andrews Drive, then wind your carts to the back of the green, where you and your group descend a set of rock steps down to the putting surface. It can be a little tough to figure out where you are going if you are a first timer, so be sure to have the pro shop attendant explain it before you tee off.
After another pair of par 4s, playing 385 yards and 345 yards respectively, comes the opening par 5 of the final nine. This one stretches to 460 yards, which makes it a great opportunity for birdie. Water crosses the fairway at about 280 yards, so longer hitter run the risk of chasing one into the drink, especially in the winter months when the grass is dormant or in the summer when the ground is firm. The closer to the water players get, the shorter the approach. Nearing the crossing water can leave nothing more than a mid-iron remaining to a green that is one of the largest on the property and has multiple twists and tiers. A back pin placement and an approach hit to the front of the green will test even the most skilled with a flat stick.
The 175-yard par 3 14th comes next, followed by arguably the quirkiest hole of this January design. No. 15 again features water crossing into the landing area, so laying up short of it is a must. This will require a shot of no more than about 230 yards and leave a short iron approach into the small putting surface. It’s not a particularly difficult golf hole, but one that will require your full attention.
No. 16 is one of the best and most demanding holes at Pinnacle. This par 5 plays just under 500 yards, but with a slight dogleg and water guarding the right side of the landing zone, it plays sneaky long. The farther left you go to avoid the water off the tee, the longer the second shot will be. There is also water that guards the green, so attempting to get home in two might not be the best way to attack this one. A layup and precise wedge are a more logical play, especially considering the green is not very deep front to back. This is some of January’s finest work, with plenty of risk-reward for those that want to take on the challenge.
Back-to-back par 4s round out the round, with No. 18 running parallel to No. 11. The final two holes aren’t going to change your life architecturally, but both, like many other holes at Pinnacle, are quite tight from tee to green, with No. 18 in particular presenting a very demanding tee shot.
Overall, Pinnacle is one of the more unique layouts you will play. It winds and twists around gorgeous lake properties and will present narrow corridors throughout, water in abundance, and tricky, slick greens. The putting surfaces are sublime following a recent renovation with Champion G12 Bermuda.
The few times AG has visited Pinnacle, pace of play has been superb, with members seeming to be moving with a purpose, and with the overall short yardages, although narrow, the length of the holes helps keep the pace moving. The par 3s alone are worth your trip, and the course offers plenty of looks at birdie if you can control your shots off the tee. With all of this considered, Pinnacle is a great spot to think about getting a membership or doing a weekend trip with your buddies. There are plenty of VRBO options around Cedar Creek, which makes this a perfect spot for a weekend getaway with buddies or the fam.