On Monday I headed out to East Texas to check out the Links at Land’s End. On the days I golf outside the Metroplex I’ve been trying to pair a nine hole course close to my main round. So, that’s what I did and Mineola Country Club was right on my way!

I pulled into the parking lot around 11am and it was packed. The course looked quite busy from what I could see (holiday weekend I suppose) but surprisingly I didn’t run into anyone until the 8th hole. All in all it took about an hour and a half for me to play which was better than I expected.

Before I got going the proshop tried their best to explain how the routing can be a bit confusing the first time around Mineola. They talked specifically about the 5th hole and how it can be played as a par-3 or a par-4, depending on if you are playing 9 or 18 holes. For your front nine you play it as a 133 par-3 and then for the back nine it is a 333 par-4 with a separate green. However, much of this went in one ear and out the other!

Simple enough, or so it would seem. Unfortunately (for my sake) the course is doing some work on the 4th green and had that closed to play. There is a temporary green off to the left on the 4th but the sign for that was quite vague, as no distance nor par was provided. Well, I thought the 4th was the 5th and had no idea where to play!

As soon as I thought I got the confusing set of holes out of the way I realized I didn’t! Things finally clicked in my mind but it was a bit puzzling, that is for sure. I guess that is part of the craziness of playing so many new courses.

I actually ended up playing both of the 5th/14th holes and preferred the par-3! As a par-3 you play from a wooded area slightly uphill to a green set in a hillside, which gives the hole a nice look. As a par-4 a layup is needed and the hole angles to the right, over a creek. It is a position hole and I found it fairly tricky. I suppose the 5th/14th combo adds some interest if you play here frequently.

Besides the multiple-green hole there is plenty to like at Mineola. The course plays over some rolling terrain with plenty of pine trees. There is enough uphill and downhill to keep things interesting and a creek cuts through many holes. That results in plenty of interesting and challenging shots! You’ll need to think your way around here, which is reflected in the rating and slope. If you play the whites on the front and the blues on the back the course plays 70.0/121/5932. There are a variety of yardages and pars so you’ll hit a decent number of clubs.

The conditions were a nice surprise with things being in really solid shape, especially the greens! The greens had a bright shine to them and were borderline flawless. They rolled perfect and were a medium speed. The green complexes are small and slightly elevated, just as you’d expect for a course built in 1932 (per Golf Advisor).

Everything else was a bit scruffy with the fairways needing a mow and the rough a bit patchy. There were spots of crabgrass that are trying to be killed off so you’ll see some of those brown areas in the pics. I didn’t see any bunkers which probably allows the crew more time to focus on the rest of the course. 

For $17.50 (with a cart) Mineola Country Club turned out to be a great find. I’m not saying the course is worth the ride from Dallas but if you are in the area then make sure to stop by!

Course Pictures (click any picture to scroll through the gallery):