The Golf Club at Cinco Ranch is located within the 8,100-acre Cinco Ranch master-planned community on Houston's fast-growing west side.

The 18-hole, par-71 golf course features a rolling layout that will challenge low handicappers while still offering the average player or beginner the opportunity to play an enjoyable round of golf. That's thanks to a well-conceived plan by the developers of Cinco Ranch, and masterful design by Houston-based architect Carlton Gipson.

The development company set aside ample room for the course, enabling Gipson to provide a wide variety of holes without squeezing them between out-of-bounds markers. In most cases, following the intended line of play takes OB completely out of play. Only three holes are marked by white stakes on both sides -- that, in itself, sets Cinco Ranch apart from most real estate-oriented courses. Gipson's design features a surprising (and pleasing) amount of roll, with several holes home to elevation changes of as much as 15 feet. The elevation changes help ensure an interesting round of golf -- so do some 50 bunkers and water hazards that come into play on 16 holes.

The first class practice facility and driving range is complete with two enormous tees that are always open for practice from grass. The amenities include two giant, undulating practice greens for putting and chipping improvement as well as a short game area that offers a huge bunker, many shade trees, and provides lies of varying degrees.