garden valley golf resort

My husband and I spent a day in June at this beautiful East Texas golf course. It was our first time playing on this course and we had heard really good reviews from our friends in the Dallas area. While I am a novice golfer, he is very experienced and enjoys playing courses all over the world, dragging his clubs everywhere we go, England, Mexico, Bahamas, etc. My point is that the course was not only beautiful but also in superb shape considering this past winter. I took some pictures back in June which I am attaching. We also played the course for a second time today, July 29, 2014. The staff was cordial and attentive. The course was in excellent condition and we look forward to future trips.

High priced horrible conditions. $62.00 for 18 holes. No cart girl. We paid $24.00 for three breakfast burritos. No course management.

This was the first time I played this course. The practice green by the driving range was in awful condition. I had hoped that this wasn't going to be a sign of things to come. Some of the greens on the actual course were worse than the TERRIBLE practice green. I had heard that this course was really nice at one point. Me and wife played this course and for two green fees and a bucket of balls was somewhere in the ballpark of $130.00 I wouldn't have paid $40.00 total for both. These were some of the worse greens I have even seen and played on. It's sad because the scenery of the course is beautiful. Lakes - Tall beautiful trees. It could be a really nice course. But there is a total lack of care for the course itself. Not to mention everything just seemed dirty. I was extremely disappointed in this course and I would not recommend anyone to play it. I almost feel bad for the people who bought real estate on this so called golf community. It is a 0 star location for sure.

We just got back from a golf outing at this property. The Dock House accommodations were great. The property and layout is very nice. Sadly, the conditions were appalling. Most of the greens are dead or on life support. In my opinion, this course is being run into the ground by its inept owners. The staff is clueless as well. This course could be something special, but it is on the fast track to bankruptcy. If you are in the East Texas area take my advice and go to Pine Dunes instead.

A few years ago, I started to buy a lot on this great golf-course. I'm so glad I didn't. This golf course has gone from 5 star to 0 star. The worst course I have ever played. I'm a senior, and they charged me $59.00 Plus Tax and range balls. This course, in the shape it's in, should have been $19.00 with no tax, and free range balls. I'm sure the people that bought lots, and built nice homes are really upset.The way the course is now, they can't get anything for their new home's. I have never seen a piece of property go down so quickly. Don't waste your time are money!

Have played this great layout for approx 20 years, beautiful trees, flowers...was an absolute must play.......Played there today 05/18/14, I hadn't played there in approximately 4 years due to a car wreck...was really excited about getting back....what a disappointment....the course is a HAY FIELD. The greens have a fungus...was told the course was in great shape....you can bet this course hasn't seen a bag of fertilizer in the 4 years I've been away...$70.00 and I sure don't mind paying that and more for a good course but this was a total RIP....was told the new owners are concentrating on the real estate portion....got news for these guys...no one wants to live on golf property that totally sucks....was such a neat place at one time....SAD!!!!

The fees are extremely high. The course was in decent shape and has a lot of water and trees and beautiful East Texas scenery. For what they charge, it is not a good value.

Have been going to Garden Valley with a group for the past 10 years or so. Started noticing problems last year 2012 while staying at the Lake House. The Lake House is in a great location on the edge of the lake and on the course. That is the only good thing about the place. This property is falling apart, bug infested and has bad plumbing. Do not even think about going out back to the pier, unless you like snakes. High weeds surround the back of the property. This year we stayed at another location on the course and had better luck. The course was in the worst shape I have seen it in 10 years. Three of the greens were dead and being resodded, and many of the tee boxes were dead as well. Our first round played was played through sprinklers that ran the whole round. This management group is doing a horrible job and is in danger of losing customers soon. Our group loves the course; but have started looking at other stay and play options due to these issues.

this place has allot of memories it has the memories of me and my family who spend some time in vacasions to spend time with me and my other family whe have the best times there..

DO NOT VISIT THIS PROPERTY OR PAY TO STAY HERE! We rented a cottage based off of the quaint photos online and thought this would be a great weekend getaway - pretty close to roughing it for city folk. When we arrived, we checked-in at the clubhouse as instructed, got our key and were on our way. The cottage looked so cute and inviting so we unpacked everything and settled in for the weekend. We decided to head out and grab a bite to eat but upon closing the sliding glass door, the key broke off in the lock. After calling the clubhouse, we were told we would need to move cottages as maintenence was off for the weekend. So we got a new key, moved all of our things and finally headed out to dinner an hour later. When we returned it was dark outside and we were ready to get back, light a fire and make some smores. Unfortunately, this is where our trip took a nosedive. Upon entering the new cabin, if had warmed up since we turned the heater on earlier and their were millipedes, worms and bugs come in by hords. From all doors, windows, vents, under appliances, through plumbing, etc. By this time the clubhouse was of course closed, and there was no after hours number to call, so we decided to move our things back in the unlockable first cottage as it was at least a tiny bit cleaner and close to the road in case we needed to bolt. We put a piece of wood in the sliding glass door so it couldn't be opened - and discovered a 2" gap in the door that wouldn't shut completely....perfect!We luckily brought our own roach spray which we sprayed around the entire exterior and interior of the cottage. It at least slowed the entry of the worms and bugs. We made the decision to pile the 3 of us into the lofted twin beds (which had to be over 30 yrs old) and try to get some sleep if at all possible. The bedding and carpet in the loft had blood on them, and the beds were sunken in with no fluff or support of any kind. Overall it was disgusting and I really would have rather slept in my car but it was 39 degrees outside. We got barely any sleep as we had to keep getting up to sweep away bugs to get to the bathroom. In the morning, we swiftly packed our car (unshowered and all) and headed up to the clubhouse to let them know we would NOT be staying the weekend and why.The 25 year old working the clubhouse, or should I say laying on the couch watching TV, said "yeah we've been having some bug issues over there" and proceeded to charge us for a full nights stay & full rate for green fees that day for my husband and son. Even after talking to his manager on the phone about it. I cannot believe that they did not have the decency to give us a partial refund and appologize for our stay in the most hazardous conditions ever. DO NOT VISIT THIS PROPERTY OR PAY TO STAY HERE!

The cottages are less than one star. If you like worms, bugs, and filth, the cottages are for you. Dockside villa by clubhouse is ok but cottages should be bulldozed down. Would give lower rating if possible. Golf course is beautiful and greens are in good shape. Play golf here but do not stay here.

The $62 they charge for weekend play is WAY overpriced. The greens are nice and the layout is tough. Hog ruts in a lot of areas. Gopher mounds as well. In general it looks like the maintenance is not done very often. Never sent the cart girl out. In my opinion the last owners did a better job with this course. I won't be back here again and won't recommend it to anyone else.

Perhaps not as well maintained in the past, but Garden Valley is still a beautiful golf course that is playable by average golfers and challenging to low handicappers. It is possible some of the course maintenance issues are result of the extremely hot and dry summer this area had last year. I live about an hour away an play with clients and friends at least twice a year and is probably the out of town course I visit most frequently.

It's a shame. For the past 6-8 years this was a must play golf course. New ownership has struggled to keep this facility in tip top shape. As I understand the new owners have tried to save significant monies and the course has been effected significantly. The new bunkers are striking, but that's all they've done. It seems in order to pay for the bunker renovation there have been drastic cuts in other parts of the course. Customer service is lousy. Word is the new owners have eliminated several key management positions and it definitely shows. This course is now more like a "muni" than the must play destination facility it once was. They charge $69.95 on the weekends which is very overpriced. At the present course condition / service level $29.00 should be the going rate. For a far better overall value visit Twin Lakes in nearby Canton or Links at Lands End in Yantis, TX.

Overpriced for the condition of golf course. Twin Lakes in Canton or Links at Lands End in Yantis are much less and in better shape.