If you’ve driven past the Texas Motor Speedway on I-35W, you’ve seen it. That stretch of rolling green right next to the Marriott that looks suspiciously like a links course dropped into the middle of North Texas cow country. That’s the Golf Club at Champions Circle. Most people just call it "Champions Circle," and honestly, it’s one of those tracks that polarizes the local golf scene. Some guys swear by it for the weekend morning rates. Others complain about the conditioning the second the Texas heat turns the grass into a crisp.
But here’s the thing. It’s a Greg Norman design.
That actually means something. Norman doesn't usually do "easy." He likes to mess with your sightlines. He wants you to look at a fairway and feel a little bit of phantom anxiety about where the bunkers are hiding. At Champions Circle, he utilized a bunch of old-growth oak trees and some surprisingly dramatic creek beds to create a par-72 layout that feels way more secluded than it actually is, considering you can literally hear the roar of engines from the speedway on race weekends. It’s a weird, beautiful, sometimes frustrating juxtaposition of quiet nature and massive commercial infrastructure.
The Layout: Why Your Handicap Might Take a Hit
Most DFW courses are flat. You know the ones—straight out, straight back, maybe a pond if the developer was feeling spicy. Champions Circle is different because it actually uses the terrain. It’s built on what used to be a ranch, and you can tell.
The front nine and the back nine feel like two different zip codes. The front is a bit more open, letting you grip it and rip it, but then you hit the back nine and things get tight. Fast.
Take Hole 12. It’s a par 4 that isn't particularly long, but it’s framed by these massive, ancient oaks that seem to reach out and swat your ball into the creek if you’re even five yards off line. You’re playing through these narrow corridors of trees that make you forget you’re five minutes away from a Buc-ee’s. It’s tactical golf. If you show up with a "bomb and gouge" mentality, this course will eat your lunch and keep your ball markers as trophies.
The par 3s here are notoriously tricky, too. They aren't just "hit a 7-iron and hope" holes. They require actual club selection thought because the wind whips across those open flats near the Marriott. You might be hitting a wedge one day and a 5-iron the next on the exact same hole. That’s the Norman influence. He wants you to play the elements, not just the yardage book.
The Reality of Course Conditions
Let’s be real for a second. This isn’t Colonial. It’s not Dallas National.
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Champions Circle is a public-access course that sees a lot of traffic. Because it’s right there at the intersection of Highway 114 and I-35W, it’s a magnet for corporate outings and travelers staying at the Marriott. That means the greens can get a little beat up by Sunday afternoon.
If you’re a "green speeds must be a 12 on the stimpmeter" kind of golfer, you might have some notes. The course has struggled in the past with the brutal North Texas transition seasons—where we go from a freeze to 90 degrees in the span of a week. However, under the management of Century Golf Partners (who handle the Arnold Palmer Golf Management portfolio), there’s been a visible push to get the bunkers and fairways back to a premium standard.
Is it perfect? No. Is it better than your average municipal track? Absolutely.
The bunkering is actually one of the highlights. They aren't those shallow, dirt-filled pits you find at cheap courses. They are proper, white-sand hazards that require a real splash shot to escape. Just don't be surprised if you find a few unraked footprints—again, heavy traffic is the trade-off for the accessibility here.
What Nobody Tells You About the "Speedway Factor"
There is a specific vibe to the Golf Club at Champions Circle that you won't find anywhere else in the world.
When there isn't a race going on, it’s incredibly peaceful. You’ll see hawks circling, maybe a few deer near the creek on the back nine. But during NASCAR or IndyCar weeks? Forget about it. The energy changes. You can hear the practice laps. The hotels are packed. The atmosphere is electric, but it's definitely not "traditional" golf.
Some people hate the noise. Personally? I think it’s cool. It reminds you that you’re in the heart of a massive sports hub. Plus, the clubhouse and the nearby Marriott have some of the best post-round hangout spots in the area. Getting a burger and a beer while looking out over the 18th green as the sun sets over the grandstands in the distance is a quintessential North Texas experience.
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Booking Strategy: How to Actually Enjoy Your Round
Look, if you book a tee time at 10:00 AM on a Saturday, you’re looking at a five-hour round. It’s just the nature of the beast. To get the best out of this place, you have to be strategic:
- The Early Bird Special: Try to be in the first three groups off the tee. The dew on the Greg Norman-designed greens makes them hold a bit better, and you’ll finish before the heat becomes unbearable.
- Weekday Afternoons: If you can sneak away on a Tuesday at 2:00 PM, you’ll basically have the place to yourself.
- Check the Schedule: Always, always check the Texas Motor Speedway calendar. If there’s a major event, traffic getting into the complex will be a nightmare, and the course will be slammed.
The "Great Value" Debate
Is it worth the green fee?
In the current DFW market, golf prices have gone insane. You’re seeing mediocre courses charging $90 or $100 on weekends. Champions Circle generally stays competitive. For what you’re getting—a championship layout designed by a Hall of Famer, decent practice facilities, and a challenging back nine—the value proposition is strong.
It’s a "players" course. If you’re a beginner, the narrowness of the back nine might be demoralizing. You’ll lose a lot of balls in the creek. But if you’re looking to test your iron play and your ability to shape shots around trees, this is one of the best classrooms in the Fort Worth area.
Technical Specs for the Gearheads
For those who care about the numbers, the course plays about 7,000 yards from the back tees (the "Shark" tees, naturally). The slope rating sits around 131, which tells you everything you need to know—it’s tougher than it looks on the scorecard.
The grass is primarily Bermuda, which is standard for Texas. It goes dormant and brown in the winter, but it’s hardy. The greens are TifEagle Bermuda, which, when properly maintained, offers a very consistent, true roll. They aren't overly undulating, but they have subtle breaks that will make you look like a fool if you don't read the grain correctly. Hint: everything generally pulls toward the lower creek beds.
Common Misconceptions About Champions Circle
I hear people say it’s "just a hotel course." That’s a disservice.
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A "hotel course" usually implies something wide, boring, and designed not to offend anyone. This place has teeth. Norman didn't design this for the casual traveler who plays once a year; he designed it for people who actually like the game. The 13th hole, for instance, is a beast of a par 4 that requires a precise drive and an even more precise approach over water. That’s not "resort golf." That’s real golf.
Another myth is that it’s always dry. While North Texas is prone to droughts, the irrigation system at Champions Circle is actually quite robust. They’ve made significant investments in water management over the last five years. While the rough might get a bit crispy in August, the primary playing surfaces usually hold up better than most of the neighboring courses.
Practical Insights for Your First Visit
If you’re heading out there this weekend, keep a few things in mind. First, the driving range is grass, which is a huge plus. Too many courses are switching to mats, but you can actually get a real feel for your turf interaction here before you head to the first tee.
Second, pay attention to the wind. Because of the proximity to the flatlands around the airport and the speedway, the wind isn't just a breeze—it’s a factor. It usually blows from the south/southeast. On the holes that run parallel to the highway, that wind can push a small fade into a massive slice very quickly.
Finally, don't sleep on the clubhouse food. It’s better than it needs to be. The "Creekside Cafe" vibe is relaxed, and the staff actually knows the course. If you’re unsure about the pin placements or the green speeds, just ask the guys in the shop; they’re usually pretty transparent about how the course is playing that day.
Actionable Next Steps
Ready to take on the Shark’s design? Here is how to handle your next trip to the Golf Club at Champions Circle:
- Audit Your Bag: Make sure you have enough "expendable" balls. The creek that meanders through the back nine is a magnet for slightly offline shots.
- Book Online: Their dynamic pricing means you can often find massive discounts (sometimes 30-40% off) if you book 48 hours in advance through their website rather than calling.
- Focus on the 150-Yard Marker: On the back nine, leave the driver in the bag for at least three of the par 4s. Position is infinitely more important than distance on this layout.
- Check the Wind: Use a weather app to check wind gusts before you leave. If it’s over 20mph, adjust your expectations for your score—it’s going to be a long day of "stingers" and low-ball flights.
- Post-Round Strategy: Plan to spend 20 minutes at the Marriott lounge next door after the round. It’s one of the best ways to decompress after the back nine tests your patience.
This isn't just another North Texas golf course. It’s a specific kind of challenge that rewards the disciplined and punishes the arrogant. Whether you're there for the proximity to the speedway or the architectural pedigree of Greg Norman, it’s a round that you’ll definitely remember—for better or worse, depending on how you handle those oak trees.