Golf Course Review: Bayou Oaks at City Park - South (June 2026)

It has been a while since I last did a golf course review of Bayou Oaks at City Park - South Course. The last review may have been the last time I had actually played the golf course.

I don't get out to play at Bayou Oaks South course often enough. It's usually because of the rate is more than I can afford on a weekly basis. In the past, I have been critical of that rate being a little overpriced, but after this visit, I am seeing signs that justify the elite course rate. I still do not think it should cost as much or more than TPC Louisiana, but that is mainly because TPC currently hosts a PGA Tour event. Any course, including English Turn, can always justify a higher rate because they do or did host a PGA Tour event. However, around $100 for a near perfectly manicured golf course is not bad. (video at bottom)

The changes Bayou Oaks was able to make in anticipation of LIV Golf are making Bayou Oaks more of an elite golf course. The new driving range and short game practice area alone add to the value. The only thing I hope Bayou Oaks does is leave the new grass and short game area for members and paid golfers only. If they only let the general public go practice on all that new turf at any time, it will not last long. Bayou Oaks driving range is one of the busiest ranges I have ever seen across the entire Gulf Coast. If 100+ golfers go practice and take divots on all that turf every day, the maintenance crew will not be able to maintain the turf conditions. If they keep it limited to members and those who pay to play the South Course, those areas will not get as much daily traffic, and the turf can maintain its conditions. The new short game area opens July 1st.

Since my last review, there have also been other changes besides the golf course. New head pro, as well as a lot of new golf shop staff, I had not met there before. There were times in the past when checking into the golf shop didn't feel welcoming. That was completely different this time. The staff was extremely welcoming and very friendly. It makes perfect sense as their head pro was that way. Bayou Oaks is currently without a head pro since the passing of their most recent pro, Chip. (Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Sullivan family.) The staff at any business will mirror how their direct boss is. We will see if the new head pro coming in will change any of the dynamics that currently have the staff happy and friendly.

As for the golf course itself, I was made aware of all the changes the course was currently going through. New tee boxes on holes 1 & 15, tree removal to the left of hole 13, and narrowing some of the fairways, like on hole 6. Now the fairway narrowing was in preparation for LIV, but I hope it is something they keep. The few holes I noticed this on really added a little more character to those holes. The golf course needs a tad more of that type of character since the original "links style" heather grass that was supposed to be around the course never grew in. The fairways narrowed with longer rough will absolutely do this.

The addition of the tee boxes also lengthened the golf course by about 100 yards. all the tees were moved back as a result, which is ok, but something to keep in mind when selecting a tee to play from. With the added length, they should now create new combo tees. They already have a blue/white combo, but moving forward, there should be a blue/black and black/gold combo. It will also be interesting to see the new slope and course rating with those new tees and the tree removal.

The day of the review, there was some rain that morning. I was surprised the cart rule was 90°, and the golf course was barely wet. This means the golf course drains very well. Actually, with the amount of rain the past week or so, it was great to see how dry the course was. They did get enough rain recently that the faiways were not fully cut as low as they would normally be.

Overall: 4.5 out of 5

Tee Boxes: 4.5 out of 5

The tee boxes were nearly perfect. They are level and have plenty of grass. There were only a few that looked like they hadn't moved the tee markers in a few days, as you could see the wear on the grass. Most of those were par 4s, so you were using a tee, and it didn't matter.

Fairways: 4 out of 5

The fairways were really great. The grass was full and plush. The only downside was that they were slightly longer than they would normally be. This did not affect anything, as the ball still sat nicely and gave you a good lie. The only thing it would affect is how much spin you get on iron and wedge shots. I was still able to get spin; however, with a tighter lie, you can generate more spin, which helps keep the ball on the greens.

Greens: 4.5 out of 5

The greens were smooth and quick. They were a little soft from the rain, but not so soft that the ball just stopped next to your ball mark. There was only one green, the 17th, that had a small blemish. Nothing that would affect play or the roll of a putt, it just looked bad. Other than that, every green was consistent from hole to hole.

All in all, I was extremely pleased with everything at Bayou Oaks this visit. The conditions were the best I've seen there. The rough was grown out, which I loved, and had a good definition from the fairways. The bunkers were also very good. The sand is consistent around the whole course and has a good tour quality texture. I recommend a visit to play Bayou Oaks at City Park's South Course.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgfeV5O_Z9I