Rankings: 

1st    

The Takeaway:  Bayou golf. The flat terrain is offset by some clever hole designs through the natural vegetation and water hazards. The archaic cypress and mossy oak trees make for some fantastic natural hazards.  Grade B-

Quick Facts

Designer:  Rees Jones in 2017

Phone Number:  (504) 483-9410

Course Website:  Official Website - Visit Bayou Oaks City Park (South)'s official website by clicking on the link provided.

Directions:  Get here! - 1040 Filmore Avenue , New Orleans, Louisiana  70124 – UNITED STATES

Photos:  See additional photos of Bayou Oaks City Park (South)

What to Expect:  The South Course at Bayou Oaks was a pleasant surprise! This course was devastated by Hurricane Katrina and recently, in 2017, re-opened with a new design done by Mr. Rees Jones. As a city course I had low expectations, but I thoroughly enjoyed this track. The fairways were wide and the bunkers were soft. There were plenty of water hazards, but the course was very playable. The large century-old oak trees with Spanish Moss hanging off the branches give the course a mystical feeling. They are also strategically placed, making them significant hazards that necessitate some low-trajectory and well-shaped shots. The course also has programs that allow inner-city kids to learn the game that we all love so much. That is just one more reason why this course should be on your short list of courses to play in NOLA.

By the Numbers

Individual Hole Analysis

Signature Hole:  9th Hole – 585 Yard Par 5 – Its not a terribly long hole, but with a water hazard in front of the tee box and a sand trap about 260 yards out it makes for an intimidating tee shot. A creek runs along the right side of the fairway, daring you to go big, but forcing you to play it safe. Your third shot around the green will give you a beautiful view of Old Glory flying just beyond the green. It’s a fantastic way to finish the front nine.

9th Hole at Bayou Oaks City Park (South) (585 Yard Par 5)

Best Par 3:  2nd Hole – 200 Yards – It doesn’t take long to get to the good stuff at Bayou Oaks. This hole is probably the most memorable of the course. A longish par three with water, sand, and a gorgeous oak guarding the safest entry point into the green. A high draw is the perfect play here to have a chance at a 2. However, there is quite a bit of fairway beyond the oak and in front of the green, so a miss short doesn’t take you out of contention for a par.

2nd Hole at Bayou Oaks City Park (South) (200 Yard Par 3)

Best Par 4:  16th Hole – 347 Yards – Don’t gamble to the left. A large water hazard plays along the entire left side of the fairway collecting all errant balls. Play out to the right, there’s more room there than you think. The smartest play is to play about 250 yards off the tee. That will keep you short of the sand and you’ll have less than 100 yards into the open right front aspect of the green.

16th Hole at Bayou Oaks City Park (South) (347 Yard Par 4)

Best Par 5:  11th Hole – 567 Yards – I’m a sucker for the wayward tree hanging out in the middle of the fairway. It just gives so much character to the golf hole. Again, Mr. Jones uses a large Oak as an obstacle that must be accounted for. The tree will come into play on the second shot and it is near impassable if you have a low-ball flight path. Play the shot nice and high over the tree; or play it safe and leave it to the right.

11th Hole at Bayou Oaks City Park (South) (567 Yard Par 5)

Birdie Time:  12th Hole – 373 Yard Par 4 – Another short par 4, but without the hazards one would normally expect on a hole of this length. There is water left, but there is so much room to the right that its not really in play. Grip it and rip it down the fairway, a 240 yard tee shot will clear the bunkers in the fairway, then nestle your approach nice and tight to the pin and tap in that birdie that you deserve!

12th Hole at Bayou Oaks City Park (South) (373 Yard Par 4)

Bogey Beware:  13th Hole – 471 Yard Par 4 – After the birdie on the previous hole, Bayou Oaks counters with a tester. This unassuming hole is tougher than it seems. With a sweeping dogleg left and water left keep your tee shot middle to right of the fairway. The approach is the difficult shot as the fairway narrows to a bottleneck at the green. Don’t be tempted to attack the pin if it is on the left side of the green. Play to the middle-right of the green. Par is a great score here.

13th Hole at Bayou Oaks City Park (South) (471 Yard Par 4)