I never release an official golf guide before I am fully confident that I am able to provide the very best list on the internet. You can rest easy knowing that I have scoured every inch of the golf landscape in order to provide you with a truly definitive guide. As one of the nation’s quickest growing cities, a solid situation for public golf has emerged in Austin, Texas and it is my duty to bring you the details. I have searched near and far, including several courses about an hour away.
My guide takes 5 categories into consideration and the full breakdown with all of the scores is at the end of the article. Any course not scoring 30 points was omitted from my rankings. By evaluating each course individually based on these categories, I am able to generate my very best unbiased result. No matter the care and attention to detail given, the exercise of evaluating golf courses will always be met with some level of skepticism. This is the best way that I know how to deliver the most effective results in order to help the reader select the best places to play.
If these rankings manage to piss you off, you can always head down to the comments. For the real pros, there is a suggestion box in the middle of the lake. To book tee times, you can click the book tee time link next to the course or download Austin’s best app for booking public golf, OpenTee.
Quality: How good are the conditions of the golf course? Are the fairways filled with dead grass and weeds? Does it play firm and fast? Do the greens roll true? Is the course a challenging, yet fair test of golf?
Character: How interesting is the golf course? How much variety do the individual holes have? Does this golf course possess something unique compared to it’s counterparts?
Value: How do I feel about money when I walk out of the parking lot? I never feel bad about spending money on golf, but sometimes I feel much better about dropping $100.
Fun: Does the course provide interesting options that make me excited to play golf? Would I go back and play it again right away? Vibes also figure into this category. Golf should be fun.
Beauty: As a golf course photographer, I have a particularly keen eye for the aesthetics of the game. I put a number on it here.
30 POINTS
Legends Golf Course - Kingsland, TX - Book Tee Time
We start off the list with a lengthy drive northwest of Austin and into the city of Kingsland, TX. This area has some high quality golf courses and was a necessary inclusion to my list. Legends is a worthwhile addition to any trip to the area.
30 POINTS
Mill Creek Country Club - Salado, TX - Book Tee Time
27 holes of golf await those that make the drive to Salado for some decent public golf. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr, there are a handful of interesting holes that will keep you engaged.
30 POINTS
ColoVista Golf Club - Bastrop, TX - Book Tee Time
I always like to say “You gotta go to Colo because Yolo.” Now, they don’t really talk like that down in Bastrop, but you get the idea. What was clearly once a pristine country club in an upscale community has now been opened to the public with less than ideal conditions. If you can ignore the rough turf, you should be able to enjoy a fun and interesting round of golf.
31 POINTS
ShadowGlen Golf Club - Manor, TX - Book Tee Time
The rolling Texas terrain at ShadowGlen make this a solid stop for middle of the road public golf outside of Austin. The golf course finishes strong with several interesting holes and a particularly fun drivable par 4.
32 POINTS
Jimmy Clay Golf Course - Austin, TX - Book Tee Time
The Jimmy Clay course along with the Roy Kizer course control the muni situation in Austin. Both courses have been local favorites since their inception in 1974. The most difficult part about either course is actually finding a tee time. Proximity to the city and value create exceptionally high demand. The Jimmy Clay course presents more of a parkland offering compared to Kizer.
33 POINTS
Harvey Penick Golf Campus - Austin, TX - Book Tee Time
Let the good times roll on the Harvey Penick Golf Campus. The golf course is only 9 holes, but it scores deliciously high on the fun meter. The conditions aren’t always the finest, but Harvey will be there for you if you need a quick and fun 9 holes with some friends.
33 POINTS
Plum Creek Golf Course - Kyle, TX - Book Tee Time
There is nothing that is going to piss you off at Plum Creek. However, nothing is going to get you overly excited. The golf holes are straight forward and enjoyable. The conditions are average and it is likely that the pace of play will also follow suit.
33 POINTS
Star Ranch Golf Club - Hutto, TX - Book Tee Time
Decent golf at a decent rate. A handful of holes towards the finish will catch your eye and keep your interest. There is a mini waterfall around a green if that is your thing. The value here is probably the most compelling aspect of a visit to Star Ranch.
33 POINTS
Butler Pitch and Putt - Austin, TX - Book Tee Time
No Austin list is complete without including one of the most fun spots for golf in America. This historic short course is located next to downtown Austin where the good vibes are only matched by the good times. Golf does not get much more enjoyable than a sunset stroll with some friends at Butler Pitch and Putt.
33 POINTS
Lighthouse Country Club - Kingsland, TX - Book a Tee Time
I wasn’t expecting much when I teed it up on a dreary morning at Lighthouse. However, I would be pleasantly surprised by a number of fun and unique golf holes. None stood out more than the glorious 6th hole. This little par 5 is nestled into some exposed rock and was worth the visit alone.
34 POINTS
Horseshoe Bay Resort - Ram Rock - Horsehoe Bay, TX - Book Tee TIme
The quality jumps up a bit as we head into the 34 point winners and leading the charge are the courses at Horseshoe Bay. There are 3 golf courses to play at Horseshoe Bay Resort and they are all of similar caliber. Ram Rock is probably the most difficult of the bunch and requires a lot of accuracy off of the tee.
34 POINTS
Horseshoe Bay Resort - Apple Rock - Horsehoe Bay, TX - Book Tee TIme
Apple Rock is slightly easier than Ram Rock but still offers a formidable test of golf. The highlight of the round comes on the back nine with a reachable par 5 and a par 3 that plays over the water at the tip of the Horseshoe Bay property. This Robert Trent Jones Sr design is good fun.
34 POINTS
Horseshoe Bay Resort - Slick Rock - Horsehoe Bay, TX - Book Tee TIme
The original course at the resort comes with something called the “Million Dollar Hole” designed by Robert Trent Jones. The 35 foot waterfall on the 14th hole pumps nearly 8000 gallons per minute into the Slick Rock Creek. Since it’s inception in 1971, it has become one of the most notorious golf holes in Texas.
34 POINTS
Delaware Springs - Burnet, TX - Book a Tee Time
One of my sneaky favorite spots on this list is Delaware Springs. The conditions are awesome and the golf is good. There are a smattering of golf holes that stand out and any public golfer would be wise to put this in regular rotation.
34 POINTS
Kissing Tree Golf Club - San Marcos, TX - Book a Tee Time
Most Troon managed facilities deliver a high level of quality and Kissing Tree is no different. In addition to the great courses conditions, Kissing Tree takes a ride through the undeveloped wilderness on the back nine. The result is some great scenery mixed with some undisturbed vibes.
34 POINTS
Roy Kizer Golf Course - Austin, TX - Book Tee Time
The Kizer course is the cream of the crop when it comes to the group of 6 municipal golf courses in Austin, TX. Excellent use of the undulating land makes the Kizer course extremely fun to play. Be sure to plan your trip in advance as the tee times are difficult to obtain.
34 POINTS
Forest Creek Golf Club - Round Rock, TX - Book Tee TIme
Just 30 minutes from downtown Austin is one of the best options for quality public golf in the area. Pristine conditions and solid value await those that visit Forest Creek.
34 POINTS
Double J Ranch Golf Club - Woodcreek, TX - Book Tee TIme
This one is a bit of a drive from Austin, but I found that the trip was worth the effort. A mixture of challenging holes await. The fairways are narrow and things can start to get squirrelly fast if you can’t find the fairway.
34 POINTS
Lions Municipal - Austin, TX - Book Tee Time
There is a lot to love at Lions Muni. The History, the local vibes and the passionate golfers all make Lions one of my favorite spots for a round of golf in Austin. The downside is that the golf course is not particularly well kept or outstanding. The greens are usually in great shape which keeps the fun factor exceptionally high. With modest green fees, this is also one of the best values in Austin.
34 POINTS
Teravista Golf Club - Round Rock, TX - Book a Tee Time
Another beauty in the Round Rock area provides a great option for public golf. During my exploration of the public golf scene, a handful of golfers applauded Teravista for having the finest greens in the city. You would be wise to pay a visit and find out for yourself.
34 POINTS
Crystal Falls Golf Club - Leander, TX - Book a Tee Time
Crystal Falls is another one of my personal favorites on this list. Both nines flow back and forth through a canyon resulting in some dramatic golf holes. Several of the golf holes border on the edge of ridiculousness, but the price of admission is well worth the experience.
34 POINTS
Avery Ranch - Austin, TX - Book Tee TIme
Designed by Andy Raugust, who was one of the architects working for Jack Nicklaus, Avery Ranch is a solid option for quality public golf. Oak lined fairways and solid playing conditions make the round enjoyable. The 18th hole is the highlight of the round with a view expanding long over Texas Hill country.
35 POINTS
Grey Rock Golf Club - Austin, TX - Book Tee Time
Our first 35 pointer on this list scores strong points in just about every category. Jay Morrish has designed an engaging and fun course to play in the heart of Hill Country. The only downside is that the course does have one of the highest green fees in the area but it still manages to stay under $100 on weekdays
35 POINTS
Falconhead Golf Club - Austin, TX - Book a Tee Time
One of the most frequently recommended options for high quality public golf in the Austin area is Falconhead Golf Club. The golf course was designed numerous architects in the PGA Tour Design Center. I had not heard of this approach to course design before but the result is a course that is well suited to the land that it resides upon.
36 POINTS
Lost Pines / Wolfdancer - Austin, TX - Book a Tee Time
Even though the name suffered a major downgrade in 2021, Lost Pines Golf Club still remains one of the best options for public golf in Austin. I explored the course both as Wolfdancer and as Lost Pines and I give the Wolfdancer the edge. This Arthur Hills design provides much more interest and variety than nearly every other public golf course in the Austin area.
Wolfdancer Golf Club in 2018
Lost Pines Golf Club in 2023
36 POINTS
Omni Barton Creek - Fazio Canyons - Austin, TX - Book a Tee Time
As we head onto the podium for public golf in Austin, we find ourselves in a runaway victory situation with Omni Barton Creek. All 3 public courses at the resort are a notch above other public golf in the area. However, there is a premium to play the best and these tee times do not come cheap. In my opinion, these courses are worth the price.
The Fazio Canyons offers so dramatic views and plenty of quality golf holes. The Canyons is my least favorite of the trio at Omni Barton Creek, but only by a slim margin.
37 POINTS
Omni Barton Creek - Crenshaw Cliffside - Austin, TX - Book a Tee TIme
When it comes to quality architecture in Texas, this Coore Crenshaw design is one of the finest. As is to be expected with the duo, the design blends naturally into the land provided. The trio of finishing holes is particularly strong.
38 POINTS
Omni Barton Creek - Fazio Foothills - Austin, TX - Book a Tee Time
My favorite of the bunch at Omni Barton Creek is also one of the most visually appealing courses in the Austin area. Playing over rocks, streams and hilly terrain, Fazio Foothills is a glorious mixture of fun and beautiful golf. If I had to pick one course to play in the Austin area this would be it. The conditions are great, the options are plentiful and the view is glorious.
Honorable mention should be give to Willy Nelson’s Put & Cut for having marijuana themed tee markers and Blackhawk Golf Club for scoring an all time low with only 9 points. 3 1’s is simply unmatched.
Thank you for enjoying the very best guide for public golf in Austin Texas. You can find the rest of my in depth guides here.