The state of Texas offers over 900 golf courses to play, with varying degrees of difficulty.
Choosing the 10 best golf courses in Texas is undoubtedly a challenge due to the great tracks out there.
This task has been eased with a collaboration with TheGrint, our favorite mobile app that helps golfers track their handicap and stats. They have collected golf course reviews from millions of real golf rounds from real golfers.
Ranking in order 1 to 10
- Bluejack National Golf Course
- The Club at Carlton Woods | Tom Fazio Course
- Austin Country Club
- Whispering Pines Golf Club | Whispering Pines
- Spanish Oaks Golf Club, LLC
- Mira Vista Country Club
- Kissing Tree Golf Club
- Lakewood Country Club | Lakewood
- Dallas Athletic Club | Blue Course
- Trinity Forest Golf Club
1. Bluejack National Golf Course
- Site Link
- Location: Montgomery, Texas.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,903 meters off the Tips and 5,647 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tees options available.
Signature Hole – The 167-meter par 3 12th is the signature hole.
It plays slightly downhill off the tee and the hole is similar to the infamous 12th at Augusta.
It is the most dramatic tee shot of the round.
A lake in front and bunkers at the back catch the stray shot.
A Tiger Woods designed layout that is playable by all skill levels.
The wide tall pine-framed fairways are reminiscent of Augusta.
Undulations and shot-options around the very tricky green complexes test the short game skills.
Doglegs, long and short par 4s keep the action alive as the round progresses.
A must-play track.
2. The Club at Carlton Woods | Tom Fazio Course
- Site Link
- Location: Spring, Texas.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,649 meters off the Tips and 4,641 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
5 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 407-meter par 4 18th is the signature hole.
It plays back toward the clubhouse and large sets of bunkers dominate the hole.
The approach to a slightly raised green has to carry water and a bunker in the front.
Play long!
Home to 2-championship courses designed by Nicklaus and Fazio, both layouts are terrific challenges.
The Fazio track runs through undulating terrain.
A fantastic mix of hole shapes, lengths, and strategy test the mettle of all golfers.
The bunkers are a feature and lurk everywhere.
A solid layout that will challenge the competent golfer, but will be enjoyed by all.
3. Austin Country Club
- Site Link
- Location: Austin, Texas.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,455 meters off the Tips and 4,631meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
7 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 398-meter par 4 12th is my choice of signature hole.
It plays downhill through trees off the tee.
A risk and reward hole that requires a precision approach shot to set up birdie or par.
Don’t be too long!
Set on the banks of the Colorado River this layout is one of the oldest existing courses in Texas.
A links-style track that features the “lowland” and the “highland” holes.
The lowland plays next to the river and then the highland holes move to higher ground.
Deep pot bunkers, risk, and reward holes, major dips, and undulations on both fairways and greens are a fantastic challenge.
A must-play track.
4. Whispering Pines Golf Club | Whispering Pines
- Site Link
- Location: Trinity, Texas.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,831 meters off the Tips and 4,590 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 163-meter par 3 15th is the signature hole.
It plays to a raised dome-shaped green surrounded by bunkers and water on the left.
This could be the scorecard destroyer if not played accurately.
Set in the natural terrain the holes flow through slight elevation changes and twists and turns on the way to the greens.
Tall trees, tight fairways, brilliant bunker placing, and natural water hazards protect par.
The best is left to last as the final 6-holes play along Lake Livingston and Caney Creek.
If the putter works on the tough green complexes, the scorecard will look respectable.
5. Spanish Oaks Golf Club, LLC
- Site Link
- Location: Bee Cave, Texas.
- Par: 71
- Length: 6,335 meters off the Tips and 5,487 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
3 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 514-meter par 5 8th is the signature hole.
It plays uphill off the tee, and clumps of trees stand in the middle of the fairway as the hole progresses.
The ability to hit a fade and draw will come in handy on the way to the green, which is protected by a creek in front.
This golf layout will test skill level and the ability to think through a round.
Length is not the criteria to score well, but strategy off the tee and a good short game will keep the card respectable.
Expect the unexpected as trees not only line the fairways but sit in the middle of a few.
The rolling terrain is easy to walk and the risk and reward challenges are exciting, while the tricky greens are outstanding.
The whole bag of clubs will come into play.
6. Mira Vista Country Club
- Site Link
- Location: Fort Worth, Texas.
- Par: 71
- Length: 6,368 meters off the Tips and 5,623 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
3 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 494-meter par 5 11th is the signature hole.
A creek crosses the fairway and the player has an option to lay up either side of it for the 2nd shot.
The approach is to the largest green on the course with a false front.
The course plays around the beautiful clubhouse with a variety of challenging holes.
Elevation changes throughout increase the difficulty and good shot-making is a bonus.
The fairways cut through the hilly terrain and water and shaped bunkers lurk as the round progresses.
Bring the A-game and have fun.
7. Kissing Tree Golf Club
- Site Link
- Location: San Marcos, Texas.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,007 meters off the Tips and 4,569 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 175-meter par 3 12th is my choice of signature hole.
It plays over water with a stream flanking the left side.
The character of the hole is the beautifully shaped green complex.
A course designed where all skill levels can play and have fun.
Using the natural topography created gentle sloping wide fairways, with the natural grasses and scrub lining the fairways.
A feature is the many varied ways of playing each hole and the hillocks and mounds surrounding the green complexes provide just that.
Strategically placed ponds add character.
The bunker shapes are stunning and laid out perfectly to add to the challenge.
8. Lakewood Country Club | Lakewood
- Site Link
- Location: Dallas, Texas.
- Par: 71
- Length: 6,139 meters off the Tips and 5,454 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
3 tee options available.
Signature Hole – My choice of signature hole is the 184-meter par 3 7th.
It plays from an elevated tee over water to the green.
The green complex is framed by old oak trees and surrounded by bunkers.
Club selection is key.
The course plays through gentle slopes and undulations with the tree-lined fairways requiring accuracy throughout the round.
The outstanding bunkering, both large and small creates tension on the tee and approaches to the green complexes.
Strategically placed water hazards test distance control and a thinking golfer will thrive on this track.
9. Dallas Athletic Club | Blue Course
- Site Link
- Location: Dallas, Texas.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,327 meters off the Tips and 5,293 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tee options available.
Signature Hole – My choice of signature hole is the 339-meter par 4 11th.
Hitting the fairway from the tee is a must to make par or better.
The fun begins with the approach shot over water that continues around the left side.
The right side has water short and bunkers pin high.
Good luck!
The club hosts 36-holes of championship golf and Jack Nicklaus remodeled the courses.
The Blue course is an enjoyable, yet challenging layout that uses the natural waterways to good effect.
Rolling fairways, trees, and both grass and white sand bunkers create a variety of holes.
Waterfalls add to the beauty of the course which can be a distraction.
10. Trinity Forest Golf Club
- Site Link
- Location: Dallas, Texas.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,909 meters off the Tips and 5,984 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
3 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The designers believe that a signature hole defines the rest of the course as “mundane”.
There are some special holes and the double green that serves the 11th and the 3rd is thought-provoking.
A traditional links-style course where strategy achieves the best result.
Set in The Great Trinity Forest, with the layout framed by tall trees and the natural native grasses.
The holes roll through the natural terrain and sand areas.
Playing directly at the pin or green is not always the right shot.
The many contours and slopes require an understanding of how the ball feeds to the hole.
Fantastic!
Other Courses Outside the Top 10
1. Royal Oaks Country Club | Royal Oaks
- Site Link
- Location: Dallas, Texas.
PLAYER RATING
Fred Couples assisted with the design and his flair for something different is evident through the layout.
Water features prominently throughout so take some extra “ammo” if not striking the ball well.
2. TPC Craig Ranch
- Site Link
- Location: McKinney, Texas.
PLAYER RATING
Any TPC layout is worth playing and this Tom Weiskopf design is no different.
The flat terrain is easily walkable and allows the golfer to take in all the natural elements through the holes.
3. University Of Texas Golf Club
- Site Link
- Location: Austin, Texas.
PLAYER RATING
The course borders on a wildlife preserve and overlooks Lake Austin.
The rolling terrain and meandering layout through trees offer challenges to all skill levels.
The late afternoon shadows can make distance judgment more difficult.
Final Thoughts
The saying goes that “everything is bigger and better “in Texas.
The state can certainly live up to this statement when it comes to golf courses.
Enjoy the challenges, but always remember, as amateurs, fun is key.
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Nick is the founder of GolfSpan and an avid golfer. He's not quite a pro but has over 15 years of experience playing and coaching golfers worldwide. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience when it comes to choosing the right golf gear and finding the right setup for your game.
