From the rugged Hill Country to the scenic Gulf Coast, Texas offers an impressive array of golf courses that showcase the state’s unique landscapes and charm. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the Lone Star State’s most exceptional golf courses.
Hill Country Havens
1. Austin Country Club
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Location: Austin
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Established: 1899
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Designer: Pete Dye
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Par: 72, Yardage: 7,108
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Private Club
This home of the WGC-Dell Match Play tournament is renowned for its dramatic limestone cliffs and scenic views of Lake Austin. A challenging Dye masterpiece with unique Texas charm.
2. Omni Barton Creek (Fazio Canyons)
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Location: Austin
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Established: 1999
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Designer: Tom Fazio
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Par: 72, Yardage: 7,153
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Resort Course
A stunning Hill Country setting combined with pristine course conditions makes this a standout among Texas resort courses.
3. Bluejack National
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Location: Montgomery
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Established: 2015
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Designer: Tiger Woods
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Par: 72, Yardage: 7,552
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Private Club
Woods’ first U.S. course design, featuring wide fairways, strategic bunkering, and a family-friendly short course, “The Playgrounds.”
4. TPC San Antonio (AT&T Oaks)
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Location: San Antonio
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Established: 2010
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Designer: Greg Norman/Sergio Garcia
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Par: 72, Yardage: 7,435
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Resort Course
Host of the Valero Texas Open, this challenging layout features rugged terrain, mature oaks, and undulating greens.
5. Horseshoe Bay Resort (Ram Rock)
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Location: Horseshoe Bay
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Established: 1981
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Designer: Robert Trent Jones Sr.
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Par: 71, Yardage: 6,926
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Resort Course
Known as “The Challenger,” this course lives up to its name with narrow fairways, demanding water hazards, and dramatic scenery.
Dallas-Fort Worth Dominators
6. Colonial Country Club
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Location: Fort Worth
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Established: 1936
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Designer: Perry Maxwell
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Par: 70, Yardage: 7,209
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Private Club
Home of the PGA Tour’s Charles Schwab Challenge, this course boasts tree-lined fairways and iconic Hogan’s Alley.
7. Dallas National Golf Club
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Location: Dallas
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Established: 2002
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Designer: Tom Fazio
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Par: 72, Yardage: 7,372
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Private Club
Ranked as one of the top courses in Texas, it offers stunning elevation changes and a natural flow through limestone canyons.
8. Trinity Forest Golf Club
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Location: Dallas
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Established: 2016
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Designer: Coore & Crenshaw
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Par: 71, Yardage: 7,450
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Private Club
A links-style course just minutes from downtown Dallas, featuring rolling terrain and wide fairways.
9. The Vaquero Club
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Location: Westlake
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Established: 2001
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Designer: Tom Fazio
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Par: 71, Yardage: 7,064
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Private Club
An exclusive retreat with impeccable service, lush conditions, and a relaxed Texas vibe.
10. Preston Trail Golf Club
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Location: Dallas
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Established: 1965
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Designer: Ralph Plummer
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Par: 72, Yardage: 7,091
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Private Club
Known for its privacy and immaculate conditions, this is a hidden gem for the elite.
Coastal and South Texas Gems
11. Whispering Pines Golf Club
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Location: Trinity
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Established: 2000
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Designer: Chet Williams
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Par: 72, Yardage: 7,468
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Private Club
Ranked as the #1 course in Texas, it’s located along the Trinity River with world-class design and breathtaking views.
12. Memorial Park Golf Course
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Location: Houston
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Established: 1936 (redesigned 2019)
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Designer: Tom Doak
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Par: 71, Yardage: 7,432
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Public Course
Host of the Houston Open, this municipal course offers championship-level golf at an affordable rate.
13. Galveston Country Club
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Location: Galveston
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Established: 1898
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Designer: Multiple
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Par: 72, Yardage: 6,502
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Private Club
The oldest course in Texas combines coastal breezes with challenging greens and a relaxed island atmosphere.
14. Lajitas Golf Resort (Black Jack’s Crossing)
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Location: Lajitas
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Established: 2012
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Designer: Lanny Wadkins
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Par: 72, Yardage: 7,413
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Resort Course
Nestled along the Rio Grande, this remote course offers stunning desert views and unique challenges.
15. The Rawls Course at Texas Tech
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Location: Lubbock
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Established: 2003
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Designer: Tom Doak
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Par: 72, Yardage: 7,207
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Public Course
A links-style course with open views, strong winds, and strategic design.
16. Butterfield Trail Golf Club
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Location: El Paso
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Established: 2007
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Designer: Tom Fazio
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Par: 72, Yardage: 7,307
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Public Course
An oasis in the desert, this award-winning course features challenging play and spectacular mountain vistas.
Central Texas Classics
17. River Oaks Country Club
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Location: Houston
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Established: 1923
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Designer: Donald Ross/Tom Doak (Restoration)
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Par: 71, Yardage: 7,000
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Private Club
A historic Houston gem blending classic design and modern updates. Known for challenging greens and impeccable conditioning.
18. The Club at Carlton Woods (Fazio Course)
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Location: The Woodlands
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Established: 2001
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Designer: Tom Fazio
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Par: 72, Yardage: 7,358
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Private Club
A premier course in The Woodlands area, featuring lush fairways, strategic bunkering, and an exclusive atmosphere.
19. The Club at Carlton Woods (Nicklaus Course)
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Location: The Woodlands
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Established: 2005
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Designer: Jack Nicklaus
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Par: 72, Yardage: 7,369
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Private Club
Nicklaus’ design features water hazards, rolling terrain, and world-class facilities.
20. BlackHorse Golf Club (South Course)
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Location: Cypress
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Established: 2000
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Designer: Peter Jacobsen/Jim Hardy
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Par: 72, Yardage: 7,191
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Public Course
A sprawling, player-friendly course that combines open fairways with scenic wetlands.
21. Traditions Club at Texas A&M
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Location: Bryan
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Established: 2004
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Designer: Jack Nicklaus/Jack Nicklaus II
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Par: 72, Yardage: 7,146
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Private Club
The home course of Texas A&M golf teams, known for its undulating greens and parkland setting.
22. Escondido Golf and Lake Club
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Location: Horseshoe Bay
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Established: 2006
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Designer: Tom Fazio
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Par: 71, Yardage: 7,165
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Private Club
A Fazio masterpiece offering a secluded Hill Country golf experience with stunning lake views.
23. The Cascades Club
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Location: Tyler
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Established: 2003
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Designer: Mark Hayes
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Par: 71, Yardage: 6,944
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Private Club
East Texas charm meets championship golf with tree-lined fairways and a challenging layout.
Panhandle and North Texas Standouts
24. Amarillo Country Club
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Location: Amarillo
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Established: 1919
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Designer: Multiple Designers (renovated by Colligan Golf)
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Par: 71, Yardage: 6,903
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Private Club
A well-preserved classic in the Panhandle, offering a mix of traditional design and modern touches.
25. Wichita Falls Country Club
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Location: Wichita Falls
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Established: 1914
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Designer: Colligan Golf (Renovation)
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Par: 71, Yardage: 6,928
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Private Club
A timeless course that combines classic charm with scenic vistas of North Texas.
26. Comanche Trace (Hills & Valley Course)
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Location: Kerrville
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Established: 2000
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Designer: Tom Kite/Jay Morrish
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Par: 72, Yardage: 7,059
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Semi-Private
Hill Country beauty with a mix of rolling hills, expansive fairways, and challenging greens.
27. Pine Dunes Resort & Golf Club
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Location: Frankston
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Established: 2001
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Designer: Jay Morrish
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Par: 72, Yardage: 7,117
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Public Course
Voted one of the best hidden gems in Texas, featuring tall pines, sandy terrain, and a serene setting.
28. The Cliffs Resort
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Location: Graford
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Established: 1987
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Designer: Bruce Devlin/Robert von Hagge
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Par: 71, Yardage: 6,808
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Resort Course
Perched along Possum Kingdom Lake, this scenic course features dramatic elevation changes and lake views.
29. Wildcat Golf Club (Highlands Course)
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Location: Houston
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Established: 2001
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Designer: Roy Case
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Par: 72, Yardage: 7,016
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Public Course
Close to downtown Houston, this course offers challenging play with skyline views and open terrain.
30. Squaw Valley Golf Course (Apache Links)
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Location: Glen Rose
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Established: 1992
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Designer: Jeffrey Brauer
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Par: 72, Yardage: 7,002
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Public Course
A value-packed public course known for its links-style layout and picturesque Hill Country setting.
Seasonal Considerations
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Peak Season: October-May
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Spring Golf: Warm temperatures and blooming wildflowers
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Summer: Can be hot, but early morning rounds are enjoyable
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Winter: Mild weather, especially in southern Texas
Access Strategies
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Public Courses: Book tee times well in advance, especially for Memorial Park and Butterfield Trail.
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Private Clubs: Look for member-invited events or charity tournaments.
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Resort Courses: Stay-and-play packages often provide the best value.
Conclusion
Texas is truly a golfer’s paradise, offering some of the most diverse and impressive courses in the country. From the dramatic limestone cliffs of Austin Country Club to the serene pine forests of Pine Dunes Resort, each course showcases the unique charm and beauty of the Lone Star State. Whether you’re teeing off at a historic championship venue like Colonial Country Club or enjoying the tranquil setting of a resort course like Black Jack’s Crossing in West Texas, Texas golf offers something for every player.
One of Texas’s greatest strengths is its sheer variety. In the Hill Country, golfers can experience rolling terrain, stunning vistas, and rugged beauty. Meanwhile, in the urban hubs of Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, world-class courses combine modern design with convenience and accessibility. Coastal courses bring the added challenge of breezes from the Gulf of Mexico, while the Panhandle and West Texas feature wide-open layouts and breathtaking desert landscapes.
Texas is not just about great courses—it’s about the experience. The state’s rich golf history and warm southern hospitality are woven into every round. With year-round playable weather, affordable public options, and luxury private clubs, Texas accommodates everyone from casual players to seasoned pros. Major events like the Valero Texas Open and the WGC-Dell Match Play further cement Texas’s reputation as a premier golf destination.
Whether you’re planning a golf-specific trip or simply adding a few rounds to your itinerary, careful planning is essential. Many private clubs require invitations or membership, and high-profile public courses like Memorial Park and TPC San Antonio book up quickly. But with so many incredible options available, you’re guaranteed to find a course that fits your style, budget, and skill level.
