The Lake Travis area and Texas Hill Country are home to plenty of private and public golf courses for you to try out.
Whether you hit the golf course for the sport or just like to take in a casual round or two with friends, you have your pick of some of the most beautiful expertly-designed golf courses in the country.
From Lakeway to Spicewood and all the way out to Lago Vista, these golf courses surrounded by rolling hills and breathtaking views will not leave you disappointed.
Golf Courses in Bee Cave
Falconhead Golf Course – One of the great things about living in the Lake Travis area are the abundant creeks and natural Texas wonders right outside your door. Situated among picturesque Falconhead homes, this golf course has been expertly designed by the PGA Tour Design Center, which ensures a level of professionalism while still offering a challenging play for golfers of all skill levels.
Take in the beautiful rolling hills and natural flora like live oak, elm and cedar trees, and better your game at one of the 5 sets of tee boxes located throughout the course. Falconhead Golf Course is open to the public, so get your tee time set early, because slots fill up fast. (Public)
Spanish Oaks – Central Texas is well known for being environmentally aware when building, and golf courses are no exception.
The rolling hills at Spanish Oaks Golf Club are not only beautiful and inspiring to tour, but it’s designed and crafted using some of the greenest methods around. This includes using recycled water to keep the course looking great, incorporating Bee Cave’s natural terrain into the final design and making sure to use native grass — of which there are more than a dozen varieties.
Rated #3 Golf Course in Texas by Golf Digest, former PGA Tour architect Bobby Weed is the man behind the plan, considering environmental and design elements to make up this award-winning spot to play a round. Enjoy the finest in amenities on and off the course, including Member’s Grill and their stunning club house in the Spanish Oaks neighborhood. (Private)
Golf Courses in Lakeway
Flintrock Falls & The Hills Signature Course – Nestled in between Lake Travis and the Texas Hill Country, Flintrock Falls is one favorite for golfers in The Hills and Flintrock neighborhoods.
The course boasts some of the more stunning views in all of Texas, and is side by side to The Hills Signature Course, which was designed by Jack Nicklaus and Jack Nicklaus II, the only two of their kind in Texas. Even the Dallas Morning News has hailed the course as one of 2012’s “Best Golf Courses in Texas”.
The Hills of Lakeway offers its members the chance to play on these courses through The Hills Country Club and Lakeway Country Club. Sharpen up your skills at the Nicklaus-designed Academy of Golf, a complex and challenging 500-yard center for learning the most effective techniques to carry over onto the course. (Private)
Live Oak & Yaupon Golf Course – Lakeway was still a distant dream community for many when the foundations were laid for the development of Live Oak and Yaupon Golf Courses, but the dream is a reality these days. Lee Blocker was the early pioneer of the courses, and joined up with Leon Howard, an already-established golf course architect from Cleburne, Texas to conjure up the dream courses we know them as today.
Construction began in 1964 with Live Oak, taking almost a year to complete the first 9 holes and then another 2 years to complete the remaining 9. The challenging course is built with the natural layout of the area in mind, combining the art of design and sport in each hole.
Construction on Yaupon began in 1969 and was finished by 1971, and made use of the many hills and drop-offs in the area. From the very first hole and through to the 18th, you’ll find zigzags, elevated parts of the course and a smattering of challenges. And watch out for those doglegs! (Private)
Golf Courses in Spicewood
Lakecliff Country Club – At the center of Lakecliff Country Club sits Lakecliff on Lake Travis, the golf course designed by legend Arnold Palmer and showcases 12 man-made lakes, flowing waterfalls and some of the most picturesque of Hill Country views. With 6,754 yards of course, this par-71 is a great challenge for all experience levels, beginners and experts. Take in the stunning views of the Hill Country as you complete the 18-hole course in true Texas style. (Private)
Pedernales Golf Club – Also known as “Willie Nelson’s Cut-N-Putt”, this Spicewood golfing favorite is located just to the southwest of Lake Travis and is one of the more laid-back courses in the area.
Formerly a part of the Briarcliff Yacht and Golf Club, Willie bought the property in 1979 and has used the space as a recording studio in years past; now the land is surrounded by more developments and houses filled with Willie’s friends and roadies.
A new irrigation system has given the course greener fairways in recent years, and the golf club offers you group rates if you would like to host a party or have an afternoon work meeting on the course. Now that’s thinking outside of the box. (Semi-Private)
Golf Courses in Lago Vista
Lago Vista Golf Course – Lago Vista is one of Lake Travis’ more spacious communities, which boasts several golf courses in its own right. With 6,500 yards of fairway, this par-72 course is a challenging beauty.
Founded in 1971 as a 9-hole course, the space was expanded by designer Leon Howard in the next few years, which was then managed by the private country club for years until the mid-1990s. Now the semi-private course offers rounds to all type of golfers, and memberships for those who want to take the sport to the next level with unlimited rounds of golf. (Semi-Private)
Highland Lakes Golf Course – Recently acquired by the City of Lago Vista, this expertly-designed course was the brainchild of Leon and Charles Howard and built in 1978. With a similar layout to nearby course Lago Vista Golf Course, golfers will enjoy the rolling hills, challenging fairways and ample wildlife just on the edge of gorgeous Lake Travis.
This is considered one of the most difficult courses in Lago Vista, so bring your game when you feel like hitting a few rounds. (Semi-Private)
Golf Courses in Austin & Beyond
Avery Ranch Golf Club – Austinites with a passion for golf will appreciate the open-to-the-public golf course at Avery Ranch Golf Club. Situated in the master-planned community of Avery Ranch, this course was designed by Andy Raugust, a former Jack Nicklaus architect.
Built to offer Austin golfers the finest in Hill Country golf experiences, from the very challenging front 9, to the idyllic #7 signature hole. Try your hand at the 18-hole championship course, which offers 5 tee placements for players of all skill levels and challenges even the more seasoned pros. Enjoy the 18th hole — a 477-yard par 4 bordering beautiful Avery Lake with views of the Texas Hill Country. (Public)
The University of Texas Golf Club – Located in the the master-planned community of Steiner Ranch is the UT Golf Club. This 7,412 yard course is home to the University’s golf and tennis teams, and is open to members who wish to perfect their game. This championship-caliber course is par-71, borders the beautiful Balcones Canyonlands Preserves and is one of the newer courses in the Lake Travis area, having been completed in 2003. (Private)
River Place Country Club – If golf is your game and you live in or near River Place, you may have already been privy to the spectacular views and world-class golf that can be experienced at River Place Country Club. With over 6,600 acres of stunning rolling hills and natural Texas wonders to take in, you can perfect your game while relaxing in Lake Travis’ pristine outdoor countryside.
Opened in 1984 and redesigned in 1995 by Tom Kite and Roy Bechtol, the course is both a community course for many River Place residents and a top-notch course for experienced golfers. (Private)
Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa – You don’t have to drive too far west to enjoy the wide open views and canyon-lined courses in Austin. Take a trip to the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa to experience their 4 picturesque golf courses, designed by such greats at Tom Fazio and Arnold Palmer.
Every attention is paid to the finest details on the course — including holes that double as hidden retreats, cascading waterfalls and native fauna. Natural limestone caves and cliffs will give you a little taste of the area’s topography and add a bit of a challenge, too.
From Fazio Foothills to Fazio Canyons, from Crenshaw Cliffside to Palmer Lakeside, there is a course for you. (Private)
Lost Creek Country Club – Lost Creek Golf Course is one of the most environmentally-friendly courses in Austin. Neighbored close to Barton Creek where the water passes to fill nearby Barton Springs, this par-72 golf course has a collection of the best views and fairways in the state. When you feel like warming up, enjoy the new state-of-the-art learning center to brush up on your swing. (Private)
Twin Creeks Country Club – Located minutes from Lake Travis in Cedar Park, Twin Creeks Golf Course is a part of a 760-acre community just north of Austin.
Designed by Masters Champion Fred Couples, this scenic course is set up to make the most out of Central Texas’ beautiful outdoor greenery and soft rolling hills. Members take in rounds on this 18-hole course on perfectly cut Tif-Eagle greens, practicing each swing under optimal golfing conditions. (Private)
Point Venture Golf Club – Located on the north shore of beautiful Lake Travis, Point Venture Golf Course is a 9-hole course that has been carved out of some of the most stunning land right near the shores.
Designed in 1972 by 3-time Masters Champion Jimmy Demaret, the course features numerous sharp doglegs and challenging angles, all of which can better help you master your golf game. Sharpen your skills one putt at a time and enjoy Lake Travis views in the process. (Public)
Horseshoe Bay Resort – Situated amongst grassy green rolling plains in the Hill Country, Horseshoe Bay Resort offers members the finest in golfing experiences.
Take in their 5 award-winning courses starting with Apple Rock, 147 acres of green that has been rated “Best New Resort Course” by prestigious Golf Digest. Ram Rock will challenge you with its 62 deep bunkers, water hazards, dry creeks to pass and dramatic changes in elevation.
Or try your game at Slick Rock or Summit Rock, where Jack Nicklaus opened the course on its first day by playing a few holes in front of a small audience. Or enjoy the Whitewater Putting Course, a miniature version of their courses that is filled with stunning design at every turn. (Private)
Post image via Creative Commons, Matthew Rutledge on Flickr.
