This blog has compiled a list of the best public golf courses in Texas. A public golf course provides public access all year round.
Texas has over six hundred public golf courses, ranking in the top five states in the US in terms of the number of public courses, according to National Golf Foundation statistics.
Therefore, a golf course must have world-class amenities to make this list. In addition, they must provide affordable accessibility to the greens from various metropolises across the State.
Furthermore, the golf courses must be affordable, and open to all golfers no matter their skill level and how seriously they take their game.
The 11 Best Public Golf Courses in Texas
1. The Rawls Course (Lubbock)
- Location: 3720 4th St, Lubbock, TX 79415;
- Length: 7,323 yards
- Greens fees $55 – 90
- Year established: Opened in 2003
- Designed by: Tom Doak
- Championships: Hosted the Morrish-Cupp Cup in 2023, and regularly hosts the USGA Junior Amateur Championship
Located inside Texas Tech University, the Rawls Course is superbly located for the faculty, students, and public of West Texas to enjoy golf and stimulating conversation all year round.
Professional builder Tom Doak designed the facility, which remains one of his finest works. It is ranked as one of the best public courses in Texas.
The golf course uses dynamic pricing, adjusted in real-time based on demand and availability. Golfers are advised to book early.
Green fees include both a cart and range balls, and while members of the course have access to the range regardless of a booked tee time, guests can access the driving range all day when they book.
2. Memorial Park Golf Course (Houston)
- Location: 1001 Memorial Loop, Houston
- Length: 7,292 yards
- Greens Fees: $34 for residents, and $130 for non residents
- Year Established: 1936
- Designed by: John Bredemus, and renovated by Tom Doak in 2019
- Championships: Houston Open
This rare municipal course is impeccably maintained, ideally located, affordable, and provides a great challenge for amateur golfers.
Houston residents enjoy subsidized fees, while non-residents pay a premium for its services.
Designed by Tom Doak and opened in 2019, it is one of only two municipally-owned courses on the PGA Tour and hosts the Houston Open.
It has a challenging layout includes grass hollows, ravines, and matte Bermuda grass that grasps balls that drift off the fairway.
Cool off at Becks Prime after an afternoon on this gem of a course and sample the Bill’s Burger or the bacon cheeseburger, one of the best in the country.
3. Tempest (East Texas)
- Location: 568 E. Wilkins Rd, GladewBater
- Greens Fees: varies according to season
- Length: 7,070 yards
- Designed by: Jeff Brauer
- Championships: local tournaments in East Texas
Tempest is located a mere 15 miles west of Longview. It is 7,230 or so yards long and opened in 2018.
It has wonderful longleaf and loblolly pines, providing a chilly, scenic golf setting for enthusiasts who wish to enjoy the game in near professional-level settings.
The facility has lodging available for the golfer who wishes to play all weekend, with enough to keep them busy amongst the white tees and the all-you-want blues.
There is a super clubhouse with enough food on the menu for the most voracious of appetites.
4. Painted Dunes (El Paso)
- Location: 12000 McCombs, 915-821-2122
- Greens fees $27.50–$59
- Length: 6,925 yards
- Designed by: Jeffrey Brauer and Ken Dye
- Established in: 1991
- Championships: Hosts regional Texan golf tournaments
This is one of the most well-known public courses in all of Texas. Opened in 1991, this 36-hole course is a fully desert course.
Set in the foreground of the Franklin Mountains, it is a picturesque golf course. It is 6,900 yards long, relatively flat, and easy to walk for all golfers.
Has four sets of tees, as well as a good number of pot bunkers and green complexes dotted across the desert course.
A pleasant, fun, amazingly scenic, and affordable desert experience, and a superb weekend plan.
5. Pine Dunes Resort & Golf Course (Tyler)
- Location: 159 Private Rd 7019, 903-876-4336;
- Greens fees $79–$139;
- Length: 7,120 yards
- Designed by: Carter Morrish and Jay Morrish
- Established in: 2001
- Championships: Various local tournaments, rated #1 in Texas by Golfweek
This stunning public golf course is southwest of Tyler, with amazing pines, majestic and flowing true greens, and picturesque sandy surfaces, reminiscent of the Sandhills area of North Carolina.
The facility is basic, homey yet well-stocked with spacious amenities. Book a room, enjoy the 18-hole course all day, and spend the evening away at the communal grill as well as chill around the firepit with fellow golfers.
It was designed by Jay and Carter Morrish and offers a challenging Par 72. It has on-site accommodations and an amazing resort ambiance.
6. Texas Star Golf Course (Euless)
- Location: 1400 Texas Star Pkwy, Euless
- Green fees: $60
- Length: 7,000 yards
- Designed by: Keith Foster
- Established in: 1997
- Championships: Various regional tournaments
Texas Star is located primely near Dallas-Fort Worth.
It is a very challenging yet stately public course, with amazing rolling terrain, a sprinkling of water hazards, and ample greens for the golfer to enjoy all day long.
It is a supremely well-maintained course and has amazing views of Dallas and the Wild West’s undulating landscape.
7. BlackHorse Golf Course (Cypress)
- Location: 12205 Fry Rd, 281-304-1747
- Greens fees $59–$160
- Length: 7.300 yards
- Designed by: Jim Hardy and Peter Jacobsen
- Established in: 2001
- Championships: Hosts regional tournaments
BlackHorse is located just 30 miles northwest of downtown Houston, within the BlackHorse Ranch Community.
This course is a bit pricey during prime tee times, but playing here feels like being in the most exquisite country club in the world.
This 36-hole facility has the North Course and the South Course to choose from. Both are amazing settings, with the North Course being the easier layout.
Enjoy the Roper’s Grill meals after a day of golfing, ensuring to sample the Big Jake cheeseburger, and shop for golf merch and equipment at the well-stocked shop.
8. Ross Rogers (Amarillo)
- Location: 722 NW 24th Ave, 806-378-3086
- Greens fees $23–$47
- Length: 6,930 yards
- Designed by: Warren Cantrell
- Established in: 1940
- Championships: Hosts various regional tournaments
This historic municipal golf course opened in 1939 as part of the New Deal programs in Texas.
Over the past 80 years, it has undergone multiple renovations and now features two 18-hole courses, WildHorse and Mustang.
WildHorse is lined with tall, stately elm trees, while Mustang challenges golfers with thick grass and strategic bunkering.
Both courses have five sets of tees and will give golfers a super day out and challenge at very fair prices.
It is a must-visit for the focused golfer who enjoys a day out in a truly historic setting challenging themselves and friends on one of the most amazing greens in the region.
9. Butterfield Trail (El Paso)
- Location: 1858 Cottonwoods, 915-772-1038
- Greens fees $25–$49.95
- Length: 7,310 yards
- Designed by: Tom Fazio
- Established in: 2007
- Championships: Texas Open
One of the most majestic desert tracks in all of Northern America, Butterfield Trail is named after the historic Butterfield Overland Mail stagecoach, which ran all through this area from Paso del Norte to San Francisco from 1858 to 1861.
The course was designed by world-renowned golf course architect Tom Fazio and opened in 2007.
The course is owned by El Paso International Airport and has gone through good days and difficult days, especially in the Covid-19 early months when the airport shuttered the facility.
Nowadays managed by a private manager, the 7,307 desert course has amazing views with thorny friends snaring wayward balls, as well as some water holes.
It is one of a kind, and worth the visit when you are in El Paso. It is incredibly affordable still, despite being managed privately, and has amazing views of the desert.
10. Brackenridge Park (San Antonio)
- Location: 2315 Avenue B, 210-226-5612
- Greens fees $47–$82
- Length: 6,245 yards
- Designed by: AW Tilinghast
- Established in: 1916
- Championships: Texas Open
Brack is one of the best public golf courses, not just in Texas, but in the whole of the US, thanks to its rich history and incredible challenge to golfers.
What’s more it’s supremely affordable. It has hosted the Texas Open for three-plus decades. It is supremely well located, only 2 miles north of the Alamo. Originally it opened in 1916 and measures a short 6,200 yards.
The greens is elevated, narrow, and jealously guarded by traps. The signature eighth is a superbly wicked 188-yard par three.
After a day on this majestic course, travel to the pro shop and sample a wide range of ammo, armor, sandwiches, and cold beer (alcoholic and non-alcoholic).
The Brack offers a membership that allows wonderful discounts on the eight courses in San Antonio for locals, it is a deal worth considering.
11. Vaaler Creek (Blanco)
- Location: 228 Jeff Vaughn; 830-833-0706
- Greens fees $65–$90
- Length: 6,864 yards
- Established in: 2009
- Designed by: JR Newman and Michael Lowry
- Championships: Hosts regional tournaments
This beautiful public golf course is a lush facility with ample oak, mesquite and cedar trees, as well as slow meandering creeks.
Set in the beautiful green hills inside the Blanco Luxury community Rockin; J Ranch, it is set in lush, picturesque settings that will make you forget the desert for a cool minute.
It is one of the more pricey public golf courses in Texas, but it is well worth the financial sacrifice. Some amenities include a touchscreen range finder embedded in the golf course.
Vaaler is only 6,801 yards from across, and one must be careful not to overshoot on the doglegged fairways. The driver is seldom used here!
The clubhouse is beautifully shaded by ancient oaks, come enjoy some mimosas after a cool afternoon on the lush fairways, admiring the sunset and cool of Vaaler Creek, the most luxurious public golf course in all of Texas.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The best prestigious golf tournaments held in Texas include the Houston Open and the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio.
These events are open to the paying public to view, as well as participate in the amateur rounds.
Golf is played year-round in Texas. With little to no snow, golfers enjoy over 11 months of play.
However, spring and fall is the best weather is the best time to play, due to the mildness and pleasantness of the weather in this period.
There are well over 800 golf courses in the State. This included both public and private courses.
Some of the best-rated golf courses include Pine Dunes Resort & Golf Club, TPC San Antonio, and Barton Creek Resort.
Conclusion
The best golf courses in Texas are a wide variety of desert and lush green facilities, with affordable prices yet decent accommodations and facilities providing golfers with an enviable selection and choice.
Ensure to book in advance, and if in town for a long while, set up a membership to enjoy these facilities all year round!
Also Read:
