Best Public Golf Courses in Texas

Texas is home to some of the most celebrated private golf courses. However, the Lone Star State also boasts some of the nation’s finest public courses. Every major Texas city offers exceptional public courses, and others are distributed across the state. In each case, these public golf courses leverage the natural scenery to provide golfers with a picturesque, challenging, and enjoyable experience on the greens.

Cypresswood Golf Course

Earned Golf Digest’s “Best New Golf Course” honor upon its debut in 1998, Cypresswood Golf Club is nestled in a heavily wooded area of north Houston, close to Bush International Airport. Cypresswood features two 18-hole courses — The Traditions Course and The Cypress Course.

The Quarry Golf Course

The Quarry is one of the most unique and well-known golf courses in Texas. The back nine of this distinctive San Antonio golf course is situated within a century-old rock quarry, lending its name – Quarry Golf Course. The front nine is designed links-style, while the back nine makes use of elevated tee boxes and greens due to its rocky surroundings.

La Cantera Golf Course

La Cantera Hill Country Resort has earned a reputation as one of the top golf resorts in North America. The Palmer Course at La Cantera stands as the first Arnold Palmer designed course in South Texas and is widely recognized as one of the premier public courses in America. Notably, the Resort Course overlooks Six Flags Fiesta Texas and La Cantera also features a Golf Academy for those keen on enhancing their skills.

Horseshoe Bay Golf Course

Located on the picturesque shores of Lake LBJ, just a short drive from Austin, Horseshoe Bay Resort presents everything a golfer desires, boasting three courses designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. Golf magazine has recognized Horseshoe Bay Resort as one of the top golf resorts in America, attributed to the quality of its courses as well as its exceptional amenities and golf packages.

Lakeway Resort Golf Course

Lakeway Resort, situated on the shores of Lake Travis, grants guests access to four golf courses, both private and public. Flintrock Falls Golf Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, showcases stunning visuals, including hole #11, which is celebrated as one of the most beautiful holes in Texas. Falconhead Golf Course was crafted by PGA course architects and earns the designation of a PGA Tour Signature Series Course. Yaupon Golf Course is renowned for its lake views and elevated tee boxes, while Live Oak Golf Course is recognized for its privacy and status as a “hidden” gem among courses.

Tour 18 – Dallas

The ingenious idea of utilizing hole layouts from 18 of America’s premier golf courses to create one ultimate course has given rise to the concept of Tour 18. This fascinating idea was so well-received that two Tour 18 courses have been established in Texas – Dallas and Houston. Featured among the replicated famous holes at Tour 18 Dallas are the #11, 12, and 13 from Augusta National, Firestone #16, Sawgrass #17, Winged Foot #10, Doral #3, and Cherry Hills #1. For many golf enthusiasts, this represents their chance to play these iconic courses in a single round, right in Dallas!

Cedar Crest Golf Course

Cedar Crest Golf Course, one of Texas’ oldest golf venues, originally opened as a private country club in 1916. Once regarded as one of the finest courses in the southern United States, Cedar Crest was the site of the 1927 PGA Championship. Currently, it remains a beloved course for Dallas area golfers. Despite its historical significance, it offers all the contemporary amenities expected from a top-tier golf course, thanks to extensive renovations and upgrades over the past decade.

Bear Creek Golf Club

Bear Creek Golf Club, conveniently located just a short drive from the Dallas/Ft Worth International Airport, ranks as one of the most frequented public golf courses in Dallas. Recognized as one of the “Top 50 Resort Courses in America” by Golf Digest, Bear Creek has hosted multiple tournaments, including PGA Tour Qualifiers, the Texas State Open, AJGA National Tournament, and the PGA National Golf Series. Bear Creek comprises two 18-hole courses — the East Course and the West Course, both designed by the renowned Ted Robinson.

South Padre Island Golf Course

Situated across the bay from South Padre Island in Laguna Vista, the South Padre Island Golf Course is conveniently located for visitors wishing to enjoy a round of golf. This links-style course features numerous holes running alongside the scenic Laguna Madre Bay.

Painted Dunes Desert Golf Course

Painted Dunes Desert Golf Course in El Paso showcases 27 of the most stunning holes in the American Southwest and has consistently been recognized as one of the top courses in Texas and the Southwest by Golf Digest and other national publications.