The Austin Golf Road Trip — 3 Days, 5 Rounds, All-Out

Three days. Five rounds. No holding back. This is Austin golf at its highest setting — a historic muni where Harvey Penick taught the game, a resort double at Barton Creek, a PGA Tour Design Center course in the Hill Country, and an Arthur Hills layout through Lost Pines. Between rounds: a grass-tee driving range warm-up, Michelin-starred barbecue, the best breakfast tacos in Texas, and a landmark diner that’s been feeding Austin since 1950.

The itinerary covers every terrain Austin has to offer — tree-lined muni fairways, limestone cliffs, Hill Country canyons, prairie bluffs, and a Colorado River valley. You’ll play the course where Ben Crenshaw and Tom Kite learned to play, a Tom Fazio layout ranked among Texas’s best, and a public course with one of the finest par 3s in the state. This is the long weekend.

Day 1 — The Muni & The Hill Country

Lions Municipal + Falconhead Golf Club

Morning Round

Lions Municipal Golf Course

Austin’s oldest public course, opened 1924. Harvey Penick was head pro here from 1927 to 1961 — he taught Ben Crenshaw and Tom Kite on these fairways. The first integrated muni south of the Mason-Dixon line (1950). Tree-lined fairways, small greens, and Crenshaw holds the course record at 61. At 6,001 yards it plays short, but the history runs deep. This is hallowed ground.

Par 71 6,001 yds Enfield Rd $30–37

Afternoon Round

Falconhead Golf Club

PGA Tour Design Center layout in Lakeway, 20 minutes west of downtown. The par-3 8th is the signature — a green perched on a limestone ledge cantilevered above a creek, widely considered one of the best par 3s in Texas. Five tee options from 5,170 to 7,181 yards, Hill Country elevation changes throughout, and greens that roll true.

Par 72 7,181 yds Lakeway ~$80–120

The Move

Play It This Way

Start at Lions early — walk-on tee times are common before 8am. It plays fast at 6,001 yards, and walking is the move here. Penick would have wanted it that way. After, grab tacos at Veracruz, then head west to Falconhead for an afternoon tee time. Play from the blues (6,500 yards) unless you carry it 260+. The front nine is forgiving enough to find your swing; the back nine is where the course bites.

Lions: Walk-On Welcome Falconhead: Book GolfNow

Day 1 — Eat

Veracruz All Natural

Austin’s best breakfast tacos, five years running. The Migas Poblanas — scrambled eggs, crispy tortilla chips, smoky poblano peppers. Grab them between rounds.

Between Rounds · Breakfast Tacos

La Barbecue

Michelin-starred. East Cesar Chavez. Pitmaster Ali Clem. Brisket, sausage, ribs. Shorter wait than Franklin, same tier. Hit it after Falconhead on the way back from Lakeway.

Post-Round · BBQ

Eddie V’s Prime Seafood

Downtown. Exceptional steak and seafood, live jazz lounge, cocktails. The kind of dinner you book for the first night of a trip when you want to set the tone.

Dinner · Steakhouse

Day 2 — Pre-Round Warm-Up

Hit the Range at Barton Creek

Warm-Up

Barton Creek Driving Range

Included with the Unlimited Golf Package. Grass tees, full short-game area, and putting greens. You’ve got 36 holes today — loosen up before Fazio Foothills. The range sits between the clubhouse and the first tee, so the timing is seamless. Arrive 30–45 minutes before your tee time, hit a bucket, roll a few putts, and go.

Included with Stay Grass Tees Short Game Area

Also Notable

The Driving Range — Round Rock

If you want a standalone range day on this trip — or you’re staying somewhere other than Barton Creek — The Driving Range in Round Rock is the best pure practice facility near Austin. 35 acres of lush Bermuda grass, no mats, full-length range plus a separate short range and chipping/putting greens. All lit for night sessions. 30 minutes north of downtown.

Grass Only · No Mats All Under Lights Round Rock

Day 2 — The Barton Creek Double

Two Rounds at Omni Barton Creek Resort

Morning Round

Fazio Foothills

Tom Fazio’s flagship at Barton Creek. Cliff-lined fairways through Austin’s rolling hills, an award-winning design ranked among Texas’s top courses. The resort’s premier track — longer, more demanding, and more dramatic than the other three courses on property. Included in the Unlimited Golf Package. This is the morning round you came for.

Par 72 Resort Guest Tom Fazio

Afternoon Round

Coore & Crenshaw Cliffside

Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw’s second course as a design duo, recently renovated with rebuilt bunkers and excellent turf. Walkable, wide fairways, 6,600 yards max from the tips. The greens are large and subtle, following the natural slope of the land. This is the fun round — the one where you relax and enjoy the Hill Country canyon views after grinding through Fazio in the morning.

Par 72 6,600 yds Coore & Crenshaw Walkable

Day 2 — Eat

Texas Spice at Barton Creek

Breakfast at the resort restaurant — included with the Unlimited Golf Package. Load up before 36 holes. You’ll need it.

Pre-Round · Resort Breakfast

Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille

Caramelized prime rib, famous pork chop Fridays (if your timing works), impeccable service. The reward for 36 holes in the Texas heat.

Dinner · Steakhouse

Day 3 — The Sendoff

Wolfdancer Golf Club at Lost Pines

Morning Round

Wolfdancer Golf Club

Arthur Hills design at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines, 20 minutes east of Austin. Two courses in one — the first 12 holes weave through rolling prairie hills, then the last six drop into the Colorado River valley. 7,300 yards from the tips, GPS-equipped carts with Bluetooth, iced towels at the turn. Completely different terrain from the Hill Country courses — this is East Texas pine country. The closing stretch along the river is one of the best finishes in the region.

Par 72 7,300 yds Arthur Hills Cedar Creek

The Move

Play It This Way

Book an early tee time — 7:30 or 8:00am. The drive from Barton Creek is about 35 minutes east on 71. Play from the whites or blues (6,300–6,800 yards) — your legs will appreciate it after yesterday’s 36. The course is generous off the tee but the greens are the defense. Enjoy the change of scenery. Cold beer at the clubhouse after. You earned it.

~$165–200 Includes Cart 35 Min from Downtown

Day 3 — Eat

Cisco’s Restaurant Bakery & Bar

Austin landmark since 1950. The migas breakfast plate is the move. Historic status earned in 2019. The kind of place that makes you feel like you belong here.

Pre-Round · Breakfast

Micklethwait Craft Meats

If you want elite BBQ without the Franklin line, this is it. Right on East Cesar Chavez. Brisket, house-made sausage, cobbler. A fitting last meal in Austin.

Post-Round · BBQ

Where to Stay

Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa

The move is the Unlimited Golf Package — unlimited rounds per adult per day on any of four courses, daily breakfast at Texas Spice, and unlimited driving range access. Two-night minimum. 15 minutes from downtown Austin. Four courses on property: Fazio Foothills, Fazio Canyons, Coore & Crenshaw Cliffside, and Palmer Lakeside. Full spa, pool, multiple restaurants. This is home base.

Book the Unlimited Golf Package →