Book a Tee Time →
The Grassy Issue · Austin Golf Guide · Updated 29 September 2026

The Austin Golf Guide: Best Public Courses, Munis & More

Everything you need to play golf in Austin — the five municipal courses and how to play them, where to go for a special day, where to practice, where to eat after the round, what events to know about, and the best courses within driving distance. All in one place, and updated regularly.

By · Living guide · Updated regularly · ~15 min read
Aerial view of Lions Municipal Golf Course with the Austin skyline in the distance
In this guide
Municipal Courses Special Day Courses Practice & Ranges After the Round Events & History Day Trips Quick Reference
Quick answers — if you only read this far

For most golfers, Morris Williams is the best all-around Austin muni, Lions Municipal is the one a visitor should play first, and Star Ranch in Hutto is the strongest public round if you want to spend a little more. All five city munis charge the same $35–$44.

Visiting for the weekend.
PlayLions MuniHistoric, neighborly, scorable
Just moved here. Becoming a regular.
PlayMorris WilliamsThe local's course. Real character.
Got three hours. Play something.
PlayHancock9 holes, $20, done by lunch
Taking out-of-town friends.
PlayRoy KizerLinks-style, let the driver rip
Want a big course to yourself.
PlayJimmy Clay6,931 yards. Rarely crowded.
A note on pricing

Here's the thing about Austin municipal golf: the four 18-hole munis all charge the same price. $35 Monday through Thursday, $41 Friday, $44 on weekends and holidays. $28 after the sunset cutoff. Which means when you're choosing between Lions, Morris Williams, Roy Kizer, and Jimmy Clay — price isn't the question. Character is.

City of Austin rates · Effective Oct 1, 2025 · Hancock is $20 flat, the outlier

Best golf courses in Austin — the quick guide.

Eight courses, muni and public · Green fees read 17 September 2026
Course Type Area Price Best for
Morris Williams Muni · 18 East side $35–$44 Regulars, real golfers, elevation junkies
Roy Kizer Muni · 18 South $35–$44 Drivers of the ball, walkers, a clean test
Lions Municipal Muni · 18 Central $35–$44 Walkers, visitors, good vibes
Jimmy Clay Muni · 18 South $35–$44 Sunset rounds, long hitters, south-siders
Hancock Muni · 9 E 41st St $20 Casual rounds, beginners, 90-minute afternoons
Falconhead Public Bee Cave · 25 min Dynamic — check rates Birthdays, visitors
Grey Rock Semi-private SW Austin · 20 min $90–$105 Regular upgrade, weekday treat
Avery Ranch Semi-private Cedar Park · 30 min Dynamic — check rates Couples, bachelor rounds
Falconhead and Avery Ranch price dynamically and publish no fixed rate — check the booking engine before you go. Everything below is the long version.

The Municipal Courses — Austin’s Five Munis.

Five public courses · Ranked, our personal order

Ranked, and it is personal: Morris Williams first, then Kizer, Lions, Jimmy Clay and Hancock. Green fees and booking rules checked on the City of Austin’s Golf ATX pages, 5 October 2026.

A cart path curving through open fairway at Morris Williams Golf Course, Austin, with a tree line on the horizon
Morris Williams · Austin, TX
No. 01 · Since 1964
Morris Williams.
The local's course. East side. Real character.
Best for: Regulars, real golfers, elevation junkies

Morris Williams is the most elevation you'll find on an Austin muni, and you feel it in your legs if you walk it — which you should. This is the one that plays like real golf: longer holes, better green complexes than anywhere else in the muni system, and a conditioning standard that doesn't apologize. Some of the best downtown skyline views too, from the back nine.

Leon Howard design from 1964, opened as Austin's third public course, home to the UT golf team during the Kite and Crenshaw years under coach George Hannon. At 7,023 yards par 72 from the Black tees it is both the longest and the toughest test in the muni system — small elevated greens, real contouring, rolling terrain that actually uses central Texas geography. Water runs through holes 11 to 14. The clubhouse has rocking chairs on the porch overlooking the course and is not trying to impress anyone, which is exactly the point.

Par / Yards
72 · 7,023
Built
1964
Walking
Yes, rolling
Vibe
Serious, lived-in, East
Green fee
$35–$44
Booking
7 days online; weekends open Mon 8pm CT
Practice
Range
Book a tee time ↗ Course info ↗
How to play it
  • Off the teeDriver is fine on most holes, but the elevated greens will punish you if you're out of position. Pick a side and commit — there's usually a clear bail-out on every hole if you know where to look.
  • GreensThe green complexes are the best in the muni system. They're small, contoured, and elevated — expect more chips and pitches than usual. Dial in your 50-to-80-yard game before you come here.
  • Walk itIt's hilly, so cart riders miss half the fun. Walking Morris Williams is a workout, but the elevation changes are the whole personality of the course. Hydrate in summer.
  • Local tipPlay holes 11 through 14 with extra focus — water comes into play on all four and that stretch makes or breaks your card. Also: grab the rocking chairs on the clubhouse porch after the round.
#7
Signature hole · HCP 1
The blind tee shot that rewards trust.
Par 4 · 404 yards · Blind tee shot
The #1 handicap hole at Morris Williams — and the most "MW" hole on the course. You stand on the tee aiming at a ridge you can't see past. The ball disappears for three seconds before it reappears on the other side — or doesn't. The fairway narrows beyond the crest, trees pinch both sides, and the green sits below in a natural bowl. Trust the 3-wood, trust the line, walk up and see what the golf gods left you.
Full hole guide →
Panoramic view of links-style fairways, bunkers, and water at Roy Kizer Golf Course
Roy Kizer · Austin, TX
No. 02 · Since 1994
Roy Kizer.
Links-style. Flat. Cinematic at sunset.
Best for: Drivers of the ball, walkers, a clean test

Kizer feels different from every other muni in Austin — links-style, wide fairways, flat as a table. You can let the driver rip without thinking twice, and losing a ball here takes actual effort. Walking is the way to go. If you've been stuck at tight tree-lined courses for a month, Kizer is where you go to remember what a full swing feels like.

The 16th is the course's brain-twister — just outside driver distance, with a deep bunker short of the green that will keep you coming back until you figure out the right club. Play it on a Saturday during UT football season and you'll get the Longhorn flyover directly overhead, which is the kind of thing you can't plan for but never forget.

Randolph Russell links-style layout, opened 1994. 6,819 yards par 71 with 57 acres of lakes and wetlands threaded through the fairways. Named for the long-time Lions Muni superintendent who retired in 1973. Wind is the real hazard — don't come on a 25 mph day unless you want character-building. Come at 5:30pm in April with your phone in your pocket.

Par / Yards
71 · 6,819
Built
1994
Walking
Yes, flat
Vibe
Open, scenic, windy
Green fee
$35–$44
Booking
7 days online; weekends open Mon 8pm CT
Practice
Range + short game
Book a tee time ↗ Course info ↗
How to play it
  • Off the teeThis is your driver course. Wide fairways, minimal trees, room to miss. Grip it and rip it — you'll rarely be punished for length here, only for direction when water's in play.
  • WindThe number one variable at Kizer. The course is flat and exposed, so a 15 mph south wind turns a 150-yard approach into a 170-yard club. Check the forecast before you pick your tees.
  • Water57 acres of lakes and wetlands weave through the course. Know which side of the fairway the water is on before you tee off — the mistake isn't the water, it's not knowing it's there.
  • Local tipBook a sunset tee time in spring or fall. The light at Kizer between 5:30 and 7pm is unlike anything else in Austin golf. Also: the 16th is a brain-twister — just lay up short of that deep bunker.
#15
Signature hole · HCP 18
The prettiest par 3 you'll ever bogey.
Par 3 · 137 yards · Bunkers + wind
The easiest hole on the scorecard by handicap — and somehow half the foursome walks off with bogey. Only 137 yards, stock wedge territory, but the wind at Kizer always has something to say. Bunkers guard the left and right sides of the green. The green itself is wider than it looks from the tee but slopes in ways that turn a 30-footer into a three-putt. At sunset, it's the most photographed hole on the south side. Stick it close and you'll forget every bad shot that came before.
Full hole guide →
Water hazard framed by live oaks on a golden afternoon at Lions Municipal Golf Course
Lions Municipal · Austin, TX
No. 03 · Since 1924
Lions Muni.
The historic one. Central. Short. The one you play first.
Best for: Walkers, visitors, good vibes

Lions plays like a neighborhood. Austin High kids practicing on the range, walkers carrying their own bags, a putting green complex at the clubhouse that's genuinely one of the best at any muni in the state. You feel the vibe before you tee off — pulling up on a Saturday morning, the place just feels like Austin.

The course itself is scorable in a way that rewards a regular. Front nine and back nine have distinct personalities — the transition between them is one of the nicest things about the round — and a run of pars and birdies feels earned rather than handed to you. At 6,001 yards par 71 from the tips, it's the shortest of the Austin 18-holers, which sounds like a feature until you try to keep a driver on the narrow tree-lined fairways.

Ben Crenshaw and Tom Kite learned here. One of the first courses in the South to desegregate, in 1951 — years before Brown v. Board. It sits on UT land that's been quietly fought over for a decade; "save the Muny" is a sincere Austin cause.

Par / Yards
71 · 6,001
Built
1924
Walking
Yes, easy
Vibe
Classic, close, contested
Green fee
$35–$44
Booking
7 days online; weekends open Mon 8pm CT
Practice
Range + putting complex
Book a tee time ↗ Course info ↗
How to play it
  • Off the teeLeave the driver in the bag more than you think. Fairways are tight and tree-lined — a 3-wood or hybrid to the center of the fairway beats a 280-yard slice into the oaks every time.
  • ApproachThe greens are small and well-guarded by mature trees. Favor the fat part of the green rather than chasing pins. Miss to the center, not the edge.
  • TempoWalk it. Lions is the most walkable muni in the system — flat transitions, short distances between greens and tees. The pace is part of the experience.
  • Local tipSpend 20 minutes on the putting green before your round. The practice complex at Lions is genuinely one of the best at any muni in Texas, and the greens on the course roll the same speed.
#6
Signature hole · HCP 1
A dogleg that punishes the bold.
Par 4 · 367 yards · Dogleg right
The #1 handicap hole on the card — and it earns it. The tee shot looks simple until the fairway bends right through a corridor of live oaks. Aim at the left rough and work a fade around the dogleg; catch it right and you're 130 out with a wedge. Pull it or stall the fade and you're hacking sideways out of the trees. Every Lions regular has a history with this hole.
Full hole guide →
Tree-lined fairway stretching through the south Austin landscape at Jimmy Clay Golf Course
Jimmy Clay · Austin, TX
No. 04 · Since 1974
Jimmy Clay.
Longest of the munis. South. Underrated.
Best for: Sunset rounds, long hitters, south-siders

Jimmy Clay is the muni that's quietly overlooked, which is a shame because it holds up. A handful of fun holes on the front, and a back nine that's genuinely lovely — reason enough to drive south even on days when Kizer has tee times available. This is the course to play at sunset: big Texas sky, long shadows, the kind of light that makes even a bad shot feel like part of the round.

Joe Finger design from 1974, tucked along Williamson Creek on the south side of town, part of the 36-hole complex it shares with Roy Kizer. 6,931 yards of traditional tree-lined fairways, par 72, and the quietest tee sheet in the muni system. A 2007 renovation added a water feature and an island green; a second renovation in 2015 reshaped four greens.

Par / Yards
72 · 6,931
Built
1974
Walking
Yes, long
Vibe
South, empty, serious
Green fee
$35–$44
Booking
7 days online; weekends open Mon 8pm CT
Practice
Range + short game
Book a tee time ↗ Course info ↗
How to play it
  • Off the teeAt 6,931 yards, Jimmy Clay rewards length. Play from the tees that match your game — this is the only Austin muni where the back tees can genuinely add a full hour to your round if you're not hitting it 250+.
  • Front nineA few forgettable holes mixed with a couple of genuinely fun ones. Don't let the front lull you — the back nine is where the course wakes up and the scoring windows close.
  • Back nineThis is the reason to play Jimmy Clay. The stretch from 12 through 16 is the best back-nine run in the muni system. Williamson Creek comes into play, the light gets good, and the holes have real character.
  • Local tipThis is the least crowded 18-hole muni in Austin. If you want a quiet round without a wait, book Jimmy Clay on a weekday afternoon. Pair it with Kizer for a 36-hole day — they share a parking lot.
#6
Signature hole · HCP 11
The island green you don't expect at a muni.
Par 4 · 316 yards · Near-island green
Part of the 2007 renovation that reshaped three holes and brought real water into play. At 316 from the blacks, it's a short par 4 — but the approach is the whole story. The green is nearly an island, surrounded by water on three sides. The tee shot is a positioning play; the second shot is the one that separates a birdie from a triple. Miss the green and you're fishing. Hit it and you feel like you pulled off something you had no business pulling off. The best surprise on the south side of town.
No. 05 · Since 1899
Hancock.
The oldest course in Texas. Nine holes. $20.
Best for: Casual rounds, beginners, 90-minute afternoons

Hancock is as casual as Austin golf gets — no need for a polo or anything. It's smack in the middle of a residential neighborhood so try not to hit a car. Weekends crawl, but on off times you can get around in under 90 minutes. Show up solo and jump in a group of random guys; it's always super fun. There's a tricky par 5 toward the end that'll surprise you the first time through.

Nine holes, $20 flat every day of the week, tucked into a central-Austin neighborhood that's been here since Reconstruction. Walking only. The oldest golf course in Texas, doing what it's done since 1899.

Par / Yards
35 · 2,633 (9 holes)
Built
1899
Walking
Only walking
Vibe
Neighborhood, 1899, mellow
Green fee
$20, all day
Booking
No tee times; walk up and pay
Practice
None
Course info ↗
How to play it
  • Club choiceYou can play the whole course with 5 clubs — a hybrid, 7-iron, pitching wedge, sand wedge, and a putter. Don't overthink it. The holes are short but demand accuracy over distance.
  • PaceShow up solo or as a twosome on a weekday afternoon and you'll be through in 75 minutes. Weekend mornings back up — arrive early or wait until after 2pm.
  • HazardsCars parked along the street are in play on a couple holes. The neighborhood is the hazard. Hit it straight and you're fine; miss wide and you're apologizing to someone's windshield.
  • Local tipNo driving range, no warm-up area. You step up to the first tee cold. Stretch in the parking lot and hit your first swing with confidence — everyone who's played Hancock knows the feeling.
#1
Signature hole · HCP 1
The oldest first tee in Texas.
Par 4 · 324 yards · Opening hole
The #1 handicap hole on the card, and the oldest first tee in the state of Texas. At 324 yards it's technically drivable — oaks lining both sides of a narrow fairway say otherwise. No range, no warm-up swings. Just step up and hit. The green is small and slopes away. Locals will tell you a par on the first at Hancock is earned, not given. It's the hardest hole on a course that's been humbling people since 1899.
Full hole guide →
All five, side by side.
Ranked, our personal order · Green fees rechecked 5 October 2026 · City schedule effective 1 Oct 2025
Rank Course Holes Par Yards Built Price Walk Practice
1 Morris Williams 18 72 7,023 1964 $35–$44 Yes Range
2 Roy Kizer 18 71 6,819 1994 $35–$44 Yes Range + short game
3 Lions 18 71 6,001 1924 $35–$44 Yes Range + putting complex
4 Jimmy Clay 18 72 6,931 1974 $35–$44 Yes Range + short game
5 Hancock 9 35 2,633 1899 $20 Only None
Sunset rates $28 at all four 18-hole courses. Junior, senior, and 9-hole rates also available. Spot a mistake? Tell us.
02
Special Day Courses

When you want a step up — the best public courses near Austin.

The munis are the backbone of golf in Austin, but they're not the whole story. Within 30 minutes of downtown there are public and semi-private courses that feel like a different world — better conditioning, bigger budgets, designs by architects you'd recognize. These are the places you book for a birthday, a bachelor round, when friends visit from out of town, or when you just want a Saturday that feels like an occasion.

None of these replace the munis. They're additions — for the days when you want to dress a little nicer, pay a little more, and play something that was designed to impress. Pricing is the tricky part. Most of these courses have moved to dynamic rates — Falconhead says so outright on its own page — so a posted band would be out of date inside a fortnight. Two still publish a real rate card, read on 17 September 2026: Star Ranch at $85–99 Monday to Thursday, and Vaaler Creek at $95 with the cart included. Everywhere else, check the booking engine before you go, and remember that twilight is the cheat code — Star Ranch drops to $62 after three.

Limestone ledge overlooking a creek at Falconhead Golf Club
Falconhead Golf Club.
Public · Bee Cave · 25 min from downtown
The closest thing to a destination course within Austin's city limits. The par-3 8th sits on a limestone ledge cantilevered above a creek — one of the most beautiful holes in Texas. The rest of the layout is carved through Hill Country terrain with real elevation, mature oaks, and a level of conditioning that the munis can't match. Falconhead prices dynamically and is unusually straight about it — its rates page says prices move up and down in real time on demand — so a quiet weekday afternoon and a Saturday morning are not the same purchase. Excellent practice facilities.
Par / Yards72 · 7,108
DesignerPGA Tour Design
WalkingCart included
Best forBirthdays, visitors
Book a tee time ↗
Limestone ravine and fairway at Avery Ranch Golf Club
Avery Ranch Golf Club.
Semi-private · Cedar Park · 30 min from downtown
Holes winding through limestone caverns, live oaks, streams, and ravines — this is what happens when you give a Jack Nicklaus associate natural Hill Country terrain to work with. Five par 3s and five par 5s give it a different rhythm than most courses, and the 7th is a signature hole you'll remember. The TopTracer-equipped driving range and Brushy Creek views from the bar make the whole trip feel like more than a round of golf. Conditioning is consistently excellent.
Par / Yards72 · 7,121
DesignerAndy Raugust (Nicklaus)
WalkingAvailable
Best forCouples, bachelor rounds
Book a tee time ↗
Rolling fairway through Hill Country at Grey Rock Golf Club
Grey Rock Golf Club.
Semi-private · Southwest Austin · 20 min from downtown
Technically part of the Golf ATX system but operated at a semi-private level — higher green fees, membership options, and a Jay Morrish design that plays like a significant step up from the munis. Grey Rock has the Open Range with TrackMan-equipped bays, a golf academy, and a Biergarten that's become a post-round destination in its own right. The course itself uses the southwest Austin Hill Country terrain to full effect — elevation, water, and mature trees throughout. The closest "upgrade" course to downtown.
Par / Yards72 · 6,909
DesignerJay Morrish
WalkingAvailable
Best forRegular upgrade, weekday treat
Book a tee time ↗
White sand bunkers and rolling fairway at Star Ranch Golf Club
Star Ranch Golf Club.
Public · Hutto · 30 min from downtown
One of the best values in the Austin area — an all-inclusive package that covers green fees, cart, range balls, and breakfast and lunch. The course sits on a hill built around a central lake, with 60+ white sand bunkers, wide fairways, and a links-influenced front nine that plays very differently from the tree-lined back. Ranked among GolfPass's Top 50 US Public Courses. The kind of place where you play 18, eat lunch at the turn, and feel like you got a full day for what you'd pay at Falconhead for just the round.
Par / Yards71 · 7,017
DesignerMorrish / Bechtol / Russell
WalkingCart included
Best forAll-day golf, groups
Book a tee time ↗
Elevated tee box with distant fairway at ShadowGlen Golf Club
ShadowGlen Golf Club.
Public · Manor · 20 min from downtown
If you want the hardest public course in the Austin area, this is the one. A slope of 139 from the tips, 7,174 yards, and a back nine that uses elevation changes more aggressively than anything in the muni system. The front nine plays more links-like; the back tightens through trees and drops. Reviewers consistently mention the drive-thru bar at the turn. Despite the difficulty, it's surprisingly accessible — the five tee sets range from 4,898 to 7,174 yards, so there's a setup for everyone. One of Austin's genuine hidden gems.
Par / Yards72 · 7,174
DesignerBechtol & Russell
WalkingAvailable
Best forLow handicaps, toughest test
Book a tee time ↗
Scenic view across rolling terrain at Crystal Falls Golf Club
Crystal Falls Golf Club.
Public · Leander · 35 min from downtown
Water on 12 of 18 holes, real elevation changes, and a target-golf layout that plays tougher than its 6,654 yards suggest. Crystal Falls is the kind of course where a straight hitter with a 7-iron can outplay a bomber who can't find the fairway. The views from the elevated tees are Hill Country through and through. Reasonably priced for the quality — you're paying muni-plus rates for semi-private conditioning. A strong choice when you want something better without the sticker shock.
Par / Yards72 · 6,654
DesignerJack Miller
WalkingAvailable
Best forShotmakers, budget upgrade
Book a tee time ↗
Hill Country fairway framed by live oaks at Vaaler Creek Golf Club
Vaaler Creek Golf Club.
Public · Blanco · 50 min from downtown
The underrated one, and the drive out through Blanco is half the reason to go. Rates read on 17 September 2026: $95 for 18 Monday to Thursday with the cart included, $75 on the twilight rate — which starts at 3pm from March through October and 1pm in the winter. Cart-inclusive pricing is rarer than it should be and means you know the real cost before you leave the house. A Michael Lowry design at 6,946 yards, ranked #10 in Texas by the Dallas Morning News, with a restored 1860s ranch house for a clubhouse and a shaded deck over the 18th.
Rate$95 Mon–Thu
Twilight$75
WalkingCart included
Best forThe drive, midweek value
Book a tee time ↗
Hill Country routing at Kissing Tree Golf Club in San Marcos
Kissing Tree Golf Club.
Semi-private · San Marcos · 45 min from downtown
Forty-five minutes down I-35 and the Hill Country starts doing the work about halfway. Semi-private with public tee times most days, polished without being fussy, and conditioned hot year-round. A Gary Stephenson design that opened in October 2018, certified as an Audubon Signature Sanctuary and irrigated entirely with reclaimed water. The thing to know: the surrounding community is 55-and-over, the golf course is not — Kissing Tree runs a separate public tee sheet and anyone can book it, through Troon rather than the club's own page. Read the cart rules first: no non-playing riders, two players per cart, and check in no more than sixty minutes before your time.
Bookingvia Troon
AccessPublic times most days
WalkingCart standard
Best forAn easy drive that still feels away
Book a tee time ↗
Fairway running beneath hundred-foot limestone walls at The Quarry Golf Club
The Quarry Golf Club.
Public · San Antonio · 1 hr 15 from downtown
The extra half hour past San Marcos buys you the back nine, which drops into a genuine hundred-year-old quarry pit and plays inside the walls. The front nine is open and links-adjacent; the transition between the two is the most abrupt and most enjoyable in Texas golf. This is the one to book when somebody is visiting and you want them describing it on the flight home.
SettingWorking quarry pit
NinesLinks front, quarry back
WalkingCart standard
Best forVisitors, one-off occasions
Book a tee time ↗
Lush resort fairway winding through Texas landscape at Lost Pines Resort, formerly Wolfdancer Golf Club
Lost Pines Resort.
Resort · Lost Pines · 20 min from downtown
The resort play. Lost Pines Resort — the course everyone still calls Wolfdancer — sits at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines and feels like two courses in one — the first 12 holes roll through open prairie, then the final six drop into a river valley. Arthur Hills designed it to show off the terrain, and it works. GPS-equipped carts, iced towels, and the kind of service you don't get at a muni. The 3rd hole — a 603-yard par 5 from an elevated tee — is the "wow" moment. Best for a weekend trip with the family or a round that feels like a getaway without driving three hours.
Par / Yards72 · 7,029
DesignerArthur Hills
WalkingCart included
Best forResort golf, special occasion
Book a tee time ↗
Rolling Hill Country fairway at Omni Barton Creek Resort
Omni Barton Creek Resort.
Resort · West Austin · 20 min from downtown
The big one. Four 18-hole championship courses at a single resort — Fazio Canyons (ranked in the top 35 by a national golf magazine), Fazio Foothills, Crenshaw Cliffside, and Palmer Lakeside. This is where Austin golf becomes a destination. Fazio Canyons is the headliner — a Tom Fazio design through Hill Country canyons with views that make you stop mid-backswing. Crenshaw Cliffside is the most playable of the four, with wide fairways and massive greens designed for enjoyment over punishment. Full resort amenities: spa, four restaurants, three pools. The most impressive golf experience within Austin city limits, no question. It is the one course on this list where the drive is twenty minutes and staying over is still the move — guest tee times come first, so booking a room is often the difference between playing Fazio Canyons and playing what was left.
Courses4 × 18 holes
DesignersFazio · Crenshaw · Palmer
WalkingCart included
Best forBig occasion, resort golf
Book a tee time ↗
Make it a weekend

Day trips — golf courses near Austin worth the drive.

Two kinds of trip. The first four are 18-hole courses you can drive to, play and be home from by dinner, chosen for the architect, the routing or the ground they sit on. The four after that are sold with a room, so the number you are quoted depends on the package and the time of year.

Aerial view of a fairway curving past a pond and oak woodland at Canyon Springs Golf Club, San Antonio
Canyon Springs Golf Club.
Public · San Antonio · 1 hr 15 south
Canyon Springs is the purest Hill Country routing within reach of Austin, a course laid over an old ranch rather than bulldozed into one. Thomas Walker opened it in 1998 with a brief to let the land lead, and it was named the best new public course in America that year. Each hole sits in its own pocket of oaks, past limestone waterfalls and the stonework of the Classen family homestead. Longhorns graze off the edges.
DesignerThomas Walker
Opened1998
SettingRanch land, limestone falls
Best forA full Saturday away
Book a tee time ↗
Aerial view of Cedar Creek Golf Course rolling through Hill Country on the northwest side of San Antonio
Cedar Creek Golf Course.
City course · San Antonio · 1 hr 25 south
Cedar Creek is the strongest case for San Antonio’s city golf: a hilly, strategic 18 at municipal rates. Finger Dye Spann routed it through the hills northwest of town in 1989, with big elevation changes, doglegs that make you choose a side and greens built in at least two tiers. Jeffrey Blume renovated it in 2024. It hosts the San Antonio Open every year, and the views from the high tees are part of the round.
DesignerFinger Dye Spann
Yards5,500 – 7,100
GreensTwo tiers or more
Best forBig golf, city price
Book a tee time ↗
Native grasses and a green below the clubhouse at sunset at The Golf Club of Texas, San Antonio
The Golf Club of Texas.
Semi-private · San Antonio · 1 hr 30 south
The Golf Club of Texas is the place to feel what zoysia does under a golf ball. Lee Trevino designed the course in 2000. It closed in the drought of 2013, and Roy Bechtol rebuilt it the next year, stretched it to 7,121 yards and grassed it in zoysia from tee to green, which the club says made it the first course in the country to do so. The lighted practice area stays open until 11pm.
DesignerLee Trevino, Roy Bechtol
Yards7,121
GrassZoysia, tee to green
Best forBall strikers
Book a tee time ↗
Sunrise over the water and a closely mown fairway at Memorial Park Golf Course, Houston
Memorial Park Golf Course.
City course · Houston · 2 hr 45 east
Memorial Park is the best-designed public golf in Texas, and it belongs to a city park. John Bredemus laid out the course in 1936 and, by local legend, called it his greatest. Tom Doak rebuilt it in 2019, and it now hosts the Houston Open and the Chevron Championship. Visitors from outside Houston pay $120 Monday to Thursday and $140 Friday to Sunday, with twilight from $90. The course is closed on Tuesdays.
DesignerTom Doak (2019)
HostsHouston Open
Non-resident$90 – $140
Best forThe long day of the year
Book a tee time ↗
Stay the night

Four courses where the golf is sold with a room.

Aerial view of the Ram Rock course along Lake LBJ at Horseshoe Bay Resort
Horseshoe Bay Resort.
Resort · Horseshoe Bay · 1 hr 15 northwest
Four courses on one property — Ram Rock, Apple Rock, Slick Rock and Summit Rock — which is the entire argument for staying the night instead of driving out and back. Ram Rock is the hard one and has been since it opened. Apple Rock is the one people come home talking about. Two nights lets you play all four and still eat dinner like a person.
CoursesFour
Drive~1 hr 15 NW
PricingResort rates
Best forA full golf weekend
Book a tee time ↗
Quarry ledge and Hill Country fairway at La Cantera Golf Club near San Antonio
La Cantera Golf Club.
Resort · San Antonio · 1 hr 15 south
Cut into quarry and Hill Country ledge just north of San Antonio, and close enough that you could day-trip it — but the resort is the reason not to. The property pairs the golf with the Resort & Spa, which turns a long Saturday into a real weekend and means nobody drives home tired. The pick when half the group is not playing.
SettingQuarry & ledge
Drive~1 hr 15 south
PricingResort rates
Best forMixed groups, anniversaries
Book a tee time ↗
Bunkered green set into Hill Country woodland on the Canyons Course at TPC San Antonio
TPC San Antonio — Canyons Course.
Resort · San Antonio · 1 hr 15 south
The Canyons is Pete Dye in the Hill Country, and the way on is a room at the JW Marriott or a member’s invitation. Dye let the land set the strategy, with dramatic elevation changes and corridors that look out over a 700-acre nature preserve. It hosted a PGA Tour Champions event from 2011 to 2015, while Greg Norman’s Oaks Course next door has held the Valero Texas Open since 2010.
DesignerPete Dye
Par / Yards72 · 7,106
AccessResort guests, members
Best forA Dye pilgrimage
Book a tee time ↗
Putting green at dusk below the Chihuahuan Desert mesas at Black Jack's Crossing, Lajitas Golf Resort
Lajitas Golf Resort — Black Jack’s Crossing.
Resort · Lajitas · 7 hours west
The far end of the list and the one that needs real commitment: seven hours west, on the Rio Grande at the edge of Big Bend, in country that looks like nowhere else in Texas. Lajitas prints the accolades on its own page — it is ranked the #1 Course You Can Play in Texas and #38 Resort Course in the USA, and the Dallas Morning News has had it at #1 in Texas since 2013. Go for three nights or do not go.
Drive~7 hrs west
SettingRio Grande, Big Bend
PricingResort rates
Best forThe trip of the year
Book a tee time ↗
03
Practice & Ranges

Where to sharpen your game — Austin ranges & simulators.

Austin has better practice infrastructure than most cities its size. Driving ranges with real grass tees, dedicated short game areas, and a growing number of indoor sim spots for when summer heat hits triple digits or winter rain rolls through. If you want to work on your game without committing to a full round, you have options.

The practice scene has gotten surprisingly good in the last few years. Established ranges have added Toptracer and launch monitors, Plum Creek in Kyle gives the south side a real practice facility, and the indoor sim market has exploded. Whether you need an hour on the range or a full swing analysis session, it's covered.

The Driving Range in Round Rock lit at dusk
Practice · 10 Spots
Best Practice Facilities in Austin: 10 Ranges and Short-Game Spots
Lit all-grass ranges, $7 muni buckets, Toptracer bays and short-game courses across the metro, re-checked in September 2026 with current prices.
Read the guide →
Indoor golf simulator bay with screen and launch monitor
Simulators · 14 Spots
Every Indoor Golf Simulator in Austin, Ranked
Fourteen sims across the metro you can book this week — verified tech, bay counts and hourly rates, plus the five on the way.
Read the guide →
Golfer hitting balls at the Round Rock driving range
Practice · Summer
The Summer Practice Guide — Where to Hit Balls at 105°
Ranges with shade and misters, short-game areas that stay open in August, and the indoor bays that earn their keep when it's genuinely too hot.
Read the guide →
04
After the Round

Where to eat, drink and decompress — after the round in Austin.

Austin's post-round scene is as good as the golf itself. This is a food city, and golfers here have it figured out — BBQ joints with short waits, burger spots five minutes from the course, evening bars that don't card you for still wearing golf shoes. The 19th hole in Austin isn't a clubhouse; it's a whole city.

We’ve mapped the best spots to every course in the system, ranked the on-course food options (somebody had to), put together evening plans for when the round turns into a night, and worked out what to drink when it’s a hundred degrees at the turn. All of it below.

Sliced brisket and smoked ribs on butcher paper at an Austin BBQ joint
BBQ · 12 Spots
The Austin BBQ Field Guide — 12 Spots After the Round
Twelve BBQ joints mapped to which course you just played. Proximity, wait times, what to order. The definitive post-round BBQ list.
Read the guide →
The teal Veracruz All Natural school bus food truck on Webberville Road
Food Trucks · 15 Stops
The Austin Food Truck Field Guide — 15 Stops Around Town
Fifteen trucks confirmed open this month, from 7am breakfast tacos to Bib Gourmand barbecue, plus Gimme Burger, the one truck parked on a muni at Butler Pitch & Putt.
Read the guide →
Stacked smash burger with melted cheese and crispy edges
Burgers · 10 Spots
10 of the Best Post-Round Burgers
Ten burger spots across Austin that hit right after 18 holes. Smash burgers, patty melts, the works.
Read the guide →
Hot dogs and snack bar food at a golf course turn counter
On-Course · Ranked
Ranking the Muni Grub — Every On-Course Food Spot in Austin
Every snack bar, hot dog stand, and turn-counter across all five munis — ranked, reviewed, brutally honest.
Read the guide →
String lights over an outdoor patio at an Austin bar on a warm evening
Post-Round · 7 Moves
7 Post-Round Moves in Austin
What to do after the round — patio beers, swimming holes, live music, and the drive that makes the whole day.
Read the guide →
Neon signs and warm light at an Austin bar at night
Evening · 5 Spots
5 Post-Round Evening Spots in Austin
Five bars and restaurants for when the round turns into a night out. Low-key, walkable from downtown courses.
Read the guide →
Outdoor seating at Radio Coffee and Beer in South Austin
Coffee · 18 Shops
The Pre-Round Pour — 18 Austin Coffee Shops for Golfers
Eighteen independent shops for the drive to the first tee. Institutions, roasters and patio spots, sorted by which course they're actually near.
Read the guide →
A basket of saucy chicken wings from an Austin wing spot
Wings · 16 Spots
The Best Wings in Austin — 16 Spots After the Round
From Wingzup's 28 sauces to the dive-bar orders nobody writes about. Sixteen spots, ranked, with the closest course to each.
Read the guide →
A wood-fired Neapolitan pizza at Bufalina in Austin
Pizza · 10 Spots
The Best Pizza in Austin — 10 Spots After the Round
Ten pizzerias that justify the detour, from Bufalina's 900° wood-fired Neapolitan down to the by-the-slice places open late.
Read the guide →
A stacked deli sandwich cut in half on butcher paper
Sandwiches · 12 Spots
Sandwiches Before the Round — 12 Paired to a Muni
Twelve of the best sandwiches in Austin, each matched to the municipal course closest to it. Eat first, then go play.
Read the guide →
The Launderette neon sign at dusk in East Austin
Date Night · 15 Spots
Date Night After 36 — Where to Take Them When You Played All Weekend
Fifteen spots at three volumes, from a Michelin star to fifty-year-old queso. For when the golf ran long and dinner is the peace treaty.
Read the guide →
Electrolyte drink mix and a water bottle for a hot Austin round
Hydration · 100° Rounds
The Hydration Edit — What to Drink for a 100° Austin Round
Powders, tablets and bottles that actually work in an Austin August. What to carry when the heat index beats your score.
Read the guide →
05
Events & History

What's happening and what came before.

Austin muni golf has real history — over a century of public golf, events that have been running for decades, and renovation projects that are reshaping the entire system. This isn't a city that just built courses and left them alone. The stories behind these places are part of what makes playing them feel different.

This section covers the events calendar and the stories behind the courses. From the Firecracker Open — 81 years running at Lions — to the Coore & Crenshaw restoration that has been offered to the Muny for free and is still waiting on a lease, there's always something happening in Austin golf.

Scenic golf course on a bright summer day — home of the annual Firecracker Open
Event · Annual
The Firecracker Open — 81 Years at the Muny
The longest-running golf event in Austin history. Every Fourth of July at Lions Municipal since 1945.
Read the story →
Fairway and live oaks at Lions Municipal Golf Course in Austin
History · Lions Muny
The Most Important Muni in Texas Is Still Open
The first integrated course in the South, a lease running on short extensions, and a Coore & Crenshaw restoration offered for free and still waiting. Go play it.
Read the story →
The ninth green at Hancock Golf Course in central Austin
History · Hancock
Hancock Golf Course — The Oldest Course in Texas
Opened 1899 and one of the oldest courses in Texas. Nine holes, par 35, $20 to walk, and the ground Harvey Penick learned the game on.
Read the guide →
Links-style fairway and pond at Roy Kizer Golf Course
History · Roy Kizer
Roy Kizer — From Sewage Plant to Links-Style Gem
Built on a decommissioned wastewater treatment plant in southeast Austin, and somehow the best-looking muni in the system.
Read the guide →
The open green and red flagstick at Jimmy Clay, where The Long Walk starts
TGI Event · 36 Holes
The Long Walk — Golf Till You Drop
Back-to-back tee times at Jimmy Clay and Roy Kizer, 36 holes on foot with no carts. Donations go to First Tee.
See the event →
A golfer mid-swing on a Hill Country fairway outside Austin
TGI Event · 8–12 Players
The Grassy Issue Social Club
Small groups playing good courses within ninety minutes of Austin. Not a tournament, not a league, no dues.
Join the list →
06
Beyond the City

When you want something different.

The Hill Country and surrounding area have courses that are a completely different experience from the munis — resort-style layouts, Hill Country views, and designs from architects whose names you'd recognize. Some are 20 minutes outside the city limits. Some are a full day trip. All of them are a reason to get in the car.

These aren't replacements for the munis — they're additions. When you want elevation changes that make Morris Williams look flat, or fairways carved through live oak canyons, or the feeling of playing somewhere that was designed to be a destination, this is the list.

Sandy bunkering and a wall of East Texas pine at Wild Spring Dunes
East Texas · 4hr 15min
Wild Spring Dunes
A Tom Doak course on 2,400 acres of former timber land outside Mount Enterprise, open to the public since 8 September. Walking only, caddies available.
Read the story →
The Quarry Golf Club in San Antonio at sunset, from the Special Day Rounds guide
Day Trips · 15 Courses
Special Day Rounds Near Austin
Ten day trips inside an hour and a quarter, plus five overnights, from Tom Doak’s new course in the East Texas pines to Big Bend. Rebuilt 24 September.
Read the guide →
Open Texas highway stretching through Hill Country under a wide sky
Texas · 10 Courses
10 Texas Courses for the Trip
Ten courses across the state that are a reason to book a tee time and a hotel room. From the Hill Country to the Gulf Coast.
Read the guide →
At a glance
Answers to questions you haven't asked yet.

The best deal in Austin golf.

  • Sunset rates, any 18-hole muni$28 flat
  • Sunset cart rental$12
  • Same course, same turf, half the waitAny day

The longest and the shortest.

  • Longest: Morris Williams7,023 yds
  • Shortest 18: Lions6,001 yds
  • Shortest total: Hancock2,633 yds

Best for a first time golfer.

  • HancockNine, gentle
  • Roy KizerWide fairways
  • Lions, twilightShortest test

Best for photos.

  • Roy Kizer at sunsetCinematic
  • Lions under the live oaksSpring mornings
  • Morris Williams, skyline viewBack porch

When courses are busiest.

  • Saturday 7–10am, all coursesRush
  • Sunday afternoon at LionsPacked
  • Tuesday 2–5pm, anyEmpty

Maintenance days to know.

  • Lions · 3rd Monday monthlyClosed
  • Morris Williams · 2nd Monday monthlyClosed
  • All courses · Check before you goGolfATX.gov

Best special-day courses by vibe.

  • Birthday roundFalconhead
  • Bachelor partyStar Ranch (all-inclusive)
  • Full resort experienceOmni Barton Creek
  • Toughest testShadowGlen
  • Visitors you want to impressThe Quarry
  • Stay the nightHorseshoe Bay (four courses)

The casual plays.

  • Butler Pitch & PuttPar 3, downtown
  • Joe Balander Short Course$5, wedge practice
  • Hancock after 2pm$20, 75 minutes
Honorable mentions
Also on your radar.
Butler Pitch & Putt.
Public · Par 3 · Downtown
Austin skyline seen from Butler Pitch and Putt at dusk

Nine par-3 holes downtown on the south shore of Lady Bird Lake, walk-up rates, a beer stand at the turn, and the Austin skyline as your backdrop. Not a serious test of golf — closer to a first date or a weeknight hang than a real round. But it's an Austin institution, and it's the correct answer to "where can I play in jeans right now without a tee time." Bring a few clubs, grab a beer, and enjoy the sunset. One of the best casual golf experiences in any city.

Joe Balander Short Course.
Part of the Kizer complex · Par 3 practice

A nine-hole par-3 practice course at the Roy Kizer / Jimmy Clay complex. $5 adults, $3 juniors. Under the radar, open to the public, good for dialing in your wedges or teaching a beginner without the pressure of a full round. Walk only.

ColoVista Golf Club.
Public · Bastrop · 35 min from Austin

A wild ride of a course in Bastrop overlooking the Colorado River. The signature 15th — a 191-yard par 3 off a cliff with a 200-foot drop to the green — is one of the most dramatic holes in central Texas. The front nine plays links-style, the back nine uses extreme elevation through rugged terrain. Ranked #1 Hidden Gem by the Houston Chronicle. Check recent reviews for condition updates.

Harvey Penick Golf Campus.
Public · 9 holes · Northeast Austin

Nine holes at par 30 — three par 4s and six par 3s — on 112 acres off Ed Bluestein, crossing Walnut Creek three times. It reads like a sixth muni but it is not one: the campus is owned and run by First Tee – Greater Austin, a non-profit, on land leased from the East Communities YMCA. It opened in 2005. Eighteen dollars to walk Monday through Thursday, $20 Friday through Sunday and holidays, and seniors 55 and over walk for $13 on weekdays only. Juniors are $10. GolfATX members and City of Austin employees pay $5. There is also a grass-only range, a three-hole short course, and an 18-hole FootGolf course — the first in Austin. About a two-mile walk and ninety minutes.

Riverside Golf Course.
Public · Southeast Austin · 10 min from downtown

The most under-appreciated piece of golf history in the city. Riverside is a Perry Maxwell design — built with his son Press, announced in the Statesman in March 1947, open for play by 1949 — and it was Austin Country Club's second home, from 1949 until the club moved to the Pete Dye course at Davenport Ranch in 1984. Which means two of the three ACC sites are now public golf you can walk on: Hancock was the first, Riverside the second. Eighteen holes, par 72, 6,359 from the blue tees. Thirty-three dollars to walk on a weekday morning and $21 after 4pm. The land is owned today by Austin Community College.

Plum Creek Golf Course.
Public · Kyle · 30 min south

Par 71 and just over 7,100 yards from the black tees, which makes it one of the longest cards near Austin. Toptracer range, three acres of short game, and it is the home course for Texas State's men's and women's teams. Pricing is dynamic and starts at $70 Monday to Thursday and $100 Friday to Sunday, with a super-twilight rate that drops to $35 after 5pm on weekdays. Book plumcreekgolf.com — note that plumcreekgolfclub.com is an entirely different club.

Forest Creek Golf Club.
Public · Round Rock · under 30 min north

A Dick Phelps design from 1990, owned by the City of Round Rock and run by KemperSports — a muni under private management. At 7,147 yards from the Gold tees with a 139 slope it is the longest and hardest course in this guide, munis included. There is no rate card at all; pricing moves with demand and the tee sheet opens 30 days out, so expect anywhere from about $40 on a twilight weekday to $100 for a weekend morning. Booking early genuinely costs less.

How this guide is made.

The Grassy Issue is written from Austin. This guide covers the courses we play and the ones we send people to, and it is a living page rather than a post — it gets reviewed every quarter and corrected whenever something moves.

Green fees are read off the City of Austin’s own schedule and each course’s booking page, with the date of the reading printed next to them rather than left implied. Where a course prices dynamically, we say so instead of publishing a band that would be wrong within a fortnight. Yardages, pars and opening dates come from the courses themselves.

Nothing on this page is paid for and no course has a say in what is written about it. Spot something out of date? Tell us and it gets fixed.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about golf in Austin.

Where can I play golf in Austin?

Austin has five municipal golf courses open to the public: Lions Municipal, Morris Williams, Hancock, Roy Kizer, and Jimmy Clay. Green fees range from $20 to $44, making them the most affordable option in the city. Beyond the munis, there's the semi-private Grey Rock Golf Club, the par-3 Butler Pitch and Putt downtown, and a handful of private clubs. For most people, the munis are where it starts.

How much does it cost to play golf in Austin?

The four 18-hole municipal courses all charge the same rate: $35 Monday through Thursday, $41 on Friday, and $44 on weekends and holidays. Sunset rates drop to $28 at all four. Hancock, the 9-hole course, is $20 flat every day of the week. These are the most affordable 18-hole options in the city — and the pricing is identical across Lions, Morris Williams, Roy Kizer, and Jimmy Clay.

What is the best public golf course in Austin?

It depends on what you're looking for. Morris Williams is the toughest test with the best green complexes and real elevation. Lions Municipal is the most historic and beloved — Ben Crenshaw and Tom Kite grew up here. Roy Kizer is a wide-open links-style layout, great for big hitters. Morris Williams is also the longest at 7,023 yards. Jimmy Clay is the least crowded. And Hancock is a $20, 9-hole neighborhood classic and one of the oldest courses in Texas.

Are there indoor golf simulators in Austin?

Yes — and the scene is growing fast. Austin has seven-plus indoor simulator venues across town, equipped with TrackMan, Foresight, and Full Swing systems. Options range from standalone sim bays to full bar-and-lounge setups with leagues and events. We've reviewed all of them in our simulator guide.

What should I do after a round of golf in Austin?

Austin's post-round scene is one of the best in the country. Hit a BBQ joint near whatever course you just played — we've mapped 12 spots by proximity. Grab a smash burger, head to a patio bar, or check out our full list of post-round moves for swimming holes, live music, and more.

Where should I play for a special occasion in Austin?

For a birthday or celebration, Falconhead in Bee Cave is the go-to — its par-3 8th on a limestone cliff is unforgettable. For a bachelor group, Star Ranch in Hutto offers an all-inclusive package with green fees, cart, range, and meals. For the full resort experience, Omni Barton Creek has four Tom Fazio, Crenshaw, and Palmer courses at one property. For the toughest public test, ShadowGlen in Manor has a slope of 139 from the tips. All are within 30 minutes of downtown. See our full special day section for eight courses.

How do I play the Austin munis well?

Each muni rewards a different approach. At Lions, leave the driver in the bag — it's short and tight, so accuracy beats distance. At Morris Williams, bring your short game — the elevated greens are the best in the system. At Kizer, rip the driver but respect the wind. At Jimmy Clay, play the right tees and save energy for the back nine. At Hancock, bring five clubs and enjoy the walk. We've added detailed "How to Play It" strategy tips to every course in the municipal section.

Is Austin good for golf?

Austin is one of the best muni golf cities in the country. Five affordable public courses with real character, eight-plus practice facilities, a growing indoor simulator scene, 300-plus days of playable weather, and a food and bar culture that makes the post-round as good as the round itself. Whether you're a beginner or a single-digit handicap, there's something here for you.

What are the best golf courses in Austin?

For everyday golf, the five munis — Lions, Morris Williams, Hancock, Roy Kizer, and Jimmy Clay — are the backbone of Austin golf, all between $20 and $44. For a step up, our special-day section covers the area's semi-private and upscale daily-fee courses. And if you're willing to drive, some of Texas's best public golf is within a few hours — covered in our Texas road-trip list and the Austin Golf Road Trip.

What is the cheapest golf in Austin?

Hancock — $20 flat, every day, for the oldest course in Texas (1899), walking only. Next best value: sunset rates at the four 18-hole munis drop to $28. Butler Pitch and Putt downtown is the budget short-game option, and range sessions across the city's practice facilities start around $10 a bucket.

Is Austin a top golf city?

GOLF Magazine has called Austin the best golf city in America, and the case is easy to make: year-round playability, five public munis with shared history back to Ben Crenshaw and Tom Kite's junior days, a booming practice-and-simulator scene, and the best post-round food in the sport. This guide exists because the city's golf culture deserves the documentation.

What happened to Wolfdancer Golf Club?

It is now branded Lost Pines Resort. The old wolfdancergolfclub.com address redirects to the resort's own golf page, which no longer uses the Wolfdancer name anywhere. The course is unchanged — the same Arthur Hills design out at Bastrop — and the resort's current copy puts it about 20 minutes from Austin.

Why do so many courses near Austin no longer list a green fee?

Dynamic pricing. Rates move with demand, tee time, day of week and season, the way airline seats do. Falconhead states this openly on its rates page. Others book through Troon or GolfNow, where the price is generated at the point of booking. A course that still posts a fixed rate card — Vaaler Creek and Star Ranch both do — is now the exception rather than the rule.