Texas – it is a big place with plenty of golf courses (800 to 900 throughout the state). I am hoping to explore as many as possible!

I moved to the Dallas area in 2019 and have greatly enjoyed the golf scene. The area has so many good courses to play. The terrain in North Texas is underwhelming so I know the golf gets overlooked in DFW, at least compared to many areas of the country. And, probably rightfully so.

However, if you have $50 to $75 for a round of golf in a metro area then I’d argue you cannot beat a DFW course when it comes to bang for your buck! I still have plenty of work to do in DFW (and other spots throughout the state), so this isn’t the most complete list as things stand now, but I will add courses as I play them.

I also love to see new cities and have made a handful of trips to other areas of the state, including Houston, Austin, San Antonio and East Texas. Golf in these places has been enjoyable as well – with the Houston courses having that Florida feel to them and the Austin and San Antonio courses having some elevation change.

Please note I mostly play public courses and that my rankings are not based on any specific set of criteria. I realize that the ranking of courses is probably different for a local compared to an out of towner. I’ve tried to mix those two perspectives with my recommendations. Also, many times I’ve only played a course once, although that is not always the case. You may find a private course or two mixed in among my rankings and for better or worse, conditions do change from when I played somewhere.

Anyway, below please enjoy my personal favorites in each area. I’d love to hear from you with your Texas favorites through your comments!

Dallas/Fort Worth Area Course Rankings:

1. Cowboys Golf Club – The best of the best for public golf in North Texas
2. The Bridges Golf Club – Fred Couples nailed this design, tons of fun in the Texas wind
3. The Tribute Golf Club – Famous holes from Scotland, in Texas
4. Squaw Valley Golf Course: Apache Links Course – A healthy drive, but one of those “hidden gems”
5. The Golf Club Fossil Creek – Have fun trying to hit the 13th, an island green par-3
6. Pecan Hollow Golf Course – Potentially the most underrated course in DFW
7. Waterchase Golf Club – Natural setting close to the Arlington attractions
8. Hawks Creek Golf Club – Fighter planes taking off next to the course make for a fun round
9. Squaw Valley Golf Course: Comanche Lakes Course – Something you might find on the RTJ Golf Trail in Alabama
10. Cleburne Golf Links – Open, linksy design southwest of DFW
11. Tour 18 Dallas – Replica holes of some of the best golf holes in America
12. Tangle Ridge Golf Club – A solid design with stacked sod bunkers
13. Heritage Ranch Golf & Country Club – An upscale course in McKinney
14. Coyote Ridge Golf Club – Some funk for the design but nicely conditioned
15. Woodbridge Golf Club – Enjoyable routing around Muddy Creek
16. Cedar Crest Golf Course – A.W. Tillinghast design and home of the 1927 PGA Championship
17. Riverside Golf Club – Fun course along the Trinity River and convenient location
18. Lake Park Golf Club: Executive Course – A round of night golf has to be among my favorites
19. The Golf Club at Champions Circle – Interesting history and close to the Texas Motor Speedway
20. Canyon Creek Country Club – Convenient ClubCorp facility in Richardson
21. Trails of Frisco Golf Club – Wetlands feel without many homes in play
22. Ridgeview Ranch Golf Club – Jeff Brauer design in North Dallas
23. Oakmont Country Club – Nothing flashy, but nothing offensive either
24. Canyon West Golf Club – A western theme in Weatherford
25. Whitestone Golf Club – Good value and close to Fort Worth
26. Thorntree Golf Club – A little tired, but great bones
27. Firewheel Golf Park: Lakes Course – Challenging design with a lot of water
28. Tanglewood Golf Club – Old Arnold Palmer design with zoysia greens
29. Waterview Golf Club – Good value and good conditions near the turnpike
30. Firewheel Golf Park: Old Course – Fun layout with an unspectacular setting
31. Westdale Hills Golf Course – A Ben Crenshaw par-3 course? Yes, please
32. Cedar Creek Country Club – Decent value with a fun signature hole
33. Sugar Tree Golf Club – Interesting golf holes, however plenty of TLC is needed
34. Shady Valley Country Club – Lots of charm where straight drivers can take their group’s cash
35. Rusted Rail Golf Club – A good buddies course southeast of Dallas
36. Lake Park Golf Club: Championship Course – A great place to learn the game
37. Old Brickyard Golf Course – Cool setting but the conditions could be improved
38. Webb Hill Country Club – Country course with a mom and pop vibe
39. Duck Creek Golf Club – Convenient location in Garland
40. Oeste Ranch Golf Course – Wide fairways and pure greens west of Fort Worth

Houston Area Course Rankings:

1. Golf Club of Houston: Tournament Course – Fun to play where the pros play
2. Tour 18 Houston – Replica course with an awesome front nine
3. The Wilderness Golf Club – Please put this one on your Houston list
4. Cypresswood Golf Club: Tradition Course – Keith Foster design with a coastal Carolina feel
5. Walden on Lake Conroe Golf Club – A memorable, but very narrow layout
6. Eagle Pointe Golf Club – A hidden gem between Houston and Beaumont
7. Moody Gardens Golf Course – Tropical look on Galveston Island
8. Meadowbrook Farms Golf Club – An upscale Greg Norman design
9. Cypress Lakes Golf Club – Enjoyable Jim Fazio design close to Highway 99
10. The Golf Club at Cinco Ranch – Solid value on the west side of town
11. Cypresswood Golf Club: Cypress Course – Decent compliment to the Tradition Course
12. Southwyck Golf Club – Friendly atmosphere, but probably best left to the locals
13. Bayou Golf Course – Budget price near Moses Bayou

Austin Area Course Rankings:

1. Wolfdancer Golf Club – Possibly my favorite Texas course
2. Delaware Springs Golf Course – Out of the way but well worth the drive
3. Morris Williams Golf Course – Convenient location and a good locals’ course
4. Hidden Falls Golf Course – Nicely conditioned muni
5. Butler Park Pitch and Putt Golf Course – Casual vibe and downtown views
6. Pine Forest Golf Club – Some interesting holes along the Colorado River

San Antonio Course Rankings:

1. Briggs Ranch Golf Club – An impressive Fazio design
2. The Quarry Golf Course – Convenient location with a special back nine
3. La Cantera Golf Club: Resort Course – Roller coaster views (literally) from the course, enough said
4. La Cantera Golf Club: Palmer Course – Dramatic holes in the Hill Country
5. Vaaler Creek Golf Club – Some fun signature holes here
6. Windcrest Golf Club – A walk in the neighborhood

East Texas Course Rankings:

1. The Links at Land’s End – The gold standard (IMO) for golf in East Texas
2. Pine Dunes Resort & Golf Club – Ranked among the top public courses in Texas
3. Pinnacle Golf Club – Possibly the best $20 round you’ll find
4. Mineola Country Club – A nine-hole course with plenty of charm

South Texas Course Rankings:

1. Palmilla Beach Resort & Golf Club – Major changes in recent years at this nine-holer