With its rolling hills, picturesque landscapes, and an abundance of sunshine, Central Texas offers a golfer’s paradise for enthusiasts of all levels. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting to explore the sport, the region boasts an array of top-notch golf courses set amidst stunning natural scenery. Embark on a golf vacation in Central Texas and indulge in the perfect blend of relaxation and recreation.
Austin: Where Culture Meets the Fairway
Start your golfing adventure in Austin, the vibrant capital city known for its live music scene, eclectic culture, and outdoor activities. Here, you’ll find an assortment of golf courses catering to every skill level and preference. For a challenging round surrounded by Texas Hill Country views, head to the Falconhead Golf Club or Avery Ranch Golf Club.
After a rewarding day on the greens, explore Austin’s diverse culinary scene, vibrant nightlife, and cultural attractions, from the historic State Capitol to the trendy South Congress Avenue.
San Antonio: Golfing Gems and Historic Charms
Just a short drive from Austin lies San Antonio, a city steeped in history and home to some of Central Texas’s most renowned golf courses. Tee off amidst centuries-old oak trees and lush fairways at the legendary La Cantera Resort & Spa, featuring a championship course designed by golfing great Tom Weiskopf.
For a taste of history alongside your golfing escapades, visit the historic Brackenridge Park Golf Course, the oldest municipal golf course in Texas, dating back to 1916. After perfecting your swing, explore San Antonio’s iconic attractions, including the historic Alamo, the scenic River Walk, and the vibrant Market Square.
Hill Country Retreats: Golfing Amidst Natural Beauty
Escape the hustle and bustle of city life and retreat to the tranquil beauty of the Texas Hill Country. Nestled among rolling hills and pristine landscapes, the region offers an idyllic setting for golf enthusiasts seeking a serene getaway.
Experience luxury and leisure at the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, boasting four championship courses designed by legendary architects like Ben Crenshaw, Tom Fazio, and Arnold Palmer. Or, head to Horseshoe Bay Resort near Marble Falls, where three Robert Trent Jones, Sr. designed courses await, offering breathtaking views of Lake LBJ.
After a day of golfing bliss, unwind with a wine tasting at one of the many nearby vineyards or explore charming small towns like Fredericksburg, known for its German heritage and eclectic boutiques.
Conclusion:
Central Texas beckons golf aficionados with its diverse array of courses, stunning landscapes, and endless opportunities for relaxation and adventure. Whether you’re seeking a challenging round amidst urban excitement or a tranquil retreat in the heart of nature, Central Texas has something to offer every golfer. Pack your clubs, embrace the Texas hospitality, and get ready for an unforgettable golf vacation in the heart of the Lone Star State.
Golf resorts in Texas are some of the best in the country, and Austin and San Antonio are no exception. These two cities are known for their beautiful landscapes, rich history, and world-class golf courses, making them the perfect destinations for golfers looking to experience the best that Texas has to offer.
In Austin, one of the best golf resorts in Texas is the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, which boasts four championship golf courses designed by some of the biggest names in the sport, including Tom Fazio, Ben Crenshaw, and Arnold Palmer. The resort also features luxury accommodations, a full-service spa, and multiple dining options, making it the perfect place to relax and unwind after an exciting day on the links.
In San Antonio, golfers should check out the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, home to two championship courses at TPC San Antonio. The Oaks course hosts the PGA Tour Valero Texas Open and was designed by Greg Norman. The Canyons course was designed by the legendary Pete Dye. The resort is located in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The resort also features luxury accommodations, multiple pools and water attractions, a full-service spa, and numerous dining options, ensuring that guests have everything they need for an unforgettable golf vacation.
Whether you’re looking to play a round of golf or just relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery, golf resorts in Texas offer something for everyone. So, book your trip today and experience the best of what Austin and San Antonio have to offer!
“Texas is certainly a great state for golf, but when it comes to public courses, it doesn’t necessarily have a standout resort destination (though that might change with the Omni PGA Frisco development). It does have a collection of very good public options, and TPC San Antonio—where the Valero Texas Open takes place—is worth building a trip around.
The Oaks course, where the tournament is played, is Golf Digest’s top-ranked public course in the state. The Greg Norman design (with an assist from Sergio Garcia) tips out at 7,435 yards and incorporates some rocky terrain and native grasses nicely in the routing. The facility’s Canyons course, which hosted a PGA Tour Champions event from 2011-15 views, ranks inside our top-15 public courses in Texas. The Pete Dye design offers views of a 700-acre nature preserve.
Those building a golf trip in San Antonio can add some other very good public tracks. The Quarry Golf Course (above) is a Keith Foster design that utilizes rock formations that were part of the old Alamo Quarry that date back to 1908. La Cantera Resort & Spa (Resort) was named Golf Digest’s Best New Public Course of 1995 and features thrilling elevation changes. And Brackenridge Park, or “Brack” to the locals, is an A.W. Tillinghast original design that dates back to 1916. It hosted the inaugural Texas Open in 1922—and following a restoration in the late 2000s—boasts one of the best values in Texas at tee times starting under $60.
Of course, Austin is just about an hour and a half away, and offers plenty for those looking to extend their San Antonio golf trips. Horseshoe Bay Resort and its three public 18-hole courses (plus the private Summit Rock) should be on every golfer’s radar (it’s about an hour from Austin and an hour and a half from San Antonio).
Ram Rock is the second-highest ranked public course in Texas, and the demanding test has hosted the Texas Open on multiple occasions. The island-green par-3 fourth hole is a standout. The resort’s Apple Rock and Split Rock are also Robert Trent Jones Sr. layouts and worth playing.”
I had the good fortune to spend a few days with my family at one of Texas’ best luxury golf resorts, Horseshoe Bay Resort. We stayed in a 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom Palm Villa at the resort and we had a terrific time! The Villa had a very spacious living area, a full kitchen, and comfy beds in each of the large bedrooms. The fitness center is located with the Villas, and that’s where we picked up paddles and balls when we decided to play pickleball. The Villas also have a pool, but it’s not heated, so we’d walk over to the heated pool at the resort tower when the kids wanted to swim.
The Horseshoe Bay Resort tower was only a stone’s throw away from the Villas, so it was very easy to enjoy all of the resort’s amenities. Breakfast was delicious at J’s Restaurant and Bar, so much so that we went there for lunch too. In the evening, we played a round of putt-putt on the Zoysia greens of the 18-hole Whitewater Putting Course. This was a big hit with the kids and I could definitely see me and my friends settling some bets on this putting course if I were on a golf buddy trip. Afterwards, we had dinner at the Whitewater 360 Sports Club, where I had the best nachos I’ve ever had plus some outstanding pizza.
Our trip culminated with a round of golf on the Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed Slick Rock Golf Course. The resort’s original course built in 1971, the course was in pristine condition thanks to a full renovation back in 2016. The course played like I prefer all resort courses to, generous off the tee box while offering fun and challenging approach shots. The tee shot over and then cart ride through the waterfall on the “Million Dollar” par-4 14th hole did not disappoint. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how good the food was at the Slick Rock Grill & Bar when we made the turn. My kids said they had the best fries in the world.
If you’re looking for an outstanding Texas golf resort vacation, whether it’s a fun family outing, a couple’s getaway, or a golf buddy trip, you won’t go wrong when you visit Horseshoe Bay Resort. Don’t just take it from me – GOLF Magazine named Horseshoe Bay Resort a Top 100 Resort in North America!
This has been a year like no other. Covid, Coronavirus, Wuhan Virus, whatever you want to call it, has affected every aspect of our lives. For us here at Texas Golf Trails, we know it has ruined plenty of golf trips. For those who had their annual buddy trip cancelled, we’re ready to help you get back out there.
If you’re wondering where to go, look no further than the ultimate luxury golf resort in Texas, the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin. Yes, the same resort you see on those MasterCard commercials. The resort has three courses on-site, the Tom Fazio designed Canyons and Foothills courses, and the Ben Crenshaw-Bill Coore designed Cliffside course. About 40 minutes away, the resort features the Arnold Palmer designed Lakeside course perched along the shores of Lake Travis. We can help arrange shuttle transportation to this course, which is definitely worth the trip. If you want to play 36 holes while you’re out there, Lakecliff Country Club, which also features an Arnold Palmer course, is just 5 minutes from Lakeside. In addition to world-class golf, the food, service, spa, and amenities at Barton Creek are sure to provide you with an unforgettable experience.
Another destination to consider is Horseshoe Bay Resort in Horseshoe Bay, TX, about 45 minutes northwest of Austin. Named a Top 100 Golf Resort by GOLF magazine, the resort is home to three Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed courses. The Slick Rock course is the original of the three and features the world-famous “Million Dollar Hole,” a par-4 that has you tee off over a waterfall and then drive under the same waterfall from the tee box to the fairway. The Apple Rock and Ram Rock courses are co-located and share a clubhouse. Both courses will take you from the highest points on the resort grounds all the way down to the shores of Lake LBJ. Ram Rock is the more challenging of the two and features a par-3 with an island green. The resort also has an 18-hole all grass putting course, a great place to settle those un-finished bets. The resort offers plenty more than just golf, with pontoon boats, ski boats, jet-skis, kayaks, and canoes available for you to take out and enjoy the lake.
Finally, San Antonio should definitely be considered for your next golf trip. The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa and La Cantera Resort & Spa are both great stay-and-play choices; however, unlike the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa and Horseshoe Bay Resort, you don’t have to be a guest at either of these resorts to enjoy their courses. Through our relationships, we can book tee times at the Greg Norman designed Oaks course and the Pete Dye designed Canyons course at TPC San Antonio even if you don’t stay at the JW Marriott. Also, you don’t have to stay at La Cantera to enjoy the Tom Weiskopf designed Resort course and the Arnold Palmer designed Palmer course. San Antonio is also home to The Quarry Golf Course, a truly unique track with a back 9 that meanders through the remains of an old limestone quarry. History also abounds in the Alamo City at Brackenridge Park Golf Course, a rare A.W. Tillinghast design that is open to the public. Originally built in 1916 and restored in 2008, “Old Brack” is the original host of the PGA Tour Texas Open, with players such as Byron Nelson and Sam Snead strolling its grounds. The course is now home to the Texas Golf Hall of Fame.
When considering your trip, here are two resources to refer to:
We’re here to help and are happy to answer any of your questions. During these unprecedented times, we are committed to helping you have the best Texas golf trip experience possible.
“Let’s play two” is a phrase usually associated with double headers in baseball, but when you’re with friends and playing well, there are few things better than playing 36 holes. San Antonio is a terrific golf vacation destination for those who want to go around again. In addition to great food, unbelievable margaritas, and the world-famous Riverwalk, San Antonio is also home to some of the best golf courses in Texas.
There are few better places to play 36 than TPC San Antonio, which features the AT&T Oaks Course and the AT&T Canyons Course. Greg Norman, with player consultant Sergio Garcia, designed the Oaks Course, which is the home of the PGA Tour Valero Texas Open. Relatively flat with only 100 feet of fall from the highest point on the course to the lowest, the course has a traditional design with tree lined fairways. The late, great Pete Dye designed the Canyons Course, which is a fantastic compliment to the Oaks Course. The Canyons Course challenges golfers with dramatic elevation changes and was the host of the PGA Tour Champions San Antonio Championship from 2011 to 2015.
Another top Texas golf vacation spot for those looking to play 36 is La Cantera Resort & Spa. The resort has two well renowned courses, the Resort course and the Palmer course. The Resort Course at La Cantera hosted the PGA Tour Valero Texas Open for 15 years and was designed by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish. Six holes have amazing views of San Antonio and the surrounding hill country, including the par-4 7th that has an 80 foot drop from the tee box to the fairway. The Palmer course is aptly named after its designer, Arnold Palmer. The clubhouse is about 10 minutes from the rest of the resort and the course is immersed in its natural surroundings. Majestic oaks line the fairways, and waterfalls, lakes, and white sand bunkers demand skill from tee to green on this picturesque course.
Hill Country Golf Club at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa is a fun option to play 36 holes during your golf trip to San Antonio. This 27-hole facility was designed by nationally acclaimed Arthur Hills and Associates on 200 acres of rolling meadows and lush hillsides. Hill Country GC offers golfers 3 unique and balanced 9-hole loops, The Oaks, The Creeks, and The Lakes. Each 9-hole course is par-36.
The Club at Sonterra just north of downtown San Antonio, is home to two 18-hole championship courses, each with their own unique settings and challenges. The South Course, built in 1954, was designed by Press Maxwell. It offers golfers a traditional layout with large oaks lining the fairways and Emerald Bermuda greens. The club’s North Course rates as a Top 100 course in Texas per the Dallas Morning News and was built in 1985. The course has notably few trees, but an abundance of fairway bunkers penalizes wayward shots off the tee.
About 30 to 45 minutes northwest of downtown San Antonio resides Fair Oaks Ranch Golf & Country Club, home to two Gary Player signature courses. Gary Player and Denis Griffith designed the Blackjack Oak course while Player and Ron Kirby designed the Live Oak course. Both courses run along hilly terrain and have large, undulating greens. The tree lined fairways strategically narrow in the landing areas, rewarding good course management and club selection.
One more option to play two different courses while playing 36 holes in one day is pairing up Brackenridge Park Golf Course with The Quarry Golf Course. Both courses are just outside of downtown San Antonio and only 10 minutes apart from each other, so playing both courses in one day is no problem. Brackenridge Park is a historical gem and one of the few public A.W. Tillinghast designed courses in the country. Home to the Texas Golf Hall of Fame, “Ol’ Brack” is a must play when you visit San Antonio. World Traveler Magazine ranked The Quarry as the #7 Most Unique Golf Course in the U.S. Designed by Keith Foster, the back nine sits in a 100-year-old quarry pit. You’ll find yourself taking pictures throughout your round while enjoying a one-of-a-kind Texas golf experience.
We are so excited to announce that we now offer golf vacations to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. You’ll see some additions to our site after the first of the year. I recently had the pleasure of visiting Puerto Vallarta (PV) and I was blown away! You will be too when you book your Mexico golf vacation with Texas Golf Trails.
I flew from Austin to Puerto Vallarta with a short layover at DFW. Once I landed in PV, getting through customs was a breeze. I was staying at The Owners Club at Puerto Vallarta, a complex of four condos located at Marina Vallarta Club de Golf. Unlike other destinations I’ve visited in Mexico where you have to endure an hour long ride from the airport, I was in the heart of PV’s Marina district within 10 minutes! That was a pleasant surprise. Also nice was how easy it was to communicate with my taxi driver since I speak as much Spanish as you’d expect from someone who scraped by two years of high school Spanish class in Upstate NY. Just about everyone I dealt with in PV was bilingual, so getting around, ordering food, etc, was all very simple. More than that, I was blown away by how friendly everyone was, from resort receptionists, to cab drivers, to cart girls and caddies. Instead of just pandering to tourists and having a hospitality oriented economy, you could tell that the locals in PV are genuinely warm and inviting. It is very evident that welcoming guests is a large part of their culture.
After grabbing a delicious lunch of shrimp tacos at the club’s lounge, I jumped back in a cab to go play a round at Vista Vallarta Club de Golf. Vista Vallarta is home to 2 championship courses, one designed by Jack Nicklaus and the other by Tom Weiskopf. The club was only about 3 miles from the Marina district, but the ride took about 20 minutes since there’s not a direct route or highway to the club. Prepare yourself for cobblestone roads and some random speed bumps, because rides around PV can get a little rough at times. Vista Vallarta is beautiful and I was struck by the exotic flowers and trees as well as the towering palms as soon as you enter the property. My round on the Nicklaus course my first day in PV was a blast. I was able to keep it in the short grass off the tee thanks to wide fairways, but the greens were well guarded by bunkers and they had plenty of undulation. The course is set on the highest elevation of the club and offers some fun elevation changes. The views of the surrounding mountains were beautiful, and there were several holes where I took a break to just look around.
There was a line of taxis waiting for golfers at the clubhouse after I finished up. Twenty minutes after saying “Marina Vallarta Club de Golf por favor,” I was back at my condo. I never exchanged money to get pesos, and all the cabs took US dollars and stores and restaurants took credit cards. That night, I headed to Olas Altas, or “Old Town”, for dinner. It took maybe 30 minutes to get to La Palapa, a beachfront restaurant serving tropical Mexican cuisine since 1959. I found traffic to be pretty light in PV, and any delays I experienced were due to road closures resulting from my visit coinciding with festivals celebrating the Virgen de Guadalupe. My table at La Palapa was literally on the sand and I had maybe the best red snapper ever. The margarita I had before may have helped.
Sheraton Puerto Vallarta
The next day I toured the Sheraton Buganvilias Resort & Convention Center. The breakfast buffet was served in a large, shaded open-air dining area. When you visit PV, I highly recommend having some banana bread every breakfast! The Sheraton completed a full renovation in 2019 and the rooms were bright and spacious. Every room has an ocean view, although lower floors really only see the pool areas. Similar to every other resort I visited, the lobby is open-air and extremely impressive. You can’t help but be overwhelmed by the feeling of being on a tropic vacation once you enter. Also, the Spa at the Sheraton was one of the most impressive things I’ve seen. Whether you’re a massage guy or not, go ahead and enjoy the hydro-therapy options. You’ll feel like royalty.
Later, I visited the Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa, located just across the street from The Owners Club and Marina Vallarta Club de Golf. This resort also completed a full renovation within the past 18 months and the decor is inspired by Puerto Vallarta’s heritage, especially as it pertains to the agave plant and tequila. The resort even features it’s own tequila brand, the only one in the entire Marriott portfolio. They did a great job here, with the rooms, restaurants, and common areas all looking bright and modern, but still warm. You don’t feel like you’re in just any Marriott, but you can tell you’re at a high end resort in a tropical locale. Every room at this resort has an ocean view along with a terrace. Lunch here was amazing, as a chef joined me and helped me make my own shrimp ceviche! After that, I walked off my delicious meal by passing along the resort’s pool, the largest infinity pool in PV, and then took in the resort’s beautiful view of Banderas Bay and the Pacific Ocean.
In the afternoon, I played the Joe Finger designed course at Marina Vallarta. The course has a fun and challenging layout. I lost a few balls in the lagoons that line some of the fairways and guard the greens. I might have been able to find some of them, but the crocodiles made me more cautious than usual! My favorite hole was the only seaside hole, a par 3 on the front 9 that gives you a great view of the bay. The cart girl was super friendly and I saw her about every 15 minutes. When I was done, a gentleman offered to clean my shoes and then I headed into the lounge to enjoy one of Jose’s famous margaritas. I’ve never been a big margarita drinker, but I couldn’t help myself in PV. That night, I headed back to the Marriott to catch the Big 10 Championship game between Ohio St and Wisconsin at the resort’s sports bar, Champions. Get the shrimp burger!
My last day in PV, I toured three amazing, all-inclusive resorts. Unlike other all-inclusive packages, these three resorts offer a “Beyond All-Inclusive” experience that includes all meals as well as top-shelf liquor and high-end wine. Even gratuities are already included, so you won’t get surprised by unexpected charges upon departure. Other than spa services, there’s not much else at these resorts that is not part of their all-inclusive offerings. The first resort I visited was the all-suite, beachfront Velas Vallarta. The brick arches in the grandiose lobby immediately catch your attention, but also notable was the resort’s general manager greeting guests by name as they checked-in and saying goodbye to those checking out. Maybe more impressive was that the guests all knew the general manager’s name, Luis! I had breakfast at Velas Vallarta and this is where I had the best banana bread along with a beef tongue taco. The gardens at this resort make you feel like you’re in the jungle, but then you emerge and find a gorgeous pool and poolside restaurants, where you can enjoy cheeseburgers so good, the resort’s owner often visits just for lunch. The rooms at Velas Vallarta are all suites that pamper guests with a living area, kitchenette, and spacious 1, 2, or 3 bedroom options.
The second resort I visited was Casa Velas, an adults-only, all-inclusive luxury resort. This was the only resort I saw that was not right on the beach, but they took me to the resort’s private beach club. After a 5 minute ride, I saw a little piece of paradise with a sandy beach, infinity pool with jacuzzi, and a restaurant and full bar, all part of the resort’s all-inclusive package. The resort’s rooms are gorgeous, many of which offer views of Marina Vallarta’s 10th fairway. The pool at the resort is shaded by huge palm trees and some of the rooms even have their own plunge pool. There is a path near the Casa Velas’ pool that takes you to Vista Vallarta’s course, and the club will come pick up your golf bag and take you to the clubhouse. This resort certainly had a more boutique feel to it and the vibe is much more private and secluded than the other resorts I visited.
The last resort I toured was by far the most impressive. We traveled about 20 minutes north to Riviera Nayarit to see Grand Velas. There’s no front desk in the soaring, open-air lobby because the front desk comes to you. If you were a guest in a Mexican hacienda, you would be seated in the living room and everyone would come to you. That’s the mantra at Grand Velas, where upon arriving, you are seated, offered a welcome drink, and then treated to a five minute massage! The resort’s staff comes to you to handle the check-in process and then escorts you to your room. Grand Velas is the only resort on Mexico’s Pacific coast that received Five Diamonds from AAA. I had lunch by the ocean at Azul, where the tuna ceviche and flank steak were exceptional! The resort has six or seven beautifully designed restaurants where the flavors of Mexico, Asia, Italy and France come to life, all included in your stay. The resort’s location a little north of Puerto Vallarta is, again, only 20 minutes from Marina Vallarta and 30 minutes from Vista Vallarta. The beach here was also the most beautiful of all the resorts I saw.
Afterwards, I headed to Vista Vallarta to play the last round of my trip at the Weiskopf course. Each of my rounds were in the afternoon due to my schedule, but all were pleasant with temperatures in the low 80s. I think the Weiskopf course was my favorite of the three. The fairways were a little tighter than the Nicklaus course, but there was more margin for error on my approach shots. Also, the course lives up to its billing as a “jungle course.” You travel through some dense canopies along the cart path and it all makes for a very unique experience. Afterwards, cabs were waiting again and I headed back to The Owners Club.
That night, I strolled along the piers of boardwalk area in the Marina district to find my dinner. I stumbled upon a pizza joint with NFL games on the TVs and enjoyed a chorizo and jalapeno pizza with a Corona. After that, I found a bakery and finished the night with a slice of Kaluha pie. This was after dark and there were a lot of people out walking around. I didn’t know what to expect before my visit, but throughout my time in PV I noticed obvious tourists just strolling around, both day and night. Any concerns I had about safety soon disappeared.
I had an early flight out the next morning, had an hour and a half long layover in Mexico City, and then breezed through customs again once I arrived in Austin. I’m so excited to help our customers experience a golf trip to Puerto Vallarta. The three courses we now partner with are all beautiful, fun layouts designed by some of the best in the game. We’ve also partnered with luxurious resorts that exude exceptional service where you are sure to have a good time in this tropical paradise. I’ve already planned a return trip with my wife and kids. Can’t wait to get back to PV!
The GOLF
Magazine Travel Guide 2019 included in the October 2019 issue rates the Top 100
Resorts in North America. They further
break down the best golf resorts into four categories – Luxury, Buddies, General
Excellence, and Families. Three of the
top 100 are located in central Texas and partner with Texas Golf Trails –
Omni Barton
Creek Resort & Spa in Austin (Buddies)
Horseshoe
Bay Resort in Horseshoe Bay (Families)
JW Marriott
San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa / TPC San Antonio (Families)
Fazio Foothills Course at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa
Omni Barton
Creek Resort & Spa is located about 20 minutes west of downtown
Austin. The premier golf resort in Texas
features four championship golf courses.
There are two nationally ranked Tom Fazio designed courses, a Ben
Crenshaw course, and an off-site Arnold Palmer course that’s about 40 minutes
away (shuttle rides from the resort are available). The entire resort closed for a year during a
$150+ million renovation, which included the addition of the all new Mokara Spa
and a brand new, expansive, multi-tiered pool complex, the perfect place to
relax and cool off after your round. The
renovation also included the addition of seven new dining options, so there’s
something to delight everyone’s palate.
The proximity to downtown Austin makes it easy to visit the famous 6th Street entertainment district and experience the “Live Music Capital of the
World.”
Apple Rock Course at Horseshoe Bay Resort
Horseshoe
Bay Resort on the shores of Lake LBJ is about an hour northwest of Austin and
an hour and a half north of San Antonio.
GOLF Magazine rates Horseshoe Bay as a top resort for families, but
notes that it is a great buddy trip destination as well. The resort features three Robert Trent Jones
Sr. designed championship courses, Apple Rock, Ram Rock, and Slick Rock, all
rated in the top 25 in the state. Your
group will have a blast playing the resort’s 18-hole natural grass Whitewater
putting course, complete with sand bunkers, waterfalls, and a new sports bar in
the middle of the course. While staying
at the resort, take advantage of the massive Lake LBJ that is adjacent to the
resort and offers numerous boating and water activities. Be sure to head into Marble Falls, a nearby
quaint Hill Country town that is home to boutique shops and the historic Blue Bonnet
Café (make sure you get a slice of pie!).
AT&T Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio
JW Marriott
San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa is co-located with TPC San Antonio. TPC San Antonio features the AT&T Oaks Course
designed by Greg Norman and the AT&T Canyons Course designed by Pete Dye. The Oaks Course is the home of the PGA Tour
Valero Texas Open. The resort also
boasts a colossal pool and water recreation area complete with huge water slides
and an enormous lazy river. The High
Velocity sports bar inside the resort has one of the largest screens in the
state, the perfect spot to catch a game and grab a cold one after your
round. The buffet brunch served in the
Cibilo Moon restaurant is a must. While
the River Walk in downtown San Antonio deservedly get all the pub, visit San
Antonio’s newest entertainment district, Pearl, just north of downtown. This former brewery has been transformed into
a 22-acre culinary and cultural destination that offers numerous restaurants
and shops to visit. Noted as a top
resort for families, GOLF recommends JW Marriott San Antonio as a great option
for buddy trips too.
The Palmer Course at La Cantera
Another central Texas resort that’s just outside the Top 100 that warrants mention is La Cantera Resort & Spa in San Antonio. The resort is home to The Resort Course designed by Tom Weiskopf and The Palmer Course designed by The King himself, Arnold Palmer. The Resort Course hosted the PGA Tour Valero Texas Open from 1995 to 2009. La Cantera overlooks 550-acres of the Texas Hill Country and features 496 luxurious rooms, 34 boutique-style villas, and an exclusive adults-only floor. The Loma de Vida Spa is breathtaking and there are numerous restaurant options to choose from. The heated, infinity style pools offer a pleasant escape, especially the adults-only pool that has ten luxurious cabanas and a poolside bar and restaurant.
After being closed for approximately a year to complete a $150+ million renovation, Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa relaunched in May 2019. It is believed that oil billionaire and Omni Hotels owner Robert Rowling purchased six resorts back in 2012 so he could get his hands on Barton Creek, envisioning it as Omni’s flagship property. The resort sits on arguably the most beautiful spot in the Texas hill country, and the renovation was completed in order for the Barton Creek to compete with other iconic leisure resorts like The Broadmoor and Georgia’s Sea Island.
Any consideration of a Texas golf vacation needs to start with the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa. Easily one of the best golf resorts in Texas, if not the country, Barton Creek features four luxury golf courses designed by Tom Fazio, the team of Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, and Arnold Palmer. All four courses were included in the resort’s renovation, and the two Fazio courses, Foothills and Canyons, are ranked nationally among some of the best courses open to the public. The resort will serve as home to the 2020 PGA Professional National Championship which will be nationally televised.
There’s always more to a golf vacation than just outstanding courses, and Barton Creek ensures you’re delighted by seven new dining options offering a wide range of cuisines and atmospheres. The focus is on farm-to-table offerings through partnerships with farmers within 100 miles. The all new Mokara Spa has 17 treatment rooms and an adult only rooftop pool. The rest of the brand new, expansive pool complex is multi-tiered to ensure every guest has an amazing view of the surrounding Texas Hill Country while cooling off and relaxing. The resort also has a redesigned 10 court tennis complex with LED lighting for evening play.
Just as Austin is a one-of-a-kind city in Texas, the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa is like no other. To experience the ultimate Texas golf vacation deal, be sure to ask about Barton Creek Resort when booking with Texas Golf Trails!
Searching for a TX golf vacation? Look no further than Horseshoe Bay Resort, one of the best hotel golf resorts in the Southwest. Horseshoe Bay Resort is a 7,000-acre AAA Four Diamond resort about 45 minutes from Austin in the Texas Hill Country. This TX luxury golf resort features 400 guest rooms, suites and condominiums, views of Lake LBJ, four championship golf courses designed by World Golf Hall of Fame members Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Jack Nicklaus, a spa and health club, and several restaurants.
Horseshoe Bay Resort is nearing completion on a $70 million property-wide transformation that includes the complete renovation of 349 guest rooms and villas as well as a revamp of the golf courses and facilities, and dining areas. To ensure it’s status as one of the best TX golf resorts, $7.5 million was spent to upgrade all three courses designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., Slick Rock, Ram Rock, and Apple Rock. All three courses ranked in the Top 25 Best Golf Courses in Texas according to the Dallas Morning News even before the recent improvements. The course renovations were done in cooperation with the Robert Trent Jones II team and Larson Golf Services, with Apple Rock scheduled to be complete by July 1, 2019.
“Everything traveling golfers’ value, you’ll find here in a truly distinct and elevated presentation,” Horseshoe Bay Resort Managing Director Bryan Woodward said. “The investment we have put into these renovations has elevated the quality of our golf to a national level and has made the overall golf experience more fun for our guests.”
If you are interested in the ultimate TX golf getaway package, request Horseshoe Bay Resort when you complete your Get A Quote form to receive the best rates possible to experience this luxury golf resort.
If you’re interested in a golf getaway package, Texas has something for everyone. Just let us know what you prefer, and we can put together a custom golf vacation package at a TX golf resort, put you in the middle of all that Austin or San Antonio has to offer, or just make sure you’re playing the best golf courses in Austin or San Antonio.
When the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa re-opens after a multi-million dollar renovation, Austin will once again be the premier destination for a TX golf vacation. Barton Creek is home to four championship golf courses, designed by Tom Fazio, Ben Crenshaw & Bill Coore, and Arnold Palmer. In fact, the Fazio Canyons and Fazio Foothills courses are ranked #1 and #3 respectively on Golf Digest’s best golf courses in Texas list. Plus the resort’s renovation promises to deliver not just one of the best experiences in Texas, but in the country.
Located about 45 minutes west of Austin is Horseshoe Bay Resort, another fantastic TX golf resort that features three Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed courses, Slick Rock, Ram Rock, and Apple Rock. Horseshoe Bay is the perfect place to unwind and really unplug. On the banks of Lake LBJ, you can also enjoy water activities at Texas’ premier golf and lake resort. The Hill Country town of Marble Falls is also fun to visit, and make sure you get a slice of pie at the Bluebonnet Café.
If you’re interested in a TX golf resort experience, San Antonio is a great destination. The JW Marriott is home to TPC San Antonio, which includes two of the best golf courses in Texas. The AT&T Oaks Course was designed by Greg Norman and is home of the PGA Tour Valero Texas Open. The AT&T Canyons Course is a spectacular Pete Dye designed course. The JW also has several pools, a lazy river, and water slides.
La Cantera Resort & Spa is another great choice for your TX golf vacation in San Antonio. The resort offers the Tom Weiskopf designed Resort Course, former home of the Texas Open, as well as the Palmer Course, considered to be one of Arnold Palmer’s best designs. La Cantera is a little less geared towards kids in our opinion, and you can also catch a free shuttle ride to The Shops at La Cantera, which features upscale shopping and numerous restaurants.
The Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa in San Antonio is home to Hill Country Golf Club, a 27-hole championship facility designed by Arthur Hills & Associates. Spread over 200 acres, San Antonio Magazine named the club “Best Golf Course in San Antonio.” Set on historic ranch land, the resort has a way to make you feel like you’re in the countryside of the Texas Hill Country, but is only 20 minutes from the airport and San Antonio’s word-famous River Walk.
Not interested in stay and play golf packages at a resort? Do you want world-class dining and entertainment choices footsteps away? We can also create a custom golf getaway package with accommodations in downtown Austin and San Antonio. Enjoy an Austin golf vacation that includes a downtown hotel stay with rounds at some of the best golf courses in Austin. In San Antonio, experience the River Walk just outside your hotel while still getting to play the best San Antonio golf courses.
Lastly, if your TX golf vacation is about golf, camaraderie, and little else, that’s another benefit of booking with Texas Golf Trails. We’ll still get you on at the best Austin golf courses or the best golf courses in San Antonio, but we’ll also set you up with clean, comfortable accommodations centrally located to the courses we book in your custom TX golf package, ensuring minimal driving distance between your hotel and the courses.
So you’ve decided upon a TX golf vacation. Now what? How do you put together a golf getaway package that includes the best golf course in Austin? How do you decide where to stay while keeping the best San Antonio area golf courses within a reasonable drive? You know you want to visit one of TX golf resorts, but which one?
That’s where we come in. You’re not writing your doctoral thesis, so you shouldn’t have to research like you are just to find the best public golf courses in Austin. We know the best golf courses in Austin and can make recommendations based on our local knowledge. You don’t need to be a sweet talker and make a million phone calls trying to find the right person who can help you play Austin luxury golf courses. We partner with Texas golf resorts and private courses to help you play the best golf courses in Texas, courses that you otherwise would not be able to book. Let the local experts at Texas Golf Trails help you. We live in Austin and we know central Texas golfing.
That means we also know the best golf courses in San Antonio too! The Alamo City is home to some of Texas best golf courses, and we can help you decide which ones to play. Want to play at some of the best golf resorts in Texas, but also want to experience the world-famous River Walk? We can make that happen. There’s more to golf resorts in Texas than just first-class courses, so we can help you decide on which one is right for you based on your preferences.
Now that you’ve decided on a golf vacation in Texas, let us do the rest for you. Fill out the Get A Quote form and provide as much info as you’d like to help us build your custom Texas golf package. We’ll send you a proposal based on your request, and then we can work together to fine tune your Texas golf getaway to your exact liking. No cookie-cutter stay and play golf packages. All of our golf getaways are custom tailored just for you and can be tweaked until you are happy. Now that you’ve chosen Texas, the next step is easy. Fill out the Get A Quote form and let Texas Golf Trails take care of the rest!
In case being home to four championship golf courses, including the #1 and #3 ranked courses in Texas, did not make the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa an attractive enough golf resort, perhaps a $150 million makeover will do the trick. Barton Creek Resort is currently closed, and scheduled to reopen in May 2019. The resort’s makeover includes the addition of a luxury guest tower, bringing Barton Creek Resort to about 500 rooms. All existing guest rooms are also being refurbished, and the pools and outdoor areas at Barton Creek Resort are being expanded and improved. Other additions at Barton Creek include seven new dining options, a 13,000 square foot Mokara Spa, and a lighted, 10-court tennis complex.
Barton Creek Resort features four courses, the Tom Fazio designed Canyons and Foothills courses, the Cliffside course designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, and the Arnold Palmer designed Lakeside course. Each course stands on its own as a first class golf venue, but all four together at one resort makes for an unforgettable golf experience.
What makes for a great golf vacation? First and foremost, it’s the people. The guys and gals you’ve invited along on your trip, obviously, but also the people you’ll meet along the way. During a Texas golf vacation, you’re sure to get plenty of “howdy’s” from warm, smiling faces. Some genuine Texas hospitality will have you in a great frame of mind once you step into the first tee box!
When planning a golf weekend getaway or even a longer golf trip package, the quality of your accommodations can play a huge role in how much you enjoy yourself as well. Austin and San Antonio are home to some of the best hotels in the country, boasting fantastic properties like JW Marriott, Hotel Granduca, Hotel Van Zandt, Hotel Emma, and Hotel Contessa, just to name a few. Utilizing a golf concierge service like Texas Golf Trails will ensure you get the most out of your budget, and we’ll also take into account your desired nightlife scene and convenience to the courses you’re playing when putting together our custom Texas golf specials.
Speaking of nightlife, good food and drink is a staple for any vacation. Austin is home to world-famous BBQ joints like The Salt Lick and Franklin Barbecue. Get some Texas ranch eats and enjoy them outdoors at Contigo. Odd Duck, Fixe, Uchi, and a host of other first-class restaurants will delight those looking for an inspired dinner out. Looking for something unique and casual? Check out the food trucks that are scattered throughout town. In San Antonio, get the meat sweats at Cured in the restaurant-rich Pearl Brewery district. If you’re on the River Walk and looking for a 5-star meal, check out Biga on the Banks. If you’d like to experience some authentic Tex-Mex, San Antonio is the undisputed champion.
Last and certainly not least, you have to have great golf courses. Austin and San Antonio are home to 19 of the top 50 courses you can play in Texas (according to SportsDayDFW.com), and 5 of the Top 10. We’ll make sure you play the best during your Texas golf vacation, optimize your experience, and maximize your value!
If you’re looking for a Texas golf vacation package and exploring stay-and-play golf vacations at hotel golf resorts, look no further than San Antonio. The Alamo City is home to 3 outstanding Texas golf resorts.
The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa is home to TPC San Antonio. This resort offers two of the best golf courses in Texas, the AT&T Oaks Course and the AT&T Canyons Course. The Oaks Course, designed by Greg Norman, is home to the PGA Tour’s Texas Valero Open. The Pete Dye designed Canyons Course, which maximizes its hill country topography and differs from the traditional, tree-lined Oaks Course, is the former host of the PGA Tour Champions San Antonio Championship. The JW Marriott also features a nine-acre water park with several waterslides and a 1,100-foot lazy river, making it a great family-friendly destination for your Texas golf vacation.
La Cantera Resort & Spa is a luxurious couples’ favorite thanks to two championship golf courses, a pampering spa, and its close proximity to high-end shopping and dining at The Shops at La Cantera. The Resort course at La Cantera, designed by noted architect Jay Morrish and PGA professional Tom Weiskopf, offers breathtaking views and championship caliber golf. The Palmer course, designed by its namesake, Arnold Palmer, is one of the most scenic courses in the country. All carts at this AAA Four Diamond luxury golf resort are equipped with a state-of-the-art ProLink GPS system. If you or someone you’re with need a little serenity, discover Loma De Vida Spa.
The Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa is a top-ranked resort that immerses its guests in Texas hospitality. Situated on acres of historical ranch land, this Texas golf resort is home to Hill Country Golf Club. Voted the best golf course in San Antonio by readers of San Antonio Magazine, Hill Country GC has 27 holes of championship golf designed by Arthur Hills and Associates. Sprawling over 200 acres, this gem will make you truly appreciate golfing in Texas as it fully takes advantage of diverse terrain, lush hillsides, and tree-shaded plateaus.
If you’re interested in golfing in Texas and you’re searching for first class hotel golf resorts, you’re going to like what San Antonio has to offer!
If you’re interested in a golf buddy trip and want to learn about golfing in Texas, you’ve come to the right place. Once you arrive at TexasGolfTrails.com and fill out our Get A Quote form, that’s when you start to receive the value of our service.
We build custom golf vacation packages based on the info you provide. Nothing we offer is cookie-cutter. We choose the accommodations and golf courses that optimize your Texas golf vacation based on your budget and specific requests. That could include a golf resort package or a hotel and golf package or even just a golf package if you already have accommodations. It all depends on what YOU want!
If you’d like to stay at Barton Creek Resort, Horseshoe Bay Resort, La Cantera Resort, or one of the other fantastic golf resorts in San Antonio, BUT you want to play more than just the courses at that resort, we can make that happen for you. We’re headquartered in Austin, so you can rely on our local knowledge and be assured that we’re choosing the right courses for your Texas golf vacation and developing the best golf package for your money.
If nightlife is a key component of your Texas golf vacation, we can book you a hotel in downtown Austin or on the Riverwalk in San Antonio, and still get you on the best golf courses in Texas. We also ensure our Texas golf packages are convenient. We know you don’t want to spend half your day in a car, so we make sure the golf courses in your itinerary make sense with the accommodations in your package as well as any day-of-arrival and day-of-departure requests.
Bottom line, Texas Golf Trails is the surest way to the best Texas golf vacation to Austin or San Antonio.
What makes for a great golf vacation? How about great golf, a great 19th hole, and great weather. You get all of that and then some in Austin, Texas.
Once you’ve golfed in Austin, don’t be surprised if you find yourself returning again and again. Ranked #1 in GOLF Magazine’s “10 Best Golf Cities in America,” Austin offers a Texas golf vacation like no other. In addition to the sheer number of golf courses in Austin, many are designed by top course designers such as Tom Fazio, Ben Crenshaw & Bill Coore, Jack Nicklaus, and Arnold Palmer. These courses all take advantage of the Texas hill country topography that surrounds Austin, making for memorable rounds and a golf vacation you won’t soon forget.
Golf trips are as much about comradery and time with friends as they are about hitting fairways and greens. There’s more to the whole golf-trip experience than just the courses themselves, and Austin provides visitors with an unmatched 19th hole. Known as the Live Music Capital of the World ®, Austin features nightly live music, award-winning restaurants, and a bar scene that’s suitable for all tastes. No trip to Texas is complete without filling up on some BBQ. Austin is home to some of the world’s best, including world-famous establishments like Franklin Barbeque and The Salt Lick BBQ.
Unless you’re heading to Ireland, Scotland, or maybe even Bandon Dunes, rain and cold temps are probably not part of your golf vacation plans. Beautiful weather is another reason Texas is a massive draw for golfers. Austin plays host to approximately 230 days of sunshine per year, with an average annual high of 79.8°F and an average annual low of 59.0°F, making it the perfect environment to hit the links. If your swing is feeling like a folding chair falling out of a tree or the Texas heat is getting to you, take a therapeutic dip in Barton Springs Pool, a three acre spring-fed pool with a year-round average temperature of 68-70°F.
So…if you’re a golf fan looking to expand your playing territories or your annual golf buddy trip is getting stale, Austin is a great place for your next golf vacation.
