Golf in the State of Texas
There are over 400 courses managed by the Texas Golf Association, proving that the statement 'Everything is bigger in Texas' most certainly applies here. From the rugged landscapes in Austin to the tropical wetlands in the Gulf of Mexico and the slow-paced mountain holes of West Texas, there is truly something for everyone in this year-round golf destination. It comes as no surprise that the lone-star state is the only southern state to host the U.S. Open, Ryder cup and PGA.
Founded in 1906, the Texas golf association is rich in its history and has the stories to prove it. On the 13th hole of the private Clubs of Kingwood Deerwood in Kingwood, you will find a plaque that marks the site where the famous "Tin Cup" U.S Open scene was filmed. You can also visit the Four Seasons Resort and Club where amateur golfer Richard Lewis set the all-time record for the most rounds of golf played in a year with 600 total rounds or 11,000 holes played!. Step back in time at the Fort Sam Houston Golf Club in San Antonio, featuring course design dating back to 1937, and the only military course to ever stage a PGA tour event. Want to play on the course where Arnold Palmer first learned the game? Visit the Willow Springs Golf Course in San Antonio, a popular destination for local golfers and the site of several Texas Opens.
In the spirit of diversity, Texas is home to both the most, as well as the least expensive PGA courses in the world. Located in Austin, and ranked the #10 most expensive courses in the world, the Barton Creek Foothill and Canyon Golf Club is only a short two hour drive west of the least expensive current PGA Tour venue, the must-play Memorial Park Golf Course, where you can expect to walk on for just $30 during the week, whether you're a resident or not.
The challenging Texas landscape has allowed for over 100 years of innovative and unique course design available to professionals and amateurs alike, including the Jimmy Clay Golf Course in Austin, which is said to be one of the finest and most diverse 36 hole courses in the state; or one of the Wall Street Journals '10 Great Places to Play Golf', the Bear Creek Golf Club in Dallas.