With more than 1000 golf courses in Texas, you are spoilt for choice. But there are several that stand out from the crowd in the Lone Star State as destinations for golf breaks and holidays.
Texas might not share Florida or California’s heritage—in fact some of those making up this shortlist are new additions to the United States’ golfing landscape—but don’t underestimate how challenging some of the courses actually are.
The weather is ideal, the terrain unique and the quality of courses on offer continues to improve. Texas really is a state going places when it comes to golf.
We share our picks of the five best golf courses in Texas
Bluejack National
Opened in 2016, Bluejack National has had a rapid rise to become the number one course in Texas. Located 50 miles northwest of Houston, Bluejack comes with a huge reputation. It is the first golf course to be designed by Tiger Woods, in conjunction with architect Beau Welling, and boy does it deliver. The 18-hole layout measures 7552 yards at its longest and has plenty in common with Augusta National, home of the US Masters, in design. It is no surprise that Bluejack has jumped straight to the top.
Whispering Pines
Whispering Pines is another of the more recent additions to the golf courses in Texas, having opened its doors and fairways in 2000. A 90-mile drive north of Houston and you stumble upon this gem in Trinity. It has been cleverly crafted into the land; its holes wind around Caney Creek and Lake Livingston. At 7480 yards, it can be a bit of a monster but you will enjoy it nonetheless, including the 15th and its island green.
Dallas National
Laying just a short drive south of Dallas, one of the state’s best golf courses awaits: the Tom Fazio-designed Dallas National. Fazio has created an undulating 7300-yard course located in a canyon with elevated tees and greens, with holes that criss-cross ravines—all that with the city as a picturesque backdrop. The course is two years younger than Whispering Pines, having opened in 2002. The two have long battled it out for top spot in the Texas before the arrival of Bluejack.
Cypress Creek
As a former Ryder Cup and US Open host venue, Cypress Creek has one of the richest histories of any course in Texas. Despite only opening for play in 1959, the 7200-yard Champions course at Cypress Creek hosted the 1967 Ryder Cup and staged the US Open the following year. It is home to the memorable par-3 fourth, which requires a 230-yard carry across water. The Champions course has since been joined by the Lakes course to give two 18-hole loops to sample if you’re in Houston.
Colonial
Located in Fort Worth, Colonial needs no introduction to golf fans as it stages a PGA Tour event each year. The event, now known as the Fort Worth Invitational, attracts the world’s best to Texas. Colonial can also lay claim to being a major venue, having staged the US Open back in 1941. Stretching along the Trinity River, the course now totals 7209 yards and is regarded as Hogan’s Alley after Ben Hogan enjoyed much success here. It also has the three-hole Horrible Horseshoe stretch, which ends with one the best holes in the United States: the daunting 472-yard par-4 dogleg.
See also: Five Best Golf Courses in Florida