Top 5 Scenic Golf Courses in Austin, Texas

Austin may be known as the Live Music Capital of the World, but there's so much more for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy than just music. Golf lovers will be pleased to know that Austin is home to some beautiful courses that are very much worth a play. Whether you're visiting alone, with a special someone, for business, or for fun, spending a few hours on the course is a great way to take advantage of the weather and nature. Here are the top 5 scenic golf courses in Austin that you may want to grab a round at next time you're close by.

1. Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa

This 7,000+ yard Arthur Hills course is laid out meticulously to blend right in with the Texas landscape. As you work your way through the course, you'll meander through woods, over prairies, alongside rivers, and around smaller lakes. It's a lovely journey from hole 1 to 18. The course begins with a links-like feeling, but by the time you hit hole 5, you're in amongst the pecan trees and fighting with tricky sloped surfaces. The final 6 feature tree-lined fairways and smartly-placed sand traps. It's a beautiful experience, but not a walk in the park! Elevated greens, unpredictable surfaces, wind on the first 4 holes, and close to 100 bunkers throughout the course add a level of challenge that demands your full attention. You'll need a good short iron game if you really want to score well.

2. Omni Barton Creek: Crenshaw Cliffside

The Coore Crenshaw golf course has a parkland feel and makes the most of the natural lay of the land in its design. It's not as 'traditional' as you might expect from a parkland course—there's a touch of adventure in there for those chasing some excitement. Wide fairways, vast expanses of open sky, and rolling hills make for a gorgeous scene. But don't get complacent—this might not be the best course for beginners. It's not the longest, just over 6,600 yards from the back tees, but it's filled with challenges. The greens, in particular, are tough. Layered with Bermuda grass, they're spacious and undulating. Bring your A-game and your best putter because this is where you're most likely to drop shots.< Aside from the salty greens, you've got some extended carries which require power and accuracy. All in all, it's a course that's great for intermediate and advanced golfers, but might be hard for newbies or those who aren't confident putters.

3. Riverside Golf Course

Riverside is a pretty course. It's lined with stunning old trees, which create a close, intimate feeling on some holes but an open, wide feeling on others. It's a mostly friendly design for golfers of all abilities, plus there are 3 sets of tees so everyone can get off to a good start. As you move through the course, you'll encounter mild slopes, a few carry-over creeks and valleys, and 46 bunkers scattered throughout. The greens are likely to be the most tricky parts of the course—they're small, slightly sloped, and raised, so you'll have to approach with caution. Water hazards come into play on 4 holes. They add an element of challenge, but also make the course more beautiful. Well worth a play.

4. Falconhead Golf Club

This public golf course feels premium, thanks to being designed by PGA Tour Design Center experts. It's woven around the natural landscape and includes character-filled trees, creeks and ponds, and stunning views from some holes. Five sets of tee boxes give every golfer an equal chance for a great round. From hole number one, you'll be treated to spectacular views of Texas Hill country, but keep your focus on the ground—there's more slope than you think, so you won't be eased into it. The second hole is the toughest on the course. You'll need a strong drive and careful precision to score well here but know that once you're on hole 3, you won't have another quite as difficult. Hole 8 is the course's signature hole. It features a unique green, perched on a ledge above a creek, complete with waterfalls. It's a hard but interesting hole and one unlike any other you've played before.

5. Hancock Golf Course

Established in 1899, Hancock Golf Course is one of the oldest in the state. While it used to be an 18-hole course, it now features 9 holes and is a par 35. It's an exciting play, hilly and with gorgeous views of Waller Creek. It's got small greens by today's standards and is also on the short side, even for a 9-hole layout. Since 2014, Hancock Golf Club has been on the National Register of Historic Places, highlighting its role in the culture and history of Austin. When you set foot on these fairways, you're not just playing a beautiful course. You're playing on a piece of history!

In Austin? Love golf? Don't miss your chance to play at least one of these top scenic golf courses in Austin—each one has something special that makes it well worth the play. And they're all built into the natural Texas countryside, so while you're swinging your clubs, you'll also be enjoying the surrounding nature. So grab your rangefinder and your cooler, pack your clubs, and check these golf courses off your 'played' list. They're well worth it, no matter your skill. Don't forget to grab a picture or two of the courses as you're working your way through them—they're as pretty as they are challenging!

About the Author

Jordan Fuller is a retired golfer and businessman. When he's not on the course working on his own game or mentoring young golfers, he writes in-depth articles for his website, Golf Influence.