A Look at Some of the Best Golf Courses in Texas
The second-largest state in the United States, Texas boasts more than 400 golf courses, many of which are considered among the premier courses in the country. As part of its annual rankings, Golf Digest listed Whispering Pines Golf Club in Trinity as the best course in the state and №55 on America’s 100 Greatest Courses list. It also included Dallas National Golf Club on the national list at №71.
First listed at №75 on America’s 100 Greatest Courses list in 2013, Whispering Pines is a quiet and isolated course that effectively utilizes the natural terrain to create beautiful golf scenery and challenging holes. The last six holes are fascinating, built along the headwaters of Lake Livingston and the gator-infested Caney Creek. Developer Corby Robertson began building the course in the early 1990s with the help of golf architect and Jack Nicklaus associate Chet Williams. Whispering Pines opened in 2000.
Dallas National, designed by Tom Fazio and opened in 2002, has been ranked on America’s 100 Greatest Courses list every year since 2005 and peaked at №59 from 2007 to 2012 and again in the 2017–18 rankings. Fazio designed the course with a mixture of natural and man-made elements. The course is built upon some of the best golfing terrains in the region, but Fazio nonetheless incorporated complex construction techniques, particularly in the last two holes. The par-5 18th hole, recently lengthened by 30 yards, includes a deep ravine that Fazio had filled to make the green approach shot easier for average players.
In determining the top courses in each state (and the country), Golf Digest panelists play select courses and grade them on the following eight criteria: shot options, challenge, layout variety, distinctiveness, aesthetics, conditioning, character, and fun.
Courses must be evaluated 75 times in the last decade to be included in the national rankings. Based on these criteria, Golf Digest listed Bluejack National as the third-best course in the state. It also had the course on its Second 100 Greatest list at №124.
Top 100 Golf Courses, however, lists Bluejack National as the best course in the state and 83rd best in the country. Based in Montgomery, the course was designed by Tiger Woods and golf architect Beau Welling and opened in 2015. One reason it might be listed further down on Golf Digest’s list is that some critics consider the course too wide open or lacking strategy and shot options. However, top 100 Golf Courses reviewer Mark White notes the course is among the best in the country based on the overall experience and enjoyment it offers. It has even drawn comparisons to Augusta National.
Both Golf Digest and Top 100 Golf Courses list each of the three aforementioned courses and Colonial Country Club among the top four courses in the states. Based in Fort Worth, Colonial has a rich history spanning nearly 90 years. It opened in 1936 and was the first course in Texas to host the U.S. Open in 1941. Perry Maxwell designed the course, while Keith Foster and Gil Hanse have completed restoration projects in the 21st century.
Top 100 Golf Courses lists Austin Golf Club as the fifth-best in the state. Other top-10 courses include Preston Trail (Dallas), Trinity Forest (Dallas), and Spanish Oaks (Bee Cave).
