I'm making a trip to the Austin area for a few days next week. We're actually staying in Wimberly. Friends from Houston and Ft. Worth are driving over, and I plan to play 3 or 4 rounds of golf. I'm not really familiar with any of the public courses, but from the internet, I've found that Plum Creek and Canyon Lake look promising. I'll also probably play at Highland Lakes. Is anyone familiar with any of these courses? Are there any others you would recommend? Thanks.
Tons of good public courses in Austin. It all depends on where you want to play. I don't like to pay too much for a round, so here are some of my favorites: Star Ranch - best value in town, meticulous greens, Round Rock/Pflugerville area Forest Creek - lots of trees, great value, well kept course, Round Rock Crystal Falls - gorgeous scenery in the hills just west of Cedar Park, several elevated tees for par 3's Shadow Glen - east of Austin, difficult course Falconhead - PGA approved course, awesome scenery off 620 near Bee Caves Stay away from the municipal courses since there's little value to be gained there.
If you're looking for public courses and are willing to make a 30-40 minute drive, I highly recommend Pine Forest in Bastrop: http://www.pineforestgolfclub.com/ Relatively cheap, and a very unique course along the Colorado River. They don't even allow the option of walking, because it's basically physically impossible. Lots of hills and elevation changes. Crystal Falls is also a really nice course - a bit more pricey and upscale though (still open to the public). This one has GPS carts and all that fun.
I've played Falconhead, Lakeway and Star Ranch and one of the Barton Creek courses. All were pretty solid, especially Barton Creek
Big_jorge actually writes something positive about Austin. Amazing Check out golf512.com for discounted tee times.
If you're coming into town, the muny's are great. Play Lions before they shut it down. The greens at Kizer and Jimmy Clay are in terrible shape. Morris Williams is also a great muny. Bluebonnet is cheap and wide open.
I played a bunch of courses in and around austin and used www.golf512.com for good deals...not sure price range but they have good deals.
My favorite public courses in Austin are Lions and Star Ranch. Crystal Falls is beautiful but you are going to lose some balls since everything is very rocky and greens are crap.
