10 Best Houston Golf Courses: Top Public & Private Fairways
Looking for golf courses in the Houston area? You might be looking for the best place to get back into the swing of things with your favorite sport. Luckily, a lot of golf courses in Houston are open for their normal operating hours. The only thing you’ll need to keep in mind is that some may restrict you to cart paths only for social distancing reasons. So, take a look at our list of the best public and private Houston golf courses.
Public Golf Courses in Houston
1. Memorial Park Golf Course
Memorial Park Golf Course has a storied past–it was first built in 1936 and was home to the Houston Open during the ’50s and ’60s. Golf greats such as Arnold Palmer and Jack Niklaus have even played here. It was restored in 1995 and is widely considered one of the best municipal golf courses in the country. It doesn’t have too many water features, is well lit, and has wide driving ranges, so it’s a course that won’t be discouraging for less experienced players. This course is also known for being reasonably priced.
Where: 1001 E Memorial Loop Dr, Houston, TX 77007
Tee times: Mon, Wed-Fri 6:30 am – 9:00 pm | Tues 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm | Weekends 6:30 am – 7:30 pm
2. Cypresswood Golf Club
An excellent choice for the budget-conscious golfer, Cypresswood Golf Club has two main courses to choose from: the Tradition course and the Cypress course. The Cypress course is, naturally, pretty tree-heavy, but the standout here is the Tradition course. It offers unique holes, beautiful views, and excellent conditioning. This course has hosted PGA Tour Qualifying tournaments and gives a private golf club experience for a much lower price.
Where: 21602 Cypresswood Dr, Spring, TX 77373
Tee times: Mon – Thurs 8:00 am – 8:00 pm | Fri – Sun 6:00 am – 5:00 pm
3. Wildcat Golf Club
The Wildcat Golf Club also has two main 18-hole course experiences to choose from: the Highlands course and the Lakes course. The Highlands course is a classic links course, while the Lakes course has some elevation changes and quite a few water features. No matter where you are in the club, you’ll get a great view of the Houston skyline, which is a nice added bonus.
Where: 12000 Almeda Rd, Houston, TX 77045
Tee times: Mon 7:00 – 9:00 pm | Tues, Sun 7:00 am – 7:00 pm | Wed – Sat 7:00 am – 6:00 pm
4. Blackhorse Golf Club
Blackhorse Golf Club is another public course with two 18-hole courses. The better of the two is definitely the South Course, which has quarry holes on the back nine. Overall, though, both courses are maintained well with a good mix of water features and trees. The course is challenging but not overly daunting for novices.
Where: 12205 Fry Rd, Cypress, TX 77433
Tee times: Opens Daily 6:00 am – 7:00 pm
5. Golf Club of Houston
The Golf Club of Houston is the host of the Shell Houston Open, so you can always be sure that it’s well-conditioned and in top shape for the pros. The course is interesting and has some fun dramatic tension, especially for the last few holes. It’s not designed to be especially walkable, though. It’s located about 20 minutes away from the city center, so if you’d like to play the same holes you may have seen in pro golf tournaments, you won’t have to go far out of your way–or spend too much money, either.
Where: 5860 Wilson Rd, Humble, TX 77396
Tee times: Mon – Tues, Sun 7:00 am – 6:00 pm | Wed – Thurs 7:00 am – 8:00 pm | Fri – Sat 7:00 am – 9:00 pm
Private Golf Courses in Houston
Now, let’s take a look at some more exclusive options. With private clubs, you have to be a member (or a friend of a member) to play the course. You might also be subject to strict dress codes. Fees for these courses are likely to be higher, too, so keep that in mind.
1. River Oaks Country Club
River Oaks Country Club is very exclusive and considered a big deal in the golf scene. It has a long history–it’s been around since 1925 and gained prominence when it was frequented by local professional golfers over the years. The 18-hole course is small but beautiful and filled with old, shady trees. It also has some of the hardest short holes around. This course is rated on the tougher side because it relies more on accuracy than anything else. It has seen some updates since 1925, of course, and since it’s in a country club, you can look forward to perks like a restaurant, pool, bar, and clubhouse.
Where: 1600 River Oaks Blvd, Houston, TX 77019
Tee times: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm | Switchboard Hours: 8:00 am – 10:00 pm | Valet Hours: 10:30 am – 2:30 pm & 6:00 pm – Close
2. The Club at Carlton Woods
The Club at Carlton Woods is rated as one of the top private golf clubs in Texas. It has 36 holes total and is home to the Nicklaus course, which was designed by golf great Jack Nicklaus. The courses are kept in pristine condition, the staff is friendly, and while a game there is definitely going to be challenging, you’re bound to have a good time.
Where: 1 Carlton Woods Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77382
Tee times: Mon – Sat 7:30 am – 9:00 pm | Sun 7:30 am – 5;00 pm
3. Champions Golf Club
Champions Golf Club has been home to quite a few golf tournaments over the years, including the U.S. Women’s Open, the TOUR Championship, and the Women’s Mid-Amateur Tournament. It was originally established by Jack Burke Jr. and Jimmy Demaret with the goal to promote playing golf for the right reasons. Both courses are well-reviewed, and players can enjoy long holes, large greens, and a reasonable number of water features.
Where: 13722 Champions Dr, Houston, TX 77069
Tee times: Mon – Tues 9:00 am – 8:30 pm | Wed – Sun 7:00 am – 8:30 pm
4. Augusta Pines
Augusta Pines is actually semi-private, so there is some public access to this course. This course is designed to test your championship skills. It’s inspired by the Augusta National and Pinehurst courses, though it’s not a direct copy. You should expect some challenges thanks to hazards and sand traps, but still have fun trying your hand at the famous pro course design.
Where: 18 Augusta Pines Dr, Spring, TX 77389
5. Royal Oaks Country Club
Royal Oaks Country Club is another private Houston golf course that ranks pretty highly among Texas courses. It’s one 18-hole course, with 7,007 yards of green to cover. The difficulty level here is pretty high, but the design is beautiful, with open fairways and tight greens. The green runs along a pond, which can be a little intimidating, especially if you’re an inexperienced golfer. But the practice facilities are nice, and the staff is very helpful and accommodating.
Where: 2910 Royal Oaks Club Dr, Houston, TX 77082
Tee times: Mon 9:00 am – 5:00 pm | Tues, Wed, Fri 7:00 am – 9:00 pm | Sat – Sun 6:00 am – 9:00 pm
Not so much into Golf? Check out the 10 Best Bowling Places in Houston.
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