Houston, We Got No Problem: Why Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston Needs to Be Your Next Golf Trip 

There’s just something so incredible about beautiful, well kept, muni Golf Courses, and Houston’s got a great one. Memorial Park Golf Course is Houston’s crown jewel municipal layout, a historic, Tom Doak-redesigned masterpiece in the heart of the city, nestled within the massive 1,466-acre Memorial Park (one of the largest urban parks in the U.S.). With wide fairways, fascinating green complexes, strategic bunkering, and runoff areas that reward creativity, it’s a playable yet challenging track that’s hosted the PGA TOUR’s Texas Children’s Houston Open since 2020. Affordable greens fees, top conditioning, and that big-city energy make it perfect for quick getaways or multi-round Houston golf trips.

Quick Facts

  • 18-hole championship course: (par 72, up to 7,400 yards), originally 1912/1936 (John Bredemus), fully renovated by Tom Doak (with Brooks Koepka input) in 2019
  • Urban park setting: Flat terrain with added dimension via ravines, water features on closing holes, minimal bunkers (just 19!), and bold contours for drama
  • Year-round play: Houston’s mild winters (great escape); hot/humid summers mean early tees; overseeded for spring PGA event vibes
  • Affordable elite access: Greens fees often $50-$150 (resident/non-resident, peak/off-peak); one of the best bargains for PGA TOUR-level quality
  • PGA TOUR home: Hosts the Houston Open annually, play where the pros battle for drama on the back nine

Perfect For…

  • Guys’ Trips: Urban energy with quick access to downtown Houston nightlife, post-round burgers/beers at on-site spots, and easy combo with nearby courses like The Golf Club of Houston or BlackHorse
  • Families: Public muni vibe with forgiving wide fairways, practice facilities (lighted range, putting/chipping greens); non-golfers enjoy the surrounding park trails, picnics, or nearby museums/zoo

Top Standout Features

Tom Doak Redesign (2019)

The star, Doak’s first PGA TOUR-hosting project, blending public playability with pro-level excitement. Wide fairways for everyday golfers, but precision needed for ideal angles; undulating greens with runoff/short-grass surrounds create risk-reward and creativity (Koepka helped focus on scoring drama).

Signature Closing Stretch

Bold water features and strategic decisions on the back nine, designed for excitement and tournament finishes. The layout encourages bold play while keeping it accessible; often praised as one of America’s top munis (Golf Digest, Golf Magazine rankings).

Practice Paradise

Lighted double-deck driving range, large putting/chipping greens, and a pro shop, great for warm-ups or all-day sessions. On-site Beck’s Prime for quick bites and drinks adds to the casual vibe.

Great Stay-and-Play Resorts & Spots

  • Nearby Houston hotels: The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa (partnership packages with Memorial Park tee times, no resort fees, pools/spa); Galleria-area spots like Staybridge Suites or IHG options for easy access
  • Urban packages: Combine with Houston golf trails (usgolftreks.com or similar) for multi-course deals; no on-site lodging, but downtown/ Galleria hotels are minutes away
  • Easy add-ons: Pair with nearby gems like Wildcat, Tour 18, or BlackHorse for full Houston golf itineraries

All Key Memorial Park Golf Highlights at a Glance

  • Memorial Park Golf Course (Tom Doak redesign, PGA TOUR host)
  • Lighted driving range & practice areas
  • On-site clubhouse & Beck’s Prime dining
  • Nearby: The Golf Club of Houston, BlackHorse, High Meadow Ranch
  • Plus Houston’s other munis (Gus Wortham, Sharpstown) for variety

Pro Tips

  • Book tee times early via memorialparkgolf.com or GolfNow, popular spot, especially weekends; use the app for easy access
  • Fly into Houston Hobby (HOU) or George Bush Intercontinental (IAH), short drive to the park
  • Pair golf with Houston classics: BBQ, craft beer scene, NASA, or Astros games; spring timing catches Houston Open energy
  • Play mornings to beat heat/humidity; forward tees keep it fun; embrace the urban park feel, walkers welcome, but carts available

Time to tee it up where the pros play, chase birdies in the heart of Houston, and reset on one of America’s best munis. Memorial Park is calling your escape. 

Travel down to the border like a real cowboy and give Lajitas Golf Resort a try. Lajitas is a true Texas outlier, a 27,000-acre oasis tucked along the Rio Grande in the remote Big Bend region, between Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park. Surrounded by rugged Chihuahuan Desert mountains, dramatic canyons, and endless starry skies, it delivers Old West history, solitude, and one of the most acclaimed public courses in the state: Black Jack’s Crossing. This bucket-list layout blends jaw-dropping scenery with strategic desert golf.

Quick Facts

  • One world-class 18-hole course: Black Jack’s Crossing (par-72, up to 7,400+ yards from the tips, multiple tees down to 5,000 yards for all levels)
  • Desert drama: Elevation changes, rock canyons, dry washes, native terrain, and historic ties (named for General “Black Jack” Pershing; clubhouse is a restored 1800s trading post with bullet holes from Pancho Villa skirmishes)
  • Year-round play: Mild winters (perfect escape), hot summers (early tees); peak fall/spring for best weather and conditions
  • Resort seclusion: Luxury accommodations (Badlands Hotel, Officers’ Quarters, villas, cottages), spa, pools, dining, and non-golf adventures (ziplining, horseback riding, shooting sports, SUP on the Rio Grande)
  • Top accolades: Often ranked \#1 course you can play in Texas (Dallas Morning News, Golfweek); \#1 Most Beautiful in Texas (Golf Magazine); Top 200 overall U.S. courses (Golfweek)

Not only is Lajitas Golf Resort an incredible golf experience, it sits right on the cusp of Big Bend National Park, one of the best parks our country has to offer. Great golf and incredible natural beauty are always a great combination.

Perfect For…

  • Guys’ Trips: High-drama rounds with Rio views, post-golf steaks or beers under the stars, stargazing in one of the darkest skies in the U.S., and easy multi-activity days (golf \+ shooting \+ trail rides)
  • Families: Resort amenities like pools, spa, kids’ options, ziplining, and horseback rides; playable tees make the course accessible; non-golfers explore Big Bend hikes or fossil hunts

Top Standout Course

Black Jack’s Crossing (Lanny Wadkins design)

The star of the show, a stunning desert masterpiece rebuilt in 2011 after floods wiped out the old layout. Elevated tee boxes launch into mountain holes, dramatic drops (including downhill par-3s that play shorter), risk-reward par-5s, strategic bunkers, and unforgettable Rio Grande/mountain panoramas (especially holes like the 14th overlooking the border and Big Bend). Challenging from the tips but forgiving forward; every hole feels unique with that stark green oasis contrast against arid peaks. Pure bucket-list golf photos don’t do it justice. But Here are some anyway

Great Stay-and-Play Resorts & Spots

  • Lajitas Golf Resort on-site: Variety of options: Badlands Hotel (classic), Officers’ Quarters (cozy value), Lakeside Cottages/Boardwalk Condos (spacious), private villas/homes for groups
  • Stay-and-play packages emphasize rounds on Black Jack’s Crossing, priority tees, lodging, dining perks, and add-ons (breakfast, carts, activities); charter flights from Dallas/Houston/Austin make access easy

All Key Lajitas Golf Highlights at a Glance

  • Black Jack’s Crossing (18 holes, \#1 playable in Texas, stunning desert links)
  • Plus massive practice areas, pro shop in historic trading post/Longhorn Museum
  • Non-golf bonuses: Ziplining, equestrian trails, shooting sports, spa, pools, Rio Grande access

Pro Tips

  • Book stay-and-play packages early via lajitasgolfresort.com or specialists. Includes golf, lodging, and often meals/activities; multi-round options for replays
  • Fly charter direct to Lajitas International Airport (via Resort Air Services from Dallas, Houston, Austin) for convenience, or drive to Midland/Odessa (3-4 hours) then scenic route
  • Pair golf with Big Bend classics: stargazing, hiking national park trails, fresh Tex-Mex, or sunset Rio views
  • Play early to beat heat/wind; use carts for terrain; embrace the remoteness, no distractions, just epic desert golf

Take a stroll through the desert and enjoy the good life at Lajitas Golf Resort,

Horseshoe Bay Resort is a Texas Hill Country work of art. Perched on the shores of Lake LBJ just a short drive northwest of Austin, it features three championship courses designed by legendary architect Robert Trent Jones Sr., plus a members-only Jack Nicklaus Signature course. Dramatic granite outcroppings, rolling hills, elevation changes, lush fairways, and panoramic lake and Hill Country views make it a premier resort escape with luxury lodging, spa, marina, dining, and that signature Texas hospitality.

Quick Facts

  • Three RTJ Sr. championship courses: Slick Rock, Apple Rock, and Ram Rock, plus private Summit Rock (Nicklaus), all with bentgrass greens for premium play
  • Hill Country drama: Rugged terrain, rock formations, water hazards, bunkers galore, and stunning Lake LBJ vistas
  • Year-round play: Mild winters for escapes; peak spring/fall for best weather (60s-80s°F); summer mornings beat the heat
  • Resort luxury: Stay-and-play packages with priority tees, shuttles, unlimited options; recognized as one of “America’s Best Golf Resorts” by Golf Magazine
  • Iconic features: Home to the famous “Million Dollar Hole” and multiple Texas State Open hosts

The three pristine golf courses are collectively known as the “Texas Triangle.” All offering a different experience, but each one complements the others. Expertly designed with something for everyone.

Perfect For

  • Guys’ Trips: Multi-round days tackling the Texas Triangle (Ram Rock for challenge, Slick Rock for fun), post-golf steaks or beers with lake views, casino vibes nearby, and Hill Country nightlife
  • Families: Lakeside pools, marina for boating/fishing, spa, kids’ activities; more playable options on Slick Rock; non-golfers enjoy wineries, BBQ, or lake adventures

Top Standout Courses

Slick Rock

The most player-friendly of the trio, par-72 with rolling fairways, water on 12 holes, 70+ bunkers, and classic RTJ “hard par, easy bogey” philosophy. Famous for the “Million Dollar Hole” (No. 14): a tee shot across a 35-foot waterfall bridge, one of Texas’ most photographed holes. Renovated and always in top shape.

Apple Rock

Often called the most scenic, a par-72 routed through high rocky terrain on the front, dropping to Lake LBJ shores on the back nine for breathtaking views. Dramatic elevation changes, over 50 bunkers, and challenging yet beautiful; previously “Best New Resort Course” by Golf Digest and Texas State Open host.

Ram Rock

Nicknamed “The Challenger,” par-72 (or 71) with narrow fairways, island green par-3 (No. 4), rugged rock outcroppings, deep bunkers, and tough greens. Demanding test (hosted Texas State Open multiple times); Ben Crenshaw called it one of Texas’ hardest. Pure adrenaline for skilled players.

Stay-and-Play Options

  • Horseshoe Bay Resort on-site: Lakeside hotel rooms, suites, condos with views; marina, spa, multiple restaurants
  • Packages include lodging + rounds (often unlimited or multi-course), carts, breakfast, shuttles; options for all-inclusive or spa/golf combos

All Key Horseshoe Bay Golf Courses

  • Slick Rock (playable with iconic Million Dollar Hole)
  • Apple Rock (scenic Lake LBJ drama)
  • Ram Rock (toughest challenger)
  • Summit Rock (private Nicklaus Signature, members-only)
  • Whitewater 18-hole Bermuda putting course (one of few in North America)

Pro Tips

  • Book stay-and-play packages early via hsbresort.com or specialists; multi-round deals and unlimited options shine here
  • Fly into Austin (AUS) for an easy 1-hour drive; rent a car for Hill Country exploring
  • Pair golf with Texas Hill Country musts: BBQ, wineries, lake boating, or Fredericksburg charm
  • Morning tees in summer; use shuttles; forward tees make Slick Rock/Apple Rock forgiving

Time to conquer the Texas Triangle, soak in Lake LBJ sunsets, and reset amid Hill Country beauty at Horseshoe Bay Resort.