Dallas is a golfer’s paradise, offering everything from championship-level courses to scenic fairways surrounded by rolling landscapes. Golf enthusiasts can find meticulously designed layouts that challenge every skill level, all while enjoying Texas hospitality and year-round playability.
Image: 75316serk, Dallas Skyline (from the west) from Stevens Park Golf Course in Oak Cliff, CC BY-SA 4.0
The Most Prestigious Private Golf Clubs in Dallas
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Dallas’s elite private golf scene boasts some of Texas’s highest-ranked courses. At the forefront is Dallas National Golf Club, ranked #1 in Texas and recognized among the nation’s 100 Greatest courses. With its exclusive club amenities and unparalleled course conditions, it has earned a solid 4.4-star rating from 16 panelists.
You’ll find Preston Trail Golf Club sitting proudly at #4 in Texas, impressing reviewers with a phenomenal 4.6-star rating. Brook Hollow Golf Club, the state’s #2 ranked course, maintains its prestigious status with a 4.5-star rating from nine discerning panelists.
Rounding out Dallas’s premier private golf destinations are Northwood Club, which earns 4.3 stars from four panelists, and Dallas Athletic Club’s Blue course, which continues to uphold the city’s reputation for exceptional private golf experiences. These courses offer challenging terrain while showcasing the natural beauty that makes Texas golf so distinctive.
Must-Play Public Golf Courses for Every Skill Level
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While private clubs offer exclusive experiences, the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex shines equally bright with its outstanding public golf options. From well manicured fairways to diverse course layouts, you’ll find challenges suited to your game.
Following public courses deliver exceptional value:
- Stevens Park Golf Course – Experience the “Little Augusta of North Texas” with its newly redesigned layout and precision-focused challenges
- Texas Star Golf Course – Traverse strategic water hazards and mature oaks that demand careful shot placement
- Sky Creek Ranch Golf Club – Test your skills on undulated Bermuda fairways and quick bentgrass greens
- Omni PGA Frisco – Choose between two championship-caliber courses, Fields Ranch East and West, for a premium public golf experience
For a historic golfing experience, Cedar Crest Golf Course stands out as the proud host of the 1972 PGA Championship.
Historic Dallas Golf Venues That Shaped the Sport
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Throughout the storied history of golf in North Texas, several iconic Dallas venues have left an unforgettable, enduring, or everlasting mark on the sport’s legacy. You’ll find historic course designs at Brook Hollow Golf Club, established in 1920, where A.W. Tillinghast’s masterful craftsmanship continues to challenge players today.
Dallas Country Club, dating back to 1896, features distinctive club features like its Tudor-style clubhouse and century-old oak trees lining the fairways.
Preston Trail Golf Club, though younger, earned its place in history by hosting multiple Byron Nelson Classics and helping establish Dallas as a premier golf destination.
Cedar Crest Golf Course stands as a symbol of diversity in golf, piercing barriers as one of the first integrated public courses in Texas while showcasing the brilliant design work of A.W. Tillinghast.
Cedar Crest’s legacy includes hosting the 1927 PGA Championship and being the site of the inaugural Dallas Open in 1926.
Resort-Style Golf Destinations Around Dallas
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Resort-style golf in Dallas combines luxury amenities with championship-caliber courses, giving players access to world-class facilities across the metroplex. When you’re looking for high end golf club facilities, you’ll find exceptional options that deliver both challenging play and upscale experiences.
Consider these premier luxury golf resort amenities:
- TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas in Irving showcases an immaculate 18-hole course within its resort setting
- Cowboy Golf Club in Grapevine offers a complete package with its 7,017-yard course, clubhouse, and meeting facilities
- The Courses at Watters Creek in Plano provides multiple course options across 7,015 yards of manicured terrain
- Luna Vista Golf Course delivers a resort-style experience with its 6,800-yard layout and versatile tee options
These destinations combine championship golf with premium amenities for an enhanced playing experience. Much like Houston’s Golf Club of Houston, these Dallas courses offer dramatic finishing holes that challenge players of all skill levels.
Hidden Gems: Lesser-Known Dallas Golf Courses
Beyond the well-known championship courses, Dallas harbors exceptional hidden gems that deliver outstanding golf experiences without the hefty price tags or crowded tee sheets.
You’ll find unique course designs at spots like Stevens Park, affectionately nicknamed the “Little Augusta of North Texas,” where the 2011 redesign created a challenging yet accessible layout. Heritage Ranch offers wide fairways and raised greens that’ll test your strategic thinking, while Texas Star’s pastoral setting features memorable golf experiences at its famous “Devil’s Point” and “Deguello” holes.
Sky Creek Ranch demands precision with its narrow fairways and water hazards on nearly every hole. While TPC Las Colinas may be known for hosting the Byron Nelson, its recently renovated back nine provides exciting shot-making opportunities that many local golfers overlook.
Championship-Caliber Courses That Challenge Elite Players
Dallas’s championship courses consistently attract elite players with their skilled designs and formidable challenges. You’ll find tournament ready conditions and sophisticated course design elements that test every aspect of your game.
- Dallas National Golf Club, Tom Fazio’s crowning achievement, ranks #1 in Texas and stands among America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses
- Trinity Forest Golf Club, former host of the AT&T Byron Nelson, offers unique challenges that demand strategic play
- Omni PGA Frisco’s Fields Ranch duo presents wide fairways and precise shot requirements, with Panther Creek adding complexity to the East course
- Heritage Ranch Golf & Country Club stretches nearly 7,000 yards with tree-lined corridors and demanding greens that’ll test your club selection skills
These courses deliver the ultimate test for accomplished golfers seeking championship-caliber challenges.
Recently Renovated Dallas Golf Courses Worth Visiting
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While championship courses set high standards, several newly renovated Dallas golf venues have emerged to offer refreshed playing experiences. You’ll find updated course conditions at Brook Hollow Golf Club, where Keith [nurture’s] renovation has enhanced the Bermuda fairways and bentgrass greens, creating an exclusive membership opportunity at Texas’s #2-ranked course.
Stevens Park Golf Course, affectionately known as the “Little Augusta of North Texas,” showcases dramatic improvements from its 2010 reconfiguration by John Colligan and Trey Kemp.
The historic Tenison Park complex, featuring both Tenison Glen and Tenison Highlands, has undergone significant upgrades to [raise] the playing experience. These renovated courses demonstrate Dallas’s commitment to maintaining world-class golf facilities, giving you access to modernized layouts while preserving the original character of these storied venues.
Final Thoughts
Dallas offers a world-class golfing experience with options ranging from exclusive country clubs to accessible public courses. Golfers can find scenic fairways, championship-level challenges, and top-tier amenities across the city. Each course brings a distinct character, ensuring that every round feels fresh and exciting.
