Hey All,

My Dad and I are considering taking our first golfing trip together to Texas where we have relatives. The plan is to go sometime in the last week of February on my reading week (spring break). We are both from Nova Scotia, Canada, and would really enjoy a week out of the cold of the Atlantic winter!
So, the question is ...

what golf courses in and or around the Austin area (not too sure if this is where the relatives are from) are playable at the time we would like to go? And by playable I mean not too pricey either (i am a university student after all).

Thanks for any suggestions!

The last week in February should be ok weather wise. It really just depends on how the fronts are coming through. It could be sunny and high 60s, low 70s or rainy and low 40s; it just depends on the pattern that week.

One site to check for courses is www.Golf512.com. They usually have some good specials. Courses I would recommend include Avery Ranch, Star Ranch, Terra Vista, and Falconhead.

http://www.golf512.com/areacode.asp?HID=227

http://www.averyranchgolf.com/golf/proto/a...hgolf/index.htm

http://www.starranchgolf.com/golf/proto/starranch/index.htm

http://www.teravistagolf.com/

http://www.falconheadaustin.com/page/279-12686.htm

Thank you!!

Star Ranch runs some great specials. All you can play (if available) with breakfast and lunch included, usually can befound for $60 or less on weekends.

Avery Ranch is nice. I work about a mile away and usually play there. Hole #7 was voted one of the top 18 holes in Austin by a local news channel.

Tera Vista is nice. Usually windy, but it is pretty wide open. A possible added bonus, if Mom or sisters will be along, there is a nice new outlet mall 1 mile from Tera Vista.

There are a ton of courses around Austin, and you can get on somplaces in the afternoon for $20-$30.

Get on golf512 and watch for deals. Usually can not book more than 1 week in advance. You will also need access to a printer if you use it to book rounds once you get here. You have to print out a copy of your confirmation and take it to the course with you to get the discounted rate.

There are several nice muni courses in austin as well. Two courses are next to each other/share a clubhouse. The Jimmy Clay course is nice, your standard US style course. The Roy Kizer next door is a nice links style course. It is easy to get on there for $30 or less, and if you time it right you could play one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Any other questions I would be happy to try to answer.

Most of the real good courses are private, but if you call and tell them that you are basically coming into town as a one time thing, then they may let you play. Here is a list of those courses:

Flintrock
The Hills (Lakeway)
Cimmaron Hills
UT Golf Club
Spanish Oaks

The basic muni courses in Austin are terrible (Hancock, Riverside, Morris Williams, Lions, Bluebonnet). Kizer and Jimmy Clay are alright, but not that exciting. Forest Creek and ShadowGlen both have some good holes on them, but still nothing real special. Terra Vista, Falcon Head, and Circle C are pretty good tracks, but not worth shelling out $70 for. Avery Ranch, Star Ranch, Legacy Hills and White Wing are all in really good shape right now and definitely worth $50. It may also be worth a few extra miles to travel to Bastrop and play Colavista. Once again, a pretty darn good track for $50. Stay away from Wolfdancer though. It is a new Hyatt course that runs $125 and is just not worth it yet.

If you decide to go upscale, then Barton Creek is worth a look and is any of the Horseshoe Bay couses in Marble Falls. Marble Falls may mean an hour drive, but the courses are excellent.

If you would like any additonal info, just shoot me a PM.

"Flintrock
The Hills (Lakeway)
Cimmaron Hills
UT Golf Club
Spanish Oaks"

All great courses, but since he said he was on a budget/college student, I went with the more affordable choices. If Dad is picking up some green fees, definately shoot for these. Played Flintrock in a tournament over the summer. Really nice course. They were still finishing the club house, but it looked like it would be great once they finished it.

Forgot about Forrest Creek. Nice course with some interesting holes. Haven't played Shadow Glen yet, but I drive past it every time I go shoot trap & skeet and keep telling myself I need to play that course.

Guess it all depends on what they are looking for. Play a few really nice/expensive courses, or play more good/alright courses.

I have only played Tera Vista 3 times, but I have yet to pay more than $35.00. A steal at that price.

biga9999,

Even on Golf512, Terra Vista is over $50. I don't like the course that much because I have never played it where the greens were rolling over an 8 on their own Pelz Meter. The layout is pretty good and the conditions (other then the greens) are top notch. I would agree with you that it would be a very good $35 dollar course.


In the past, my buddies and I have taken golf trips to other states. If you plan far enough in advance and make some phone calls, some of the private courses will accomodate you and also give you some pretty reasonable rates. We did this in North and South Carolina over the summer and got to play some top notch courses that did not cost us anymore then playing some of the local muni's. It may be worth a shot to try here in Austin.

Tera Vista just depends on when you want to play.

Today and tomorrow it is in the $60-$70 range, Monday and Tuesday it is in the $40's.

I was laughing at golf 512 the other day. They had tee times listed up until 5:39pm. I am not sure who could get more then 3 or 4 holes in before sunset at 6:15

I know.

Let me pay $30 to play 45 minuted of golf.

About a month before the time change, Crystal Falls was allowing you to walk after 5:00 pm for $2.00. With all those hills you could only get in a few holes, but definitely worth $2.00. I played Saturday and we teed off at 1:15 pm. We had a very slow group in front of us, but we finished in the dark.

Colovista in Bastrop (35 min. E of Austin) is an awesome track. It is a must play. Always nice to get your bags loaded/unloaded & cleaned before & after a round for $50 during the week in prime time. The course is great, and the views are more than worth it. Service is next to none at a semi-private course.

Avery Ranch is nice, Forest Creek is also nice. Riverplace is also awesome, but only if Dad is picking up the fee's...$90 during the week. Riverside is a muni that is really reasonable, but not big on service...$30 during the week.

If you need a guide or just someone to show you around feel free to drop a line here...always looking for a reason to play.

;D