The top 25 economy golf courses in Texas that cost $59 and under (2022)

Our panel members list their favorite courses for a cheaper round.

By Mark Kazlowski and Scott Bell of the Dallas Morning News

12:47 PM on May 7, 2022 CDT

Fee is the cost of a greens fee and cart plus tax for a prime Saturday tee time. Fees are from March 2022. Actual rates may vary. To be eligible, a course must have been rated by five panel members.

2022 rank	Course	Location Phone	Designer	Year open	Fee	2021 rank
1	Texarkana Golf Ranch	Texarkana 903-334-7401	Jim Fazio Jr.	2002	$42	1
2	Gus Wortham Park Golf Course	Houston 713-928-4260	Baxter Span	1908	$55	4
3	Stevens Park Golf Course	Dallas 214-640-7506	x-Jack Burke Sr.; y-Colligan Golf Design	1950	$58	8
4	Delaware Springs Golf Course	Burnet 512-756-8471	Dave Axland, Dan Proctor	1999	$53	6
5	Legacy Hills	Georgetown 512-948-7560	Billy Casper, Greg Nash	1996	$56	NR
6	Squaw Creek Golf Club	Willow Park 817-441-8185	x-Ralph Plummer y-Colligan Golf Design	1971	$58	3
7	Willow Springs Golf Course	San Antonio 210-226-6721	Emil Loefler, John Bredemus	1923	$50	13
8	Cedar Creek Golf Course	San Antonio 210-695-5050	Baxter Spann, Ken Dye, Joe Finger	1989	$54	11
9	Split Rail Links and Golf Club	Aledo 817-441-4653	Phil Lumsden	2002	$59	22
10	Courses at Watters Creek, Traditions	Allen 214-509-4653	x-Bruce Devlin/Robert von Hagge, y-Weibring Wolfard Design	1991	$59	NR
11	Jimmy Clay Golf Course	Austin 512-444-0999	Joe Finger	1974	$54	20
12	Morris Williams Golf Course	Austin 512-974-8333	Leon Howard	1964	$42	18
13	Bearkat Course	Huntsville 936-438-8588	Tripp Davis	2003	$37	10
14	Cleburne Golf Links	Cleburne 817-641-4501	Colligan Golf Design	2009	$46	15
15	Cedar Crest Golf Course	Dallas 214-670-7615	x-A.W. Tillinghast, y-Weibring-Wolfard	1918	$47	23
16	Sherrill Park Municipal No. 1	Richardson 972-234-1416	x- Leon Howard, Buster Creagh; y-Weibring-Wolfard	1973	$57	12
17	Cypresswood Golf Club, Cypress Course	Spring 281-821-6300	Keith Foster	1997	$55	NR
18	Pecan Valley Golf Course, River Course	Fort Worth 817-392-6490	Ralph Plummer	1963	$33	NR
19	Mesquite Golf Course	Mesquite 972-270-7457	x-Leon Howard; y-Jeffrey D. Brauer	1965	$50	NR
20	Hidden Creek Golf Course	Burleson 817-447-4444	x-Steve Plummer; y-Colligan Golf Design	1997	$48	24
21	Colovista Golf Club	Bastrop 512-629-4585	Les Appelt	1997	$53	21
22	Lions Municipal Golf Course	Austin 512-477-6963	A.W. Tillinghast	1924	$54	19
23	Rayburn Country Resort	Brookeland 409-698-1014	x-Jay Riviere, Robert von Hagge; y-Randolph P. Russell/Bill Hanna	1968	$59	NR
24	Gaines County Golf Course	Seminole 432-758-3808	Jim Terry	1958	$40	NR
25	Woodbridge Golf Club	Wylie 972-429-5100	Lee Singletary	1999	$59	NR

x-original design; y-redesign. NR-not ranked; *Ranked in a different price category in 2021. No longer ranked: 6. Ross Rogers Golf Complex, Wildhorse Course, Amarillo; 7. Brackenridge Park GC, San Antonio; 10. Butterfield Trail GC, El Paso; 11. Panorama GC, Conroe; 15. Rayburn Country Resort, Brookeland; 19. Houston National GC; 21. Olympia Hills GC, Universal City; 22. Golf Club of Texas-Concan; 23. Courses at Watters Creek, Traditions, Allen; 24. Grapevine Municipal; 25. ShadowGlen GC, Manor.

COURSE RATING CRITERIA

VERSATILITY: Does the course create a good mix for the high and low handicappers? Are better players challenged, while the high handicappers are able to enjoy play through the use of shorter teeing areas, alternate routes, location of hazards and accessible pins?

SHOTMAKING: Does it test accuracy, finesse, length and putting without putting too much emphasis on any of these skills?

DESIGN: Is there a good balance? Differing lengths? Doglegs right and left? Placement of hazards? Contours and shapes of greens?

AFTERTHOUGHTS: How much do you remember about the course? Do one or two holes stand out as great or bad?

BEAUTY: Do the scenic values add to the pleasure of a round? Trees, shrubs, hills, mounds, flowers, etc.?

MAINTENANCE: How would you rate the course conditions, factoring in all aspects — tees, greens, fairways, bunkers? Spring, summer, fall or winter when viewed?

ENJOYMENT: How do you feel about being at the course? What about the amenities? From arrival to departure, was it a good, bad or indifferent golf experience?

THE PANEL

David Altemus, general manager/ COO, Royal Oaks CC, Houston

William Aycock, The Woodlands amateur

Mike Bailey, Houston-based golf writer

Robert Banta, Frisco amateur

Walt Barnes, Addison amateur

Brent Blackburn, head professional Corpus Christi CC

Curt Breaux, Montgomery amateur

John Brechin, Dallas amateur

Bruce Burger, superintendent The Quarry Golf Club

Ben Burns, head professional Crown Colony CC, Lufkin

Mark Button, senior director of communications Texas Golf Association

Tony Campagna, golf course sands and materials consultant

Miles Carlson, golf course superintendent at Grand Pines GC in Montgomery Tx

Greg Clark, Frisco amateur

Beth Cleckler, Austin amateur

John Cochran, Texas Golf Association director of competitions for South Texas, Kingwood amateur

Kyle Coody, Plano amateur

Brent Cooper, Dallas amateur

Jacque Cooper, Rowlett amateur

Daniel Coughlan, director of golf Bent Tree CC

Robert Couture, Dallas amateur

Barry Denton, PGA professional, Cordillera Ranch, Boerne

Thomas Devanna, assistant professional Tangle Ridge GC, Grand Prairie

Cameron Doan, head professional Preston Trail Golf Club, Dallas

Conrad Doss, The Woodlands amateur

Camm Dougherty, Corpus Christi amateur

Lou Duran, Frisco amateur

Bob Elliott, PGA Life Member, Dallas

Zane Ellis, King-Collins Golf Design associate, League City amateur

Gilbert Freeman, PGA professional emeritus Lakewood CC, Dallas

Edward Gatlin, PGA life member, Athens

Kenneth Gorzycki, director of agronomy Horseshoe Bay Resort

Bill Hanley, past president of Texas Golf Association, Fort Worth amateur

Todd Harbour, Royal Oaks CC GM/COO, Dallas

Mark Harrison, executive director/CEO of the NTPGA

Malcolm Holland, past president of Texas Golf Association, Dallas amateur

Danny Jones, head professional, Walden on Lake Conroe

Mark Kazlowski, Texas Golf editor, Cedar Hill amateur

Robbie Kearney, GM Cimarron Hills Golf and CC

Trey Kemp, golf course architect, Dallas amateur

Keith Kirkendall, The Woodlands amateur

Ryan Kossick, assistant executive director/COO of the NTPGA

Nancy Kromar, Austin amateur

Kellen Kubasak, COO of Golf San Antonio, San Antonio amateur

Phyllis Kwedar, Fort Worth amateur

Ricky Lyons, general manager Westwood Golf Club, Houston

Cathy Marino, Jesuit golf coach, LPGA professional

James McAfee, Former NTPGA executive director, golf writer, Planoamateur

Mike McCabe, general manager Golf Clubs at the Tribute

Sam Morrow, Houston amateur

Terry Olson, Director of Sales and Marketing, Lajitas Golf Resort

Casey Paulson, President of Sales and Operations, Driftwood Golf Club

Mike Peterson, PGA Tour rules official, Garland amateur

Kevin Porter, Dallas amateur, Texas Golf Association director of competitions for North Texas

George Priolo, GM of golf operations, Ross Rogers and Comanche Trail Golf Complexes, Amarillo

Jim Quinn, Golf manufactures rep, board member of The First Tee of Fort Worth, Arlington amateur

Jerry Ransom, Greenville amateur

Jan Rapp, Dallas amateur

Paul Richards, Austin amateur

Corey Roberson, director of golf Cordillera Ranch, Boerne

Robert Rodriguez, San Antonio amateur

Chris Rowe, head professional Whispering Pines, Trinity

Linda Sackett, San Antonio amateur

Lee Sandlin, Dallas amateur

Carey Schulten, past president of the Texas Golf Association, Dallas amateur

Zach Sewill, president BestGrips.com, Conroe amateur

Wesley Shaw, Dallas amateur

Marty Slade Perlman, Dallas amateur

Randy Smith, PGA professional emeritus, Royal Oaks CC, Dallas

Shane Smith, Conroe amateur

Mark Steinbauer, vice president of Spirit Golf Association

Tom Strueber, PGA professional emeritus Maridoe Golf Club, Carrollton

Eldon Tarver, Austin amateur

Steve Termeer, GM/COO University of Texas Golf Club, Austin

Matt Trevino, director of golf, Riverhill CC, Kerrville

Tammy Trichell, San Antonio amateur

Mark Tylenda, Lewisville amateur

Casey Wade, head professional High Meadow Ranch GC, Magnolia

Pat Wheeler, Host of Texas Links on the Air, Dallas amateur

Nannette Wheelis, Waco amateur

Jim Whitten, Arlington amateur

Greg Wille, Belton amateur

Chris Winn, Houston amateur