Best Golf Courses in Houston, Texas
Houston's golf landscape has undergone a renaissance. The Tom Doak renovation of Memorial Park created one of America's premier municipal courses, Tiger Woods' Bluejack National brought celebrity cachet, and the region's deep portfolio of private clubs continues to evolve. The nation's fourth-largest city delivers serious golf.
Houston, Texas · Rees Jones (2005) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,200 yards
Set on a sprawling ranch property northwest of Houston, Houston Oaks is a Rees Jones design that offers an exclusive, rustic golf experience. The course winds through native oaks and open meadows with first-class conditioning.
Houston, Texas · Tom Doak (renovation) (1936) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,412 yards
Completely reimagined by Tom Doak in 2019, Memorial Park is a world-class municipal course and current host of the Houston Open. The renovation transformed this Depression-era layout into one of America's finest public courses.
Houston, Texas · Tom Fazio (2001) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,296 yards
The crown jewel of The Woodlands, Carlton Woods' Fazio Course is routinely ranked among the best private clubs in Texas. The layout carves through dense East Texas pines with bold shaping and pristine conditioning.
Houston, Texas · Rees Jones (2003) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,441 yards
A former Shell Houston Open host, this Rees Jones design in Humble offers championship-caliber golf accessible to the public. The course features wide fairways, strategic bunkering, and well-guarded greens.
Houston, Texas · Tiger Woods (TGR Design) (2016) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,345 yards
Tiger Woods' first U.S. course design, Bluejack National is a family-oriented club with a world-class golf course routed through towering East Texas pines. The design emphasizes playability, fun, and a 10-hole short course called "The Playgrounds."
Houston, Texas · Ralph Plummer (1959) · 18 holes · Par 71 · 7,018 yards
Co-founded by Masters champions Jackie Burke Jr. and Jimmy Demaret, Champions Golf Club is one of America's most historically significant private clubs. The Cypress Creek course hosted the 1967 Ryder Cup, 1969 U.S. Open, and the 2020 U.S. Women's Open.
Houston, Texas · Donald Ross (1922) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,600 yards
Designed by the legendary Donald Ross in 1922, River Oaks Country Club is one of the oldest and most prestigious private clubs in Texas. Ross's trademark crowned greens and subtle bunkering demand precise short-game touch. Subsequent renovations by Joe Finger, Rees Jones, and Tom Fazio have maintained strategic integrity.
Houston, Texas · John Bredemus (1926) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,808 yards
Founded in 1926 with ties to golf royalty — Jackie Burke Sr. was a founder and Jimmy Demaret served as head professional. Golden Age architect John Bredemus designed the original layout, and Tripp Davis completed a nationally recognized renovation in 2022.
Trinity, Texas · Chet Williams (Nicklaus Design) (2000) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,480 yards
Carved from 660 acres of East Texas pine forest, Whispering Pines is regularly ranked the number-one course in Texas. The 7,480-yard layout features zoysia fairways and Bermuda greens with tournament-caliber conditioning, bounded by creeks and lakes that force dramatic carries.
Public Courses in Houston
Looking for courses you can play without a membership? See our complete guide to public courses in Houston .
Overview
Houston's flat Gulf Coast terrain might not offer the dramatic elevation of Hill Country courses, but what it lacks in topography, it more than makes up for with quality, variety, and ambition. The city's golf scene spans from world-class private clubs in The Woodlands to reimagined municipal layouts, all set among the East Texas piney woods and coastal prairies.
Best Time to Play
October through April is optimal for Houston golf. Summers bring extreme heat and humidity (often 95°F+ with high humidity), making early morning rounds essential. Fall and spring offer the best combination of comfortable weather and good course conditions.
Travel Tips & Getting There
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) serves most national and international flights, while Hobby Airport (HOU) is convenient for Southwest Airlines travelers. Houston is sprawling — plan for 30-60 minute drives between courses. The Woodlands area north of the city is a golf hub.
Nearest Airport: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Frequently Asked Questions
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