Travel – The Hideout Golf Club & Resort
Texas has many options for a great golf getaway. Unfortunately, many of them can be on the expensive side. What if I told you there is a rustic, fun resort just three hours from Dallas, that offers a fun golf course, pool, cabins, great dining and great customer service? I am sure you would be interested, right?
The Hideout, located on the shores of Lake Brownwood, is a wonderful, budget-friendly destination that not only checks all the boxes for a quick vacation, but also won’t break the bank, even if you are traveling with family or a group of friends.
Brownwood is located about 175 miles from the center of the Metroplex, which makes this an easy drive, even if you are bringing the whole tribe. With Lake Brownwood nearby, you can even haul the boat or personal watercraft down if you want a few hours off property for some fun in the sun on the lake. There are plenty of boat launches nearby, should you be interested.
The Hideout isn’t your typical resort, as this is not a large property. However, they do offer a few options for your stay. Standard Lodge rooms are available in the main resort building, which are perfect for couples, corporate or solo travelers. These rooms sit just a quick walk to The Hideout Grill and just upstairs from the Haven Coffee bar and the resort pool. Lodge rooms are available with a single king bed or a full queen.
If you are looking for something a little more rustic, then check out one of the family cabins. Each one is wood-paneled and offers a queen bed, foldout couch and twin mattresses in a loft, which are perfect for the kiddos should you be traveling with the family. There is a fridge, microwave and even a grill outside, should you want to cook up some burgers or dogs during your visit. The peaceful evenings are perfect to sit on the patio and take in the fresh air, especially now that the evenings should start cooling off a bit.
The main building features the aforementioned Hideout Grill, which is the restaurant on-site. The grill has plenty of beverage options, from beer and wine, to mixed cocktails like their Hideout Signature, which is a blend of Tito’s vodka, Tanqueray, Cuervo 1800, Bacardi, St. Germain, fresh juice and a splash of Coke. Yes, it’s strong, but it’s also delicious and perfect after a day on the course or before you hit the pool.
For a resort that is off the beaten path a bit, the menu at the grill is still very creative and very fresh. Traditional wings or fried pickles are a nice starter or a snack if you aren’t wanting a full meal. Salads are fresh and flavorful, with the most popular being the “Sadie,” which combines iceberg lettuce, bacon, bleu cheese, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, hardboiled egg and red onion. I tried this salad with the balsamic vinaigrette, and it was a flavor explosion that didn’t bog me down for the afternoon tee time.
The Hideout burger is a staple that is hard to beat. It comes with all the standard toppings and is juicy and delicious. If you are in the market for something a little healthier, then go for the protein bowl, which is beef and veggies seared off in a sesame and garlic sauce and served over some jasmine rice. It is one of the most popular items on the menu, and I really enjoyed it.
One of the most-used amenities at The Hideout is the pool. It is cool and perfect to relax in after you get off the course and have some lunch. Load up some drinks in a cooler, and haul it along so you can enjoy some beverages as you enjoy the chilly waters.
The golf course at The Hideout is unique and super fun to attack. Mighty oaks, mesquite trees, rock outcroppings and dynamic bunkering make this a great course not only for its beauty and charm, but for those who strike the ball well to potentially score. Of all the courses I saw in 2024, and this is no hyperbole, I think The Hideout course may have been the best overall greens I putted on all year. They were soft and receptive, yet fairly speedy when above the hole, just the way great greens should putt. I have to give huge kudos to the agronomy staff for their dedication to keeping the greens pristine, even during the hotter summer months.
The opening nine at The Hideout is a little different than most courses. It is a par 37 and features three par 5s. This can offer plenty of opportunity to score but can also lead to some bigger numbers on the card if you aren’t careful. The first of the trio of par 5s eases you into the round with a generous fairway on this dogleg right. There is a bunker and a trio of small trees on the right just as the dogleg turns, so be sure to play to the left-center of the fairway. The hole is nicknamed “Double Trouble” and when you hit your second shot, you will understand why. A layup might be pertinent here as there is not only water left, but also a small pond on the right that isn’t visible from the fairway. Those choosing to go for the green in two need to be precise or the water will be in play. Execute a good second, and you might just open your round with a tweeter.
The first par 3 of the day comes at the second. This hole is one that needed almost no earth movement when the course was built. It plays slightly downhill and can range anywhere from 187 yards from the tips, to a simpler 121 from the forward tees. While on the tee, be sure to soak in the panoramic views of the valley off to the left that offer a look at the property. Club selection here can be a bit tough, as the surrounding trees make the wind swirl around the putting surface and can lead to shots that don’t react as you intend. It’s a beautiful par 3.
As you navigate your way through the opening nine, there are some twists and turns, but one of the most intriguing tee shots you will face comes at No. 6. This hole, called “Umbrella Tree,” is aptly named due to a tree that resembles an umbrella that needs to be carried off the tee. A more conservative hybrid or three metal is a good play, leaving just a short iron remaining to the green.
The second par 5 of the opening nine, known as “The Billabong,” is arguably the most difficult hole on this par-72 layout. A large hazard crosses the landing area, but most will still need to hit driver to be sure to advance the ball as far as possible, making the second shot (usually a layup) more manageable. Getting home in two here is only for the longest players, so try to be precise and leave a good yardage for your third. Bunkers guarding the left and right require a precision wedge.
The final hole of the opening nine is the last of the three par 5s on the front. Even at 565 yards from the back tees, this still plays as the third-longest par 5 on the course. The fairway has a little more room than it may appear off the tee, but too far left will find a meandering creek. But miss too far right and oak trees can incarcerate players, leaving no choice but to punch out. A deep green from front to back protected by a huge bunker short right offers some latitude with distance control, but miss on either side and it could lead to a very tough up-and-down.
After you finish up with your front nine, be sure to pop by the comfort shack as you make your way to the 10th tee. There you can stock up on beverages, refresh your ice supply, or load up a hot dog with your favorite fixings. The course wasn’t terribly busy during my visit, so I was able to take a few minutes, load up on provisions, and even sit in the shade for about 15 minutes before heading out for the final nine.
After a trio of par 4s to open, you will play the first par 3 of the back nine, and this one is a real beauty. It is The Hideout’s signature hole and plays 197 yards from the back tees. Water short and right will offer a bath to any shots that come up in those directions, and a large bunker on the left can swallow balls that avoid the water at all costs. This is very much a find the middle of the green and two-putt par 3.
The other par 3 on the back comes just two holes later and is the longest par 3 on the course. Playing a muscular 224 yards from the back, this will be a hybrid or even a three metal for most players. Just finding the green is a challenge here, and par is definitely a good score.
The Hideout offers a great collection of finishing holes. The final three can yield opportunities to score, but a few misfires can also lead to a disappointing finish. No. 16 is the only par 5 on the back nine (if you remember there are three on the front). This hole is named “Make or Break” for good reason. Long hitters can possibly go for the green in two with a great tee shot. But a small brook that runs in front of the green can lead to a bogey or worse if found. Should players choose to lay up, there is still a very sloped green to deal with, and depending on pin position, can lead to some very challenging two-putts. It is one final risk-reward hole on this mischievous layout.
No. 17 is a great example of some of the interesting topography at The Hideout. There is a large hill on the right that can serve as a bit of a backboard for tee shots that end up heading in that direction. Balls that find the right side of the fairway will trundle back to the center, leaving a manageable approach to a green that can be tough to read with Stonegate Hill impacting most putts. Getting away with a par is fine as you prepare to take on the final hole of the day.
The “Road Hole” is the last challenge of the day. This par 4 offers a dramatic, downhill tee shot from a tee box nestled atop Stonegate Hill and amongst a grove of shady oaks. Tee shots must avoid a small pond that sits about 150 yards off the tee and also stay left of the property line, as anything over the fence will go bouncing down the farm-to-market road running along the course. More water lies short and left of the green, and the slight uphill approach can add an extra club, so be aware the approach may play longer that what you have stepped off. This is a fun finisher, and one that, with a good tee shot, can be an opportunity to finish with a circle on the scorecard.
The Hideout is a hidden gem as far as overall aesthetic and enjoyment. It is rustic, for sure, but it’s also peaceful and has everything you need for a quick getaway that won’t do as much damage to your bank account as some of the other pricey resorts we have in Texas. The golf course was surprisingly very unique, and the greens were immaculate given the climate challenges Texas can present. If you are interested in a simple drive and a fun, budget-friendly resort that checks all the boxes, then you might want to look into The Hideout.