Cover Story – Best of Public Golf 2024
A New Number One!
Yes, avid golfers, it is once again time for our rankings of the best daily fee and municipal courses in Dallas-Fort Worth. This is the 26th year for our public rankings, and in that time, many courses have come and gone from the Metroplex golf landscape. Renovations to courses, clubhouses and amenities must be considered, as they seemingly happen across the area annually. The top-of-the-food-chain courses continue their arms race to jockey for position among the best courses this area has to offer, and at AG, we do our best to keep our ears to the ground regarding any of those changes.
This is one of our most popular and highly debated issues of the year, and in 2024, we even had some interoffice contention as to which courses would end up in which spots. After much debate and several meetings over a few weeks, we came to agree on our list. So, we present to you, the loyal AVIDGOLFER reader, our best of public rankings for 2024.
Best Overall Club: East
The PGA of America and the Fields Ranch courses were an absolute game-changer when they opened just a couple years ago. Both courses are amazing, and last year, we had Fields Ranch East atop our list. However, after playing the two courses a handful more times, even we must admit we tend to gravitate toward the more user-friendly (and more affordable) West Course.
The Beau Welling design is more forgiving off the tee but can be rambunctious around and on the greens. West offers a great combination of risk-reward holes, while also providing players scoring opportunities with well-executed shots. It also closes with back-to-back par 5s at 17 and 18, which can offer two final scoring chances before you head for the 19th hole. We simply can’t recommend it enough for an all-encompassing loop that is infinitely fun. Sure, we love the East too, but it’s very tough, and it’s walking only, making it even more challenging if you aren’t used to hoofing 18 holes. East is about one thing and one thing only … testing the best players in the world … and hey, that’s kosher, we get it. But, in our minds after seeing both courses multiple times now, the West is simply more fun. Same amenities, same great conditions on both, but at the end of the day, we decided we just enjoy the experience of the West course more. You may not agree with us, and that’s fine, but that’s how we see it.
Best Overall Club: West
Surprise, surprise. I know this is very much Groundhog Day, but Cowboys Golf Club is once again our top course on the west side. Sure, it may not be in your budget to play here more than a handful of times a year, but there are other ways to make it more affordable. During the summer months, try a twilight round, which can make it more budget friendly. One thing that continues to separate Cowboys from some of its peers are the amenities. The all-inclusive price that comes equipped with food and non-alcoholic drinks is worthy of the extra cost. Get there early, have some breakfast, then stop at the on-course comfort station for snacks. Then hit the clubhouse post-round for lunch. That may seem like a lot, but trust us, the food is so good it’s worth it. The course itself is always in great condition, with plenty of personality and some elevation character, which is a rarity in DFW. And, if you’re a Cowboys fan (as much as one can be these days), pop in the pro shop afterwards, as they have one of the finest selections of gear and other merch at any course in the area. Cowboys is also teasing some changes coming for 2025, which are rumored to include a new putting course near the clubhouse and some driving range upgrades. We can’t wait to see what they have in store.
See Chart for official rankings. Golf courses and clubs are listed alphabetically within their price category.
Platinum Courses ($125+)
Bridlewood Golf Club (West)
Fields Ranch East Course (East)
Heritage Ranch Golf & Country Club (East)
Old American Golf Club (East)
Sky Creek Ranch Golf Club (West)
Texas Rangers Golf Club (West)
The Tribute Golf Links (East)
Wildhorse at Robson Ranch (West)
Bridlewood Golf Club is, year after year, one of the most consistent daily fee courses in the area. Conditions are always well above average, and the layout is tremendous. As with many premium courses, it can be tough to get a tee time, but if you can score one, it’s a great option for those up in the Flower Mound area. Marana’s Pizza inside the clubhouse is also a great spot to catch a quality pie for lunch or dinner.
Fields Ranch East Course is a stunning test of golf for the most decorated player. Designed by Gil Hanse, this behemoth will test every single club in your bag to the limit. Long, firm and narrow, the host site of the 2027 PGA Championship isn’t for the feeble, as the slick greens and diabolical runoffs can send scorecards rocketing skyward in a hurry. Make no mistake, you definitely want to play this track, but be sure to choose appropriate tees as the yardage on the scorecard always seems to play much longer. This is also a walking-only course that requires a caddy, so don’t expect to loop this track in your standard four hours. Take the opportunity to play it, so you will know exactly what it feels like to play a major championship-caliber golf course.
Heritage Ranch Golf & Country Club has long been one of our favorite properties in the area. Yes, it is a “country club,” but they also allow the general public to book tee times, although it can be tricky, especially on weekends. Heritage is a super fun layout that combines some parkland-style holes and some that retreat into the trees for a more challenging test. The best thing about Heritage is the customer service, which is always on-point from your arrival to your visit to the 19th hole post-round.
Old American Golf Club is still one of the best courses in the area. This Tripp Davis/Justin Leonard collaboration is a throwback design that encompasses windswept bunkers, native grasses and beautiful views of Lake Lewisville. It’s a tough track to dissect, even for single-digit handicappers, as the table-topped greens can bully golfers who can’t hit it high in the air, but the overall course conditions and serene backdrops are worth the price of admission. It’s a must-play for golf purists who are looking for a challenge.
Sky Creek Ranch Golf Club is one of the most underrated and unappreciated truly great courses in the Metroplex. For years now, course conditions have been sublime. This year, their greens rivaled those of high-end country clubs in the area. The opening few holes are tough, so strap in if you are a slow starter. But there are some gettable par 5s should you need to find a stroke or two coming in. The Sky Creek Grill also has some great barbecue with brisket, pulled pork and delicious jalapeño cheddar sausage. It’s one-stop shopping for great golf and great food.
Hard to believe Texas Rangers Golf Club has been a part of the DFW golf landscape for a half-decade now. Once Chester W. Ditto Golf Course, this City of Arlington track has been one of our favorite layouts since the renovation completed in 2019. It is still the only Major League Baseball-themed course in the country, which offers players some fun memorabilia and on-course nuggets to digest while they play. The layout is fun, very scorable (Frankie Capan III shot a course-record 58 in the opening round of the 2024 Veritex Bank Championship) and the clubhouse is a great place for lunch or dinner, even if you aren’t playing. It’s the total package for a day on the links.
The Tribute Golf Links, which is Old American’s sister course, is one of the most interesting and fun golf experiences in the area. This course features 18 of the most famous holes from Scotland, including designs from St. Andrews, Muirfield and Royal Troon. If getting to the home of golf is out of your price range, but you still want to experience the Road Hole or walking across the Swilcan Bridge, then this is a great alternative. Pick the right time of year, and you might just get pullover weather and winds whipping off the lake to create the true across-the-pond experience. Customer service is second to none, and the course is almost always at the top of the food chain condition-wise.
Wildhorse at Robson Ranch boasts 27 fun and playable holes. All three nines are always in incredible condition, but 2024 was even better than usual. Robson’s turf conditions were special this year … country club special. The whole vibe up at Robson is fun. Although it is technically an active adult community, if you can get a tee time at Robson, it is absolutely worth your time and there is plenty of energy around the clubhouse if you want to stick around for cocktails after your round.
Elite Courses ($80 – $125)
Bear Creek Golf Club West Course (West)
Buffalo Creek Golf Club (East)
Frisco Lakes Golf Club (East)
Texas Star Golf Course (West)
The Bridges Golf Club (East)
The Golf Club at Fossil Creek (West)
The Golf Club at Twin Creeks (East)
The Trails of Frisco Golf Club (East)
Tierra Verde Golf Club (West)
Bear Creek Golf Club is a wonderful overall facility. There is a reason it stays busy day after day. The West layout is a bit more dynamic than the East, but they are both usually in great shape. The West offers some interesting elevation changes, particularly on the opening nine, and if you are looking to full-send one, the downhill, usually down-wind par-5 sixth is a bombers’ delight off the tee. The Backyard outdoor patio is an awesome addition to the property and a fun space to stop for drinks at the turn or have some cocktails before or after your round.
Buffalo Creek Golf Club was close to extinction just a few short years ago. The Perry family partnered with Kemper Sports to bring this Rockwall delight back to life. The course is super fun, with plenty of tight, tree-framed holes and some parkland-style par 3s. Overall, this property has made a complete 180 in the last few years and is now one of our favorites to play when we’re out east of Dallas.
Frisco Lakes Golf Club is another great course in Frisco. This one also features some water, particularly on No. 7 and No. 8. No. 7 is a short par 4 with water all down the left, making it a fun risk-reward hole, and No. 8 is one of the only island green par 3s in the area. They also have Bluetooth-enabled carts if you like a little music while you play, and Marana’s pizza in the clubhouse is a great way to wrap up your day at the course.
Texas Star has seen some struggles with Poa Annua in their greens the last couple springs, but once it warms up, the course is as good as it has been for years. However, course management has made the decision to close for a couple months sometime in the spring of 2025, to update the green turf and make some other changes to update the property. We look forward to seeing the finished product. Stay tuned to AG for updates on their progress, but for now, the course is open and still a great place to play.
The Bridges Golf Club is a Fred Couples design up in Gunter. Yes, it’s a bit off the beaten path, but that area is rapidly expanding and pretty soon The Bridges won’t be as easy to play as it has been. It’s a great country-style layout, with some holes featuring open meadows and some holes tucked among the native trees and vegetation. The 18th hole is a crazy finishing hole that requires length, precision and course-management skills.
The Golf Club at Fossil Creek is one of the most interesting Arcis Golf properties. Arcis has really focused on this property over the last several years, and conditions reflect their investment. Greens, although pretty small, are in great shape and frisky. There are a couple quirky par 5s to navigate at No. 11 and No. 18, and the water on No. 12 and No. 13 can be a challenge. Don’t forget Ivy Bar & Grill for a great Cuban sandwich and cold drink after the round.
The Golf Club at Twin Creeks in Allen is a great choice for those in the area. This Arnold Palmer design features multiple sets of tees to challenge the experienced player or the novice. Creeks wind throughout the property, adding some challenge and beauty. Arcis has added some perks, including an Airstream (similar to Bear Creek) that offers food and beverage options at the turn. Overall, a solid course that is making a great effort on attention to detail.
The Trails of Frisco Golf Club is a popular spot for the rapidly expanding Frisco area. Water comes into play on almost every hole, whether it be a creek or more pronounced pond or lake. That makes this course a challenge for even the best ball-strikers. The clubhouse comes fully equipped with everything you need for your round, and the food is fantastic. Try the smash burger or one of their BBQ selections pre- or post-round.
Tierra Verde Golf Club might just be the best overall layout in DFW. Their Audubon Signature Sanctuary status makes this a peaceful and serene place to play. In just over 25 years, the City of Arlington has maintained the course in a manner that uses minimal chemicals to help preserve the environment, which is difficult to do. There are very few homes in proximity to the course, and each hole basically stands alone, making all 18 unique. The finishing stretch of the par-5 16th, the short par-4 17th and the difficult 18th can really change your scores (or facilitate some money changing hands). There is also a nice practice area with lighted range, chipping area and putting green, as well as a three-hole mastery course, which is a great quick game-improvement area if you don’t feel like mindlessly beating balls. The Ventana Grille is solid for pre- or post-round food and drinks. If you haven’t made the trip to south Arlington to play Tierra, you need to do so.
Top Luxury Courses ($60-$80)
Firewheel Golf Park Bridges Course (East)
Grapevine Golf Course (West)
Hawks Creek Golf Club (West)
Indian Creek Golf Club Creek Course (East)
Rockwood Park Golf Course (West)
Sherrill Park Golf Course No. 1 (East)
Southern Oaks Golf & Tennis Club Club (West)
Tangle Ridge Golf Course (East)
The Courses at Watters Creek (East)
Waterchase Golf Club (West)
Firewheel Golf Park’s Bridges Course was once one of the only daily fee courses with Bentgrass greens. They eventually went with the more practical Bermuda, but they are still in wonderful shape overall and can be challenging with their size. Huge oaks line the fairways framing holes beautifully, and the clubhouse offers everything you might need for a great overall experience. It’s a truly underrated property everyone should make an effort to play.
Grapevine Golf Course has three fantastic nines. The Bluebonnet, Mockingbird and Pecan. Each offers its own personality and challenges, making this one of the most complete facilities anywhere in the area. Once a hidden gem, the word has been out for a while on Grapevine, making it a tough tee time to get. But if you can acquire one, you won’t be disappointed. The clubhouse is also great, and Persimmons Bar & Grill has some of the best food you will find at a daily fee course.
Hawks Creek Golf Club is one of the most underrated courses in DFW. The greens are always superb and speedy, and the finishing par 5s to each nine will test any skill level. It sits near the Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth, so if you get on the course early enough in the morning, you might need to stop down for a couple minutes, remove your cap as the National Anthem plays in the distance. It’s a cool and patriotic experience.
Indian Creek Golf Club Creek Course is one of the most whimsical layouts in DFW. The back nine in particular is tough, but interesting, featuring a 260-yard par 3 and a handful of challenging holes coming down the stretch. It’s also a great host course for charity or corporate events. If you are interested in something a little different, try riding one of their Finn Scooters to play. It will change the way you think about getting around a golf course. Overall, this is a great layout with all the trimmings.
Fort Worth’s Rockwood Park Golf Course is one of our favorite municipal courses. Years ago, Rockwood featured three separate nines. But a few years back, most of the old Blue Nine was taken over by the Fort Worth Water Department, and the course was renovated and condensed to just 18. The redesign is fabulous, offering a small taste of the old Rockwood with some great new design elements and speedy Bermuda greens. If you haven’t seen Rockwood lately, we highly recommend it.
With Course No. 2 down for renovations, it has been a busy year on Sherrill Park’s No. 1 Course. One might think conditions would suffer a bit with all the extra traffic, but quite the contrary. Ronny Glanton and company have kept up with the demand and have Sherril looking quality as usual. No. 1 is a solid combination of challenge, yet playable, and features a lot of great topography. It’s a must-see for those in the north Dallas/Plano area.
Southern Oaks Golf & Tennis Club celebrates 25 years in 2024, and the course is as good as ever. The layout is fun, with plenty of holes that allow players to score before the tough final stretch, which features a difficult par-4 16th, a long par-3 17th and a tough par-4 18th with water on the right. Southern Oaks is also very welcoming for junior tournaments, charity and corporate events. If you haven’t yet seen it, make the trip to Burleson to check it out. It’s worthy.
Tangle Ridge Golf Course in Grand Prairie is another fantastic, unique layout. If you have played much golf in DFW, one thing you have likely noticed is the lack of topography. For the most part, things are pretty flat. Tangle Ridge is one of the few daily fee tracks in this area with some fun elevation changes. It’s more Hill Country than DFW, and that’s always a refreshing change of pace. Turf conditions are always solid, especially at their current price point. Staff is friendly and welcoming, and the bar & grill inside is clean and a great spot to stock up on beverages or food at the turn, before or after you tee it up.
The Courses at Watters Creek feature their Traditions Course that offers some interesting architectural elements and holes framed beautifully by stately oak, cedar and pecan trees. No. 6 is a fantastic hole, with an elevated tee shot that must be played to a narrow, tree-lined fairway. Players then must navigate their approach over a creek and retaining wall to the green. It’s a hole that can be feast or famine. They also offer a nine-hole Players Course and their six-hole Futures Course, for a total of 33 holes on property. That makes this one of the best properties in DFW for honing your golf game.
Waterchase Golf Club has assured us that construction on a clubhouse is to begin in early 2025, with completion later in the year. For years we’ve been told a clubhouse was imminent, and now it appears we might actually see it going up soon. The course at Waterchase is different than almost anything you will play locally. For starters, the inward nine features three par 3s and three par 5s. That’s definitely different than most courses you will see. There is lots of water, dynamic bunkering and some dramatic doglegs. It’s not an easy course by any stretch, but course conditions are almost always immaculate. And Waterchase is one of the few courses that hasn’t sent their greens fees into orbit over the last several years, so it has become a great value to boot.
Top Value-Priced (Under $60)
Lake Arlington Golf Course (West)
Lake Arlington Golf Course has become one of our favorite courses here at AG, and you can see the value in that it is the only course in the top 30 that is under $60. The layout on the front is very user-friendly, and the back twists and turns near the damn for Lake Arlington, making for some interesting holes. There are no bunkers on the course, which helps overall pace of play (we rarely see four-hour-plus rounds, even on weekends), and the greens have been nails over the last several years. The front is also one of the easiest walking nines in the area (the back is pretty tough). Overall, The Lake is one of the best values in DFW, and a no-brainer for Arlington and Tarrant County residents.
Best Outlying
Tempest Golf Club ($93)
Pine Dunes Golf Club ($139)
The Links at Land’s End ($105)
Squaw Valley Golf Club ($60)
Tempest Golf Club is right at two hours from Dallas and is absolutely worth the effort. The deep East Texas vibe offers huge stately pines, great bunker-framed fairways, rolling topography and a true Augusta feel. Recent turf improvements are settling in, and we expect Tempest to be in phenomenal shape for 2025. Tempest also features stay-and-play packages, and one of the biggest American flags you will ever see.
Pine Dunes Resort & Golf Club is one of the finest courses in Texas. The layout is superb (although the 18th is a little goofy), the course conditions are immaculate, the majestic pines and sand-capped areas aren’t like anything you will find in the Metroplex. There are multiple options for stay-and-plays, but at just two hours from Dallas, you can easily make the trip down, play and return in the same day.
Located in Yantis, on Lake Fork, Links at Land’s End is a phenomenal budget-friendly getaway spot that is rustic, but super fun. The course weaves into a cove of the lake, with several holes featuring great lake views and some windswept holes that can be a challenge for even the top-notch ball-striker. You will likely see some locals there, who are all very friendly, making this a relaxing little getaway with all the trimmings.
Squaw Valley Golf Club is just about 90 minutes away in Glen Rose. The Apache Links and Comanche Lakes courses are totally different experiences on the same piece of land. The Links offers clever mounding throughout and a more wide-open experience, while the Lakes is a more traditional tree-framed layout. There is plenty of wildlife to see, and they have also partnered with several local bed & breakfasts and the La Palmilla Resort & Gardens to offer stay-and-play packages. If you aren’t looking to stay, you can always make the trip down in the morning, play 18, hit up a quick lunch at the Rooster Bar & Grill on property and then loop another 18 in the afternoon before heading back.