Settle into the wide open spaces of Big Bend, where the blue skies are bigger and desert plains stretch as far as the eye can see. Just one round in West Texas and you’ll realize why the region that spans from Midland in the east to El Paso in the west and down the Chihuahuan Desert into Big Bend National Park is the hidden gem of Texas golf. The sheer versatility of Big Bend only enhances its attractiveness. From the majestic rocky backdrops in Alpine and Marfa to the plains of Odessa and Pecos and all the friendly, sleepy desert towns in-between, discover the unheralded, breathtaking beauty of Big Bend.
DEL RIO TX Golf Courses
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One hundred and fifty-five miles due west of San Antonio lies this small border town. Worth the trip alone is the historic nine-hole San Felipe Country Club. Numerous holes, redone in recent years with Hybrid Dwarf Bermuda grass, span waterways, making for spectacular views and challenging plays.
EL PASO TX Golf Courses
Perpetually warm and sunny, the city on the Rio Grande is a West Texas golf haven. From the cottonwood tree-lined El Paso Country Club to the Tom Fazio-designed Butterfield Trail, featuring 55 feet of elevation changes, The Sun City has no shortage of premier golfing experiences. El Paso is as close as you can get to Mexico without a passport, and as diverse a golf experience you’ll find in the state.
LAJITAS TX Golf Courses
The Lenny Wadkins-designed Black Jack Crossing course at Lajitas Golf Resort is worth the trip to the border alone. The rugged terrain and views of Big Bend National Park are perfect for any player looking for an Old West experience. Named “Best New Texas Course” by Golfweek upon its opening in 2012, Black Jack is bucket list fodder for any serious golf road tripper.
MARFA TX Golf Courses
Now known for its art, food, and other hip eccentricities, its municipal course, situated between downtown and the airport, is another in a long line of reasons to keep heading west from the Davis Mountains. The high altitude and firm fairways of Marfa Municipal Golf Course make for a fast, exciting round that leaves plenty of time to explore all that this small town packs into its tiny borders.
ODESSA TX Golf Courses
This quiet oil town on the northern side of the Big Bend region was put on the map with Buzz Bissinger’s Friday Night Lights, but the town takes golf just as seriously as high school football. Ratliff Ranch offers Scotland-stye links play on 125 acres of pure Texas plains. Odessa Country Club is an exclusive experience, featuring two distinct courses—the Old Course and the Links Course—both picturesque and challenging.
Road Trips
If the desert is what you desire, look no further than Big Bend Country. Out on I-10, get some quick plays in Iraan and Fort Stockton as you head west toward the sparkling oasis that is Balmorhea State Park. Its spring-fed swimming hole is the main attraction at a lovely state park that also boasts top-notch nature and birdwatching and 34 campsites at which to stake out.
South of there is the triangle of Fort Davis, Marfa, and Alpine, a welcoming, quiet respite nestled in the eastern corner of the Chihuahuan Desert. Soak in Marfa’s cool, small-town charm, with stops at the Chinati Foundation and a couple of thin-crust slices from the Pizza Foundation before walking nine at Marfa Municipal Golf Course or the Alpine Country Club. At night, set out for the edge of town for an eerie peek at the famed Marfa Lights. Sleep under the stars at Marfa’s El Cosmico or at Fort Davis’s Indian Lodge, in the middle of Davis Mountains State Park.
Of course there’s El Paso, at the far western edge of the state, an unheralded golf heaven with a dozen or so golf options, from quick and easy munis to gorgeous resort courses and country clubs. Take a tour of the city, stop for some authentic Mexican food, and marvel at the multitude of varied courses at your disposal on the border, including the challenging, breathtaking 27-hole Painted Dunes Golf Course.
Golf Courses in Big Bend Country
| golf course | phone | physical address | city | zip | web address |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine Country Club | 432-837-2752 | 1610 N. Loop Rd. | Alpine | 79830 | |
| Andrews County Golf Course | 432-524-1462 | 920 Golf Course Rd. | Andrews | 79714 | |
| Crane County Country Club | 432-558-2651 | 230 Golf Course Rd. | Crane | 79731 | |
| Leaning Pine Golf Course at Laughlin Air Force Base | 830-298-5451 | Laughlin Air Force Base, Bldg. 494 | Del Rio | 78843 | |
| San Felipe Country Club | 830-775-3953 | 1530 Hwy. 90 E. | Del Rio | 78840 | www.sanfelipecc.com |
| Ascarate Golf Course, Ascarate Course | 915-772-7381 | 6900 Delta Dr. | El Paso | 79905 | www.epcounty.com/ascarate/golf.htm |
| Ascarate Golf Course, Delta Course | 915-772-7381 | 6900 Delta Dr. | El Paso | 79905 | www.epcounty.com/ascarate/golf.htm |
| Butterfield Trail Golf Club | 915-772-1031 | 1858 Cottonwoods | El Paso | 79906 | www.butterfieldtrailgolf.com |
| Coronado Country Club | 915-584-1171 | 1044 Broadmoor Dr. | El Paso | 79912 | www.coronadocountryclub.com |
| El Paso Country Club | 915-584-1111 | 5000 Country Club Place | El Paso | 79922 | www.elpasocountryclub.com |
| Lone Star Golf Club | 915-591-4927 | 1510 Hawkins Blvd. | El Paso | 79925 | www.lonestargolfclub.net |
| Painted Dunes Desert Golf Course, East Course | 915-821-2122 | 12000 McCombs St. | El Paso | 79934 | www.painteddunes.com |
| Painted Dunes Desert Golf Course, North Course | 915-821-2122 | 12000 McCombs St. | El Paso | 79934 | www.painteddunes.com |
| Painted Dunes Desert Golf Course, West Course | 915-821-2122 | 12000 McCombs St. | El Paso | 79934 | www.painteddunes.com |
| Underwood Golf Complex at Fort Bliss Military Reservation, Sunrise Course | 915-568-3641 | 3200 Coe Ave., Bldg. 3191 | El Paso | 79904 | www.blissmwr.com/golf |
| Underwood Golf Complex at Fort Bliss Military Reservation, Sunset Course | 915-568-3641 | 3200 Coe Ave., Bldg. 3191 | El Paso | 79904 | www.blissmwr.com/golf |
| Vista Hills Country Club | 915-592-6565 | 2210 Trawood Dr. | El Paso | 79935 | www.vistahillscc.com |
| Desert Pines Municipal Golf Course | 432-336-2050 | 205 S. Missouri St. | Fort Stockton | 79735 | |
| Iraan Golf Club | 432-639-8892 | 1477 County Rd. 9219 | Iraan | 79744 | |
| Winkler County Golf Course | 432-586-3994 | 7 mi. west on Hwy. 302 | Kermit | 79745 | www.winklerccc.com |
| Lajitas Golf Resort and Spa, Black Jack’s Crossing Course | 432-424-5000 | HC70 Clay Henry Blvd. | Lajitas | 79852 | www.blackjackscrossing.com |
| Marfa Municipal Golf Course | 432-729-4043 | Ranch Road 1112 | Marfa | 79843 | |
| McCamey Country Club | 432-652-8904 | 1101 FM 1901 | McCamey | 79752 | |
| Green Tree Country Club, East Course | 432-694-8413 | 4900 Greentree Blvd. | Midland | 79707 | www.greentreecc.com |
| Green Tree Country Club, North Course | 432-694-8413 | 4900 Greentree Blvd. | Midland | 79707 | www.greentreecc.com |
| Green Tree Country Club, West Course | 432-694-8413 | 4900 Greentree Blvd. | Midland | 79707 | www.greentreecc.com |
| Hogan Park Golf Course, Quail Course | 432-685-7360 | 3600 N. Fairgrounds Rd. | Midland | 79705 | www.hoganparkgolf.com |
| Hogan Park Golf Course, Roadrunner Course | 432-685-7360 | 3600 N. Fairgrounds Rd. | Midland | 79705 | www.hoganparkgolf.com |
| Midland Country Club | 432-682-4378 | 6101 N. Hwy. 349 | Midland | 79705 | www.midlandcc.com |
| Nueva Vista Golf Club | 432-520-0500 | 6101 W. Wadley Ave. | Midland | 79707 | www.nuevavistagolf.com |
| Ranchland Hills Country Club | 432-683-2041 | 1600 E. Wadley Ave. | Midland | 79705 | www.ranchlandhills.com |
| Ward County Golf Course | 432-943-5044 | 2028 TX Hwy. 18 | Monahans | 79756 | |
| Odessa Country Club, Links Course | 432-272-4500 | 1 Fairway Dr. | Odessa | 79765 | www.odessacc.com |
| Odessa Country Club, Old Course | 432-272-4500 | 1 Fairway Dr. | Odessa | 79765 | www.odessacc.com |
| Ratliff Ranch Golf Links | 432-550-8181 | 7500 N. Grandview | Odessa | 79762 | www.ratliffranchgolfodessa.com |
| Sunset Country Club | 432-366-1061 | 9301 Andrews Hwy. | Odessa | 79765 | |
| Reeves County Golf Course | 432-447-2858 | 88 Starley Dr. | Pecos | 79772 | |
| Loma Paloma Golf Course | 432-229-2992 | Hwy. 170 E. | Presidio | 79845 | |
| Big Bend Resort Golf Course | 432-371-2218 | Hwy. 118 at FM 170 | Terlingua | 79852 | |
| Mountain View Golf Course | 432-283-2628 | 1000 S. Golf Course Dr. | Van Horn | 79855 |
Don’t miss these other great attractions!
Abilene
The Grace Museum
(325) 673-4587
thegracemuseum.org
Amarillo
American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame and Museum
(806) 376-5181
www.aqha.com
Historic Route 66
www.amarillo66.com
Canyon
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
(806) 488-2227
tpwd.texas.gov/stateparks/palo-duro-canyon
Lubbock
Buddy Holly Center
(806) 775-3560
www.buddyhollycenter.org
Museum of Texas Tech University
(806) 742-2490
www.depts.ttu.edu/museumttu
San Angelo
Fort Concho National Historic Landmark
(325) 481-2646
www.fortconcho.com
San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts
(325) 653-3333
www.samfa.org
Wichita Falls
Castaway Cove Waterpark
(940) 322-5500
www.castawaycovewaterpark.com
Wichita Falls Waterfall Hike and Bike Trails
wichitafalls.org/directory/city-of-wichita-falls-hikebike-trail