Blog / Austin
Austin's 6 Public Golf Courses, Ranked
Last updated June 2026 · 7 min read
Austin has six public golf courses. Two are genuinely great. Two are solid. One is fine for what it is. One is nine holes and you park on the street.
Here's the honest breakdown, in order of how often regular Austin golfers actually choose to play them.
Roy Kizer Golf Course
The most underrated course in Austin. Conditions are consistently the best among the city's public courses, the layout has actual character (water, elevation changes, a few genuinely difficult holes), and the pace is usually manageable. If you're playing one Austin muni this week, Roy Kizer is the call. Tee times book fast on weekends.
Lions Municipal Golf Course
Opened in 1924, Lions Muny is a Texas landmark and one of the oldest public courses in the state. It's walkable, flat, and cheap. The history is real. Conditions are not always great, but that's part of playing a course that's been running for 100 years. Best for golfers who appreciate where they're standing more than they care about manicured greens.
Morris Williams Golf Course
Sits next to the Mueller development in east Austin. Good conditions, a proper practice facility, and a layout that rewards ball-strikers. Often has better availability than Roy Kizer on short notice. The pro shop staff is consistently helpful, which matters more than people admit.
Riverside Golf Course
A workmanlike course that doesn't try too hard. Conditions are average but it plays quick, which counts for a lot. Good option for weekday afternoons when you want to get a round in without thinking too much about it.
Jimmy Clay Golf Course
Jimmy Clay and Roy Kizer sit on the same property in south Austin (Golf Club Drive). Clay is the easier of the two. Decent conditions, straightforward layout. Better for beginners and high handicappers. Kizer is always the better choice if both are available, but Clay is fine.
Hancock Golf Course
Nine holes, $12, you park on the street. It's the cheapest round in Austin and serves a specific purpose: a quick loop near Central Austin when you have an hour and don't want to drive anywhere. Don't expect more than that and you won't be disappointed.
Practical notes before you go
- All Austin city courses require tee times, including Hancock. Book at austintexas.gov or call directly.
- Austin residents get a discount at city courses. If you have an Austin address, it's worth registering.
- Weekend mornings at Roy Kizer and Morris Williams book out fast. Check mid-week if you want prime time slots.
- Practice facilities: Morris Williams has the best range. Lions Muny has a small chipping area. Hancock has nothing.
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