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The Cheapest Public Golf Courses in Texas (2026)

Last updated June 2026 · 8 min read

Texas has over 570 public and municipal golf courses. Most of them are reasonably priced. A handful are genuinely cheap -- under $30 for 18 holes on a weekday. And a few are embarrassingly good for the money.

This guide is for golfers who want to play more without spending more. We looked at green fees, conditions, pace of play, and whether the course is actually worth making a trip for. No sponsored rankings.

The 20 cheapest courses in Texas (by weekday rate)

Weekend rates are typically $5-10 higher. Cart fees add $12-18 on most of these courses.

What makes a public course actually cheap

Green fees are only part of it. A $28 round that runs 5.5 hours isn't cheap when you factor in what your afternoon is worth. Here's what actually makes a course a good deal:

• Pace under 4:15 for 18 on a normal Saturday
• Cart not required on a walkable layout
• Conditions good enough that you're not hunting balls the whole round
• A real practice range (otherwise your warm-up costs extra)

Best value by city

Austin

Lions Muny and Roy Kizer are the two that get recommended the most. Lions has the history (opened 1924) and Kizer has better conditions and more creative holes. Hancock is technically the cheapest but it's 9 holes. If you only play Austin public, Roy Kizer is the move.

Dallas

The city courses get a bad reputation that's only half deserved. Tenison Glen and Cedar Crest are both legitimate rounds. Stevens Park has the best views. Avoid L.B. Houston on weekends unless you have nowhere to be.

San Antonio

The Alamo City Golf Trail is genuinely impressive for a municipal system. Brackenridge is the most famous (oldest in Texas) but Willow Springs has better conditioning. Olmos Basin is the best deal in the system at $28.

Houston

Memorial Park got a full renovation in 2020 and is now genuinely great -- but at $35 it's the most expensive course on this list. For pure value, Gus Wortham and Sharpstown both play faster and cost less. Memorial is worth the extra money a few times a year.

How to pay less than the rack rate

A few options worth knowing about:

• City resident discounts. Most Texas municipal systems give reduced rates to residents. Dallas's city courses are $6-8 cheaper for Dallas residents. San Antonio and Austin have similar programs.
• Twilight rates. Usually kick in around 2-3pm and can cut the green fee by 30-40%. Good if you like afternoon rounds and don't mind finishing in the last light.
• Senior/junior rates. Almost universal at municipal courses. Typically 20-30% off weekday rates.
• TrackPass. A $199/year flat pass covering any Texas public course. Partner courses play free. Out-of-network courses: one reimbursement per month, up to $50, each unique course covered once. If you play 4+ courses a year it pays for itself.

Bottom line

Texas has some of the best-value public golf in the country. The state's municipal systems in Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin are all legitimately good, and the smaller-city courses in places like Abilene and Lubbock are extremely underpriced compared to markets of similar size elsewhere.

If you're playing 10+ rounds a year, the math on a flat-rate pass is straightforward. If you're more casual and only play occasionally, twilight rates and resident discounts at the muni near you are the easiest way to save.