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Big Bend is a fascinating area filled with beautiful natural desert and mountain ranges. If you happen to be traveling to West Texas, it’s packed with activities, including golf, hiking, birding, horseback riding,regular live music, and of course, Big Bend National Park.
If you’re a golfer, it’s worth playing a round at one of these golf clubs near Big Bend National Park while you’re in the area.
#1: Butterfield Trail Golf Club
You’ll find Butterfield Trail in El Paso, Texas, surrounded by classic, unspoiled Texan landscape of sand dunes and scrub, as well as some of the area’s fauna.
As their website eloquently puts it, Butterfield is “where the old history of the Western frontier meets the new exciting design and economic development plans for the future of El Paso.”
The challenging but beautiful course has received some superb reviews, including:
- Being featured in “Top Ten Courses You Can Play” by Golf Magazine
- Voted one of “America’s Best New Courses” by Golf Digest Magazine
- One of “50 Best New Courses” by Golf Week Magazine
Sneaky, slight slopes and hazards that pop up out of nowhere make this course an exciting one. Don’t get complacent – you may need a ball retriever for the trickier spots, like Deadman’s Hole.
Don’t just take the golf authorities’ word for it – why not take a trip out to Butterfield Trail and see for yourself?
#2: Black Jack’s Crossing
Black Jack’s Crossing has received some glowing reviews from big names like Golfweek Magazine, Dallas Morning News, and Golf Magazine.
If you need an extra reason to play this course, we can give you two!
- Voted #1 Course You Can Play in Texas by The Dallas Morning News
- Voted #1 Course You Can Play in Texas by Golfweek
Designed by Lanny Wadkins, a PGA Championship winner and World Golf Hall of Fame inductee, and situated at the same location as the Longhorn Museum, playing this course is a both physical and cultural experience.
Backed by majestic mountain scenery of Big Bend National Park, choose from a full 18, a 9-hole round, or some relaxed practice at the driving range.
Don’t forget to bring your camera as well as your golf clubs!
#3: Alpine Country Club
Founded in 1947, this 9-hole, semi-public course is open to everyone and is a fun play.
There’s quite some history behind this course. In the 50s, the club was the only place to buy alcohol, making it a popular nightlife spot. The cast of the movie Giant (shot in Marfa) spent free time in the clubhouse.
Known as having some of the best greens in the 70s and 80s, the course remains in prime condition and offers a variety of holes to challenge amateurs and intermediates.
#4: Marfa Municipal Golf Course
If you’ve ever wanted to play the highest golf course in Texas, this is it! The 9-hole, 3265-yard, par-36 course was opened in 1961, and remains a popular choice for golfers.
The altitude makes your drives soar off the tee, but don’t get carried away! Small, sloped greens make each hole challenging.
Other nearby attractions include the Marfa Mystery Lights, Fort Davis, and the McDonald Conservatory.
Conclusion
The National Park isn’t the only attraction Big Bend has to offer. Golfers, there are some great courses near the Park and if you’re looking for a way to pass some time it would be worth getting a round in while you’re there.
