The 10 Best Public Golf Courses in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex

Here, then, are the best golf courses open to the public in the Dallas-Fort Worth area:

1. Fields Ranch West
2. Fields Ranch East
3. Old American Golf Club
4. Cowboys Golf Club
5. TPC Las Colinas
6. Texas Rangers Golf Club
7. Texas Star Golf Course
8. Tribute Golf Links
9. Heritage Ranch Golf & Country Club
10. Stevens Park

Welling created the West Course for everyone, not just the best of the best, which is why we have it as the top public golf course in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

Simply put, it’s enjoyable for all levels of players, but still retains its championship pedigree. Playing more than 7,300 yards from the tips, it’s generous off the tee and gets progressively harder as you get closer to the hole, especially on the greens. The putting surfaces are large with lots of tricky slopes that are deceiving thanks to the surrounding terrain. Even low-handicap players will be confounded the first time around. And there are so many options around those greens, including the classic Texas Wedge, because of the closely mowed surrounds and firm conditions.

Most of all, this superbly conditioned course, with its twists and turns and awesome variety of holes, is really interesting. One of the most interesting parts of the course is near the old homestead on the ranch (now a snack shack), where you will find the par-3 fifth, which is only around 100 or 120 yards. It has a wide, but shallow green with a false front and some treacherous bunkering. Too much spin, and the shot will roll off the front; too little, and you can’t hold the green. This piece of real estate also houses the 14th green, and the elevated tee for the drivable-par-4 15th.

If you’re a Dallas Cowboys fan and a golfer, Cowboys Golf Club is heaven. Even if you’re not a fan of the so-called “America’s Team,” the memorabilia and service combined with a really solid Jeffrey Brauer designed championship golf course is an experience to behold. 

In the clubhouse, you can check out replicas of the Pokes’ Lombardi Trophies. Golf carts have former great players’ numbers and names on them, and the golf shop sells all things Cowboys. Green fees these days are north of $200, but it does include unlimited food, like the famous jalapeño smoked sausage at the snack shack on the course.

As for the course, it’s a lot of fun as all Brauer designs are. There’s even a painted blue star in the middle of the fourth fairway.

Another outstanding DFW muni, Texas Star has been a favorite for golfers in the area since it opened in 1997. Designed by Keith Foster, this par-71 course that plays just under 7,000 yards from the tips is both challenging and beautiful. 

Miss the fairways here, and there’s a pretty good chance you won’t find your ball in the thick growth of trees and underbrush that surrounds many of the holes. But the design has great variety and course conditions are superb. 

Highlights include the short par-4 11th, which has a two-tiered fairway separated by fairway bunkers. Golfers will want to pick the side that opens up the green to that day’s pin location.

If you’ve never been to Scotland, here’s your chance to play some real links golf. The first hole and 18th holes at Tribute Golf Links are side-by-side and replicas of the first and 18th at the Old Course at St. Andrews. What that means is that it should be next to impossible to miss the fairway with your opening tee shot, given that you can hit just about as far left as you want.

The older sister course to the aforementioned Old American, Tripp Davis designed this one as a “tribute” to Scottish “Open” courses. The fifth hole, for example, is modeled after the famous short “Postage Stamp Hole” at Royal Troon. Adding to the experience is the 33,000-square foot Scottish-style clubhouse, where you can dine on some traditional Scottish dishes and even stay overnight in a room above the clubhouse, which overlooks the course and Lake Lewisville.

Simply put, this semi-private club is a solid play. Whether you’re a member or a daily fee guest, you get the country club feel at Heritage Ranch Golf & Country Club. Typical of Arthur Hills designs, this par 72 that plays just under 7,000 yards from the tips requires accuracy and course management. 

The course is laid out through rolling topography with some water features, mature hardwoods, and strategic bunkering. The par 3s are particularly impressive, including the 16th, which is 210 yards from the back tees over water.

Heritage Ranch also has outstanding practice facilities, which includes a large grass range, chipping and putting greens, and practice bunkers. You’ll also want to hang around to grab a bite to eat in the Corral Grill, which is open for dinner and has a wide variety of selections on the menu.

Another great municipal, Stevens Park can trace its history back to 1922. This classic layout was designed by Jack Burke Sr., the father of 1956 Masters champion and Champions Golf Club (Houston) founder Jack Burke Jr. 

Colligan Golf Design took the course to a new level in 2001 with a massive renovation that included some new routing, tee boxes, fairways, bunkers, and MiniVerde greens that retained their classic character. 

The course is only 6,000 yards long, but is certainly no pushover. Locals have even referred to it as “Little Augusta,” because of its character and undulating look. Beautiful water features and views of downtown Dallas add to the vibe.

It's a worn out cliche that everything is bigger in Texas, but the DFW Metroplex exemplifies that in every sense, including golf. This top 10 list is just the beginning. There are literally dozens of public courses worth playing in an area that encompasses around 7 million people. The munis — there are three listed in our top 10 — might be the best collection in the country as each suburb and city, it seems, tried to outdo the other.