LAKECLIFF COUNTRY CLUB
Best Kept Secret of all
Austin, Texas Golf Vacations

Saw lots of deer when I played at Lakecliff. Photo/shareski

My husband and I have been a guest of a guest here twice. Played the course and fell in love. Absolutely would be a Top Five Personal Favorite Austin Golf Course Pick if they offered daily fee use -- but they don't. Membership or Play & Stay only.

With Play & Stay, you stay in a three bedroom villa or a two bedroom cottage, both overlooking the course. This has to be one the greatest Texas golf vacations available.

Right in the heart of the Hill Country, Spicewood is 35 miles west of downtown Austin. Lakecliff Golf Course was designed by Arnold Palmer and opened in 2003. Par 71 – 6,750 yards from the tips with a rating of 72.2.

Palmer affectionately dubbed this course his STAR OF TEXAS. It is. I think Arnie was trying to design a course that had all the elements of why we play the game.

First, the course is immaculately maintained. The scenery is a breathtaking combination of man made lakes, waterfall and rolling hills that carve through natural rock cliffs and gorgeous ravines descending to Lake Travis below. A real enchantress. Seductive, one of the most intelligent designs in Central Texas.

Water hazards, doglegs, blind shots and bunker protected greens offer a good and fair challenge level.

Fairways are fairly wide and green size varies. Overall the variety on the holes are excellent.

You can't be a hack here. Many of the holes require accuracy and course management to avoid what seems like an over abundance of soft fluffy sand traps. There are five par 3s and I didn't come close on any. Very deceptive. Get to the green in two and two to three puts to sink it.

WARNING – greens are very fast and hard. The slope is subtle and deceptive.

There's a great practice area and the staff is genuinely, down-home helpful and friendly.

My only caveat with Lakeside is you have to stay as a guest for a two day minimum at $300 plus per day. Then pay the green and cart fee as well.

This place is expensive for my budget. You can certainly golf Austin for less money at several courses.

That said, Lakecliff is almost like having your own personal golf course. We saw two other parties the seven or so hours we were on the course.

Different than any golf resort I've been to. Lakecliff is not really a resort but the elite of Austin, Texas golf vacations. Spend two or three days here and your battery will recharge. You are in the country and how sweet it is.

AUSTIN TRAVEL TIP: Eat at Backstage Steakhouse and get the porterhouse. It melts in your mouth. Backstage Steakhouse is about 10 miles east of Spicewood on Hwy. 71. Open at 4 or 5 pm, (512) 264-2223; www.backstagesteakhouseaustin.com.

Lakecliff Country Club
1700 Kahala Sunset Dr.
Spicewood, TX 78669
(888) 798-0695; www.lakecliff.net

RESERVATIONS: To book Lakecliff Golf Villa or Lakecliff Cottage #2100 (both give you course use with additional fee) call (512) 264-3422 or www.laketravisvacationrentals.com.

LOCATED: Thirty-eight miles west of downtown Austin.

From Austin take Bee Caves Rd. (FM 2244) west to Hwy. 71. Go west on Hwy. 71 for approximately 13 miles. Turn right on Paleface Ranch Rd. and go north for 3.6 miles to the three way stop. Follow Haynie Flat Rd. east for 1.8 miles and turn left at second guard gate. Pass through the guard gate and take the first right, go to the end of the street. The Racquet Club will be on your left. At the end of the street, turn right for golf or left for tennis. Parking is available at the golf clubhouse or Racquet Club.

FEES: Inquire when you make reservations.

GOLF COURSE & FACILITIES: 18 holes – 6,657 yards - par 71

Practice facility has three tee lines at opposite ends of the range, an area of uneven lies, a wedge system target area, two huge putting and short game greens, and three bunkers.

RESTAURANT/BAR: Clubhouse and pro shop.

MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSES :: Jimmy Clay :: Hancock :: Roy Kizer :: Lions :: Morris Williams

DAILY FEE / PUBLIC GOLF COURSES :: Avery Ranch :: Blackhawk :: Bluebonnet Hill :: Falconhead :: Forest Creek :: Grey Rock :: Harvey Penick :: Riverside :: ShadowGlen :: Teravista

GOLF RESORTS :: Barton Creek Crenshaw :: Barton Creek Fazio Canyons :: Barton Creek Fazio Foothills :: Barton Creek Palmer Cliffside :: Horseshoe Bay Apple Rock :: Horseshoe Bay Ram Rock :: Horseshoe Bay Slick Rock :: Horseshoe Bay Whitewater Putting Course :: Hyatt Lost Pines Wolfdancer

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