Tee Off at these Beautiful Golf Courses in Central Texas

What better way to spend the dwindling days of summer than with 18 holes on some of Central Texas’s scenic golf courses? The area around Plum Creek features a wide variety of courses to challenge and delight every player, whatever their skill level or taste. Whether it’s to talk business or just to relax and play, these nearby courses will allow you to enjoy the Texas Hill Country at its finest.

Photo courtesy of Grey Rock Golf Club

Grey Rock Golf Club

Just South of Austin, The Grey Rock Golf Club offers world class amenities only 30 minutes away from Plum Creek. With a spacious clubhouse nestled in a grove of live oaks, it’s a picturesque venue, great for relaxing after a round on the course, or for holding an event. The club also boats extensive practice facilities, with a well maintained putting green and driving range. With a friendly staff and a great layout, this course promises a superb golfing experience surrounded by the gorgeous Central Texas scenery.

Photo courtesy of Landa Park Golf Course

Landa Park Golf Course

Landa Park Golf Course in New Braunfels is located adjacent the serene Comal River. Known for being well manicured and maintained, this course also is often visited by local wildlife such as deer and wild turkeys. With a challenging layout and a beautiful setting, this course truly showcases the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country. A great choice for golf outside of the immediate Austin area, the river setting is what truly makes this course stand out.

Photo courtesy of Plum Creek Golf Club

Plum Creek Golf Club

Right here in Plum Creek, the Plum Creek Golf Course offers a high-caliber golf experience just minutes away from home. This Texas-sized course on over 200 acres offers challenging play with unique character in the heart of the Plum Creek community. Seeded to stay green all year round, this course is one of the best in the area and also home to the Texas State Men’s and Women’s golf teams. Designed so that no two fairways touch, and with black tees at a challenging 7100+ yards, Plum Creek offers a distinctive golf experience that all players will enjoy.

Photo courtesy of Clay-Kizer Golf Course

Clay-Kizer Golf Course

As Austin’s largest municipal golf complex, the Clay-Kizer facility offers players 36 holes on two courses in South Austin. These small courses are known for being reasonably priced and well maintained, and suitable for players of all levels. With tree-lined fairways surrounded by Williamson Creek, these courses offer a variety of play at one convenient location. Five sets of tees make the course the right challenge every player. An Austin staple since 1974, these muni courses are a great golf experience at an affordable price.

Photo courtesy of Fazio Foothills at Barton Creek

Fazio Foothills at Barton Creek

One of the most highly rated courses in all of Texas, the Fazio Foothills at Barton Creek offers a stunning experience in the heart of Austin. Known as the hardest of the four Barton Creek courses, nearly every hole of The Foothills boasts fabulous, postcard-worthy views. Though the Fazio Canyons is the signature course at Barton Creek, The Foothills is a local favorite as well. This premiere course features waterfalls and caves and takes advantage of the best of Central Texas’s natural features. It’s a little pricier, but the resort facilities and unforgettable layout are worth it. Ranked first in Golfweek’s 50 Best Resort Courses in the US and also named the Best Resort Course in Texas by Golf Digest, this course is one of Central Texas’s must-plays.

Ways to De-Stress this Holiday Season in Central Texas | Spas, Relaxation and the Out-of-Doors

The holidays are a stressful time of year – with gifts and holiday meals, dealing with the in-laws, and putting up all those Christmas lights and decorations. That’s a lot of pressure.  In the midst – or after – the holiday frenzy, be sure to devote some time to yourself to relax and unwind. You deserve it. And there are a number of places and things to do in and around Kyle to help you de-stress.

In San Marcos, escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life in your own private spa at Sink Creek Day Spa & Retreat. The facility offers a custom four-guest Jacuzzi tucked in the shade of the trees surrounding the spa, a Dry Finnish Sauna, a treatment room with art and antiques, and a cozy library filled with relaxing reads. Sink Creek offers 45-90 minute massages that come with the complimentary use of the facility’s hot tub or sauna, as well as massage packages that can be used multiple times over the course of the year after purchase. The spa also offers facials, paraffin wax hand dips, and spa treatment services such as aromatherapy and hot stones.  They book appointments 7 days and they also offer gift certificates. If you want to make a day of it, Sink Creek also provides a list of their favorite spots in and around San Marcos, so you can eat and have some fun before or after your spa experience.

Further away from Kyle, in Fredericksburg, The Back Forty of Fredericksburg offers 40 acres of serenity, away from anything remotely stressful. The bed and breakfast spa / ranch offers a wide array of services including private breakfasts, massages and facials in their European day spa, an herb garden patio, cozy outdoor fireplaces, fly fishing instruction, and the availability of a boat. Located at the edge of Fredericksburg along Baron’s Creek, the spa and ranch is the perfect place to hide away, amidst the trees, the water and the pastoral animals of the Central Texas Hill Country. The spa offers two or five day stays, with a variety of services and amenities available with each package. And, if you purchase a two-day Christmas gift certificate as a gift for the holidays, you get another one for yourself! Not a bad deal, eh?

Closer to home (and FREE) is Lake Kyle, one of the city’s most serene places to sit down and take a break. Lake Kyle officially opened in the spring of this year, and the first phase of construction was completed in October. These construction updates included the completion of a fishing pier, multiple nooks for fishing from the shoreline, a covered pavilion, an amphitheater, a children’s playscape, picnic tables and the Parks and Recreation department’s official headquarters. Head to the lake early in the morning for some quality bass, catfish or perch fishing, or a stroll along one of the lake’s four nature trails for some peace and quiet in nature. Hundreds of oaks, magnolias, crepe myrtles and sycamores have been planted around the lake, and each of the nature trails offer the perfect showcase of the lake’s surroundings, from the nature preserve, to the dam, to the north shore’s fishing nooks and the wildflower meadow. This winter, Lake Kyle is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, so take a moment away from the holiday buzz to clear your mind and enjoy the natural beauty we have here in town.

For those with half an hour or less to spare in between gift wrap and preparing the turkey, Plum Creek’s own fishing lake and hike and bike trails offer a quick and convenient reprieve from the stress, just beyond your doorstep. Also within the development is the Plum Creek Golf Course, which offers 200 acres of beautiful Texas Hill Country terrain for your golf game. Or, you could always crack open a bottle of wine and sit on your front porch to watch the sun set and enjoy some peace and quiet this holiday season.

See Y’all at the Watering Hole

The rain has passed and heat is back on. Now, the question that lingers on everyone’s mind is, “Where can I cool off and not have to swim in a sea of humanity?” It’s when the question gets stuck in the minds of those 12 and under that you’ve got a code red. If you want to avoid the relentless, “Can you take us to Mount Splashmore?” start taking notes.

Hamilton Pool

(Photo credit: Wild Texas)

Don’t let the drought get you down – Hamilton Pool certainly doesn’t. This creek-fed pool remains full no matter the lack of rain thanks to the never-ending waterfall that hangs above the pool. Make a day of it and take the scenic hour drive northwest through Drippings Springs by way of Farm to Market 150. Hamilton Pool is under a strict 75-person limit so if you arrive early enough and claim your spot, you know you don’t have to compete for space to dunk, play, swim and canon ball. Word to the wise: call ahead and ensure the park is open before hitting the road. Got a pen? The number is (512) 264-2740.

Wimberley’s Blue Hole

(Photo credit: Wimberley Visitor Center)

If you’ve been through Wimberley, you know it’s a special place. The town that works to keep big box chains outside city limits is the same town that works to keep their swimming spots pristine and enjoyable for all. Texas Monthly named Wimberley’s Blue Hole the second-best swimming spot in Texas in August 2008. In 2012, Travel & Leisure named it one of the top 12 swimming spots in the entire nation. Are we beginning to paint a picture? Even for an admission price of $7 for adults, Wimberley’s Blue Hole is worth every penny. Pack for an afternoon picnic on the spacious grass, stock up on the sunscreen and head the half hour east.

San Marcos River

(Photo credit: Trip Advisor)

If you want to stick closer to home, you’re in luck. Just 15 minutes down the road, the San Marcos River offers a full day of water recreation, however you like it. Weekdays are best for this trip; since the river is free and open to the public, expect a bit more of a crowd. However, it doesn’t mean the experience is diminished. Enjoy tubing, swimming, picnicking and all forms of summer fun at most any access point. The San Marcos River is the perfect spot to get a quick dip and be home by dinner.

For the best way to beat the heat that doesn’t involve succumbing to another day indoors, grab your swimsuit and head to one of our nearby swimming spots. Let us know where you are; tweet us a picture of your good times in the sun!

When the Great Outdoors are Calling Your Name

When the great outdoors starts calling your name, you know you have to pack up the car and head to wide open spaces. The Texas Hill Country is rife with opportunities to hike, bike, fish, float and camp. Before the high heat is upon us, be sure to catch a weekend or two at a nearby camping spot. Not sure where to go? We’ve picked the tops spots for Plum Creekers to pitch a tent, sing a round of Kumbaya and get away from it all.

Bastrop State Park

The devastating wildfires that swept through Bastrop in September of 2011 caused severe damage to over 95% of Bastrop State Park. After a period of recovery, the park is once again open to the public and Central Texans are stoked. Camp grounds are filled with nature lovers and newbies exploring the park’s 5,926 acres of pine trees, trails, lakes and historic sites. Night hikes, frog and toad watches, fishing lessons and more keep visitors busy and entertained. Even a solar eclipse viewing party was hosted this past weekend (mark your calendars for 2024). Just 50 miles northeast of Kyle, Bastrop State Park is far enough to feel like a change of scenery yet close enough to reach within an hour.

Pedernales Falls State Park

Johnson City’s majestic Pedernales River, flowing 40 miles northwest of Kyle, sets the tone for Pedernales Falls State Park. All kinds of outdoor activities are open to visitors, including camping, fishing, swimming, canoeing, bird watching, and picnicking. Experienced horseback riders can explore the 10-mile equestrian trail, but at the moment, the park is strictly B.Y.O.H., or ‘bring your own horse’. Hiking is a well-loved pastime at Pedernales Falls State Park. The 7-mile Wolf Mountain trail leads hikers through some of the most special parts of the park with spectacular vistas. Make sure you pack your camera for this park – it’s almost a felony not to.

Guadalupe River State Park

Hardcore nature lovers and novices can also discover new adventures at Guadalupe River State Park, located just 60 southwest of Kyle, in Spring Branch, Texas. Horse enthusiasts will love the 5.3-mile equestrian trail. The Children’s Discovery Center invites little tykes to explore nature in a hands-on and kid-friendly way. Microscopes, demonstrations and wildlife exhibits allow the inner explorer to emerge – a free backpack filled with tools for exploring can even be checked out for the day! Campers of all ages are also invited to partake in guided tours highlighting the park’s history, wildlife and animal species. Primitive campsites and sites equipped with your modern luxuries can be reserved before heading out.

This weather won’t last much longer so before it gets too hot, dust off your tent, lace up your hiking boots and grab the sunscreen for a few days of frolicking in the pristine Texas Hill Country.

Barton Creek Greenbelt

The Barton Creek Greenbelt is an approximately 8 mile stretch of land reaching from Zilker Park to the City of Westlake.  It is divided up into three sections: Lower Greenbelt, Upper Greenbelt, and Barton Creek Wilderness Park, and is characterized by large limestone cliffs, dense foliage, and shallow bodies of water.  The Greenbelt offers rock climbing and trails for walking, jogging, hiking, or mountain biking.  After periods of significant rainfall, the river fills up and offers swimming, cliff diving, kayaking and tubing.  Cavers can also enjoy Travis County’s longest cave, Airman’s Cave, which measures 2 miles long.

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