Boot Ranch Golf Club

Boot Ranch brings the five-star heat the minute you arrive on property. The clubhouse facilities perched on a hill are spectacular, overlooking the range and practice park/short course. The course was my favorite of the seven I played on a recent trip through the Texas Hill Country. It's hilly but not cruel with too many uphill shots. Hal Sutton, who doesn't have a ton of courses on his resume, built a winner with just the right mix of water hazards and bunkers. If you ever get the invite, don't miss the chance to play one of best courses - public or private - in the entire state.

Everything I had heard was positive about this course so when I finally got to play this Hal Sutton design, my expectations were high. I was not disappointed. Every hole is interesting, the topography is amazing with lots of elevated tees, and Sutton did a great job with the greens, approaches and bunkers.

The fairways are also generous, so while the golf course is certainly challenging, if you're hitting it reasonably well off the tee, you have a chance. Even on a windy day, I managed to get around the course with some birdie opportunities and plenty of pars.

The whole experience is five-star, from the golf shop to the locker rooms to the course, which has three comfort stations stocked with snacks and beverages.

The coolest part of the course, though, is the signature par -4 10th, which plays over a lake and cascading water. Here you can take a break at the comfort station not only to get refreshments, but there are fishing poles waiting for you on a dock if you want to try to cast a line or two. Add to that Boot Ranch's huge practice park and putting park, and you've got a whole day worth of premium experiences.

Over the years, I'd heard a lot from various folks around Texas about how tough the course at Boot Ranch was. So I was ready to go to battle on the first tee. Low and behold, I was hovering a few over par through the middle of the back nine. A couple sloppy swings and two three-putts coming home kept this 9-hcp from breaking 80.

Turns out, the club embarked on a renovation in 2017 that took out some bunkers, shrunk others and just generally made the course more playable and fun. It makes sense, because the club has really embraced a multi-generational and kid-friendly model.

The par 5s are no slouch and require some thought. Both par 3s on the back nine are brawny. They turned the finishing hole from a long 4 into a gettable but uphill par 5.

The course couldn't be more scenic, deep in the Hill Country, full of long views and elevated tees. The comfort stations are a spectacle, especially the one following the signature 10th hole.

There are a lot of high-end clubs in the US that opened in the mid-2000s and have had to hit the reset button. Boot Ranch appears to be on the right track with their recent efforts. The putting course and practice park are awesome little touches.

The men's locker room is unreal. The stuffed bobcat on the table spooked me when I turned the corner. You've been warned.

My only complaint about the experience is that it's not a routing that is conducive to walking. A cart is virtually required. That aside, this is really among the best experiences you can find in Central Texas.

This is an exclusive private club so I hope you can find a way of playing there. The new Bermuda greens are perfect, rolling like 11. Putts go exactly where you hit them. Brilliant layout. I’m a 6.1 but my host plays the Executive tees. Tell you what, it was still a big challenge. Hard to reach par 5’s in two due to deep waste areas that need to be carried. Fairways generous, greens plenty big and fair. Also, new sand in bunkers are pure and consistent.

This is an exceptional golfing experience.