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Rating Index Rating
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3.5
649 Reviews (649)
5 Stars
116
4 Stars
286
3 Stars
153
2 Stars
53
1 Stars
41
Conditions
3.1
Value
4.1
Layout
4.1
Friendliness
4.4
Pace
4.0
Amenities
3.4
73.6%
Recommend this course
519 out of 649 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.4
21 Reviews (21)
5 Stars
4
4 Stars
6
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
4
1 Stars
1
Conditions
2.9
Value
4.0
Layout
4.2
Pace
3.9
Amenities
3.4
StaffFriendliness
4.3
57.1%
Recommend this course
12 out of 21 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.5
54 Reviews (54)
5 Stars
10
4 Stars
18
3 Stars
16
2 Stars
7
1 Stars
3
Conditions
3.1
Value
4.2
Layout
4.1
Pace
4.1
Amenities
3.5
StaffFriendliness
4.5
68.5%
Recommend this course
37 out of 54 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Bayou Golf Course delivers outstanding value, consistently praised as the best bang for your buck in the Houston-Galveston area. Exceptionally friendly staff and a water-protected layout that challenges golfers of all skill levels keep players coming back.

About

Holes 18
Type Public/Municipal
Par 72
Length 6665 yards
Slope 114
Rating 71.0

Joe Finger laid the Bayou out in the 1970s. The links-style course he carved out of the 200 acres along Moses Bayou has plenty of water and elevated tees and greens. The Galveston Bay winds affect this open course, so the 6,665-yard, par 72 plays significantly longer. Every par 5 is over 500 yards, and four of the par 4s are over 400 yards.

On the front, the long par 4 No. 6 is tough because the approach must carry the bayou to a tiny green. And No. 10 involves a lake off the tee and on the approach.

The back is what really tears into the soul of a golfer, though, presenting a 580-yard double dogleg on No. 15 followed just a short while later by the ridiculous 475-yard par 4 17th. This hole is lined on the left by old Moses, and water hazards creep into the fairway. The inevitably long approach goes into an elevated green guarded by water.

Getting there : From Hwy. 146 south, turn right on Loop 197, and head over to Ted Dudley Dr. Turn right, and the course is on the right side of the street.

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Bayou Golf Course
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Course Details

Year Built 1974
Greens Mini-Verde Ultra Dwarf Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Joe Finger (1974) Mike Nuzzo (2014)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted Visa, MasterCard, Discover
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Fivesomes Allowed Yes
Dress code Proper golf attire required. Collar shirts with sleeves must be worn.

Food & Beverage

Snacks

Available Facilities

Clubhouse
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Reviews

3.5
649 Reviews (649)

What Golfers Are Saying

Course Challenges Include:
Water Hazards 9
Bunkers 7
Undulating Greens 6
This course/club is great for:
Locals 7

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
First Time Playing

The back 9 was ok but the front 9 is in terrible shape. Half the fairways on the front are just mud.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

First timer

Had a really good time

Good layout. Tough greens, played longer than expected. But had a really good time

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 25+
Skill Beginner
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Decent course for your money

We played this course a few times for 4 years. We have gone when the course has good days, and we have gone when it is bad. It has nothing to do with the staff nor the course in general, it has to do with the rain and/or storm surges. A bayou runs the length of the course from the north side, and this drains into Galveston Bay. If there are any storms in the area, there is a possibility of water being on the front 9 of the course. It is playable, but makes the fairways that much smaller. Overall, if you choose a time where there is minimal amount of rain, the course is perfect.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Confused

The staff was not friendly. The front nine was a mud pit. The greens were terrible. Nothing good about the front nine. The back no was like a completely different course. The cart paths were asphalt, the fairways were nice, and the greens were decent.

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Slow

We got behind three young kids and waited over ten minutes between shots. Miserable

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Fun

Good course, some rough spots that need to grow out on a few holes. Enjoyed the holes with water, Staff friendly.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Improved Conditions

Course condition is much better than thae last few times we've played it. Maybe because of rain, partly because of maintenance. Not a pristine course, but it's a great value! Pace of play was great. Played 18 and did not wait on a single hole!

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Decent Course… needs some work.

This could be a great course with some work on the front 9. The back 9 are in wonderful shape and were laid out well.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Anonymous
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Enjoy my time at Bayou

The course is my go to spot as I live in the area. I enjoy the challenge and the proximity to my home.

The course is on cart path at certain times due to rain and very high tides but the staff work deliberately to make it known. All and all I enjoy my time there.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Response from on 03/06/2026:
We truly appreciate the five-star rating! It’s great to hear you enjoyed your visit — we’ll keep working hard to make every experience just as memorable.
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 15
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
First Time Playing
Cold weather
Used cart
Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Great day for golf

The course is in much better shape than the last time I played here. Fairways were in pretty good shape. Greens were really fast and for the most part rolled true. The staff has always been great from the first time I played there (1978).

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
2.0
Previously Played
Conditions Poor
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
3.0
First Time Playing

No enough golf cars

The golf course is nice, and the staff is friendly. The only downside is that there are not enough golf cars to go around. We have to wait 40 minutes past our scheduled tee time. The same goes for other groups, and many decide to walk the course.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

No better value in houston

If you don't know about this course, and based on the conversations I've had with people, most don't, it is the best bang for your buck in Houston. Its 30 bucks most days, you can find a 15 dollar hot deal, and you get much more than your money's worth. Seriously if you haven't been down there, check it out. It's the course I use to surprise my friends.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Best atmisoher and value for golf levels.

This course is a wonderful place to learn and play golf. The friendly atmosphere makes the game much more enjoyable. The staff is exceptionally nice and polite, making you feel welcome every time you visit. Additionally, the tee times are very affordable, allowing for frequent play. Overall, it's a fantastic spot to golf and have a great time.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 52
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Previously Played

Players

We had 3 players behind in a hurry to . One player left that and the other 2 decided , without asking, to play through .

Words exchanged and we reported it to the staff , who did nothing .

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Response from on 11/17/2025:
Sorry to hear about your experience. We’re looking into what went wrong and will be addressing it with our team. Thank you for helping us grow through your feedback.
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