Lions Municipal Golf Course

This will be one of my shorter reviews and not so overly detailed. The tee boxes were in rough shape. They're getting so much play -- have been for the last (COVID-19) year. But how exactly does a par-5 box get so beat up? Are y'all not hitting drivers off of a tee? Of course, the boxes are almost always like this. Much more and the course might have to consider putting in mats to hit off of. Or maybe they could have them part grass and part mat so that it'd be a hybrid (pun intended). The fairways were in nice shape. They're still on the harder side, but they'll always be that way. Some bunkers were just fine while at least one had way too many rocks in it. The greens were quite good. On this outing (and most) they were slow and receptive. But they weren't too hard as I actually had to repair several ball marks for a change. All water hazards had lots of pond scum as always ... makes it impossible to retrieve one with a get-r-outer (for those that carry and call it that like my playing partner this day). That's really about it. It's spring in Austin so it's a good time to play Lions. The heat will be here soon enough.

The City of Austin announced the opening of its municipal golf courses on April 15th. I played Lions on the 16th and found an operation trying very hard to do all the right things and keep a safe environment for golfers looking to get outside and away from the computer.

First of all, the greens are in great shape and they've been working on the course when it was closed. It's a great experience! Just note the following rules:

You must book online in advance and then you pay with credit card at the window.

There are no golf carts or push carts to rent.

They took out the water coolers so bring plenty, especially as it gets hotter.

Flags must be left in and there are pool noodles at the bottom.

YOU MUST WEAR A FACEMASK around the clubhouse and common areas. The staff will call you out on the intercom if you take it off.

The range is closed and there are no holes in the practice greens.

Lastly, don't be an idiot and stand close to your partners. Even if you're related, people who drive by and see golfers too close to one another end up complaining to local news outlets and government officials. It's happened in other cities and states and caused courses to close.

Do all this and you'll have a great time. I expect conditions will be as good as ever if they don't allow golf carts on the grass for an extended period of time.

Thanks to the staff at Muny for doing all the right things.

Got in and out in 3.5 hours which is rare at this place. Always a classic - take it for what it is. A lot of tight lies, hard ground and some rocks around, but overall good shape for a muny. greens were in good shape but pretty slow

Totally dried out. No grass in fsirway or rough. Greens were better. Course needs help.

Greens are in good condition, but this is the worst of all the Austin muni courses

For a last minute Sunday tee time booking I was pleasantly surprised by the condition of the course. The greens were a touch slow for my liking but they were in great shape. There were some rough patches in the fairways but nothing too bad. Overall a nice round of golf.

Course was in fair condition but allowing of groups of 6 golfers slowed down the round tremendously

Horrible Greens they were sandy/seeding the greens when i went.

Pace was great! No one on the course in front of us. Probably because the greens were in bad shape and some were heavily sanded. It would be nice to get better prices when the course is not up to the normal conditions.

The course is in great shape. This is an Austin Parks and Recreation course. Aka "Muni track". I am impressed by the city's commitment to the course. This was the case not so long ago. I hope UT will let them renew their lease. It would be a shame to lose this Austin "icon" for more downtown apartments, condos, or whatever. I have plans to play it more often after today. I was striping the ball on the back nine for a 43-year-old man, or any man for that matter. "Grip it and rip it." Tin Cup.

Unbearably Slow play....always.....every time I play here is slow.....today it was 5 your round. I'm done. Can't go back.....

Greens had been recently sanded - we were not told at check in and no discount was offered for the round.

We had a 7:12am tee time and it was hot all morning. NO WATER WAS PUT OUT ON THE COURSE until 10am. This course only has Igloo Coolers for water and nobody. brought them out until we were on the 12th tee.

That is completely unacceptable to not offer players water on the course when it's 90 degree plus.

HUGE FAIL.

Nice morning round. Everything great except they didn’t cut the greens , so very rough and tagged, bumpy and broken cup lips from the last day - or two days?

Great day of golf! Beautiful old course, well maintained and groomed. Friendly staff.

Fairways and tee boxes were good. Greens were a little slow but they rolled true.

Due to its location near the heart of Austin and the tradition (or whatnot) of playing Lions, this course sees a lot of action! I remember playing here a few years ago for $20 on GolfNow. Now it's more like $35-40 during the same middle/heat of summer. No sense offering lower rates if players are willing to pay more. Note, check out and ask for the special "GolfATX rates" as applicable. For this outing, I ended up shooting a new record low score ... in spite of some of the course conditions. The tee boxes are all quite chewed up; lots of play. I don't think it'd be possible for the staff to move the tee markers around enough to prevent it. The fairways were okay -- hard pan as always ... don't expect big divots. And many of the greens were a bit thin and showed signs of fungus issues. It's a regular problem here; always has been. And there are several areas under some of the trees that are becoming more and more dirt/sand over the years. Obviously basically impossible for grass to grow there but it just seems to be getting a little worse. She's showing her age. Money won't be put into this course until its fate has been decided by the powers that be. And even then the city may not have any funds allocated for any significant renovation. It is what it is. Still, I love this course. It has some challenging holes and yet I know where to hit on every hole. If only I could make that happen. :) Of course, I have shot two (2) of my lowest rounds all-time on this course. I can't complain too much. And finally, if you want to know a little local knowledge about each and every hole, then check out my first review of this course here:
https://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/2750-lions-municipal-golf-course?reviewId=22510417