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Lions Municipal Golf Course
Rating Snapshot
About
Lions upstaged the prestigious sand-greened Austin Country Club when it opened with Bermuda greens in 1923, and has been Austin’s most beloved municipal ever since. Although no one knows for sure who officially designed this short, 6,000-yard classic, it appears that many members of Austin’s golf scene were involved, including Harvey and Tom Penick, and perhaps even the legendary John Bredemus. Either way, the design is famously unique, jammed into an unusually small piece of oak and cedar-covered terrain north of Town Lake. The track features loads of trees, even more doglegs, and some subtleties that have stood the test of time.
Lions’ colorful history is part of what attracts the 100,000-some-odd folks that cram the course every year. Ben Hogan teamed with Harvey Penick here in the 1950s for an exhibition match. He put on a show by stumbling around the first hole as if he’d spent the previous night partaking of drink, only to straighten it out and light up the course, much to the delight of the patrons. The story involves Lion’s No. 16 signature hole, which was No. 7 back then. Hogan was apparently a bit intimidated by the view from the tee. His question “Where’s the fairway?” has been asked many times over the years as hacks prepare to negotiate the blind tee shot on this 381-yard par 4. And while the hole isn’t as difficult today as it was back then, the approach is still testy over the water into a sloping, elevated green.
Getting there : From Mopac south, take the Enfield exit and turn right. Drive up the hill and make a left when you see the entrance to the course.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | 71 | 6001 yards | 69.2 | 114 |
| White | 71 | 5642 yards | 67.3 | 110 |
| White (W) | 71 | 5642 yards | 72.4 | 122 |
| Red | 71 | 4931 yards | 63.1 | 100 |
| Red (W) | 71 | 4931 yards | 67.7 | 113 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue M: 69.8/123 | 359 | 495 | 393 | 155 | 375 | 367 | 157 | 467 | 312 | 3080 | 287 | 320 | 493 | 146 | 509 | 128 | 395 | 166 | 301 | 2745 | 5825 |
| White M: 68.0/118 W: 73.5/125 | 338 | 477 | 366 | 140 | 308 | 339 | 144 | 449 | 297 | 2858 | 272 | 305 | 434 | 115 | 489 | 105 | 380 | 151 | 280 | 2531 | 5389 |
| Red M: 64.9/113 W: 69.3/118 | 330 | 383 | 310 | 125 | 294 | 260 | 131 | 349 | 268 | 2450 | 257 | 238 | 413 | 94 | 387 | 70 | 365 | 126 | 260 | 2210 | 4660 |
| Handicap | 5 | 9 | 3 | 15 | 7 | 1 | 11 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 8 | 4 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 2 | 6 | 18 | |||
| Par | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 35 | 71 |
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Reviews
Reviewer Photos
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Photo submitted by u3752825 on 10/13/2022
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Just had to share this crazy exposed root system of an oak tree on the #9 fairway. Photo submitted by GordonATX on 04/20/2021
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Photo submitted by BrandonTuckerGA on 04/17/2020
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Photo submitted by BrandonTuckerGA on 04/17/2020
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Photo submitted by BrandonTuckerGA on 04/17/2020
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Coyotes are still around the course but rarely seen. Photo submitted by GordonATX on 06/29/2019
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The par-4 11th. Photo submitted by BrandonTuckerGA on 02/22/2017
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The par-4 5th. Photo submitted by BrandonTuckerGA on 02/22/2017
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The par-5 12th hole, which would be reversed under Crenshaw's plan. Photo submitted by BrandonTuckerGA on 02/22/2017
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My favorite hole on the back, the par-4 11th. Photo submitted by BrandonTuckerGA on 02/22/2017
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The first hole, which would be totally different under Crenshaw's plan. Photo submitted by BrandonTuckerGA on 02/22/2017
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My favorite hole on the front, the par-4 6th. Photo submitted by BrandonTuckerGA on 02/22/2017
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The par-3 17th hole over water. Photo submitted by BrandonTuckerGA on 02/09/2016
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Looking back towards the tee box on #17. Photo submitted by GordonATX on 08/11/2013
Good Fun Course
This was my first time playing this course and it exceeded my expectations. The carts were older but in decent working order and the course itself was in great shape. The greens were much better than expected.
Great course with history, too bad it's going away
This was the 3rd anniversary of my first time playing golf and it was here that I started. It is sad that it is going away in 2019. Weather was a little chilly starting out but it got warmer. I set a new record and finished in under 3 hours. First 9 are average dificulty but back 9 are more challenging.
Good urban muny
This classic old municipal course was in its best shape in my experience with the ample Fall rains. It still shows fray around the edges, but perhaps inevitable given the likelihood of its demise at lease expiration.
The greens are muny slow after a rain and take some adjustment. But roll accurately enough to reward a good read.
It can be demanding for a senior, but with the proper mix of white and blue tees can be a challenging course. We played all white tees and would likely adjust next time. Two of the holes on the back nine (12 and 16) are as testing as any in Austin.
Time of play was good, just under 4 hours.
Excellent, Enjoyable Course
This course is a fun place to golf. There are enough obstacles to make the course interesting, but not overly difficult. The greens were well maintained and quite fast. The fairways were well maintained as well.
I booked as a single, and they automatically paired me up with another couple which made it more enjoyable for me. We completed 18 holes in 4 hours.
Solid course
Great value. Fairways and greens in great condition. Firm greens. Would go again fasho.
GREAT COURSE
FIRST TIME TO PLAY THIS COURSE. THE GREENS WERE VERY SLOW BUT THE OVERALL OF THE COURSE MADE UP FOR IT. THIS A MUST PLAY COURSE. PLAY IT NOW WHILE ITS STILL HERE TO PLAY.
Get it while u can
This course will be closed in two years so play it while u can. It is usually the slowest track in the area do to it also getting the most amount of play. It is a challaging course and the greens are normally in good shape. Good price and covenant location if u live in the downtown Austin area.
Save Muni!
The course is in very good shape this summer, hopefully we get more rain to keep it this way.
If you have never played this course; you need to before it is gone!
august 14th
Played as a single. Got there ahead of my tee time and got paired with some great retirees. Love the pro shop guys.
City of Austin...SAVE THIS COURSE!!
i have played most muny courses in and around Austin, but this one is a real jewel! Reminds me of the parkland courses I grew up playing in Houston and east Texas. Short doesn't mean easy.....the greens have lots of contour that goes unnoticed if you don't play here frequently.. The routing is easy to follow and this course is walker friendly. Pro shop stafff was great and very helpful. Golfers in Austin need to mount a serious effort to stave off the demise of this course in 2019 (condos? seriously?)
This course needs to be saved! In the meantime, I'll be back.
Great Shape
The course is in great shape. Greens and fairways are in good condition.
The course was great and I played well.
Obvious sense of a "men only" club. Old timers feel entitled to be superior to women. The marshal had to call me a man to let me play through. The pro shop was professional and very friendly. Thank you marshal for the assistance to play through. I wish you were there for the next group of men who would not let me play through.
best of all austin municipal courses
I was able to play this great course with minimal number of other players on the course and in only 3hrs, which was awesome. fantastic old school golf layout. Course was very well manicured and greens in good shape. Lions is not that long but will make you pay if you find yourself off of the fairway. i will frequent Lions now, i cant believe i didnt check this one out sooner. Its a must play if your in Austin
Play it while you can
Real gem of course in Austin. Great location. Unfortunately too good for the enveloping morass that plans to consume it shortly. Tight tree-lined fairways. Can't just bomb it anywhere. A bit of water. Fun course. Bit of Austin nostalgia.
Lions
Best I've seen this course in a while! Greens were nice and had good conditions while no slow players were in the way.
Good Day Out
I like this course even though it is sometimes in need of grooming on the greens. Today the course played well, good condition on the fairways and only a few greens were in need of repair. In all, a great day to shoot a 73!
Old Austin golf
Fun for a Sunday afternoon. !
Need better restroom facilities
Fun place to play
I really like this course, will continue to come back to it.
A walk back in time
This course dates back to the 20's and the lay out mirrors those days. It plays to just over 6000 yards which in the early part of the century was par for the course no pun intended. It has a very fair layout which is you bomb 300 regularly will give you a distinct advantage here. The greens are ample size given the period they were installed. Overall very good course for the beginner or Dad and son/daughter play. There is nothing fancy here but that is in keeping with the age of the course. It has aged rather well....
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