Lions Municipal Golf Course

It is a great place but it backs up and the pace of play slows down to the point it takes all the fun out of playing so close to down town

For a holiday weeken, very happy with the pace. Course is in good condition for this time of year. Muny should live on!

Wife and I had a great time. Nice course for the money. Tight fairways in spots and lots of trees. Have to think about shot placement. especially on 12 and 16. That aside. had one of my lowest rounds this year. Definitely recommend if you are in Austin area.

Not a long hitters golf course but it does require making good golf shots. Local knowledge of the greens is an advantage and it is always fun to play.

Lions is a nice little course steeped in tradition and history. And because it’s an older course where the next tee box is right near the last green, this is definitely one of the more walk-able courses in town. The driving range probably won’t hold but about 10 folks and isn’t wide nor long. You’ll also be hitting off of mats. Hit a few irons to get loose and then practice pitching and putting on one of the two (2) putting greens.

Embarrassing story -- several years back I hit not one (1), not two (2), but three (3) cars with one (1) shot … off the #1 tee box. Yep, I drilled a low, screaming tee shot hard left into a tree trunk. The ball flew up and back, landing on the roof of one car, then bouncing off the trunk of another, and finally hitting the side of a third car before bouncing to an unknown location in the parking lot. Needless to say, I didn’t bother to look for it. Don’t worry, no cars were damaged. Luckily my brother had teed off before I did as he was laughing too hard to do anything afterwards.

I’ve detailed a little about each hole below, but the main thing you need to remember is that everything will break towards the river (which is parallel to Lake Austin Blvd). Just remember that before each putt you make (on every single green). Now re-read this paragraph and commit it to memory. :)

Hole #1 – Many have tried to cut the trees trying to get on/near the green. Many (most) have subsequently lost their ball in the woods or wherever. Just play it normal by hitting a 180+/- yard shot down the middle. Getting closer to the right side may help for your second shot, but you need to make sure you’re past the trees on the right hand side. I’d much rather be long than short on my tee shot on this hole. Stay in front of the hole on your approach as it really drops off into the woods on the back side of the green.

Hole #2 – This is actually a quite nice, straight par 5. It’s better to be left of center in my opinion … especially if you have a chance to get on in two. Many have flown the fencing down the right hand side and prayed to not hit a car – let’s avoid doing that, shall we!?

Hole #3 – Fairly simple hole. I like to aim just right of center on my drive because there are some rolling hills/bumps on the left side which will most likely send your ball into the tree line (dirt, rocks, roots). Which way does the green break? To the river!

Hole #4 – Fairly good sized green that slopes back to front. Safe play is to aim for the center.

Hole #5 – If hitting straight from the back/blue tees, then don’t go too long or you’ll go through the fairway and into the woods, etc. I play this hole with a driver or 3-wood and go over the trees on the left; look for the gap at the top of the trees. You almost can’t hit it too far to the right – trust me.

Hole #6 – Downhill dogleg right … so don’t go too far to the left or you’ll be under the trees. But definitely avoid the right part of the fairway as that’s where balls go to hide. You can try to go over the trees but I wouldn’t advise it. It’s safer to hit a cut or just a shorter straight shot. This green gives a lot of people problems because it plays tricks on you. It looks like it slopes back to front. Wrong. It actually slopes front to back. Don’t trust your eyes! And the river is behind the green (if applicable to your putt).

Hole #7 – You’ll almost always be hitting into a breeze on this one … especially during the warmer months. Go ahead and take one extra club.

Hole #8 – Hit a good tee shot (preferably right of center) and you may have a chance to go for the green in two on this par 5. If you happen to hit your tee shot way to the right, then you may get to play the ‘second fairway’ down the fence line; I’ve done this a time or two. A large oak used to protect green shots coming in from the right but it was recently cut down – lucky you.

Hole #9 – Try to send it over the trees on the left and you’ll likely be punished (and lose your ball). Hit one too far towards the center/right and you may end up in the bushes/trees on the right. I like to hit my 200yd club so that it ends up just to the left of the large oak tree on the edge of the fairway. Stay in front of the flag on this (somewhat severe) back to front sloping green. At times, I’ve even been known to bump-n-run an iron up the mouth of the green to avoid the protective bunkers.

Hole #10 – Thinking of going for it? Well, it’s your ball to splash in one of the two ponds and not mine. I generally hit a 160yd club and then have a nice wedge in. Stay in front of the flag on this back to front sloping green.

Hole #11 – Take that driver over the left side of the farthest tree on the right. You’ll be hitting straight to the green (that you can’t see).

Hole #12 – Be prepared to meet golfers from hole #14 as they’ll slice them into your fairway (and sometimes vice versa). Can you get on in two? Either way, it’s preferred to be right of center on this fairway as there are some trees on the left that’ll protect the green on your approach shot. This green can be quite the challenge. No matter where the cup is I always seem to be putting downhill to it.

Hole #13 – Nice and easy par 3 with the hole below you and a pond for those topped and/or short shots. If anything, there may be some left to right wind above the tree tops. You may want to play one less club and take a full swing.

Hole #14 – Bombs away! It’s preferred to hit left of center if possible for maximum carry and to take any trees out of play for your second shot. Being one of the closest greens to the river, play for that right to left slope accordingly.

Hole #15 – Uphill par 3 where it’s preferred that you stay in front of the flag on this back to front sloping green.

Hole #16 – Hogan’s Hole. I don’t hate Hogan, but this hole gives me (and many others) fits. And the tee box almost always backs up here. Maybe folks are scared ... or maybe the group in front of them is dealing with their errant shots (because their mental game got in the way). Either way, take this moment to get some water, sit in the shade, and be thankful you're playing golf. Now, you can’t see where your ball is going to land. Therefore, it’s hard to figure out how far to hit it. I’d say hit no more than 240 yards (with carry) because there’s a pond at the bottom. The right side of the fairway is preferred to give you the best chance for the green on your second shot; there are protective trees on the left side. Just like #12, this hole has a challenging green. Bogey is VERY common even for some of the better golfers.

Hole #17 – Here’s a longer par 3 with a big pond and back to front sloping green. I almost always hit an extra club on this one. Maybe I’m a little tired by the last few holes, but a lot of folks think this hole plays longer than the yardage.

Hole #18 – Nothing too crazy on this final hole of your round; they kind of let us off easy. Center or left of center in the fairway is best. Many may try to drive the green. No reason not to try. Trees/woods on the right side are jail – avoid accordingly. The green’s not too tricky but may have a slight break towards the lake (probably towards the 2 o’clock position).

Overall great experience. Slow play but that's expected for a Saturday.

Awesome time had by all. Great conditions, great pace of play, great location.

STAFF: When my buddy and I arrived to check in, we presented our golf now confirmations printouts to Mel. Mel complained to us the price was too low and that he would have a talk with Golf Now. Whatever Mel, we have no control over the price nor do you. After paying for our rounds, we asked Mel about the practice balls that came with the round. Mel complained again saying the deal was incorrect. And again after showing him the printout , Mel honored the practice balls. One would think Mel is the owner, and has everything to lose. Get over yourself Mel ..City of Austin owns the course.

PRACTICE RANGE: This was an afterthought..what a joke. Irons only, no flags or raised hills to aim at. Practice balls were VERY old..most likely water balls at one time.

GOLF CART: the brake didn't work at all. My buddy stuck at stick behind the tire so it wouldn't roll back sounding the roll back alarm.

PACE OF PLAY: Slow. Mel stacked 3-singles behind our foursome. Being nice guys we left them play through. Way to run the counter Mel. Nothing like stopping 3-times to left someone play through.

TEE BOXES: In good shape.. no complaints there

FAIRWAYS: Green considering the drought. However several fairways are mixed w/ different types of grasses. Nothing like at big patch of St. Augestine or Crabgrass to kill your roll. Also, the fairways are very close to one another, not the best conditions for a high handicapper or someone driving down Lake Austin Blvd.

GREENS: Give me a break. More like BROWNS. They were just aerated and sanded and hard as heck,,wouldn't hold a true roll for nothing. Of course Mel or Golf Now failed to mention it.. "Hey we got your money so get out there and good luck"

MARSHALL: At 8:10 pm, we were on the 15th hole, when the Marshall told us to wrap it up. We still had 40 minutes of daylight and finally cooling down somewhat. Who in the heck closes the course w/ 40 minutes left to play and 3-holes to go. Probably Mel that's who "Hey we got your money so get out there and good luck"

Whats the deal on saving this Muny? Sell this dump to the developers and fire Mel.

Playing on a holiday, you can expect for there to be a lot of players on the course. Lion's is well-maintained, and I was pleased with what I got for paying $30. The special also came with a bucket of balls for the range, so be sure to remember that if you book through GolfNow.

Our threesome finished in just over three hours, highly unusual for Lions. Course is in good shape. Fairways are fairly soft for July. Greens are slow compared to other courses in town. I imagine they will cut them close before the Firecracker.

The course is a beautiful course with many trees. Course was in very good condition. Played with some friends and my 9 year old son and saw 4-5 other kids his age playing too. Great opportunity for the kids to play at a discounted rate!

Plan on playing it again soon!

Even though I work at a course an can play for free, I still drive 30 miles to play Muny. My son loves it and it is a course with lots of history and an Austin original. let's save Muny.

A favorite. negotiate trees, a little sand, and a little water. consider a tough little course.

Always wanted to play here, and glad I did. The course is fair, with just a few narrow fairways and enough water to be fun, not frustrating.

Overall, very good. Fairways were a little bare in places, and the greens had a few rough spots.

It is always nice to play Lyons. The front 9 was a little slow as we teed off at 3:50. But the back 9 was a breeze and we finished right at dark. The greens were in very good condition and the course was good overall.

I have never heard any good things about this course. Well I'm here to tell you I had a great time playing it. Yes the fairways are in rock hard shape but the greens are in pretty good shape. The layout is super, The course is old with huge Oak Trees along with the right amount of water in the right spots. I will play this course again and again.

I had a great round. Never felt rushed and this is a busy course. Fairways were a little bare but that is due to the time of year. Great value.

Playing a course like Lion's for $20 is a super value! The course is in decent shape, and the greens are really starting to shape up. They are always challenging. Make sure that you know where the river is located! The staff is always friendly, and goes out of their way to ensure that your round is enjoyable.

The course was fairly unspectacular. Many parallel fairways result in balls rolling back and forth. This course is wide open and does not penalize you for being inaccurate with drives or long-irons. The greens are tough to read and caused me fits.

The pace of play was maddening. We waited on nearly every shot for the front nine and then passed the group in front of us at the turn only to immediately begin waiting on a different group. Be prepared to make a day of it if you go for a round.