Back
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 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
Food & BeverageAvailable Facilities
Clubhouse
Reviews
Reviewer Photos
-
Photo submitted by u3752825 on 10/13/2022
-
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
-
Photo submitted by BrandonTuckerGA on 04/17/2020
-
Photo submitted by BrandonTuckerGA on 04/17/2020
-
Photo submitted by BrandonTuckerGA on 04/17/2020
-
Coyotes are still around the course but rarely seen. Photo submitted by GordonATX on 06/29/2019
-
The par-4 11th. Photo submitted by BrandonTuckerGA on 02/22/2017
-
The par-4 5th. Photo submitted by BrandonTuckerGA on 02/22/2017
-
The par-5 12th hole, which would be reversed under Crenshaw's plan. Photo submitted by BrandonTuckerGA on 02/22/2017
-
My favorite hole on the back, the par-4 11th. Photo submitted by BrandonTuckerGA on 02/22/2017
-
The first hole, which would be totally different under Crenshaw's plan. Photo submitted by BrandonTuckerGA on 02/22/2017
-
My favorite hole on the front, the par-4 6th. Photo submitted by BrandonTuckerGA on 02/22/2017
-
The par-3 17th hole over water. Photo submitted by BrandonTuckerGA on 02/09/2016
-
Looking back towards the tee box on #17. Photo submitted by GordonATX on 08/11/2013
Always a pleasure!
I've played Lions so many times I can't count them. Always a wonderful round of golf. The course was in great shape as usual!
Lions - Save Muny is worth Saving
Lions is a nice Muny course with a nice layout. It’s a short course with lots of doglegs and blind tee shots, first timers may be challenged to figure out where to place shots to take advantage of the course. Greens are fair, and they’re doing a great job maintaining the fairways (especially in the triple digit temperatures with no rain). I recommend playing this course, but not on a weekend as pace of play can be 5 hours +.
Great old track!
Played the course many times over the years. The greens were in very good shape, which pulls out the essence of this course. Played on a weekday when it was hot, but cruised through with a sub 4 hour round. Really glad to see the old course in good shape during this super hot central Texas summer. Staff is laid back, as you would expect in Austin. Everyone there knows it’s a blessing to play this course right in the middle of our growing city, and that also adds to the enjoyment of the round. Play it! You won’t be disappointed.
Great course
Always enjoy myself at the muni - great people and the course always seems to be in great condition!
Beautiful course, all skill levels
We had a great time, very relaxing, beautiful scenery. Well-kept grounds, and all the kids working there friendly.
Lions Muny
Great little track for all golfers to play. Played worse, played better. This is what a typical municipal golf course is like and I’m glad it’s still around. Stays pretty busy, so don’t expect to finish your round in record time. Just a nice overall golf, enjoyed being out there.
40 odd years later!
The last time I played Lions/Munny I was in my early 30's, today I'm76 and the course is so much better. while the layout is basically the same it is in excellent condition.
it brought back a lot of great memories of Austin.
Fun Muni
I booked this round off a Hot Deal. I'd never played here, so I didn't know what to expect. It's a city municipal course that seems pretty relaxed.
The course is in good shape. The staff seemed pretty friendly. And the club house was better stocked that some other private courses in the area.
I saw the marshall several times in the round. The pace was a little slow at time, but was able to finish a round in just under 4 hours.
I'll definitely play here again.
JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa Stay & Play Package
Horseshoe Bay Resort Stay & Play Package
The La Cantera Resort & Spa Package
