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: 68.3/110 W: 74.1/130 | 359 | 495 | 393 | 155 | 375 | 367 | 157 | 467 | 312 | 3080 | 287 | 320 | 493 | 146 | 509 | 128 | 395 | 166 | 301 | 2745 | 5825 |
| White M: 65.7/103 W: 70.1/118 | 338 | 477 | 366 | 140 | 308 | 339 | 144 | 449 | 297 | 2858 | 272 | 305 | 434 | 115 | 489 | 105 | 380 | 151 | 280 | 2531 | 5389 |
| Red M: 62.5/97 W: 66.0/109 | 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 |
Hot Deals at Lions Municipal Golf Course
1-4
No Hot Deals for this date.
No Hot Deals for this date.
No Hot Deals for this date.
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
Stuck in a Rut
Lions was once one of my favorite courses. But it has not improved in any aspect in 30 years and in some has gone downhill. The greens still have the original grainy, uneven natural Bermuda, while most courses have gone to more modern strains of grass. Rocky, uneven rough reaches into fairways. Weeds go unchecked. Water hazards are ugly. And the fact is, compared to well-designed modern courses it has a quirky layout. The owners keep threatening to convert it to condominiums, so it's been on life-support for years and no one wants to spend the money to bring it into the 21st century. It's like an aging movie star who still wants to be paid top dollar. But there are other, better golf options in Austin now.
sweet
The greens were in excellent condition but the played slow. The fairways in general were excellent as well.
A True Austin Landmark
Lions Municipal is a truly historic landmark and should stand for all time as a staple for all our lives. Let’s do what is necessary to maintain the first integrated golf establishment South if the Mason-Dixon Line!
Hot Day at Old Muny
I’ve played this Course for 20+ years, it was a hot one 108+ but we played in 2.5 hrs. Fairways are good, greens are surviving. Old Muny has still got it
Classic Course
This course no matter what the conditions are is always fun to play. Payed 25 to start at 4:50 and got all 18 in no problem. Love this place.
Golf
Lions is a sweet course. I've played here a bunch of times in my five years living in Austin. I was in the golf business for a long time before I moved to Austin, and Lions does as much as they can with the resources they have. That being said, as far as Golfnow is concerned I feel as though I got jipped because they charged $10.00 more than the rate at Lions and I was stuck paying that extra amount. They should not be allowed to overcharge because the whole business model is to get you "the lowest price available". Not happy about that. Call me cheap, but I am a full-time med student now and need every penny I can save.
Fun to think of the course history while playing
Lions is always a bit challenging for me. A few holes just psych me out, so it's good to come back and try to do well.
I like the course layout, with its angles and hazards. It's a nice blend of straightforward holes and slightly trickier ones. Some holes tempt you to "go for it" when a smarter lay-up strategy might actually work better.
The greens were in nice shape and could be quick with subtle slopes on some of the greens. The fairways were tight (typical Texas turf), but the rough is rocky or bare ground; as always, fairway accuracy is rewarded.
The clubhouse is nice, the staff helpful and friendly enough. The snack bar is good. The range is minimal.
There's a lot of history here. Check out http://www.savemuny.com/legends-of-lions.html
Greens and Pace
Though I did have a good time playing with a cool dude, the pace has been killing me. Four groups waiting for the fifth group in front to get going. Clean the green please.
Course Needs Lots of Improvement
Longest round of golf I've ever played. Poor conditions. Dirty old cart. You can tell the place is run by city government employees!
Greens way too slow
Have not played Lions in about 10 years. Greens are super slow. Not nearly in as good of shape as Jimmy Clay or Roy Kizer. The holes are short. No need to hit driver very often. Easy layout for higher handcapper or someone who likes slow greens.
Lions is in good shape!
The greens were faster than the last three times I've played Lions, and pace of play was 4hr for a foursome. A great round overall!
JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa Stay & Play Package
By top dollar I meant they are charging about as much to play Lions as Roy Kizer, a much better and better maintained course. Why not maintain Lions as they do Kizer.? The reason is they don't want to spend the money to do so. Well, if they don't they should charge significantly less.
I agree the greens are grainy and could use a resurfacing and also be enlarged. Only line i take issue with is that it's looking to be paid "top dollar." I paid $21 last week to play it. I hope the owners (The University of friggin' Texas) realize they have a priceless piece of parkland and let their distinguished alum Ben Crenshaw restore it to glory.