South Padre Island Golf Club - 18 Holes Course
About
This southernmost course in Texas, despite its name, is actually situated on the mainland in Port Isabel. Architects Chris Cole and Stephen Caplinger carved an outstanding layout out of the wild native Gulf coast vegetation, with several holes bordering the Laguna Madre. The club has hosted the Texas Senior Open and the South Texas PGA Southern Championship since its opening in 1997.
The design features wide fairways bordered by native yucca, mesquite, and cactus, and the windy conditions often make it challenging to keep it in the fairway. Errant shots will be lost for sure. Others that fail to find the fairway will bury in waste areas and deep rough.
For the most part, the longer holes seem to play more downwind, while the shorter ones play into the wind. The large greens are of championship quality. Three of them are multi-tiered.
No. 5 is the feature hole, a picturesque, 335-yard, par 4 with a tee shot that must carry the Laguna Madre into a sharp dogleg-right fairway. On the back, No. 11 is unique because of the giant mesquite tree that dominates the middle of the fairway. Hole 12 can be interesting: it's a short par 3 that is completely surrounded by water.
The facility has plans for slow expansion based on how quickly the residential lots are developed. A second 18-hole course is under construction, with three holes complete. Designed by Chris Cole and Jeff Potts, this layout will feature only par 3 and par 4 holes and play to 5,400 yards.
Getting there : The club is on Hwy 100 before you cross over the causeway onto the island of South Padre. Turn right on FM 520 and continue for 2.5 miles to the course.
Course Details
Rentals & Services
Practice & Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
Available Facilities
Golfer Photos
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Photo submitted by Apmagic on 08/08/2025
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Photo submitted by Apmagic on 08/08/2025
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Photo submitted by u314162228744 on 07/20/2025
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Photo submitted by Jakeorod on 04/20/2025
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Photo submitted by Sunburntgolfer79 on 03/21/2025
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Photo submitted by u000005322002 on 04/13/2023
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Photo submitted by u000005322002 on 04/13/2023
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A birdie! Photo submitted by u314163725067 on 03/01/2023
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Par 3 Photo submitted by Myaranda on 11/10/2019
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SPI golf club Photo submitted by vanessahersh on 06/09/2013
Golfer Reviews
Disappointing
Very expensive for poorly maintained course in let's say not a wealthy area
Overpriced for shape it was in
Sand traps are mud as they had so much rain
People we were paired up with said it used to be in better shape but traps have always been bad
Love to Golf
Under new management. I believe they are trying to get it back to the way it was. I feel the course should be in better shape for being in a resort area. I enjoy playing there and will continue. Great layout just needs some TLC.
Good time!
My husband and I play here every Christmas week while we are on the island. We played 3,times this past holiday and had a fantastic time. The back nine is easier because the wind isn't so bad, but the front nine is laid out better with great views of the bay! Good value for the money. Remember to bring your bug spray, lots of misquitoes!
Disappointed
I have to say that this golf course is the most disappointing place I have ever played, ever. I struggle even calling it a golf course, and I am typically not too tough of a judge. Paying more than $10 to play at SPI, would mean you significantly over paid. Bad tee boxes, bad fairways, weeds only rough, sand traps that are either very (very) hard pan, empty or have rocks in them and greens that bump in every possible direction. That said, the satff was very friendly and pleasant to visit with and should be commended for keeping a good attitude when the course is so bad.
This golf course is very fun to play...challenging too!!
The golf course is in good shape, except for the greens. They have been rough for quite some time now. The Rio Grande Valley has experienced quite a bit of rain for the last month or so and the golf course should sure benefit from that.
Looks like they aerated the greens recently, so the staff is trying to do the right thing, but it seems that they're having alot of trouble with their greens lately. I would still go play the course just be ready for not very good greens. Hopefully, this condition doesn't last forever. It's a very beautiful course otherwise and is a "must play" if your in the area.
This course has great POTENTIAL
Marshall's and members are RUDE! There is absolutely no sand in any of the traps. The fairways and greens are extremely dry. Every green plays differently. The snake signs seem to be untrue. For the past 5+ years we have NEVER SEEN a snake. They need to put less attention in their signage and advertising and more into the maintenance. Overall I gave a B-.
Fairways need work, but greens were great
Very challenging course for any handicapper. The fairways were pretty dry but rain has been scarce. Greens were fast and balls were holding when hit correctly. All the signs "beware of snakes" had me a little on edge.
Course needs attention
The course has a lot of potential but it is in bad shape at this time. Sand traps lack of sand and fairways lack of grass. Greens and tee boxes are ok but could be better.
Great Course
It's an amazing course for a relaxing 18 holes with friends/clients. I will definitely go again and recommend it to another. Not to mention, the amazing view of South Padre Island from several greens.
Course could be great
Course used to be real nice - average now. Needs water, and if you are going to have traps, there should be a little sand in them. Try to play after it rains
excellent golf course.....
great group golf experience, very challenging course.
This course needs attention
Course was in mediocre shape at best. Greens weren't watered and were lightning fast, but approach to greens were over watered on most holes and muddy for poor approach shots. Price was fair for the shape the course was in but wouldn't pay full price. Pretty close to South Padre so it worked out nicely. We have nicer munipal courses back home.
Nice ocean view course in South Texas
This course has great views of the Bay and South Padre Island. The topography presents an interesting challenge given that this course is set right along the bayside of the Gulf of Mexico. The greens are in pretty good shape; however, I must say, the fairways and tee boxes have definitely been in much better condition in the past. Unfortunately, it is quite noticeable that this course has paid a severe price for the systemic drought conditions in South Texas. With that being said, however, for the price...it was a great time spent on the golf course with my young son.
Need to be a straight shooter
Good course, decent fairways, tough rough, fast greens. Decently maintained for a course in this area. Good place to go to get away from the beach and not drive an hour to the next course.