San Saba River Golf Course
About
Carved out of pecan orchard, San Saba River Golf Course is one you don't want to miss when you're within reasonable distance of this quaint little town. More than 600 pecan trees dominate the landscape, helping the course produce more than 30,000 pounds of pecans each year. Unlike other small-town courses, there is nothing easy about a golf round at San Saba. The front nine, built in 1972, is really tight, and anything that strays from the fairway will require imaginative recovery shots from the pecan trees. Most of the par 4s are close to 400 yards, the par 3s play over 170, and the two par 5s are extremely long, including no. 9, which goes 625 yards from the back. San Saba River's back nine, added in 1987, isn't as squeezed by the pecans, but has more water hazards that impact play. This side also has two long par 5s, but there are a few solid birdie chances, especially the 152-yard, par-3 13th.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | 72 | 6904 yards | 72.5 | 119 |
| White | 72 | 6379 yards | 70.5 | 113 |
| Gold | 72 | 5475 yards | 69.5 | 111 |
| Red (W) | 72 | 5246 yards | 69.5 | 110 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue M: 73.2/121 W: 79.4/137 | 399 | 178 | 396 | 412 | 416 | 580 | 174 | 448 | 625 | 3628 | 364 | 152 | 336 | 580 | 366 | 187 | 353 | 400 | 538 | 3276 | 6904 |
| White M: 70.6/118 W: 76.5/130 | 385 | 151 | 375 | 385 | 383 | 510 | 162 | 425 | 575 | 3351 | 347 | 143 | 326 | 534 | 351 | 174 | 339 | 336 | 478 | 3028 | 6379 |
| Gold M: 66.4/108 W: 71.4/120 | 380 | 110 | 275 | 298 | 335 | 485 | 140 | 330 | 500 | 2853 | 330 | 142 | 235 | 470 | 330 | 135 | 250 | 320 | 410 | 2622 | 5475 |
| Red M: 65.3/104 W: 70.1/115 | 275 | 105 | 267 | 290 | 325 | 480 | 132 | 324 | 495 | 2693 | 321 | 133 | 229 | 467 | 326 | 127 | 241 | 314 | 395 | 2553 | 5246 |
| Handicap | 14 | 10 | 16 | 12 | 8 | 6 | 18 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 17 | 15 | 1 | 7 | 13 | 11 | 5 | 3 | |||
| Par | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 36 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 36 | 72 |
Course Details
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Food & BeverageAvailable Facilities
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Golf Advisor: Top Courses in Texas (2024 #5)
Reviews
Reviewer Photos
nice course the only thing that I would change is water at night not during the day
Best Public Course in Texas
The staff is always friendly and helpful. Even though the course had recently been flooded it was in great shape thanks to the maintenance staff. Even with mowers everywhere (that's a good thing) and some fairways still needing cut, the course was excellent as always. Chuck is the best in the business and many others could learn from his style.. Friendly town and I have never encountered a rude golfer on this course.
Nice Find
A little off the beaten path, but worth the drive. Nice course for the price and will definitely be playing there again.
Hidden Gem
Although the area had a tremendous amount of rain the course drained well, the water holes forced accurate shots, the greens received the incoming ball well if enough loft was achieved. A tournament had been played the day before with dozens of extra carts and players. You would have thought there might be considerable ruttage due to a high traffic volume but fairways, greens and tee boxes held up well. I really enjoyed the layout and locals will not tire of playing frequently because of the uniqueness of the pecan trees, water lined fairways cut of the greens and we'll thought out design. I will definitely return on my way back and forth from the Rio Grande Valley of Texas to my home in Missouri.
If you like trees and tight fairways you will love this course
The course was a well-maintained greens good and fast and enjoyed play on the course
Great course
Very fun course! Fairway and greens are in good shape. Love the challenge of hitting between the pecan trees! Only complaint is the sand traps were filled in with rough patches,
The course is could be wonderful.
WE used to be members but since new people took over a few years back, it is the worst course to play on the greens are bad the fairways are bad we don't go very often.
Country Golf
Spent the day in a relaxing country golf atmosphere where you could take your time and enjoy the game!!
Friends
Took 3 friends, had a good time. Course is a little long from back tees but greens were good.
Good course for the money
An older course with a great layout. Plenty of trees and just enough water.
So much potential...
This course has potential to be great. The back 9 is quite nice carved out among the trees. The trees however are quite challenging, as all too often your second shot is blocked out if you are anywhere other than the absolute middle of the fairway...even off the tee box, the trees blocked a few shots.
The greens are wicked fast, too fast to land a chip on even. Nice greens, just very fast. The fairways are not great, hard as a rock, and plenty of dirt spots.
The golf carts are also very old and tired. I had to change my cart halfway though my round, as I was worried my cart would not make it another hole.
Not bad for $16, but I don't think I would pay much more to play this again.
disapointing
I'm a 8 handicap golfer. I first drove to this course in the "winter" and thought the setting was beautiful. The grass looked a little sparse but I figured that's because it's "winter" and when the weather warmed up it would probably be a great place to play. Well, WRONG! The course setting is still beautiful, but don't look down!!!! The fairways are very sparse and basically weeds. The "greens" are a combination of minimal grass and bare dirt - really rough shape where a 3 foot put could go anywhere. We were actually thinking about moving to San Saba, but since I like to play real golf several days a week, that's out! I believe this is a city owned course, and it appears there it no money for maintenance. I guess when you have a captive golf membership with no other nearby choices, you don't have to spend money on the course! Sad.
In a pinch
Not a terrible
Experience. Great place to get away with friends and do some drinking and play golf. Bring everything you want to eat or drink
Great Golf
One of the Hill Countries best courses. Not only great value but great golf as well. Year round rating - well maintained course - watch out on hole 18 - Need to play smart golf on holes 3, 7, 10, 18
Rural gem
I always enjoy making the trek west to play here. One of the rare places I've seen bluebirds, lizards and black squirrels. Small greens really test your short game. Front is relatively open but long. Back is shorter, but thick with pecan trees. Only complaints are dry ball washers and no water on the course. I'll have to bring a cooler when it gets hot. Super friendly staff.
Good course for the money.
Good course to play. Somewhat open on the front, but very tight on the back. One of the best finishing holes in the area.
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