Bayou Golf Course
About
Joe Finger laid the Bayou out in the 1970s. The links-style course he carved out of the 200 acres along Moses Bayou has plenty of water and elevated tees and greens. The Galveston Bay winds affect this open course, so the 6,665-yard, par 72 plays significantly longer. Every par 5 is over 500 yards, and four of the par 4s are over 400 yards.
On the front, the long par 4 No. 6 is tough because the approach must carry the bayou to a tiny green. And No. 10 involves a lake off the tee and on the approach.
The back is what really tears into the soul of a golfer, though, presenting a 580-yard double dogleg on No. 15 followed just a short while later by the ridiculous 475-yard par 4 17th. This hole is lined on the left by old Moses, and water hazards creep into the fairway. The inevitably long approach goes into an elevated green guarded by water.
Getting there : From Hwy. 146 south, turn right on Loop 197, and head over to Ted Dudley Dr. Turn right, and the course is on the right side of the street.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | 72 | 6665 yards | 71.0 | 114 |
| White | 72 | 6251 yards | 69.4 | 111 |
| Red (W) | 73 | 5448 yards | 70.0 | 118 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue M: 72.5/123 | 511 | 366 | 414 | 335 | 180 | 414 | 134 | 502 | 412 | 3268 | 481 | 361 | 368 | 164 | 349 | 562 | 191 | 459 | 393 | 3328 | 6596 |
| White M: 70.7/120 W: 75.5/130 | 490 | 352 | 395 | 318 | 167 | 385 | 117 | 487 | 393 | 3104 | 419 | 349 | 355 | 149 | 332 | 506 | 161 | 444 | 333 | 3048 | 6152 |
| Gold M: 68.8/118 W: 73.6/126 | 462 | 310 | 370 | 295 | 150 | 360 | 100 | 460 | 377 | 2884 | 409 | 339 | 345 | 139 | 322 | 477 | 144 | 428 | 313 | 2916 | 5800 |
| Red M: 66.0/113 W: 71.3/121 | 421 | 300 | 282 | 281 | 140 | 296 | 94 | 418 | 323 | 2555 | 326 | 331 | 330 | 135 | 313 | 438 | 134 | 411 | 278 | 2696 | 5251 |
| Handicap | 10 | 8 | 4 | 12 | 14 | 2 | 18 | 16 | 6 | 15 | 9 | 11 | 17 | 5 | 7 | 13 | 1 | 3 | |||
| Par | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 36 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
| Handicap (W) | 10 | 4 | 12 | 6 | 16 | 2 | 18 | 14 | 8 | 3 | 9 | 5 | 15 | 7 | 1 | 17 | 13 | 11 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
SnacksAvailable Facilities
ClubhouseReviews
Reviewer Photos
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Photo submitted by aahawkinssr on 12/27/2025
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Photo submitted by aahawkinssr on 12/27/2025
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Photo submitted by aahawkinssr on 12/27/2025
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Photo submitted by u000007582830 on 08/25/2025
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Photo submitted by Zeuswon on 07/28/2023
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Photo submitted by Zeuswon on 07/28/2023
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Photo submitted by Zeuswon on 07/28/2023
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Photo submitted by u8870046 on 06/13/2022
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Photo submitted by ShibTx on 10/18/2021
On the Bayou
Was kind of disappointed with the starter & marshal. They had twosomes, threesomes, & fivesomes on the course. The starter should pair golfers up to establish foursomes when possible. Had a number of golfers playing from the tips that could not even get to the forward tees on a number of holes.
Course don't have features
Good course but to many people play slow space they have marshals but don't said anything they are more focused on picking up loss balls and filled out divots. I appreciate that they trying to take care the course but you can not play 18 holes in 3-3:30 hours normally you ended up playing at least 5 hours 18 holes. Ridiculously.
Good loca track with nice amenities
This is a really fun course to play and it is very forgiving on almost every hole. The course is in very good condition and with the exception of some crab grass on some greens (minimal) it gives you a great value for the price. I play here once a month or so and will continue to do so. Another great feature is their par 3 track that seems to be in very good condition from what I can tell. I haven't played it yet but it looks great and would be perfect for jr golfers.
Fun day
This course has gone through some renovations since I last played it. It is much improved. The fairways were plush. The greens were fast and undulating. The sandtraps were very well kept and very playable. Staff was friendly and helpful. Every group was quick to let me play through.
Good value golf course
The course was in decent shape. The fairways had good coverage of Bermuda. The greens were a little on the quick side, not extremely fast. They still had a little poa annua growth. Very good value.
Not sure, but....
Since I've only played Southern state courses in the Winter, it's hard to judge course conditions.
Sure Moody has better, thicker grass on its fairways and greens, but is it enough to justify the higher cost?
No.
Bayou has a nice layout with water and sand hazards, but not too difficult for kids to play. Also,
one won't lose as many balls!
Good Course at Great Rate
This course is kept in good shape. The fairways do struggle some after heavy rains, but maintenance works quickly to get it back to shape. The greens are always in great shape, fast and tricky. Price is low and staff is always friendly. Good food at the clubhouse, too.
Wind and Water
The course is wide open and greatly effected by coastal winds, so club up some. Lots of water and watch out for the GATOR on 17. The course is in great shape...
Great course
First time to play here, found the course in excellent condition. Staff very friendly. Overall had a great time.
Fun course
Good value for the money. Going to the Bayou course I was hoping to see more gaters, only saw 1 small one. Other then that we enjoyed the course.
Fun and challenging
What a fun course to play. It was pretty windy when I played which made it more. Gary in the pro shop warned me that the greens were quick and he was right. They were deceivingly fast and undulated. This is a must play if you're in the area.
well worth the money
Greens were the best part of the course undulating and fast. Had rained s traps were wet. I got a hot deal , but the regular prices are cery well worth the price. played alone in 3/12 hrs with lots of practice shots Let 1 twosome go through me. a few par four holes were a little long to carry the hazard on the second shot so I had to lay up. I am not a long hitter so need two good shots on most holes
Good not great
1st time playing the course and had high hopes based on the reviews on GolfNow. The course was in decent shape. The fairways were decent, greens were actually very good, but some of the tee boxes had tall grass. I was expecting something more like Moody Gardens. Needless to say it was a step, or two, below MG. Overall, it was a nice track. I wouldn't drive the hour from my house to play it again, but I would drive the 75 minutes to play Moody Gardens again!
18 Holes in Texas City
The greens began to get faster as the day progressed, but challenging and fun they were. Several sharp dog legs make you think about club selections. Just a few intimidating holes here. Very wet near the greens this day. The last time I played here was about 20 years ago. Oh yes -and the burgers were better than expected.
Wildlife abounds
Greens being the true test of a course, this course passes with praise. While one or two greens had small rough areas the rest where superb with good speed and interesting contours. The tide had adversely affected a couple fairways but the maintenance crew had the whole course well manicured. Small clubhouse and restrooms without AC but the weather was perfect so didn't make a difference.
First time to play Bayou Golf Club
Have lived in Greater Houston area for over 40 years and had never played Bayou Golf Club until my golf league, www.littlejohngolfleague, scheduled a tournament there.
The greens there are fairly new so they are very firm. They also are pretty fast and have lots and lots of undulations. Putting was a chore for me.
Tee boxes were in good shape. The fairways were also pretty nice. There were some serious are spots in the rough and it was no where near trees...just out in the open.
The bunkers are all small but they were groomed and were easy to get out of if you make a good swing. Decent covering of sand.
The course has a fair amount of water. It is not overly tight but there are many holes with trouble both left and right.
Having never played the course before, there were some shots I would like to have had over or aimed to a different spot. Local knowledge of the course would be helpful. Also, more time spent putting on the practice greens might have been helpful too.
The staff was friendly and helpful.
The food in the grill was very good. I had a burger and fries.
Overall a very nice, family oriented golf facility.
Great Course
This year the course has been kept in great condition and it is fun to play. Staff is also friendly and helpful. Golf Now made our cost a super value.