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Bayou Golf Course
Rating Snapshot
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 |
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Reviews
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
No amenities
Greens were in great shape. Fairways were poor at best. Major issues, were no driving range, and not snack bar. Maybe worth the $30 a person just for the greens, but dehydration was an issue
Nice Local Tract
I have played this course more than a few times. The local golfer is very nice, and the pace of the play was good. Watch the first 3 holes. If you hit a big draw or hook, there is lots of water and swamp. This a driver's course. You can score if you can keep the ball in the middle of the fairway. If not, the TREES can ruin your life. LOL Course navigation is pretty straightforward, with 1 exception going from #12 to #13. You need to take the bridge left away from the bathrooms. No Food or drink person driving around; they have water about every 4 holes, and you can bring your own coolers about every 4 holes. Fun for a larger group.
Good value
I've played here a lot. The conditions these days are solid. Greens are pretty good and rolled faster than average for the area. The greens are very difficult, also, compared to other courses in the area. This is a great layout and when it's so hot, this course gets more wind being closer to the water than others. Made a big difference. The big drawback, though they provided water around the course, there was NOTHING in the proshop as far as drinks and snacks. Even the water fountain didn't work.
Overpriced to have the rep as worst course in the area
I have golfed Bayou multiple times, and have lived in the area for years. It has always had the reputation as the worst course around and that still has yet to change. The front 9 continuously is the most disgusting 9 I’ve ever seen. There’s barely any grass to call a fairway when half the course is dried up dirt, and the little amount of grass there is is uneven and covered in weeds and bumpy. The back 9 is the only enjoyable part of this entire course, where it can actually be played like a golf course. I still believe to charge the prices they do for this monstrosity is atrocious. Bay forest in La Porte is cheaper and that course is phenomenal in comparison to Bayou. Save your money and go to Bay Forest. The one time I thought Bayou was acceptable for the price was during Covid. They charged 20 bucks for a round of 18 and I believe with the state that course is in, it should be the only thing they ever charge.
Bayou Golf Course
I have played this course at least eight times over the past two years. First,the course is in a great location near Galveston Island. You can smell the salt in the air. The course is well cared for, the staff is super friendly and the golf carts are clean and also well cared for.
Great time
Great weather, no tide came in, no mosquitoes
We had a great time thank you!
Cheap for a reason
High tide had the front 9 underwater, limited to only playing back 9 twice. Didn’t tell anyone they had a tournament that day either so when we hit the turn, we found a line of about 6 carts. Water everywhere ended up playing barefoot. Greens were patchy and soaked. Don’t know how this course stays open
Friendly staff and great pace
Thanks for a great time out there
-My kids and I
Front 9 closed
Tide came in and flooded the front 9. Had to play the back 9 twice which wreaked havoc on pace of play. Besides that, the course was in good shapes. Greens were rolling great.
The Quarry Stay & Play Package
Horseshoe Bay Resort Stay & Play Package
