Golf has become one of my favorite ways to spend a free afternoon. I take lessons at Boot Ranch, and I love that Fredericksburg has great golf for every kind of player, from private club members to people who just want to play a casual round with friends. Here is a local's look at golf in and around Fredericksburg, and what it means if golf is part of your home search.
Boot Ranch
Boot Ranch is a private golf and residential community just outside Fredericksburg. The championship course was designed by PGA legend Hal Sutton. It plays as a par 72 and stretches to 7,155 yards from the championship tees, but it is set up for golfers of different skill levels.
The practice facilities are a big part of what makes Boot Ranch special. Sutton also designed the 34-acre Practice Park, which the club describes as the biggest practice facility in Texas. As someone taking lessons, I can tell you that having that much room to work on every part of your game makes a difference.
- Access: Boot Ranch is private. You need a membership to play.
- Course updates: A renovation in 2017 added new TifEagle Bermuda greens and redesigned bunkers.
- Living there: Boot Ranch is also a residential community with homesites and homes.
If you are curious about life inside the gates, read my guide to living in Boot Ranch.
Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Golf Course
The Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Golf Course is Fredericksburg's public course, and it has been part of the community for more than 50 years. It sits inside Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park, just a few minutes from downtown.
- Layout: 18 holes, par 71, about 6,686 yards from the back tees.
- Tees: Six tee positions, so you can choose the length that fits your game.
- History: It opened in 1969 as a nine-hole course called Live Oak. Golf course architect Jeffrey D. Brauer designed its expansion to 18 holes in 1991.
- Renovation: A 2012 renovation re-contoured fairways, rebuilt greens and added new tees.
Lady Bird is where a lot of locals play. It is welcoming, it is close to town, and it is a great place to bring visiting friends or family who want to get a round in while they are here.
More Golf Within a Drive
If you want to try something new, Horseshoe Bay Resort on Lake LBJ has several championship courses and makes a nice golf day trip from Fredericksburg. For most of my clients, though, the combination of Boot Ranch and Lady Bird covers everything they want close to home.
What Golf Means for Your Home Search
When golf is a priority, I ask a few questions up front:
- Private or public? If you want a private club, Boot Ranch is the main option in Fredericksburg, and membership rules matter. Ask about membership before you buy.
- How often will you play? If it is several times a week, being close to the course makes a big difference.
- Do you want golf-course living? Some buyers want a view of the fairway. Others want to be a short drive away with more land and privacy.
- Is this a full-time home or a second home? Golf is a big reason many second-home buyers choose Fredericksburg.
Why I Love Golf Here
Golf in the Hill Country is just beautiful. The rolling hills, the oaks and the big skies make every round feel like a little escape. Taking lessons has also been a good reminder that you never stop learning. That is how I feel about real estate, too.
And there is always a great place to eat afterward. A round in the morning, lunch in town and a glass of wine at a favorite spot is my idea of a perfect Saturday.
Want a home near the course? Explore Boot Ranch and other Fredericksburg communities.