Horseshoe Bay, TX
Horseshoe Bay Resort
Three Robert Trent Jones Sr. courses on Lake LBJ — Hill Country golf with a lake-house soul.
rtj-triolake-lbjhill-countryputting-course-nights
The place
Horseshoe Bay stacks three Robert Trent Jones Sr. courses on the shores of Lake LBJ in the Texas Hill Country: Slick Rock with its beloved waterfall-crossing signature stretch, Ram Rock with a statewide reputation for toughness, and Apple Rock rolling along the lake views. The Whitewater putting course — a sprawling natural-grass layout — settles the evening side action, and the lake handles everything else: boat charters, coves for swimming, and margaritas at sunset. Austin's airport is about an hour away, making this the easiest big-golf fly-in trip in Texas.
4 COURSESFLY-INMAR–MAY AND SEP–NOV: HILL COUNTRY PRIME; SUMMER IS LAKE SEASON$1,800–$3,000/PP EST.
The champions board
The courses on property
| Course | Designer | Notes | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slick Rock | Robert Trent Jones Sr. | The crowd-pleaser — its waterfall-crossing stretch is the resort's postcard. The opener. | resort |
| Ram Rock | Robert Trent Jones Sr. | One of Texas' toughest tests — rocks, creeks and no mercy. Cup-day material. | resort |
| Apple Rock | Robert Trent Jones Sr. | The scenic third leg rolling above Lake LBJ — the best views on property. | resort |
| Summit Rock | Jack Nicklaus | The private Nicklaus course on the hilltop — have the concierge ask about guest access. | members |
Where you crash
The resort
Horseshoe Bay Resort
The lakefront resort hotel — pools, marina, spa and tower views over Lake LBJ, with all three courses a shuttle ride away.
◆ The private house
The Private House
A Lake LBJ waterfront house with a boat dock and a big deck — grill, swim platform, and every first tee inside ten minutes. Lake rentals run deep in every size.
5-6 BR · sleeps 10-12 · ~$600–$2,500/nt
How a trip here flows
A proven rhythm, not a fixed package — your itinerary is composed around your party's dates, appetite, and pace.
- 1
Fly in & hit the lake
AM Fly into Austin and drive an hour west into the Hill Country.
PM Check in, boat or pool afternoon, opening-night barbecue and a Whitewater putting match.
- 2
Slick Rock
AM The waterfall course to open the golf.
PM Lake LBJ boat charter; fajitas and cards at the house.
- 3
Apple Rock (36 optional)
AM The lake-view round on Apple Rock.
PM Diehards replay Slick Rock; others fish or float. Marina dinner at sunset.
- 4
Ram Rock — the Cup
AM The team match on the hardest card in the Hill Country.
PM Trophy brisket, cigars on the dock, one last putting-course showdown under the lights.
- 5
Lake morning & home
AM Coffee on the water and a lazy pack-up, then the hour back to Austin.
Why it wins
“A full week of golf without repeating a course, all from one lakefront base: three Trent Jones Sr. designs, a legendary grass putting course for the night games, and Lake LBJ for boats, bass and sunset beers.”
Booking notes
Book stay-and-play through the resort — golf access is tied to resort guests, and summer weekends fill with Texas lake traffic. Reserve a boat afternoon and a Whitewater putting-course night when you book the golf.