HILL COUNTRY GOLF CLUB

The limestone bluffs and live oak mottes of south-central Texas create natural amphitheaters for golf that few architects could dream up, and this layout maximizes every elevation change with fairways that tumble through Hill Country ravines. Water comes into play on half the holes, but it's the forced carries over native brush and the approach shots to elevated greens perched on rock outcroppings that separate the weekend warriors from the stick handlers. At under $75 for weekend rounds, you're getting premium Hill Country terrain without the private club pretense that plagues most Austin-area tracks.