Dallas-Fort Worth has a deep list of public golf courses you can play without a membership. The headliners are the two championship courses at PGA Frisco, but the area's city-owned courses are just as interesting, including Cedar Crest, which hosted the 1927 PGA Championship. Here are 20 public courses across DFW, grouped by area, with a little history on each.
We're a used golf club shop in Farmers Branch, so we hear about these courses from customers every day. If you're new in town or just want a different round this weekend, start here.
What are the best public golf courses in Dallas?
The City of Dallas owns several courses, and a few of them are among the oldest in Texas.
- Cedar Crest (Oak Cliff), 18 holes. Designed by A.W. Tillinghast and opened in 1919. It hosted the 1927 PGA Championship, won by Walter Hagen. It later became a city course and was renovated by D.A. Weibring in 2004. Great views of the downtown skyline. Cedar Crest guide
- Stevens Park (Kessler Park, Oak Cliff), 18 holes. Opened in 1924. A $7.9 million renovation by John Colligan and Trey Kemp rerouted 12 holes and reopened the course in 2011. Short by modern standards, but full of elevation changes. Golf Digest ranked it among the best public courses in Texas in 2024. Stevens Park guide
- Tenison Park, Highlands and Glen (East Dallas), 36 holes. Tenison dates to 1924 and the city calls Highlands its first municipal course. D.A. Weibring redesigned Highlands in 2001. The Glen hosted the 1968 USGA Public Links, and a young Lee Trevino famously played here. Tenison Park guide
- Keeton Park (southeast Dallas), 18 holes. Designed by Dave Bennett and opened in 1979 on a former pecan plantation in the Trinity River Forest. It's an Audubon-sanctioned wildlife habitat. Keeton Park guide
- Luna Vista (northwest Dallas), 18 holes. Formerly L.B. Houston. John Colligan, who learned to play golf here, renovated it, and it reopened in 2012. It's the closest public course to our Farmers Branch shop. Luna Vista guide
- Bear Creek (by DFW Airport), 36 holes. A Ted Robinson design that has hosted the Texas State Open and PGA Tour qualifiers. Bear Creek guide
Which public courses are near Plano, Frisco and Carrollton?
- PGA Frisco, Fields Ranch East (Frisco), 18 holes. Gil Hanse's course opened in 2023, hosted the 2023 Senior PGA and the 2025 KPMG Women's PGA, and is scheduled to host the 2027 and 2034 PGA Championships. Golf Digest ranked it the No. 1 public course in Texas in 2024. It's open to the public, but it's a resort course and books up.
- PGA Frisco, Fields Ranch West (Frisco), 18 holes. Designed by Beau Welling and opened in 2023. Golf Digest ranked it No. 2 in Texas. The resort also has a short course, The Swing, and a two-acre putting course, The Dance Floor.
- Indian Creek (Carrollton), 36 holes. Two Dick Phelps courses, Creek (1983) and Lakes (1987). Lakes was renovated in 2019. Indian Creek guide
- Coyote Ridge (Carrollton), 18 holes. Designed by George Williams and opened in 1999. Semi-private, with public tee times. Coyote Ridge guide
- Pecan Hollow (Plano). Plano's city course reopened in 2011 after an $8.8 million renovation by Weibring-Wolfard Golf Design.
- The Courses at Watters Creek (Plano). An 18-hole course plus a 9-hole short course and a 6-hole practice course, a good option for newer golfers.
- Firewheel (Garland). Garland's city golf park, with the Dick Phelps-designed Old Course and the 27-hole Bridges course, which opened in 2001.
- Tour 18 Dallas (Flower Mound), 18 holes. Opened in 1995, built with replicas of famous holes from Augusta National, Oakmont, TPC Sawgrass and others, finishing with all three holes of Amen Corner.
What are the best public golf courses in Fort Worth and the Mid-Cities?
- Texas Rangers Golf Club (Arlington), 18 holes. The old Chester W. Ditto course, redesigned by John Colligan and Trey Kemp and reopened in 2019. It's billed as the only MLB-branded golf course in the world and hosts the Korn Ferry Tour's Veritex Bank Championship. Par 71, about 7,000 yards.
- Cowboys Golf Club (Grapevine), 18 holes. A Jeff Brauer design that opened in 2001 and calls itself the world's only NFL-themed golf course. Golf Digest ranked it among the best public courses in Texas in 2024.
- Grapevine Golf Course (Grapevine), 27 holes. The Pecan and Mockingbird nines were designed by Joe Finger and opened in 1979, with input from Byron Nelson on a later renovation. D.A. Weibring's Bluebonnet nine opened in 1999.
- Texas Star (Euless), 18 holes. A Keith Foster design that opened in 1997, minutes from DFW Airport.
- Iron Horse (North Richland Hills), 18 holes. A Dick Phelps design from 1988, renovated by Jeff Brauer and reopened in 2020. Par 70.
- Riverside Golf Club (Grand Prairie), 18 holes. A Roger Packard design along the Trinity River.
- Rockwood Park (Fort Worth), 18 holes. Opened in 1938 with a John Bredemus design. A $5.1 million renovation by Colligan and Kemp reopened it in 2017 at about 7,050 yards.
Is there a public golf course in Farmers Branch?
No. Farmers Branch doesn't have a city golf course. The closest public options are Luna Vista in northwest Dallas and Indian Creek and Coyote Ridge in Carrollton.
Where can I practice?
See our guide to the best driving ranges in Dallas-Fort Worth, from grass-tee ranges to Topgolf and indoor simulators.
Tips for playing public golf in DFW
- Book early on weekends. The popular city courses fill up fast, especially in spring and fall.
- Bring water in summer. Texas heat is no joke from June through September. Early tee times are your friend.
- Check your grips. Heat and sweat wear grips out faster. If yours are slick, we regrip clubs in our shop.
- Don't overspend on clubs to start. A good used set plays nearly as well as new for a fraction of the price, and you can try clubs on our simulator before you buy.
FAQ
What is the oldest public golf course in Dallas?
Tenison Park and Stevens Park both date to 1924, and the city calls Tenison Highlands its first municipal course. Cedar Crest is older, opened in 1919, but started as a private club.
Can the public play PGA Frisco?
Yes. Fields Ranch East and West are open to the public, though tee times are in demand and priced like a resort.
What is the best public golf course in Texas?
Golf Digest's 2024 ranking put Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco first and Fields Ranch West second.
Where can I buy used golf clubs in Dallas?
At our showroom in Farmers Branch. See used golf clubs in Dallas for the address and what we carry, or shop used full sets online.
New to the game? Our golf terms glossary explains the words you'll hear on the course, and best golf clubs for beginners covers what you actually need in the bag.
By Benjamin Stromberg, Co-Founder, GolfRoots. Sources: City of Dallas Parks, Golf Digest, Dallas Morning News, Texas Golf Hall of Fame, GolfPass, Texas Golf Association, PGA Frisco, city and course websites.
