New Braunfels might be famous for its rivers and German heritage, but the golf scene here is quietly spectacular. With eight courses within a 15-mile radius and weather that lets you play year-round, this Texas Hill Country town has become an unexpected golf destination that won't destroy your wallet.
Why New Braunfels golf deserves your attention
Let's address the elephant on the tee box… New Braunfels isn't exactly Scottsdale or Pebble Beach. But that's precisely why it works. You've got everything from a lovingly maintained municipal course that opened when FDR was president to a brand-new semi-private track managed by Troon. The variety here rivals much larger cities, and you can actually get a tee time without selling a kidney.
The location between Austin and San Antonio means you're never more than 45 minutes from either city, making New Braunfels perfect for a golf getaway or regular play if you live in Central Texas. Plus, the Texas Hill Country backdrop beats staring at strip malls while you're trying to read your putt.
When to actually play (hint: not in August)
October is the consensus best month for golf here, and it's not even close. The temperatures finally drop below "surface of Mercury," the courses are in peak condition, and the bermuda grass is still green and happy.
Spring golf from March through May offers wildflower displays that'll make your Instagram followers jealous, though May can get soggy. Fall brings similar conditions with the bonus of lighter crowds since half of Texas is glued to football games.
Summer golf requires strategic planning and possibly medical clearance. When it's 105°F with humidity that feels like you're playing inside a dishwasher, you'll want to book the first tee time available (usually around 6:30 AM) or wait until after 5 PM. Most courses have cooling stations and cold towel service, but honestly, sometimes the air-conditioned hitting bays at the new Topgolf opening in late 2025 might be the smarter choice.
The big three: courses you need to know
New Braunfels has three main courses that represent different segments of the golf market. Understanding their strengths and current conditions will help you pick the right spot for your game and budget.
Landa Park Golf Course keeps it real (and affordable)
If golf courses were pickup trucks, Landa Park would be that trusty F-150 that just keeps running. Opened in 1938 and sitting on 122 scenic acres along the Comal River, this municipal gem proves you don't need to spend $150 to enjoy a great round.
The course underwent a $3.5 million renovation in 2014 that modernized everything while maintaining its classic feel. At 6,205 yards from the tips with a slope of 136, it's no pushover, but forward tees at 4,561 yards keep it playable for everyone. Green fees hover around $49 with a cart, which in today's golf economy feels like finding a $20 bill in your rain jacket.
What really sets Landa Park apart are the greens. Multiple 2024 reviews specifically call them the best in the region, and having played them recently, I can confirm they roll truer than a marriage proposal speech. The practice facilities won't win any awards but they're functional, with a driving range, putting green, and short game area.
The downside? Pace of play on weekends can be brutal. We're talking five-hour rounds with no marshal in sight. If you're the type who starts twitching when the group ahead takes three practice swings for a 50-yard pitch shot, book a weekday morning time and save your sanity.
The Bandit Golf Club: greatness on life support
Here's where things get complicated. The Bandit should be the crown jewel of New Braunfels golf. This Keith Foster design from 1997 has everything… dramatic elevation changes, strategic bunkering, and holes that make you think before pulling driver. It even earned recognition as a "Top 10 Public Course in Texas" from Golfweek.
The 6,928-yard, par-71 layout near Lake McQueeney still shows flashes of brilliance. The opening hole "Blind Date" features a blind tee shot that'll test your trust in the yardage book, while the closing par-5 "Long Creek" climbs uphill like you're scaling Everest. On a good day, it's spectacular golf.
Unfortunately, 2024 hasn't been kind to The Bandit. Recent reviews describe conditions as the worst in 10+ years, with some rounds stretching to six hours. At weekend rates approaching $99, that's tough to swallow.
The pricing structure does offer some bright spots:
- Weekday rounds at $63
- Military and seniors save $9-10
- College students get junior pricing
- Kids 18 and under play free with adults
That last one is huge… taking your teenager out for a round suddenly becomes affordable instead of requiring a second mortgage.
Kissing Tree Golf Club brings the fancy
When Kissing Tree opened in October 2018, it instantly became the "nice" course in the area. As the first new 18-hole course built in Texas in five years, this semi-private facility shows what modern golf architecture can achieve when budget isn't the primary concern.
Managed by Troon and designed by Gary Stephenson, the 6,522-yard layout earned Audubon International certification for environmental stewardship. Translation: they built a golf course that doesn't make Mother Nature cry.
Public rates range from $51-72, with discounts for San Marcos residents and anyone over 55 who remembers when golf balls were white. The semi-private model means members get priority, but public play is definitely available with advance booking.
The facilities here embarrass most country clubs. The 14,000-square-foot clubhouse completed in 2023 houses a signature restaurant, fully stocked pro shop, and event spaces with Hill Country views that'll make you consider having your next birthday party there. The practice facilities include everything you'd expect plus an 18-hole putting course, because apparently regular putting greens are so 2017.
Recent reviews consistently praise the conditions, with one player calling them "some of the best greens I have ever played on." The course features drivable par 4s and reachable par 5s that reward aggressive play, assuming you can execute. Miss your target and those pristine water hazards will happily accept your Pro V1 donation.
Beyond the big three: other options worth considering
The New Braunfels area offers several additional courses for when you want variety or can't get a tee time at your first choice.
Lakeside Golf Club near Canyon Lake provides budget-friendly golf on a 6,528-yard layout with rolling Hill Country terrain. Recent reviews suggest maintenance can be hit-or-miss, but when you're paying municipal rates, perfection isn't expected.
Olympia Hills Golf & Event Center in Universal City features dramatic elevation changes with some holes dropping 50+ feet from tee to green. It's about 15 miles from New Braunfels but worth the drive if you enjoy golf that doubles as a geography lesson.
Military personnel and sponsored guests can access Randolph Oaks Golf Course at Joint Base San Antonio. This 7,172-yard Perry Maxwell design is considered among the finest military courses in the country. If you qualify for access, it's a must-play.
Note that Starcke Park Golf Course in nearby Seguin is closed through October 2025 for major renovations. When it reopens, expect an upgraded riverside layout that should add another solid option to the rotation.
Level up your game at these practice facilities
Sometimes you need more than a bucket of balls at the range. The David Ogrin Golf Academy on Wald Road offers Central Texas's most sophisticated training facility.
Led by former PGA Tour winner David Ogrin, the academy features technology usually reserved for tour players:
- TrackMan radar systems
- GCQuad launch monitors
- SportsBox AI for swing analysis
- Video analysis capabilities
- Custom club fitting services
The facility operates daily from 9 AM to 8 PM with programs ranging from private lessons to junior camps. Their Operation 36 program has introduced hundreds of kids to golf in a way that actually makes it fun instead of frustrating.
Smart booking strategies that actually work
Getting the tee time you want requires more strategy than your approach shot to a tucked pin. Here's what the locals know:
Most courses open bookings 14 days in advance, and weekend morning times fill fast. If you want that sweet 8 AM Saturday slot, be ready to book the Tuesday before. Credit cards are required to hold times, and The Bandit enforces a strict 24-hour cancellation policy with penalties of at least half your rate.
Money-saving tactics that add up:
- Twilight rates save 30-50%
- Super twilight even cheaper
- Military and senior discounts
- Junior plays free at The Bandit
- Weekday rates always lower
- Walking (where allowed) saves cart fees
- Membership pays off at 3+ rounds monthly
Avoid Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings if pace of play matters to you. Sunday afternoons during football season often have wide-open availability. Always call ahead during the rainy seasons in May and September… nothing worse than driving 30 minutes to find the course is cart-path only.
Membership benefits for frequent players
If you're playing more than three times a month, membership starts making financial sense. The Bandit's membership structure includes:
- $4,000 initiation fee
- $275 monthly (single) or $385 (family)
- Unlimited golf and range access
- 10% merchandise discount
- 20% beverage discount
- $15 cart fee per round
Full membership details include reciprocal benefits and tournament access. Landa Park offers resident discounts but no traditional membership program.
The bottom line on New Braunfels golf
After researching every course and analyzing hundreds of recent reviews, clear patterns emerge. Landa Park Golf Course delivers the best value despite pace of play issues. Those exceptional greens at municipal prices make it perfect for regular play if you can handle occasional slow rounds.
Kissing Tree Golf Club justifies its premium pricing through tour-quality conditions and facilities. Book here for special occasions, client entertainment, or when you need everything to be perfect.
The Bandit Golf Club faces an identity crisis. The bones of a great course remain, but current conditions don't match the premium pricing. Monitor recent reviews before booking, though the junior-plays-free policy makes it unbeatable for family golf.
For practice and instruction, the David Ogrin Golf Academy stands alone as a legitimate training facility with technology that'll show you exactly why you're slicing it.
Quick reference for course selection:
- Best value: Landa Park
- Best conditions: Kissing Tree
- Best for families: The Bandit
- Most challenging: Randolph Oaks
- Best practice: David Ogrin Academy
New Braunfels might not have the golf reputation of other Texas cities, but that's changing. With options from budget-friendly municipal golf to premium semi-private experiences, plus year-round playability and Hill Country scenery, it's become a legitimate golf destination. Just remember to book early, bring sunscreen, and maybe skip that August afternoon round unless you enjoy playing golf in a convection oven.
Whether you're a local looking for your home course or a visitor exploring Texas golf, New Braunfels offers more variety and value than you'd expect. Now stop reading and go book a tee time… preferably in October when the weather doesn't require medical supervision.
