Complete Rankings
The Full Rankings
Every public golf course in East Texas — ranked from first to last.
The Elite Three
Pine Dunes Resort & Golf Club
The undisputed king of East Texas golf. Designed by Jay and Carter Morrish, this par-72 championship course stretches 7,117 yards through rolling hills and majestic pines. Golf Digest 4.5-star rating. GolfWeek's #1 Resort Course in Texas. Immaculate overseeded greens, exceptional customer service, and world-class resort amenities.
Woodland Hills Golf Course
A local legend reborn with newly renovated MiniVerde greens that are arguably the best in the region. Designed by Don January, this par-72 course features tight, tree-lined fairways and a signature tri-level 8th hole. Exceptional value with friendly, welcoming staff.
Tempest Golf Club
A modern marvel renovated in 2018 by architect Jeff Brauer. This par-72 course stretches to 7,229 yards with dramatic elevation changes and breathtaking views. Consistently ranked among the top courses in Texas with superb overseeded greens and outstanding amenities.
Other Public Courses in the Region
Other public golf courses in East Texas
Pine Springs Golf Club
A hidden gem in the East Texas piney woods with pristine, undulating greens. Scenic layout with strategic water and sand hazards requiring thoughtful shot decisions.
Cherokee Ranch Golf Club
A par-71 championship course built in 1936 with a rolling landscape and strategically placed sand and water hazards offering a unique challenge.
Alpine Golf Course
A relaxed, family-friendly 18-hole course that supports veterans, first responders, and senior golfers with discounted rates. Good conditions for the price.
Van Zandt Country Club
A semi-private 18-hole course providing a family-friendly atmosphere with golf, dining, and recreation in a scenic setting.
Raven Nest Golf Club
A challenging 18-hole layout near Huntsville offering a stern test for low-handicap golfers. Features significant elevation changes and demanding approach shots.
Babe Zaharias Golf Course
Named after the legendary athlete Babe Didrikson Zaharias, this 18-hole public course in Port Arthur offers affordable golf with a rich history and well-maintained layout.
Livingston Municipal Golf Course
A 9-hole municipal course offering affordable public golf in a relaxed, small-town setting. Good for beginners and casual rounds.
Meadowbrook Golf Course
A 9-hole course situated in the Piney Woods, offering a picturesque and challenging experience for all skill levels.
Carthage Country Club
A 9-hole course that has been rebuilt to offer a family-friendly environment. A premier spot for golf in the area for over 50 years.
Birmingham Forest Golf Club
A scenic 9-hole course carved through the East Texas forest. Features rolling terrain and tree-lined fairways for a peaceful round.
Center Country Club
A 9-hole course opened in 1956 featuring 3,209 yards from the longest tees for a par of 36. A small-town course with loyal local members.
Oak Lawn Golf Course
A 9-hole municipal course with a driving range and clubhouse, open to the public with affordable rates.
Elkhart Golf Club
Family owned and operated golf club for over 30 years. A 9-hole course with friendly staff and a casual atmosphere.
Wildcat Golf Course
A 9-hole, multi-tee layout with a driving range. Previously Meadowbrook Country Club, revitalized to serve as a working classroom while remaining open to the public.
Overton Municipal Golf Course
A 9-hole course with a unique layout of four par 4s, three par 3s, and two par 5s. Features challenging opening and finishing holes with water hazards.
The Bottom Three
These courses consistently fail to meet the standards expected of quality public golf in East Texas. Poor conditions, bad management, and lack of investment have earned them the lowest spots in our rankings.
Garden Valley Golf Resort (Dogwood Course)
Once compared to Augusta National for its beautiful azaleas and dogwoods, Garden Valley has fallen into shocking disrepair. The resort's Hummingbird Course has been completely shut down, and the remaining Dogwood Course is a shadow of its former self. With a dismal 2.2 out of 5 rating on GolfPass and only 29.2% of golfers recommending it, this course is a cautionary tale of neglect. Golfers report arriving to find only 9 holes available despite the website advertising 18, no driving range, broken carts, and conditions rated 'Poor' across the board. The property was even vandalized in 2025, and there are ongoing reports of potential closure.
"This course is absolutely terrible. Not worth even writing. I will be demanding a full refund!!! Totally misrepresented. Had to give it 1's as there are no 0's. Didn't even care to finish the round!!!"
— GolfPass ReviewerLumberjack National Golf Course
Formerly Piney Woods Country Club, this course has fallen into serious decline. The 6,187-yard, par-72 layout suffers from chronic maintenance issues, deteriorating infrastructure, and a troubled ownership history. Financial difficulties have plagued the course for years, with failed sale attempts and the discontinuation of the associated SFA golf programs. Golfers consistently report poor conditions that fall far below acceptable standards.
"This is the worst course conditions we have ever had. It may have been better not to play golf. Tore up tee boxes, greens with dead areas, just needs to be closed!"
— Yelp ReviewerNeches Pines Golf Course
An 18-hole public course that was actually on a positive trajectory up until 2025, with steady improvements to course conditions and growing momentum among local golfers. However, since the City of Diboll hired a new person to manage the course, it has severely declined in just the last year. What was once a course trending in the right direction has rapidly deteriorated under the new management. Fairways are now frequently described as rock-hard and weed-infested, with inconsistent watering that leaves the course in poor playing condition. The City has issued Requests for Proposals seeking new operators, signaling ongoing dissatisfaction with the course's direction.
"Course has nice greens but the rest of the course is unwatered with weeds in the fairways, very hard to play when the fairways are hard as rocks and the greens are sold and muddy."
— GolfNow Reviewer