Fort Worth Golf: 8 Scenic Courses Players Can’t Miss

Fort Worth, Texas, was once the center of the ranching industry. Today, the city has earned worldwide attention as a best place to live and visit. Part of its charm are the many golf courses scattered throughout the area — from the historical elegance of Colonial to the maintained beauty of Fossil Creek. To pick some favorites, find the top Fort Worth golf courses.

Fort Worth Golf Courses for a Day on the Greens

River at Pecan Valley Municipal Golf Course

Considered one of the top municipal courses in Texas, River at Pecan Valley course is naturally forgiving, with elevation changes throughout the layout. Though not overly challenging, the course offers nice dogleg holes, and precise shot placement is vital off some tees.

The greens are receptive and rolled true. The River presents a fair layout for beginners and grades consistently well for course maintenance. Even better, some golfers claim 27 holes play in less than four hours. Both Pecan Valley’s River and Hills 18-hole courses are recommended for all golfers.

The Golf Club Fossil Creek

This beautiful Arnold Palmer-designed championship course rates as challenging but not too difficult. Open to the public, beginners and experienced golfers feel at home. Additionally, the rolling hills course gets five stars from everyone for the high level at which the course is maintained.

At Golf Club Fossil Creek, greens are smooth and true — but test a putter’s metal and green reading skills. Most of the 18 holes — 14 with water hazards — are picture perfect and welcome guests with scenic beauty.

Colonial Country Club

Anytime a course features a statue of Ben Hogan, it’s rooted deep in golf history. Such is Colonial, the legendary private club that dates to 1936, and known as the golfing home for the iconic Hogan.

Colonial Country Club’s founder, Marvin Leonard, successfully achieved his dream of bringing bentgrass greens to the southwest, where his venue has been a PGA Tour stop since 1946. And yes, Hogan won here five times — hence the course’s nickname Hogan’s Alley. Additionally, Golf Magazine rates the layout the 86th top course in the country.

Rockwood Park Golf Course

Originally opened in 1938, Rockwood Park Golf Course was designed by architect John Bredemus, with subsequent upgrades by Ralph Plummer. In November 2015, the course underwent a $5 million renovation that included fresh greens, tees, fairways, bunkering system, drainage and cart paths. The course was also lengthened to play up to 7,053 yards.

For added fun, Rockwood is home to footgolf. This sport involves a soccer ball that is kicked into a series of large holes — as players aim to complete the course using the fewest possible shots.

Sky Creek Ranch Golf Club

This Robert Trent Jones Jr. design in nearby Keller is a great test. Its elevated greens, water, doglegs and blind shots all contribute to make Sky Creek Ranch a fun but challenging course.

The greens roll true and quick. The creek comes into play 16 out of 18 holes, including off the first tee, which informs players that it’s a glimpse of things to come. Four different tee boxes ensure the course is playable for all.

Waterchase Golf Club

A cascading waterfall between the ninth and 18th greens highlights this public course’s beauty. The par 72 layout presents five par 3s and five par 5s, and features a variety of holes, from tree-lined doglegs to split fairways.

With six sets of tee boxes to choose from, Waterchase accommodates all skill levels. Scratch golfers can challenge their game from the back tees at over 7,150 yards, while beginners tackle a manageable 4,500 yards.

Iron Horse Golf Course

The par 70 public layout at Iron Horse — a picturesque setting in the rolling terrain of North Richland Hills — earns a four-star rating from Golf Digest. However, that accolade isn’t what brings uniqueness to the facility. That would be Iron Horse’s central railroad theme.

Indeed, a railroad trestle runs through the course, with three caboose cars including one that serves as the halfway house. And a train actually still operates through the area. Numerous doglegs, two creeks which come into play on 17 holes, and bunkering provide enough to up the game.

Shady Oaks Country Club

Just 7 miles from downtown Fort Worth, Shady Oaks — No. 13 in Texas’ top 100 golf courses — was founded by legendary businessman Marvin Leonard, the same man who conceived Colonial Country Club. In fact Ben Hogan, an early doubter of the layout’s hilly terrain, eventually came to extol its virtues.

Ranked among the best Fort Worth golf courses, Sahdy Oaks was designed by Robert Trent Jones. This members-only course features large bentgrass greens and broad rolling fairways dotted by trees, many of them grand oaks hundreds of years old.

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