Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa

This is the one course at Barton Creek Resort that isn't at the resort, but it's well worth the drive and certainly a change of pace. While it's only 6,500 yards, it's anything but easy. Play the back tees, and there are some long par 4s, plus it's not that easy off the tee. What it is is interesting. No two holes are alike, and it will test every part of your game.

Omni Barton Creek Resort & Club has four courses, but the Palmer Lakeside course is on its own, located far from the main resort compound, about 40 minutes away (next door to another private club, LakeCliff, that is pretty solid too).

Similar to Barton Creek's other courses, it's a Hill Country layout all the way with wonderful scenery. Unlike the other three, it's an Arnold Palmer design and there are Lake Travis views from the first tee and some really good ones on the back nine. The back nine is definitely a step up from the front, and two par 3s, 11 and 14 are real showstoppers. It's generally playable and just 6,400 from the tips, which we played. In hindsight, it felt like a long 6,400 yards and maybe we should have played a box up.

All that said, this is probably the weakest of the four resort courses, so don't feel like a drive all the way out here is totally necessary. But it is a very relaxed and pleasant environment and it also seems like the tee sheet is usually going to be more wide open.

We stopped at Opie's BBQ, which is very close to the course, and had a great and filling lunch. I'd recommend the same.

Beautiful views and an incredible layout lead to one of the best golf experiences in the Austin area. The Greens are very quick and the undulation is perfect leading to a enjoyable challenge to make medium range putts. The fairways were cut to perfection leading to adequate roll out and perfect lies from all spots in the fairways, however the landing areas led to a shot placement of the tee that must be nearly perfect on the more challenging holes. While in winter conditions the rough was still a challenge and was no doubt a penalty to go into. The beverage cart made frequent stops and the staff on and off the course were helpful and kind over the course of the round. While the halfway house is ideal the lack of a proper club house at the Canyons course is a rather odd feel for the quality of the golfing experience. The course was rather open so pace of play was no issue and the round was completed in just under 4 hours. Overall this course is a standout in the Barton Springs complex for its ideal conditions, incredible layout, and challenge for all skill levels, this is a must visit when in the Austin area.

What a fantastic course that doesn't appear to see a lot of play. Given how far this course is away from everything, it seems that members and guests sometimes to venture out West to play this hidden gem with some fantastic lake views. This course will feature plenty of quality and memorable holes with forced carries, waterfalls, sharp doglegs and overall quality design features.

The only thing I would possibly change is that on the first teebox, the tips are located literally 5 feet away from the putting green and 10 feet from the parking lot. Granted, better players should be able to block this out, but that was a little quirky. Aside from that, this is a fantastic course with a truly remarkable and memorable back nine the presents loads of scoring opportunities if you perform adequate course management.

This course is located about 30-40 minutes from the rest of the Barton Creek Resort. If you are coming into town to stay at the resort I recommend playing this one on arrival date and then heading to the resort. The parking situation at the resort is tight so hitting this course first and then leaving your car parked for the rest of the stay (other 3 courses are on property) is a good bet.

This course is designed absolutely fantastic. The layout, the structure, course pathway, everything on that end is perfect. Long holes play down-wind, short holes play into the wind.

With that being said, the conditions were considerably lacking. Loads of dead spots on the green where it meets the collar. This course SHOULD be the best one on property, but the conditions just did not match the design here. Considering the budget to build this course, with the waterfalls, greens hanging off ledges, elevation changes, etc. you would think they would keep this course in great shape. All of the other courses on property were in superb condition so you cannot blame the weather for the lack of quality conditions at FF. Fazio did fantastic work here on the design, cannot underscore that enough.

I first played this course about 15 years ago when I was first learning the game and finally made a trip back out there in December to see if it had changed. This course continues to have the best playing conditions of any of the courses on property and it possesses a simple, yet challenging golf experience.

I played from the tips and still felt the course plays a little short, but the narrowness of some of the fairways certainly factors in. I hit more irons off the tee than drivers, but when I needed to pull driver because of the hole length, I found a much wider fairway. Really well designed course, lots of ups and downs, doglegs both left and right, and a great mix of par 3s. I found myself hitting 4, 7, 8, 9 and GW on the par 3s which presented a good variety for a player.

Will certainly come back and I consider this and the Palmer Course to be tied for the best "value" yet "quality" courses when it comes to the Austin area.

I have been dreaming of playing Barton Creek since I started playing golf 25 years ago. Unfortunately, upon arrival, I found out the original course, "Foothills", was closed for maintenance. Oh well, I guess I'll have to get someone to twist my arm to come back.
We were able to play the Fazio Canyons, apparently quite lucky! I highly suggest checking on tee times, for whatever course you choose to play!! Apparently, Thursday is members only on that course. We got a heck of a deal on Wednesday twilight for $120!
The course layout is stunning! You feel like every hole is a complete solitary experience, no parallel fairways, no worries about someone's bad shot being in the way of your good shot (and vice versa). The greens had just been top dressed maybe a week before, but they rolled true, and held well!
The range is a range, no bells and whistles. The pro shop is a temporary trailer, which is not a big deal if you are staying at the resort. Use the free shuttle!!
I highly recommend staying at the resort and taking advantage of the amenities and the discount you get for golf. I hit the whirlpool and steam before I played, and I was feeling quite relaxed!
The course is fair and a good test, driver is not always the best choice off the tee, and if you hit a poor shot, don't be greedy!Take your medicine, or this course will eat you alive, especially on the back 9!

Sand traps unplayable. Shouldn't charge these rates for the condition.

Barton Creek overall needs a to-do. Showing signs of age.

I just got done playing the Fazio Canyons Course at Barton Creek and felt it left some to be desired. As with most things you are paying for not only golf but the experience. The course itself is a great layout, challenging up and down fairway to green shots. Tight windows in places require precision. It would have been nice to have been told when making the tee time that the greens were sanded down (however, they rolled true, so no real complaint here). The course gets 5 stars. Plus, at the end of the round I found the practice facility tucked away near the back nine to be incredible in addition to the fine driving range with rolex clocks.

Despite this, for $200 on a Thursday morning I was expecting a bit more from the experience. First, the check in was a bit odd... The course has been opened for more than a couple years now and the club house is run out of a temp trailer? I expect carts with this price tag to have GPS & have a name placard with tee time on it. The carts had no GPS (see pics) no assigned cart and they charge you to get a yardage book. Also, most courses in this price range provide a free bag tag keepsake or discount on pro-shop item following round (neither offered). Finally, it is a hot Texas day and other courses again in this price range have marshals or beverage personnel offering cold towels or the like. I'm not one to get up in arms on things like this but when I'm shelling out $200 I expect more.

For the average golfer, especially the resort golfer, you are coming for the experience and that is where I saw a big hole. I'm scratch and found the course challenging shooting 76 and think Fazio has another masterpiece here - the greens could easily be made to run 12-14 and you grow the rough out and I would have shot 86. 4 stars overall but I urge Barton Creek to up their game. Coming from San Antonio where La Cantera, JW Marriott TPC San Antonio, The Quarry & Hyatt Hill Country have amazing courses where they provide such experience I describe above. Do better.

It's 45 minutes from the rest of the Barton Creek Resort, but if you have time, make the trip out to Spicewood and check out this little gem of a course. With five unique par 3s, some difficult greens and plenty of scenery, it's nothing like the other three courses at Barton Creek and well worth the effort.

Overall the course is fantastic. From the tee boxes to greens, the course is well manicured. Not a long course, but challenging in its own way. Miss the fairway and you will be in 2 inch high rough. Not a long course, but precise at that. Green rolled true and fast.

I think the $100 green fee is a little steep, but enjoyed my time. If you are looking for hill country views this is your place.

This was a very beautiful golf course. The greens are large and have a lot of undulation. There was a lot of sand on the greens that had to be swept out of the way before putting. This occurred on several of the greens and slowed pace of play. Overall, I would recommend this course to everyone.

Excellent golf course. The scenery was beautiful and the fairways and greens were in excellent shape.

The layout of this course is superb, from tee to green a great course!

The marshals are very present on the course and kept the slower groups moving.

If you are staying at Barton Creek I highly recommend playing this course. The staff is top notch! The course is in great condition. It is not hard drive, however having directions was reassuring.

This course is out near Spicewood TX so getting there from anywhere around Austin can really take some time. You're not likely to just pop over and play; you'll need to factor in extra time on the road before and after.

True to a private/resort course, I was met in the parking lot at my vehicle by a very nice gentleman who loaded my clubs, checked to make sure they were clean, etc. I believe they even had a couple of cold bottled waters. As with hill country courses, there are sometimes a few more turns and doglegs. Add that to a few ponds, elevation changes, and big oak trees and you come away with a really nice and enjoyable course.