The small towns of East Texas are a serious golf-adventurer’s dream. Starting in Lindale and stretching to the Louisiana border is the Azalea Golf Trail, a line of public courses in charming spots like Gladewater, Lake Palestine, and Longview, where you’ll enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, tufts of the titular blooming azalea shrub, and some of the best-designed courses in the state, at a price that’ll leave room for more than a couple Lone Stars at the local watering hole. You’ll immediately see, as you pull into towns like Trinity, Conroe, and The Woodlands, why great golf in this region can’t stay a secret for long: towering pine forests, magnolia trees, luxuriously manicured greens, perfect, pink azalea shrubs, and expansive, crystal-blue lakes are generously peppered throughout the area to the north-northeast of Houston. Take a golf trip to East Texas, but be warned: You may never find the right reason to leave.
BULLARD Texas Golf Courses
Contents
Find the best of both worlds in Bullard. Eagle’s Bluff Country Club is an exclusive, dogwood- and oak-lined private club in a gated community on the shores of Lake Palestine. Emerald Bay Club, just five miles north of Eagle’s Bluff, is a gorgeous championship course on the peninsula overlooking Saline Bay, featuring a relaxed state of play and bargain-rate greens fees.
CONROE Texas Golf Courses
Due north of Houston, River Plantation Country Club is a 27-hole delight spread over the Biloxi, Augusta, and Charleston courses for three distinct, challenging plays. Mossy oaks, blooming azaleas, and eyepopping Bermuda greens define this East Texas golf experience, one you won’t want to miss.
LONGVIEW Texas Golf Courses
Just short of the Louisiana border, you’ll find East Texas treasures like Pinecrest Country Club, the oldest course in the Piney Woods region. A former cow pasture converted to a nine-hole course with sand greens in 1921 and updated to a full 18 by Press Maxwell in 1959, Pinecrest is a challenging course, especially on the front nine.
MONTGOMERY Texas Golf Courses
On the west banks of Lake Conroe is this sleepy town, with practically more golf courses than full-time residents. La Toretta Lake Resort & Spa is a fantastic stay-and-play option for Piney Woods travelers, featuring 18 holes carved through swaths of towering East Texas pines. Jeffrey Blume had a hand in both La Toretta and the neighboring Bentwater Country Club, an exclusive 54-hole club with features like pine-straw roughs, bone-white bunkers, and a three-acre lake defining the Miller Course.
THE WOODLANDS Texas Golf Courses
The Club at Carlton Woods is one of only two properties in the world containing both Nick Fazio and Jack Nicklaus-designed courses, both of which have received numerous accolades since opening in 2001 and 2005, respectively. With lush greens and creekside views, play either—or both!—for an exclusive, luxurious round.
Road Trips
In the vast expanse of East Texas you’ll find some of the most unique terrains in the state. If you head northeast toward the Louisiana border, you’ll come across courses in small towns like Bullard, Jacksonville, Lindale, and Gladewater, which collectively comprise what is known as the Azalea Golf Trail, named so for the ubiquitous sprouting pink shrubs you’ll encounter along the way. You’ll find no shortage of delightful courses along the Texas/Louisiana border, like The Challenge at Gladewater and Garden Valley Golf Club, both at the trail’s starting point in Lindale.
And just north of Houston, in towns like Conroe and Huntsville, you’ll find a wonderful, diverse set of 9-hole, pre-war munis and country clubs, easily accessible from the Bayou City. Enjoy the small-town charm of Montgomery, along the banks of Lake Conroe, a golf mecca in its own right, with a dozen or so historically significant, and sparkling, new courses—impressive for a town with a population of under 1,000.
The Woodlands is a thriving, fast-growing master-planned community just outside the city limits, characterized by thick pine forests and world-class, professionally designed, luxurious country clubs and resorts, like Canongate and The Woodlands Country Club.
Golf Courses in the the Piney Woods
| golf course | phone | physical address | city | zip | web address |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Hills Country Club | 903-796-4146 | 801 O’Farrell Rd. | Atlanta | 75551 | |
| Embassy Hills Golf Course | 903-636-9890 | 8404 White Oak Rd. | Big Sandy | 75755 | |
| Eagle’s Bluff Country Club | 903-825-1123 | 700 N. Eagles Bluff Blvd. | Bullard | 75757 | www.eaglesbluff.com |
| Emerald Bay Country Club | 903-825-3388 | 208 S. Bay Dr. | Bullard | 75757 | www.emeraldbayclub.org |
| Peach Tree Golf Club, Oak Hurst Course | 903-894-7079 | 6212 County Rd. 152 W. | Bullard | 75757 | www.easttexasgolf.com |
| Peach Tree Golf Club, Peach Tree Course | 903-894-7079 | 6212 County Rd. 152 W. | Bullard | 75757 | www.easttexasgolf.com |
| Center Country Club | 936-598-7415 | 3839 Hwy. 96 N. | Center | 75935 | www.centercountryclubtx.com |
| Cape Royale Country Club | 936-653-2388 | 201 Cape Royale Dr. | Coldspring | 77331 | www.caperoyalegolfclub.com |
| Conroe Country Club | 936-756-5222 | 3051 N. Loop 336 W. | Conroe | 77304 | |
| Links at West Fork | 936-760-1776 | One Golf Ridge Dr. | Conroe | 77304 | www.westforkgolf.com |
| River Plantation Country Club, Augusta Course | 936-271-1083 | 550 Country Club Dr. | Conroe | 77302 | www.riverplantationcc.com |
| River Plantation Country Club, Biloxi Course | 936-271-1083 | 550 Country Club Dr. | Conroe | 77302 | www.riverplantationcc.com |
| River Plantation Country Club, Charleston Course | 936-271-1083 | 550 Country Club Dr. | Conroe | 77302 | www.riverplantationcc.com |
| Village Golf Club, Rolling Hills Course | 936-337-4349 | 73 Greenbriar Dr. | Conroe | 77304 | www.thevillagegc.com |
| Village Golf Club, Thunderbird Course | 936-337-4349 | 73 Greenbriar Dr. | Conroe | 77304 | www.thevillagegc.com |
| Village Golf Club, Winged Foot Course | 936-337-4349 | 73 Greenbriar Dr. | Conroe | 77304 | www.thevillagegc.com |
| Spring Creek Country Club | 936-544-7848 | 433 Springcreek Dr. | Crockett | 75835 | |
| Beaver Brook Country Club | 903-645-2976 | 98 County Rd. 2100 | Daingerfield | 75638 | |
| Neches Pines Golf Course | 936-829-5086 | 900 Lumberjack Dr. | Diboll | 75941 | |
| The Challenge at Gladewater | 903-845-4566 | 24345 County Rd. 3107 | Gladewater | 75647 | www.gladewatercc.com |
| Southern Hills Golf Club | 903-984-5335 | 568 E. Wilkins Rd. | Gladewater | 75647 | www.southernhillsclub.com |
| Henderson Country Club | 903-657-4719 | 1143 Hwy. 43 E. | Henderson | 75652 | |
| Holly Lake Ranch Golf Club | 903-769-2397 | 210 Golf Dr. | Holly Lake Ranch | 75765 | www.hollylakeranch.com |
| Country Campus Golf Course | 936-291-0008 | 3312 Hwy. 19 S. | Huntsville | 77320 | |
| Elkins Lake Recreation Association, Hills Course | 936-295-4312 | 632 Cherry Hills | Huntsville | 77340 | www.elkinslake.net |
| Elkins Lake Recreation Association, Lakes Course | 936-295-4312 | 632 Cherry Hills | Huntsville | 77340 | www.elkinslake.net |
| Elkins Lake Recreation Association, Ravines Course | 936-295-4312 | 632 Cherry Hills | Huntsville | 77340 | www.elkinslake.net |
| Raven Nest Golf Club | 936-438-8588 | 457 I-45 S. | Huntsville | 77340 | www.ravennestgolf.com |
| The Challenge at The Woods | 903-589-1759 | 14499 Hwy. 79 E. | Jacksonville | 75766 | www.thechallengeattw.com |
| Jasper Country Club | 409-384-4342 | 488 County Rd. 257 | Jasper | 75951 | |
| Rayburn Country, Blue Course | 409-698-2444 | 2376 Wingate Blvd. | Jasper | 75951 | |
| Rayburn Country, Gold Course | 409-698-2444 | 2376 Wingate Blvd. | Jasper | 75951 | |
| Rayburn Country, Green Course | 409-698-2444 | 2376 Wingate Blvd. | Jasper | 75951 | |
| Rusty Rail Golf Club | 903-665-7245 | 822 E. Prospect Rd. | Jefferson | 75657 | |
| Meadowbrook Country Club | 903-984-3155 | 1306 Houston St. | Kilgore | 75662 | www.meadowbrookkilgore.com |
| Magnolia Ridge Country Club | 936-336-6732 | 100 Country Club Ln. | Liberty | 77575 | |
| Garden Valley Golf Club | 903-882-6100 | 22049 FM 1995 | Lindale | 75771 | www.gardenvalleytx.com |
| Hide-A-Way Lake Golf Club, Central Course | 903-882-6151 | 101 Hideaway Ln. Central | Hideaway | 75771 | www.hideawaytexas.net |
| Hide-A-Way Lake Golf Club, East Course | 903-882-6151 | 101 Hideaway Ln. Central | Hideaway | 75771 | www.hideawaytexas.net |
| Hide-A-Way Lake Golf Club, West Course | 903-882-6151 | 101 Hideaway Ln. Central | Hideaway | 75771 | www.hideawaytexas.net |
| Alpine Golf Club | 903-753-4515 | 2385 Smelley Rd. | Longview | 75605 | |
| Alpine Target Golf Center | 903-753-1415 | 2695 Alpine Rd. | Longview | 75605 | www.alpinetargetgolfcenter.com |
| The Challenge at Oak Forest Country Club | 903-297-3932 | 2044 Oak Forest Country Club Dr. | Longview | 75605 | www.thechallengeatof.com |
| Cherokee Country Golf Association | 903-643-3571 | N. I-33 Lake Cherokee | Longview | 75603 | |
| Longview Country Club | 903-759-9251 | 3275 Hwy. 42 | Longview | 75604 | |
| Pinecrest Country Club | 903-758-5566 | 214 Club Dr. | Longview | 75602 | www.pinecrestcc.org |
| Wood Hollow Golf Club | 903-663-4653 | 5121 N. McCann Rd. | Longview | 75605 | |
| Crown Colony Country Club | 936-637-8811 | 900 Crown Colony Dr. | Lufkin | 75901 | www.crown-colony.com |
| Lufkin Country Club | 936-632-2848 | 1624 Sayers St. | Lufkin | 75901 | www.lufkincountryclub.com |
| Canongate at Lake Windcrest | 281-259-2279 | 10941 Clubhouse Circle | Magnolia | 77354 | www.canongatetexas.com |
| High Meadow Ranch Golf Club | 281-356-7700 | 37300 Golf Club Trail | Magnolia | 77355 | www.highmeadowranchgolf.com |
| Star Harbor Golf Club | 903-489-0091 | 99 Sunset Blvd. | Malakoff | 75148 | |
| Marshall Lakeside Country Club | 903-938-4211 | 6315 Hwy. 43 N. | Marshall | 75672 | |
| Oak Lawn Country Club | 903-935-7555 | 4307 Victory Dr. | Marshall | 75672 | |
| Mineola Country Club | 903-569-2472 | 975 W. Loop 564 | Mineola | 75773 | www.mineolacountryclub.com |
| April Sound Country Club, Blue Course | 936-588-1101 | 1000 April Sound Blvd. | Montgomery | 77356 | www.aprilsoundcountryclub.com |
| April Sound Country Club, Red Course | 936-588-1101 | 1000 April Sound Blvd. | Montgomery | 77356 | www.aprilsoundcountryclub.com |
| April Sound Country Club, White Course | 936-588-1101 | 1000 April Sound Blvd. | Montgomery | 77356 | www.aprilsoundcountryclub.com |
| Bentwater Country Club, Grand Pines Course | 936-597-6219 | 800 Bentwater Dr. | Montgomery | 77356 | www.bentwater.com |
| Bentwater Country Club, Miller Course | 936-597-6219 | 800 Bentwater Dr. | Montgomery | 77356 | www.bentwater.com |
| Bentwater Country Club, Weiskopf Course | 936-597-6219 | 800 Bentwater Dr. | Montgomery | 77356 | www.bentwater.com |
| La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa | 936-448-4400 | 600 La Torretta Blvd. | Montgomery | 77356 | www.latorrettalakeresort.com |
| Walden on Lake Conroe Golf Club | 936-448-4668 | 13101 Walden Rd. | Montgomery | 77356 | www.waldengolf.com |
| Woodforest Golf Club, Back Course | 936-588-8800 | 1199 Fish Creek Thoroughfare | Montgomery | 77316 | www.woodforestgolf.com |
| Woodforest Golf Club, Front Course | 936-588-8800 | 1199 Fish Creek Thoroughfare | Montgomery | 77316 | www.woodforestgolf.com |
| Woodforest Golf Club, West Course | 936-588-8800 | 1199 Fish Creek Thoroughfare | Montgomery | 77316 | www.woodforestgolf.com |
| Country Club of Mount Pleasant | 903-572-1804 | 1000 Country Club Dr. | Mount Pleasant | 75455 | www.countryclubmtpleasant.com |
| Piney Woods Country Club | 936-569-9821 | 3001 Hwy. 59 S. | Nacogdoches | 75964 | www.pineywoodscountryclub.com |
| Woodland Hills Golf Club | 936-564-2762 | 359 County Rd. 5021 | Nacogdoches | 75964 | www.woodlandhillsgolfclub.com |
| Oak Grove Golf Club | 903-223-8402 | 1 Oak Grove Dr. | New Boston | 75570 | www.oakgrovegolf.com |
| Overton Municipal Golf Course | 903-834-6414 | 505 S. Lakeshore Dr. | Overton | 75684 | |
| Princedale Country Club | 903-856-3737 | 646 Hwy. 11 E. | Pittsburg | 75686 | |
| Birmingham Forest Golf Club | 903-683-9518 | 1802 Copeland St. | Rusk | 75785 | www.birminghamforestgolfclub.com |
| Silsbee Country Club | 409-385-7337 | 6200 Country Club Dr. | Silsbee | 77656 | |
| Northridge Country Club | 903-794-6196 | 120 Bill Rogers Dr. | Texarkana | 75503 | www.northridgecountryclub.net |
| Texarkana Golf Ranch | 903-334-7401 | 7401 Scott Wright Rd. | Texarkana | 75503 | www.hankhaneygolf.com |
| Westwood Shores Country Club | 936-594-9172 | 100 Westwood E. | Trinity | 75862 | www.westwoodshorespoa.com |
| Whispering Pines Golf Club | 936-594-4980 | 1532 Whispering Pines Dr. | Trinity | 75862 | www.whisperingpinesgolfclub.com |
| Hilltop Country Club | 903-842-3516 | 815 Arp Dr. | Troup | 75789 | |
| The Cascades Golf Club | 903-525-0005 | 4511 Briarwood Rd. | Tyler | 75709 | www.cascadesoftexas.com |
| Hollytree Country Club | 903-581-4952 | 6700 Hollytree Dr. | Tyler | 75703 | www.hollytreecc.com |
| Pine Springs Golf Course | 903-526-4653 | 5630 County Rd. 334 | Tyler | 75708 | www.pinespringsgolfclub.com |
| Willow Brook Country Club | 903-592-8226 | 3205 W. Erwin St. | Tyler | 75702 | www.wbcctyler.com |
| Wildwood Golf Course | 409-834-2940 | 2200 Button Willow | Village Mills | 77663 | www.golfwildwoodgc.com |
| The Challenge at Cypress Hills | 903-938-4941 | 1126 Cypress Valley Ln. | Waskom | 75670 | |
| Texas National Golf Club | 936-856-4233 | 8720 Clubhouse Dr. | Willis | 77378 | www.texasnationalgolfcourse.com |
| Canongate at The Woodlands, Oaks Course | 281-882-3000 | 2311 N. Millbend | The Woodlands | 77380 | www.canongatetexas.com |
| Canongate at The Woodlands, Panther Trail Course | 281-882-3000 | 2311 N. Millbend | The Woodlands | 77380 | www.canongatetexas.com |
| Club at Carlton Woods, Fazio Course | 281-863-5800 | 1 Carlton Woods Dr. | The Woodlands | 77382 | www.carltonwoods.com |
| Club at Carlton Woods, Nicklaus Course | 281-863-5800 | 1 Carlton Woods Dr. | The Woodlands | 77382 | www.carltonwoods.com |
| The Woodlands Country Club, Palmer Course | 281-863-1440 | 100 Grand Fairway Dr. | The Woodlands | 77381 | www.thewoodlandscc.com |
| The Woodlands Country Club, Player Course | 281-863-1490 | 8900 Sterling Ridge Dr. | The Woodlands | 77382 | www.thewoodlandscc.com |
| The Woodlands Country Club, Tournament Course | 281-863-1540 | 1730 S. Millbend | The Woodlands | 77380 | www.thewoodlandscc.com |
| Dogwood Hills Country Club | 409-283-8725 | 1624 Hwy. 190 W. | Woodville | 75979 | |
| Links at Land’s End | 903-383-3290 | 285 Private Rd. 5980 | Yantis | 75497 | www.golflakefork.com |
Don’t miss these other great attractions!
Conroe
Lone Star Monument and Historical Flag Park
www.texasflagpark.com
Huntsville
Huntsville State Park
tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/huntsville
(936) 295-5644
Kilgore
East Texas Oil Museum
www.easttexasoilmuseum.com
(903) 983-8295
Longview
Gregg County Historical Museum
www.gregghistorical.org
(903) 753-5840
Lufkin
Museum of East Texas
www.metlufkin.org
(936) 639-4434
Nacogdoches
Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden
azalea.sfasu.edu
(936) 468-3301
Texarkana
Perot Theatre
www.trahc.org/perot-theatre
(903) 792-8681
Tyler
Caldwell Zoo
caldwellzoo.org
(903) 593-0121
Woodville
Big Thicket National Preserve
www.nps.gov/bith
(409) 951-6700