With three golf courses open to the public—plus golf-related games and family fun—there’s plenty to do in the Waco area for the golf enthusiast. Visit Waco’s public and semi-private courses to practice your skills and enjoy the natural beauty of Central Texas.
Cottonwood Creek Golf Course
As Waco’s only municipal golf course, Cottonwood Creek Golf Course offers well-maintained greens and six sets of tees to suit diverse skill levels. Play through an 18-hole, par 72 course featuring varied holes, water features, and bunkers across rolling hills. As a municipal course, this is one of the more affordable options in Waco.
Practice specific techniques at the driving range, putting green, and chipping area. There’s also a nine-hole, par three junior course for learning the fundamentals, or for a quick round on busy days.
Back at the clubhouse, a bar and grill offers beer, wine, cocktails, and sandwiches. And the Pro Shop sells everything you’ll need, including clubs, clothes, and accessories. For precise club fittings, theLAB at Cottonwood Creek Golf Course uses a launch monitor to analyze your swing. They also do club repair including re-shafts, re-grips, loft and lie adjustments, and lengthening/shortening adjustments, so you can get your gear in order before you hit the fairway.
Topgolf
When you want to play—but don’t feel like a full 18 holes—head to Topgolf. Your group will have your own private bay where you’ll swing for the large targets out on the green. Once your high-tech ball lands, your points will tally on your leaderboard so you can track your standings among your friends.
With 14 different games to choose from, you’ll never get bored here. Beginners may want to try the signature Topgolf game, aiming for the center of any target. Advanced players can try Top Drive, where only the farthest targets earn points.
During your session, enjoy food, beer, wine, and cocktails delivered right to your bay. And while Topgolf is fun for all skill levels, it’s also a good way to practice connecting with the ball and working on your aim. Topgolf also offers mini golf! For just $5 per person, play their nine-hole mini golf course before or after your primary reservation.
Bear Ridge Golf Club
You don’t have to be a member to play at semi-private Bear Ridge Golf Club. While some hours and amenities are members-only, non-members can book a tee time most days after 11:00 a.m.
This 18-hole, par 72 course was designed by PGA Tour Professional Peter Jacobsen and PGA Member Jim Hardy, with hilly terrain and generous fairways. An exciting variety of holes range from par three to par five for a challenging game. The greens and bunkers here were recently rebuilt, so the structure of this course is in great shape. And a new 4,000 square foot tournament pavilion makes this a perfect course for a fundraiser or corporate outing.
Bear Ridge also has all the extras you want from a golf course. The driving range offers 230 linear feet of Premium Turf Hound mats for weekday use, and an upgraded Range Servant ball machine with QR code for easy payments. Shop for clubs, tees, clothing, and accessories from top brands at the pro shop. And order a bite from the newly remodeled Grill at Bear Ridge before or after your round, with sandwiches, burgers, and tacos on the menu.
Camp Fimfo for Mini Golf
At resort-style campground and RV park Camp Fimfo, there are tons of fun activities to do—including mini golf. And you don’t have to camp here to enjoy them. Just get a Day Pass to the camp for access to the mini golf course and much more.
Play a full 18 holes at their tree-shaded mini golf course, with strings of cafe lights for evening play. Will it help with your short game, à la Happy Gilmore? Probably not. Experts say that the turf in a mini golf course is much faster than that of an actual green, so mini golf isn’t likely to help your putting skills. That being said, it may help you focus on directing your shot, and getting good contact between ball and putter.
Whether it helps your game or not, mini golf is still a fun way to spend an afternoon with your family or friends! And since your Day Pass includes access to the camp’s extensive amenities, you can go swimming or visit the water park to cool off after playing.
Lake Waco Golf Club
Tucked among the oaks on the north side of the water, Lake Waco Golf Club is another semi-private course open to the public.
There are two courses here—an 18-hole, par 72 regulation course, and an 18-hole, par three executive course designed for quicker game play. In fact, Lake Waco offers the only 18-hole executive course between Dallas and Austin, with hilly terrain and water features.
The regulation course is fun for all skill levels, with standard-width fairways and medium-sized greens of average speed. The holes vary in difficulty, but holes seven and eight are particularly challenging. Hole Seven covers 603 yards, but feels much further when playing into the wind; and the sloped green at Hole Eight is surrounded by water and mature trees.
This lovely course also has a driving range and a well-equipped pro shop. Visit The Turn Bar & Grill after your round for hearty sandwiches, hot dogs, and drinks from the fully stocked bar.
