Highland Lakes Course

Of the two courses at the Lago Vista, the Highland Lakes course is considered the more difficult. An unforgiving course that allows no room for error, it features dramatic elevation changes and the stunning topography so typical of courses in this area.

You’ll feel squeezed from the first tee of this newer of the two Lago Vista courses that opened in 1980. No. 1 requires an almost perfect blind tee shot to reach the ridge that drops the ball to the green some 35 feet below. And No. 2 is just as tough with another blind shot.

Later on the front nine, No. 8 is a long, doglegging par 5 that can grab you. Driver works well off the tee down into the valley, then the second shot works back up to a plateau before dropping back down again. The approach is nice, carrying the final valley into a green protected by bunkers and lined by a striking rock wall in the back.

The last hole on the front, which offers a panoramic view of Lake Travis, is the perfect warmup for one of the most spectacular holes in the state. No. 10 is the signature, and it’s well deserved because of the 100-foot drop in elevation. The fairway stair steps down, then plays into a severely back-to-front sloping green.

All of the holes are awesome, but the double-dogleg No. 16 stands out a bit more. Lined by trees, it winds down to a green that rests a good 20-30 feet from where you’ll be hitting the approach. Big hitters can reach it in two, but the twists and turns make for a very delightful golf hole.

Getting there : From Austin, take Hwy. 183 north to FM 1431, then turn west 11 miles. When you come to Lohmas Ford Rd. turn left and drive 3 miles, then turn right on Boggy Ford Rd. Veer to the right and follow the signs to the course.