2 great Texas Hill Country public golf courses for every price point

Welcome to the Tip Jar, where our mission is to help you maximize, extend and get smart with your almighty golf dollars — yep, free of charge!

The PGA Tour is in the middle of its Texas Hill Country swing and fans are getting their yearly look at what central Texas is all about. With sparse rough, baked-out turf and plenty of wind, golf in central Texas supplies some unique looks that players might not see throughout the rest of the year.

If this brand of golf is something that fascinates you, there are plenty of courses in the area that can give you a taste of Hill Country golf. Check out the list below for two great public courses at every price point in central Texas.

Price point: Under $50

Delaware Springs Golf Course: Delaware Springs is something of a hidden gem in the Hill Country, but if you’re willing to trek a bit out of the major metro areas of San Antonio and Austin, you won’t find a better course for the price. With dynamic pricing, you can play as much golf as you want for just $25 on weekdays. Tucked out in the Hill Country, this rural course will give you an authentic Texas feel, and you can enjoy the scenery with a cold Shiner Bock at the end of your round.

Brackenridge Park Golf Course: This historic A.W. Tillinghast design meanders through Brackenridge Park near San Antonio’s city center. The course is the oldest 18-hole public course in Texas (opened in 1916) and was the first inductee into the Texas Golf Hall of Fame. You can play for as little as $22 during the week and it’s close enough to the River Walk that you can kick your feet up downtown after your round.

Price point: Under $100

Falconhead Golf Club: If you enjoy the hilly, tree-lined look of TPC San Antonio, then Falconhead is right up your alley. This course has plenty of elevation changes and excellent Bermuda greens that will challenge even the best putters. It’s as little as $59 during the week.

The Quarry Golf Course: The Quarry Golf Course is unlike any other you’ve seen — mainly because it was built inside an abandoned rock quarry in the historic Alamo Heights area. You can play here for as little as $54 during the week.

Price point: $100+

La Cantera Golf Club: La Cantera Golf Club is located just north of San Antonio and features a picturesque look at the surrounding scenery. As a previous host of the Valero Texas Open, this course can hold its own against the best players in your foursome. Rates are dynamic, but prices usually start just over $100.

Barton Creek Resort: Book a weekend getaway at Barton Creek Resort and have your pick of four world-class courses. The resort offers incredible views of the Hill Country and is close enough to downtown Austin that you can explore the city after your round. The pricing on these courses gets as high as $285, but once you experience the courses, the price tag will be quickly forgotten.