Action, adventure and a ten-gallon hat are all in store for you when visiting Texas. Everyone knows that things are bigger in Texas, but this state has so much more to offer when it comes to golf. Several times a year, the PGA Tour visits this state and some of the most well-known golfers of all time hail from here, including Ben Hogan, Justin Leonard and Ben Crenshaw.

One of the golf courses the PGA Tour plays is the Resort course at the La Cantera Country Club in San Antonio. Designed by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish, this golf course is relatively short by modern standards. At only slightly over 6,800 yards this golf course puts more emphasis on accuracy rather than length. Right from the start you might think you are in for a tough day as this golf course begins with a 665 yard par-5. I have played many long par-5's, but as a starting hole this takes the cake. Perhaps this is where the phrase "Everything is bigger in Texas" came from.

La Cantera Resort features a second championship golf course designed by Arnold Palmer. With 508 rooms, this property was opened in 1999 and features a world-class resort, fitness facility and the only resort in Texas that has 36 holes of championship golf. This is a great place to spend a romantic weekend to rekindle some of those flames of your younger days.

While you are in the area you might want to visit the historic Canyon Springs Golf Club. This golf course is built on land that has a legacy tracing back to the days of the wild, wild west. In fact many of the buildings on the property have been built using materials that were once found in an 50 mile long dry stack wall. The golf course from the back tees is 7,077 yards and was designed by Thomas Walker.

One of the great things about playing golf in Texas is the scenery. Huge trees surround the golf course - a nice change for us desert-dwellers. Canyon Springs Golf Club meanders through the lush hillsides and dense forests frame this golf course. Certainly you will have to bring both a long and accurate game to score well here.

If you want to make a detour to Austin you'll have the chance to play the oldest golf course in Texas at the Hancock Golf Course. This municipal golf course is only 9 holes but is certainly a blast from the past. Keep in mind that when this golf course was first built, long hitters averaged around 230 yards - quite a difference from the long bombers of today. This golf course is only 2,800 yards and you might not even need to bring your whole set of clubs. This could be a great way to end a trip to Texas.

San Antonio and Austin are both located in the Central part of Texas. If you happen to be in the area during college football season you might to check out a game at the University of Texas. Not only did this team win the Big 12 Conference, they also went on to win the National Championship in 2005. Watching a home game at the University is sure to be a great experience.

Texas is home to the only trans-national golf course in the world. Located in West Texas the Ambush Golf Course in Lajitas, Texas features a hole that starts in the United States and finishes in Mexico. The only catch is that it is a par 1 and the only shot you get to hit is the tee shot across the Rio Grande river. This hole is squeezed in as hole 11A. Only in Texas would they have such a hole during regular daily play.

This golf course has very reasonable rates starting at $45 and the golf course is in great shape most of the year. The most dramatic feature of this golf course are the four holes that sit on an island in the middle of the Rio Grande river. The greens are seeded with bent grass and the rest of the golf course is heavily mounded to simulate the surrounding landscape. This golf course measures over 7,000 yards from the back tees and should be handled with care.

West Texas is unlike the other portions of Texas. Much of the area is covered with mountain ranges that resemble the terrain in the southwest area of the United States. One of the most dramatic sites in this area is the Big Bend National Park. Big Bend is famous for the backpacking and hiking trails that wander around this large park. This is one of the least visited national parks and makes for a nice, intimate vacation to go with some great relaxing golf.

Swingin' in the Houston Rain
Memorial Park Golf Course Houston, Texas When lightning strikes, a golfer is faced with 3 options: 1. Wait it out 2. Quit and go home 3. Head to the clubhouse bar Playing at the 13th hole of Houston’s Memorial Park Golf Course, I found