Grapevine sits within 15 miles of five exceptional golf courses: Cowboys Golf Club (the world's only NFL-themed course), Grapevine Golf Course (Texas's top-rated municipal under $40), Texas Star Golf Course (a championship layout in nearby Euless), The Tribute Golf Links (featuring replicas of famous Scottish holes), and Waterchase Golf Club (Fort Worth's premier public course).
Keep reading for complete details on pricing, course conditions, what makes each one special, and how to plan your perfect DFW golf experience.
Why Grapevine Offers Some of Texas's Best Golf
Grapevine's position in the DFW metroplex gives you access to an unusually strong collection of golf courses.
Within a 15-mile radius, you'll find five exceptional layouts that range from championship designs to municipal gems, including the world's only NFL-themed course and a Scottish links replica on the shores of Lake Lewisville.
What makes this concentration remarkable is the variety.
You can play a $34 weekday round at a Byron Nelson-designed municipal course one day, then experience a $280 all-inclusive championship round the next.
The options span every skill level—from forgiving layouts that welcome higher handicappers to PGA-caliber tests that challenge scratch golfers.
Year-round playability sets these courses apart.
Texas courses overseed their greens to maintain playing conditions even during winter months, which means you're never stuck waiting for spring thaw.
That said, timing matters:
- Fall (September through November) and spring (March through May) deliver ideal conditions—comfortable temperatures, firm fairways, and fast greens
- Summer golf is absolutely playable if you book early morning or twilight tee times, though expect temperatures pushing past 95-100°F during midday hours
- Winter rounds stay accessible thanks to overseeding programs that keep greens lush when northern courses sit dormant
Every course sits within easy reach of DFW Airport hotels and Grapevine accommodations, which makes logistics simple whether you're flying in for a weekend or planning an extended golf trip.
This tight geographic cluster means you can sample multiple courses without burning hours behind the wheel—a genuine advantage when you want to experience different design philosophies and challenges during a single visit.
Cowboys Golf Club – The World's Only NFL-Themed Championship Course
Cowboys Golf Club holds a unique distinction—it's the world's first and only NFL-themed golf course.
Architect Jeff Brauer designed this 18-hole championship layout, which opened in 2001 and sprawls across 159 acres of rolling terrain adjacent to Grapevine Lake at 1600 Fairway Drive.
The course plays to a par 72 and stretches 7,017 yards from the back tees, with a slope rating between 138 and 140 and a course rating of 74.2 to 74.7.
Four different tee sets let you choose a length that matches your game, making the course accessible even if those championship yardages sound intimidating.
What sets the layout apart is the dramatic terrain.
Elevation changes reach up to 100 feet throughout the property, creating the kind of variety you'd expect from a premium course.
Brauer incorporated MacKenzie-style fingered bunkers—the kind you see at Augusta National—along with mature tree-lined fairways and natural water features that come into play on multiple holes.
Stone markers scattered throughout commemorate Dallas Cowboys history, reinforcing the NFL theme without overdoing it.
The clubhouse experience matches the course's premium positioning.
You'll find Super Bowl trophies on display alongside championship rings and extensive Cowboys memorabilia, which makes for an impressive backdrop whether you're grabbing lunch or celebrating after your round.
The Ring of Honor Kitchen and Bar offers full dining service with artisanal cocktails and 12 rotating craft beers on tap.
Green fees run $200 to $280 for 18 holes, which puts Cowboys Golf Club firmly in premium territory.
The all-inclusive VIP package bundles your GPS-equipped cart, practice balls, and unlimited food, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages throughout your round—a nice touch that eliminates the need to pull out your wallet after you've paid your initial fee.
Here's the critical issue you need to know: Recent reviews from late 2024 and early 2025 report significant greens maintenance problems.
Multiple golfers have described conditions as unplayable, which is concerning given the premium price point.
Before you book a tee time, call ahead at (817) 410-3377 to confirm the current course conditions.
The layout and amenities are impressive, but paying $200-plus for a round on poorly maintained greens isn't anyone's idea of a good investment.
Grapevine Golf Course – Texas's #1 Municipal Course Under $40
The Dallas Morning News rated Grapevine Golf Course as the top municipal facility in Texas under $40—a distinction that's well-earned when you see what this 27-hole complex delivers.
Located at 3800 Fairway Drive, the course traces its roots to 1979 when Byron Nelson and Joe Finger designed the original 18 holes.
D.A. Weibring's Golf Resources expanded the facility to 27 holes in 1999, creating a configuration that gives you genuine variety across multiple rounds.
The three nine-hole courses let you customize your experience based on skill level and what kind of challenge you're after:
- Pecan Nine brings the most demanding test with tighter fairways and strategic hazard placement
- Bluebonnet Nine sits in the middle difficulty-wise but features spectacular elevation changes that make it the most visually dramatic option
- Mockingbird Nine offers the most forgiving layout, perfect if you're a higher handicapper or just want a more relaxed round
You can combine any two nines for an 18-hole round that plays to par 72 and stretches up to 6,983 yards depending on which combination you choose.
Modern Tif Eagle greens span all 27 holes, providing consistent putting surfaces whether you're playing Pecan-Bluebonnet or Mockingbird-Pecan.
Natural water hazards and scenic roughs thread through the property, adding both challenge and visual appeal.
Here's where the value becomes impossible to ignore.
Weekend rates run $43 to $70, while weekday rates drop to $34 to $45. Seniors get additional discounts during the week.
Want to play all 27 holes?
It's only $12 more than the 18-hole rate, which means you can spend an entire day on the course for roughly what you'd pay for lunch and drinks at some upscale facilities.
The amenities match what you'd find at courses charging twice the price.
Full practice facilities include a driving range and putting green, so you can warm up properly before your round.
Persimmons Bar and Grill handles the food service on-site, offering quality dining that goes beyond typical snack bar fare.
Golfers consistently point out that the course quality rivals nearby Cowboys Golf Club despite costing a fraction of the price.
The maintenance stays impeccable, the staff earns praise for friendliness, and the three-nine-hole configuration prevents the monotony that can set in when you play the same 18 holes repeatedly.
The facility is also pursuing Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program certification, which demonstrates a commitment to environmental stewardship that enhances the overall experience.
Call (817) 410-3377 to book your tee time.
At these rates, Grapevine Golf Course represents the best value in the entire DFW area.
Texas Star Golf Course & The Tribute Golf Links – Two Championship Experiences
These two courses sit at opposite ends of the experience spectrum.
Texas Star delivers championship municipal golf with exceptional value, while The Tribute offers something you won't find anywhere else in Texas—a full-scale recreation of famous Scottish links holes.
Both deserve your attention, just for completely different reasons.
Texas Star Golf Course
Keith R. Foster designed this championship layout in Euless, just 6 miles from Grapevine at 1400 Texas Star Parkway.
The course opened in 1997 and underwent a major renovation in 2014, which brought it up to the standards that earned it recognition as a Top Ten Texas Municipal Course by Golf Vacations Magazine.
The routing plays to par 71 and stretches 6,936 yards from the championship tees, with a slope rating between 135 and 139 and a course rating of 73.6 to 74.1.
Six different tee sets range from 4,962 yards all the way up to the championship distance, giving you options whether you're a beginner or a skilled player looking for a legitimate test.
What makes Texas Star stand out is the attention to conditioning and strategic design.
The greens feature lush Mini Verde Ultra-dwarf Bermuda grass, which provides true roll and consistent speed.
White crushed quartz bunkers create sharp visual contrast against the fairways, while flowing water features and dramatic elevation changes add both challenge and visual interest throughout the round.
Green fees run $70 to $90 for 18 holes with a GPS-equipped cart included—solid value for what you're getting.
The practice facilities are comprehensive: a three-tier driving range, a separate chipping area with a practice bunker, and a challenging putting green that prepares you for the undulations you'll face on the course.
The clubhouse restaurant has built a reputation that draws people who aren't even playing golf, and the facility includes conference space that accommodates up to 300 guests.
Golfers consistently praise the maintenance standards, strategic design that rewards smart play, and staff friendliness that makes every visit enjoyable. Call (817) 685-7888 to book your round.
The Tribute Golf Links
If you want an experience you can't replicate anywhere else in Texas, head to The Tribute at 1000 Lebanon Road in The Colony, about 15 miles from Grapevine.
Tripp Davis designed this course to recreate 18 of the most famous holes from British Open Championship venues, and it sits on the shores of Lake Lewisville where prevailing winds create authentic links conditions.
The concept isn't gimmicky—it's genuinely well-executed.
You'll play replicas of iconic holes from St. Andrews, Royal Troon, Prestwick, and Muirfield, among others.
Each hole includes historical markers explaining the original venue and the hole's significance, which adds educational context to your round.
The layout features the famous double-wide first and eighteenth fairways from St. Andrews, a recreation of the Postage Stamp from Royal Troon, and the legendary Road Hole.
The course plays to par 72 and measures 7,002 yards from the tips, with a slope rating of 139 and a course rating of 73.9.
Four tee sets ensure accessibility for different skill levels.
Golf Digest ranked The Tribute in its “100 Greatest Public Courses,” recognition that speaks to the quality of both design and conditioning.
What makes the links experience authentic are the playing conditions.
Firm fairways allow the ball to run significantly after landing, just like in Scotland.
The greens are massive with severe undulations—some putts exceed 100 feet.
Natural burns cut through holes, and the wind off Lake Lewisville affects virtually every shot. Dune-style topography and wind-swept grasses complete the visual transformation, making you feel like you've been transported to the Scottish coastline.
Green fees vary seasonally from $75 to $125, though twilight rates can drop as low as $39 to $75 if you time it right.
The 33,000 square-foot Scottish-designed clubhouse houses a full-service restaurant, and the 50,000 square-foot practice complex includes a 500-yard driving range and an extensive short game area. The facility even offers eight guest rooms for stay-and-play packages.
The property also features Old American Golf Club—a second 18-hole course designed by Tripp Davis and PGA Tour player Justin Leonard—giving you 36 holes total if you want to make it a full day or multi-day golf trip. Call (972) 370-5465 to book your tee time at The Tribute.
Waterchase Golf Club – Fort Worth's Premier Public Course
Waterchase Golf Club consistently earns recognition as the best-maintained public course in the DFW area, and once you play it, you'll understand why.
Steven Plumer designed this layout at 8951 Creek Run Road in Fort Worth, about 15 miles from Grapevine.
The course opened in 2000 and immediately garnered a Golf Digest nomination for “Best New Courses.”
It's also hosted a Texas State Open, which tells you the design can handle championship-level play.
The routing includes an unusual configuration: five par 3s and five par 5s instead of the traditional four of each. This creates a distinctive rhythm where you're constantly adjusting strategy.
The course plays to par 72 and stretches 7,159 yards from the championship tees with a slope rating of 135.
Six different tee sets range from 4,500 yards up to the full championship distance, accommodating everyone from beginners to low-handicap players.
Water defines the strategic challenge at Waterchase.
It comes into play on 15 holes through creeks, burns, and lakes that wind through the rolling terrain.
The wetlands character gives the course a lush, almost tropical feel despite sitting in North Texas.
Tree-lined fairways frame your shots, while split fairways on several holes offer strategic options—take the aggressive line for a better angle, or play safe and leave yourself a longer approach.
Dramatic doglegs and risk-reward opportunities appear throughout the round.
A cascading waterfall between the 9th and 18th greens creates a stunning visual backdrop that enhances the finishing stretch.
The five par 5s are notably long and demanding, requiring smart course management rather than just grip-it-and-rip-it aggression.
The pricing structure makes Waterchase accessible without sacrificing quality.
Weekend rates run $69 to $83, weekday rates drop to $54 to $59, and twilight rates fall to $50 to $60.
These numbers represent exceptional value when you consider the conditioning and design quality you're getting.
Speaking of conditioning—this is where Waterchase truly separates itself.
Golfers consistently describe the fairways as immaculate, the greens as excellent, and the tee boxes as pristine.
More impressively, these lush conditions hold up exceptionally well even during brutal Texas summers when many courses start showing stress.
The maintenance crew clearly takes pride in their work.
The practice facilities include a range with mat hitting areas, a putting green, and a full pro shop stocked with everything you need.
The clubhouse is admittedly modest—a trailer-style facility that won't win any architectural awards—but the staff receives universal praise for friendliness and professionalism.
Food and beverage service comes through a snack bar and beverage carts that circulate during peak times.
One quirk worth noting: the fairways firm up nicely, which allows for significant roll. In dry conditions, the course plays considerably shorter than the scorecard yardage suggests.
You'll want to account for this when selecting clubs, particularly on those long par 5s where you might reach in two with a favorable bounce.
Waterchase challenges all skill levels with strategic shot-making opportunities rather than relying on sheer length or penal hazards.
You can score well if you play smart and execute, but the course punishes poor decisions and wayward shots.
Call (817) 861-4653 to reserve your tee time.
Planning Your Perfect Grapevine Golf Experience
Smart planning makes the difference between a good golf trip and a great one.
Start by reserving tee times 3 to 7 days in advance, particularly if you're targeting weekend slots when demand runs highest.
Most courses offer online booking through their own websites or third-party platforms, which lets you compare availability and lock in your preferred times without making phone calls.
That said, don't skip the phone call entirely.
Weather can change course conditions quickly, and you want to know what you're walking into—especially after storms or during periods of extreme heat.
A quick call confirms whether the greens are receptive, if cart path rules are in effect, or if maintenance work might affect your experience.
This is particularly important given the recent issues at Cowboys Golf Club.
Twilight rates deserve special attention.
Ask about them when you book, as they can save you $20 to $50 per round depending on the course.
The trade-off is that you might not finish all 18 holes before darkness, but if you're a quick player or book during longer summer days, twilight timing offers exceptional value.
Seasonal planning shapes your overall experience:
- Fall (September through November) and spring (March through May) deliver ideal conditions with comfortable temperatures, firm fairways, and fast greens
- Summer golf remains playable if you book early morning or twilight slots—just expect temperatures pushing 95 to 100°F or higher during midday hours
- Winter rounds stay accessible year-round thanks to overseeding programs that keep greens lush when courses up north sit dormant
All five courses sit within a 15-mile radius of Grapevine, which means logistics stay simple whether you're staying near DFW Airport or in Grapevine proper.
This tight concentration lets you play multiple rounds at different venues during a single trip without burning hours behind the wheel.
Mix your experiences strategically.
Play a championship course like Texas Star or The Tribute one day, then hit Grapevine Municipal the next to balance your budget.
This approach lets you sample premium designs and conditions without blowing your entire golf budget on two rounds.
Waterchase offers a middle ground—championship-level maintenance at municipal pricing.
One more course worth mentioning: Bridlewood Golf Club at 2040 State Highway 121 in Grapevine features a majestic setting with rolling hills, mature trees, and sparkling lakes.
Reviewers consistently praise the impeccable course conditions and scenic beauty, making it a solid alternative if the five main courses are booked or if you want to sample another local option.
Before you finalize your plans, check each course's website for current specials, twilight rates, and seasonal promotions.
These deals change regularly, and you might find packages that bundle multiple rounds or include food and beverage credits.
The small effort of checking can translate to significant savings across a multi-day golf trip.
Conclusion
Grapevine's location gives you access to five distinctly different golf experiences, from premium NFL-themed layouts to exceptional municipal courses that rival private clubs.
Whether you're chasing Scottish links conditions at The Tribute, testing yourself on championship designs, or maximizing value at courses like Grapevine Municipal and Waterchase, you'll find options that match your skill level and budget.
Book your tee times in advance, check current course conditions before you go, and take advantage of the tight geographic cluster to play multiple venues during your trip.
