Brackenridge Park Golf Course is Texas's oldest 18-hole public course, designed by legendary architect A.W. Tillinghast in 1916, offering 6,243 yards of strategic play with greens fees starting around $53 and convenient booking through multiple platforms.
Located just 10 minutes north of downtown San Antonio at 2315 Avenue B, the course combines historic significance with modern amenities, making it accessible for all skill levels.
Keep reading for everything you need to know about rates, course layout, facilities, booking details, and what makes this National Register-worthy venue a must-play destination.
Why Brackenridge Park Golf Course Stands Apart
When Brackenridge Park opened in 1916, it became Texas's first 18-hole public golf course—and it remains one that serious golfers need to experience.
A.W. Tillinghast, the architect behind Winged Foot and Baltusrol, designed this layout as one of his rare public projects.
The course sits on land philanthropist George Washington Brackenridge donated to San Antonio in 1899, more than 100 acres that City Parks Commissioner Ray Lambert transformed into a golf destination when every other course in town was private.
The tournament pedigree here runs deep.
Brackenridge hosted the Texas Open for most years between 1922 and 1959, drawing champions like Walter Hagen, Byron Nelson (who defeated Ben Hogan in 1940), Sam Snead, and Jack Burke Jr. The course witnessed three of the first six rounds of 60 in PGA Tour history.
Harold “Jug” McSpaden shot 59 during a 1939 exhibition match with Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan, and Paul Runyan.
Mike Souchak's 72-hole score of 257 at the 1955 Texas Open stood as a PGA Tour record until 2001.
A $4.5 million restoration in 2008, led by architect John Colligan, brought the course back to Tillinghast's original routing.
Golf Magazine recognized this work in 2021, naming Brackenridge one of America's 30 Best Municipal Courses.
The course earned its place as the first inductee into the Texas Golf Hall of Fame in 1992.
Two historical footnotes add unexpected depth.
Adjacent to the 17th hole stands an 1885 limestone pump house where sculptor Gutzon Borglum worked from 1924 to 1937, developing early designs for Mount Rushmore.
Near the 12th green, U.S. Air Force General Bernard Schriever grew up—his mother ran a sandwich stand for golfers, and he won multiple city championships before his distinguished military career.
Course Specifications and Layout Details
Brackenridge plays to a par 71 from four sets of tees, with the Blue tees maxing out at 6,243 yards.
The yardage alone doesn't tell the story—this course rewards precision and strategy over raw power.
Greens are Miniverde Ultradwarf Bermuda, while fairways feature TifSport Bermuda, both providing consistent playing surfaces through San Antonio's climate.
Tee Options:
- Blue: 6,243 yards, 70.8 rating, 129 slope
- White: 5,807 yards, 67.7 rating, 124 slope
- Gold: 5,460 yards, 66.7 rating, 120 slope
- Red: 5,279 yards, 63.9 rating, 114 slope
Tillinghast's design includes 64 bunkers with restored “reef-style” edges that define his architectural signature.
Six greens feature rectangular shapes, an unusual touch that adds to the course's distinctive character.
The layout presents two distinct personalities.
Your front nine plays tight and demanding, with narrow corridors framed by mature live oaks and pecan trees.
Smaller greens and strategic bunker placement mean you'll need accuracy off the tee—distance takes a backseat to control here.
The San Antonio Water Works raceway canal threads through several holes, adding both visual interest and strategic consequence.
Everything opens up on the back nine.
Greens expand in size, giving you more target area but also more exposure to wind.
The San Antonio River and its tributaries come into play across multiple holes, shifting the challenge from tree-lined precision to managing distance and wind direction.
The 18th hole breaks convention as a par-3 finisher, measuring 182 yards with a pond guarding the front of the green.
Holes 16 and 18, both short par-3s, showcase Tillinghast's philosophy that great holes don't need length—they need strategic interest.
These finishing holes demand precise club selection and nerve, especially with a score on the line.
Location, Rates, and Booking Information
You'll find Brackenridge at 2315 Avenue B, just 10 minutes north of downtown San Antonio.
The airport sits about the same distance away, making this an easy first or last round if you're flying in.
Take US-281 to the Hildebrand Avenue exit, and you'll see on-site parking once you arrive.
The course sits within historic Brackenridge Park, surrounded by the San Antonio Zoo, Witte Museum, Japanese Tea Gardens, and Sunken Garden Theater.
You can easily make a day of it—play 18 holes, then explore the park's other attractions.
Greens fees start around $53, though rates shift based on when you play.
Weekends and prime-time slots cost more than weekday or twilight rounds.
Seniors, juniors, and veterans get discounted rates with valid ID. Call (210) 226-5612 for current pricing or specific questions.
Booking your tee time:
- Online through the Alamo City Golf Trail website (foreupsoftware.com)
- Phone reservations at (210) 226-5612
- Third-party platforms like GolfNow
The course operates from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily, though hours may adjust seasonally—a quick call ahead saves disappointment.
Expect your round to take 4 to 4.5 hours on average, faster during off-peak times.
If you want the best pace of play, book an early morning tee time.
Afternoons after 2 PM often move quicker and sometimes come with lower rates.
The trade-off is heat during summer months, but you'll spend less time waiting and possibly less money overall.
Facilities, Amenities, and Available Services
Golf carts come included with your greens fee, and you can rent Callaway club sets if you're traveling—both right and left-handed options are available.
The practice facilities cover the basics with a putting green and chipping area, though the driving range is limited compared to newer facilities.
The pro shop stocks equipment, apparel, and accessories for any last-minute needs.
Inside the clubhouse, you'll find food and beverage service with grab-and-go options when you need something quick.
Locker rooms are available, and the facility includes pavilion and banquet space if you're planning a tournament or group event.
Instruction and Programs:
- Certified PGA professionals offer individual lessons and group clinics
- Junior programs and summer camps run throughout the year
- Tournament hosting capabilities for corporate and private events
The Alamo City Golf Trail manages Brackenridge—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates eight municipal courses across San Antonio.
This structure matters because it keeps costs reasonable while directing revenues back into course improvements rather than private profit.
You're playing a course that prioritizes access and reinvestment over maximizing fees.
This management approach explains how a historic course maintains competitive rates while funding ongoing improvements.
The nonprofit model means your greens fee supports not just your round today, but the long-term preservation of Texas golf history.
It's a different philosophy than you'll find at privately managed municipal courses, and it shows in both pricing and the commitment to steady upgrades.
Course Conditions and What Players Should Expect
Course conditions at Brackenridge draw mixed feedback. Some players praise the improved fairways and overall maintenance, while others point out inconsistencies with greens and tee boxes.
The course has undergone repairs and improvements, with conditions reportedly getting better through 2024-2025.
Set your expectations for a historic municipal course—you're not getting pristine country club perfection, but you're also not paying country club prices.
What works well:
- Historic atmosphere and character throughout the property
- Strategic layout that challenges your thinking, not just your driver
- All 64 bunkers are well-maintained
- Strong par-3 holes that test your precision
- Excellent value for what you're playing
- Welcoming staff who care about your experience
Conditions can vary with the season and maintenance cycles—that's reality at a public course hosting heavy play.
The narrow fairways on the front nine demand accuracy whether the course is in peak condition or not.
Wind becomes a real factor on the back nine, especially when it picks up in the afternoon.
Don't expect an extensive driving range; practice facilities are basic.
This course suits all skill levels, but you'll get the most out of it if you appreciate classic architecture and strategic challenges over length-based play.
The 6,243-yard layout from the tips isn't going to intimidate long hitters, but the design will test decision-making and shot execution.
Playing strategy: The front nine rewards precision over power—hitting fairways matters more than gaining extra yards.
Club selection becomes crucial on approach shots because the greens have slope and character.
Elevation changes and mature trees add both beauty and strategic demand.
Players who manage their game intelligently will score better than those who just try to overpower the course.
Think your way around Brackenridge.
This is a course that rewards smart golf.
The Texas Golf Hall of Fame Experience
The Texas Golf Hall of Fame relocated to Brackenridge in 2009, adding a dimension you won't find at most courses.
Three main attractions define the experience: The Walk of Fame, the Wall of Frames, and the Texas Tournament Trophy Room.
The Walk of Fame physically connects the clubhouse to the historic Borglum Studio near the 17th hole, featuring exhibit monuments dedicated to Hall of Fame members along the path.
The Hall honors 156 individual members and 15 historic golf courses, celebrating the state's deep golf roots.
You'll find tributes to legendary Texas golfers like Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, Lee Trevino, Ben Crenshaw, and Babe Didrikson Zaharias—names that shaped not just Texas golf but the game itself.
What makes this setup unique is the combination: you're not just visiting a museum, you're playing the same historic course these legends once played.
The Hall of Fame is free to visit for anyone who's out for a round, turning your golf outing into something with educational and cultural weight.
You can study the history, then walk the same fairways where that history happened.
This transforms Brackenridge from just another place to play into a destination for golf history enthusiasts.
Whether you're a serious student of the game or just curious about Texas golf heritage, the Hall of Fame adds context and meaning to your round.
You're not just hitting shots—you're connecting with over a century of golf tradition.
Conclusion
Brackenridge Park Golf Course delivers something rare—historic significance, strategic design, and accessible pricing all in one package.
Whether you're chasing golf history, testing your game against Tillinghast's architecture, or simply looking for a solid public course near downtown San Antonio, this layout earns your attention.
Book your tee time, explore the Hall of Fame, and experience what makes this 1916 gem one of Texas's most important golf destinations.
