Preston Trail Golf Club stands as Dallas' most exclusive golf destination, featuring a $235,000 initiation fee, all-male membership, and a course ranked 4th in Texas by Golf Digest.
This private club at 17201 Preston Trail Dr offers 7,091 yards of championship golf designed by Ralph Plummer and Byron Nelson, with notable members including former President George W. Bush and NFL legends.
Keep reading for a comprehensive breakdown of membership costs, course details, club culture, and what makes Preston Trail one of America's most coveted golf experiences.
Club Overview and Prestige
Preston Trail Golf Club occupies a prime 17201 Preston Trail Drive location in far north Dallas, where White Rock Creek winds naturally through the property and influences play on multiple holes.
This strategic positioning in one of Dallas' most affluent areas reinforces the club's elite status.
Historical Foundation
The club opened in 1965 and quickly established itself as a premier golf destination by hosting the Byron Nelson Golf Classic from 1968 to 1982.
During this 15-year run, Preston Trail was widely considered one of the best courses played annually on the PGA Tour, cementing its reputation among golf's most discerning players and spectators.
Current Recognition
Preston Trail maintains its excellence through consistent top-tier rankings:
- 4th best course in Texas by Golf Digest
- “Best Golf Club for 2024” by Avid Golfer Magazine
- Recognized as one of the top golf destinations in both Texas and nationally
The club functions as what many describe as “Dallas' most exclusive fraternity house,” where business executives and high-profile figures gather in an atmosphere designed for serious golf and uninterrupted networking.
This reputation stems from decades of careful member curation and unwavering commitment to traditional golf values.
Preston Trail's prestige isn't just about golf quality—it represents membership in one of America's most selective private clubs, where access depends entirely on invitation and social connections rather than simply financial capability.
Course Design and Architecture Excellence
Original Design Legacy
Ralph Plummer created the original course layout in 1962, with Byron Nelson serving as the headline architect.
While Nelson's name provided prestige, Plummer—an underrated designer who constructed or remodeled around 100 Texas courses during his 40-year career—handled the actual architectural work and strategic planning.
Modern Restoration Vision
Architect Tripp Davis undertook a complete reconstruction in 2008-2009, rebuilding every element from tees and bunkers to greens, cart paths, irrigation, and drainage systems.
The project replaced every blade of grass while carefully restoring the original course's stylistic and strategic intent rather than creating something entirely new.
Course Specifications
- Length: 7,091 yards from back tees
- Par: 72
- Course Rating: 73.8
- Slope Rating: 133
- Greens: Bent grass for optimal putting surfaces
- Fairways: Bermuda grass with Zoysia sand-capped tees, fairways, and near roughs
Signature Hole Challenges
The third hole presents a 591-yard par 5 that demands precision and course management.
Players face a narrow tee shot that opens into a wide landing area, followed by a dramatic second shot down a steep slope ending at a massive green positioned directly in front of White Rock Creek.
The seventh hole earns its number-one handicap rating through pure difficulty.
This 422-yard par 4 dogleg right requires a perfectly faded and lengthy tee shot to reach the optimal position in the fairway's throat.
Even after an excellent drive, players still face a long iron or wood approach to a severely back-to-front sloped green that runs along White Rock Creek's edge.
Practice Excellence
The renovation created world-class practice facilities including a redesigned driving range with improved ball visibility through flatter terrain and strategic earthwork concealed by walls and landscaping.
The complex features redesigned putting greens and a comprehensive 3-acre short game area for chipping, pitching, and bunker practice.
This architectural excellence combines traditional design principles with modern construction techniques, creating a course that challenges players while maintaining the strategic intent that made Preston Trail a PGA Tour favorite.
Membership Investment and Exclusivity
Financial Investment
Preston Trail commands the highest membership costs in Texas, with a $235,000 initiation fee plus $2,250 monthly dues.
This financial barrier represents just the entry point—actual membership depends entirely on social connections, professional status, and the approval of existing members who guard the club's exclusivity carefully.
Waiting List Reality
Membership acquisition typically requires five years or longer, with timeline depending heavily on an applicant's “wattage and connections” within Dallas' business and social circles.
Even high-profile figures like Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo have been placed on the waiting list, demonstrating that fame alone doesn't guarantee expedited access.
Strict Access Policies
Gender Exclusivity
- All-male membership with women prohibited from entering the property
- Women generally aren't allowed in the parking lot as part of the club's traditional policies
- No exceptions made for family members or business associates
Age and Guest Restrictions
- Minimum age of 21 for any property access
- Invitation-only access through current members exclusively
- Extremely strict guest policies with no casual or walk-on visits permitted
Operational Philosophy These restrictions create an environment where business executives can conduct meetings and negotiations without external distractions or activity.
The club's approach prioritizes maintaining a controlled atmosphere that appeals to high-level decision makers who value privacy and exclusivity above all other considerations.
The combination of substantial financial investment and rigorous social vetting ensures Preston Trail maintains its status as Dallas' most exclusive private club.
Membership represents entry into an elite network where business relationships and personal connections often prove more valuable than the golf experience itself, though the course quality certainly justifies the investment for serious golfers.
Notable Members and Club Culture
The Mickey Mantle Legacy
After retiring from the New York Yankees before the 1969 season, Mickey Mantle spent countless hours at Preston Trail, becoming synonymous with the club's legendary atmosphere.
The clubhouse features an “awe-inspiring” shrine dedicated to Mantle that serves as both tribute and conversation centerpiece for members and guests.
Current Elite Membership
- Lee Trevino – Golf legend and major championship winner
- Troy Aikman – Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and Hall of Famer
- George W. Bush – 43rd President of the United States
Legendary Club Stories
Preston Trail's raucous history approaches mythical status among Dallas golf circles.
Stories include former Dallas Stars players Brett Hull and Mike Modano playing entire rounds in nothing but underwear during scorching Texas summers, while tales of Mickey Mantle completing all 18 holes completely nude have become part of club folklore.
Business-Focused Environment
The club's age restriction of 21 and older creates an atmosphere where executives conduct high-level business discussions without interruption from excessive noise or activity.
This controlled environment allows members to negotiate deals, form partnerships, and build professional relationships in a setting that promotes serious conversation and relationship building.
Traditional Protocols
Preston Trail maintains old-school standards that reflect its exclusive culture.
The dress code requires minimal coverage—at minimum, a towel around the waist when dining—emphasizing the club's commitment to traditional male-only social customs that have remained unchanged since the 1960s.
This combination of legendary members, colorful history, and business-oriented atmosphere creates a unique culture where Preston Trail functions as much more than a golf club.
It serves as Dallas' premier networking hub for the city's most influential figures, where membership provides access to relationships and opportunities that extend far beyond the golf course.
World-Class Amenities and Golf Experience
Pure Golf Philosophy
Preston Trail deliberately focuses exclusively on golf excellence, offering no swimming pools, tennis courts, or recreational distractions.
This singular commitment allows the club to channel all resources and attention toward creating an uncompromising golf experience that attracts serious players who prioritize course quality above ancillary amenities.
Traditional Golf Experience
The course design actively encourages walking with strategically positioned cart paths that run from greens to tees rather than alongside fairways.
Caddies remain available to enhance the traditional golf experience, promoting the game as it was originally intended to be played on foot while building relationships between players and course knowledge.
Exceptional Course Conditions
Limited Usage Benefits
- Fewer than 10,000 rounds annually across the entire course
- Pristine playing surfaces maintained year-round
- Minimal wear patterns on tees, fairways, and greens
- Consistent conditioning regardless of seasonal challenges
Agronomy Excellence
Preston Trail maintains “off-the-charts” agronomy standards despite North Texas weather patterns that include extreme heat, unpredictable rainfall, and seasonal temperature swings.
The maintenance team's expertise ensures tees, fairways, and greens remain sublime throughout the year, creating playing conditions that rival the world's finest golf courses.
Legendary Dining Experience
The locker room features what many consider “one of the best lunches in golf,” with world-class cuisine that has become as legendary among members as the golf itself.
This dining experience represents more than just food—it serves as the social centerpiece where business relationships develop and club culture thrives.
The combination of exceptional course conditions, traditional golf values, and world-class amenities creates an experience that justifies Preston Trail's reputation and membership investment.
Every element works together to provide golf in its purest form, where players can focus entirely on the game without compromise or distraction.
Visiting and Contact Information
Access Requirements
Preston Trail operates on a strictly invitation-only basis—you can only access the property if a current member extends a personal invitation.
No exceptions exist for casual visits, tour requests, or independent inquiries, making member sponsorship the sole gateway to experiencing this exclusive facility.
Contact Details
Preston Trail Golf Club
17201 Preston Trail Drive
Dallas, Texas 75248
Phone: (972) 380-0669
Guest Experience Expectations
When invited to Preston Trail, expect an atmosphere focused entirely on serious golf and business networking.
The experience centers around exceptional course conditions, traditional golf values, and world-class dining in the legendary locker room.
Guests should prepare for a no-frills environment where golf takes precedence over recreational amenities or casual socializing.
Visitor Protocol Requirements
- Must be accompanied by sponsoring member at all times
- Adherence to all club dress codes and behavioral standards
- Respect for the all-male environment and traditional club customs
- Understanding that business discussions and relationship building are integral to the experience
- Recognition that the visit represents evaluation for potential future membership consideration
Exclusivity Maintenance
Preston Trail preserves its elite status through careful guest curation rather than restricting access through bureaucratic processes.
Members understand they're personally responsible for their guests' behavior and compatibility with club culture, creating a self-regulating system that maintains standards without formal oversight.
The club's approach ensures every visitor experience reinforces Preston Trail's reputation while allowing members to showcase the facility's exceptional golf and networking opportunities.
This balance between exclusivity and hospitality creates an environment where business relationships flourish alongside world-class golf experiences.
Conclusion
Preston Trail Golf Club represents the pinnacle of exclusive golf in Dallas, where a $235,000 initiation fee grants access to exceptional course conditions, legendary dining, and networking opportunities with some of Texas' most influential figures.
The club's unwavering commitment to traditional golf values and all-male exclusivity creates an atmosphere that attracts serious golfers and business leaders seeking an uncompromising experience.
For those fortunate enough to receive an invitation, Preston Trail offers more than just golf—it provides entry into one of America's most elite private clubs where relationships and golf excellence converge.
