For the last 15 months Omni Barton Creek was down to just 36 holes of championship golf. With the completion of the Fazio Canyons course renovation, full golf status has now been restored and all 54 holes on the property are available for play. The Fazio Canyons, Fazio Foothills and the Coore Crenshaw course each provide a unique and stimulating golf experience.
I have undertaken the difficult task of whittling down these 54 golf holes into the 10 best on the property. Brace yourself for the best of Barton Creek.
The 6th hole at Fazio Canyons doesn’t make the top 10 but certainly looks good in the morning sun.
#10: 18th hole Fazio Foothills
If you are staying at the resort, this will be the first golf hole that you will see at Barton Creek. Located just behind the main hotel, this par 5 features a dramatic uphill approach that will require two extra clubs to make sure that you reach the green safely. Only the extra long balls will reach this beast in two. The tee shot also requires precision with hazards looming left and right.
#9: 18th hole Coore Crenshaw
18 at the Coore Crenshaw course is another fantastic finishing hole. At just 365 yards from the Crenshaw tees, the smart golfer will choose the distance and angle they want into the green. A well executed tee ball sets up one of the most fun and scenic approach shots at the resort.
#8: 8th hole Fazio Foothills
At only 494 yards, this par 5 will tempt the majority of golfers to go for the green in two. That long approach is filled with hazardous results but can yield some heroic eagles. The smart golfer takes the option to lay back and strike with a wedge.
#7: 17th hole Fazio Foothills
The redan hole on the Foothills course is serious business. One of the most beautiful golf holes on the entire property also plays as one of the toughest. 203 yards with a carry over a ravine will require a well struck tee shot to find the green. Not every redan template hits the mark, but Fazio has adapted this formula perfectly to fit the land on #17.
#6: 14th hole Coore Crenshaw
The drama ramps up on the par 4 14th on the Coore Crenshaw course. This short par 4 plays downhill and just 317 yards from the back tees. It is a legitimate drivable par 4 for just about every golfer that plays the correct set of tees. Too often a “drivable par 4” is placed just out of reach for the common golfer or presents a hazard that discourages almost all golfers from giving it a go. This isn’t the case here, the 14th presents a wide open opportunity for greatness.
#5. 10th hole Fazio Canyons
The green complex gets all of the attention on #10, but the tee shot provides the strategy on this golf hole. At 420 yards, a play out to the left of the fairway can leave a crazy difficult long iron into this green. If you cut the corner on the right hand side, you bring a bunker into play but a successful drive is rewarded with a short and scenic approach.
#4. 17th hole Coore Crenshaw
It’s no surprise that the shortest golf hole on the entire resort is also one of the most fun. It’s only 142 yards long from the back tees but if you come up short or right, you are going to struggle to make par. The shallow diagonal green makes the 17th one of the best par 3’s at Barton Creek.
#3:. 7th hole Fazio Canyons
This par 5 plays as a 3 shot hole for most golfers and requires your undivided attention on all 3 shots. A canyon at the end of the first shot and a tree on the right hand side of your second shot will ensure that you don’t lose focus. The big hitters will push the hazard off of the tee and give this well protected green a go in two. It’s scenic, fun, and provides plenty of options.
#2. 16th hole Fazio Foothills
Featuring a smattering of waterfalls below the putting surface, the green on the 16th hole is a site to behold. A well placed drive will leave a mid iron into this scenic green. It is the first of a finishing 3 hole stretch that provides some of the best golf at the resort. All 3 golf holes are in the top 10 at Omni Barton Creek.
#1: 18th hole Fazio Canyons
It is hard to beat the view standing on this tee box as you begin to play the final hole of your round on the Canyons. Almost all golfers will be tempted to swing away and put themselves in position to find the green in 2 shots. There are bunkers that will test the placement of your drive but a well executed tee ball will set you up for glory. The strategic duel isn’t over yet as you are faced to carry a series of smalls creeks if you want to putt for eagle. These same creeks also require the golfer playing into the green in 3 shots to dial in their distances accordingly.
This rare combination of beauty, excitement and strategy earn this golf hole pjkoenig.com gold medal honors.
If you are looking for a Texas golf getaway, Omni Barton Creek is the go to option in the Austin area. Your golf journey starts here.