
Courtesy of Omni Hotels & Resorts

Courtesy of Omni Hotels & Resorts

Courtesy of Omni Hotels & Resorts

Courtesy of Omni Hotels & Resorts
Overview
Crenshaw Cliffside, completed in 1991, was just the second course Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw completed and represents the last project they'd work on in relative obscurity: soon after they began piecing together Sand Hills, no. 8 on America's 100 Greatest Courses, creating a wave of minimalism and big natural courses that has yet to abate.
Though not on property particularly suited to good golf, Crenshaw Cliffside has all the hallmarks of what has made the architects' courses at once revolutionary and nuanced: large, heavily contoured greens that feel subtle; bunkers that have some of the most detailed edging in the game; a sense of elegance and restraint in the construction; and the discipline to take what the land gives, yeilding unconventional sequences like huge back-to-back par 5s along the edge of a river ravine followed by a pitch-shot par 3 into a shallow thumbnail green.
Golfers tend to think more highly of Omni Barton Creek's two Tom Fazio-designed courses, Fazio Canyons and Fazio Foothills, and gravitate toward the flash and aesthetics of those designs. Each are listed among the top 40 in Texas's Best in State ranking, while Crenshaw Cliffside is not. Those who enjoy the work of Coore and Crenshaw, on the other hand, appreciate that the architecture takes the opportunities that were presented and works with them, creating a tight, connected layout that's different than it's peers but rhythmic and riveting in its own way.
About
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Fun course with a great variety of holes."
Read More2024
Review
“The Barton Creek Omni Resort & Spa has a variety of first class courses to experience. The 5-star level of service and accommodations makes this a highly desirable golf destination."
Read More2023
Review
“Course builds to a crescendo on the back 9. Friendly enough for higher handicaps while engaging enough for low handicaps."
Read More2023
Review
“Fun resort course, few minor challenges with large mostly flat greens. Finishes with some good holes. Fantastic staff, very welcoming and warm."
Read More2023
Review
“A very fun, "resort" course with generous fairways and large greens. Recognize the slopes and you will find numerous speed slots off the tee and opportunities to roll up and onto the green. Green size is large, so just getting on them does not mean you are "home" on that hole. Overall a short track that will allow many to go at the par 5s in two, and have many options off the tee on short-to-medium length par 4s."
Read More2023
Review
“True to Coore/Crenshaw this minimalist design uses the hills of the Texas Hill Country to create a fun playable golf course. Great destination for guys trips as you have four courses to choose from and the newly renovated hotel."
Read More2021
Review
“Fast greens well conditioned greens. Having seen the course before would be an advantage as many greens have some aggressive slopes. Knowing where to approach the greens is helpful."
Read More2020
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