Vaquero Club
Vaquero Club
2300 Vaquero Club Dr
Westlake, TX 76262-4103
United States
Overview
Situated on an old cattle ranch just outside of Dallas is the Tom Fazio-designed Vaquero Golf Club. Originally opening in 2001, Vaquero traverses subtly sloping terrain with fairways that offer ample driving space and large, fast putting surfaces that mask significant slopes and difficult collection areas. In 2023, the course underwent significant renovations headed by Andrew Green, who focused on removing bunkers, adding new tee positions, and utilizing new topography to reroute the first, fourth and 16th holes. The course now features multiple risk-reward opportunities highlighted by the drivable fourth, as well as three par 5s on the inward half, making birdies or big numbers equally possible.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
Best in State: Top 15 in state, 2009-'11; Top 20, 2005-'07, 2019-'24; Top 25, 2025-'26.
Previous ranking: 20th.
2025-'26 ranking (and previous): 21st.
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
“Shot Options – Vaquero opens with a reachable par-5 that invites early decision-making and quickly sets a tone for variety. The following par-3 demands a precise mid-iron, and the downhill, drivable fourth offers a completely different test depending on wind direction. The back nine further mixes demands, beginning with a long, upwind par-3 and culminating in the newly built 16th—its smallest target but the most diabolical green on the course. The routing ensures a full spectrum of strategic opportunities from tee to green, constantly requiring players to weigh aggression against prudence. Around the greens, the design allows every type of recovery—putt, bump-and-run, or high lob—making imagination and execution equally important. Overall, Vaquero sustains interest through its blend of options, winds, and hole variety that challenge decision-making as much as ball-striking. Fun - Above all, Vaquero is an engaging and replayable golf experience. Each hole invites decision-making that rewards creativity as much as execution, ensuring the course challenges serious players without alienating others. The variety of hole types and scoring opportunities maintains excitement throughout the round—reachable par-5s, risk-reward par-4s, and visually stimulating par-3s all contribute to its rhythm. The greens complexes encourage experimentation and recovery imagination, allowing multiple ways to save par or chase birdie. Whether walking or riding, the course sustains momentum and enjoyment from start to finish. Vaquero’s fun factor lies not in trickery or gimmicks but in how it continually asks players to think, adapt, and savor each shot Challenge – Vaquero’s challenge lies in its demand for precision while rewarding quality execution. The course remains fair but punishes misses severely—off-line shots routinely leave recovery plays that test touch and creativity. The second hole’s shallow green amplifies the importance of club selection in the wind, while holes 9, 11, 12, 13, and 15 require conviction off the tee, forcing players to trust sightlines and commit to intended shapes. Across the round, the design alternates between mental and physical difficulty, using angles, elevation, and wind exposure to test confidence rather than simply distance. Its balance of risk and fairness embodies a course that challenges a scratch player without ever feeling contrived or overly penal. Layout Variety – The Vaquero Club exhibits a diverse rhythm of hole lengths and movements that sustain engagement throughout the round. Par-3s span from a short 130-yard hole to a demanding 260-yard test, while par-4s range from the drivable 330-yard fourth to the 535-yard 17th. Par-5s extend from 540 to 630 yards, ensuring no two scoring opportunities feel alike. The routing alternates directions constantly—no consecutive holes run parallel, play the same elevation, or mirror shapes. With a balance of five right doglegs, four lefts, six uphill, and six downhill holes, the course explores its terrain fully. Each tee shot reveals a fresh visual and strategic puzzle, producing a round that feels cohesive yet never repetitive. Aesthetics – Vaquero’s visual appeal lies in its balance between manicured precision and natural integration. The course sits comfortably within its rolling North Texas terrain, using elevation, tree framing, and contouring to generate interest rather than relying on manufactured drama. Fairway lines are clean but not sterile, and the bunkering—both in placement and form—adds definition without overwhelming the natural landscape. The routing provides multiple framed perspectives of the property, alternating between open, panoramic views and more intimate corridors bordered by mature oaks. Water features appear naturally woven into the design rather than ornamental. The result is a course that feels sophisticated but authentic, where the aesthetics enhance concentration and enjoyment rather than distract from play. Conditioning – The Vaquero Club is consistently presented in tournament-quality condition, with firm, fast fairways and receptive yet true-rolling greens. The surfaces promote the ideal ground game—tee shots release along contours while approach shots check appropriately without excessive softness. Greens putt purely with minimal grain interference, allowing pace control and line to reward good stroke mechanics. Drainage performance is strong across the property, even following heavy rains, reflecting superior maintenance and agronomic standards. The club’s maintenance team clearly prioritizes playability and sustainability over cosmetic lushness: turf health, roll quality, and firmness all meet elite standards. Vaquero’s conditioning enhances both challenge and enjoyment, positioning it among the best-prepared courses in its region. Character – Vaquero possesses a distinct architectural personality shaped by its North Texas landscape and thoughtful renovation work. The course showcases an identity that feels refined yet rooted in its setting—rolling landforms, strategic water use, and bold but fair green complexes all contribute to a sense of place. The renovated holes, especially the 16th par-3, display a willingness to innovate while respecting the original routing’s rhythm. Vaquero stands apart from neighboring modern developments through its restraint: features are confident but never contrived, and the greens express individuality without losing cohesion. Its character derives from balance and craftsmanship rather than spectacle, offering a quiet sophistication that becomes more apparent with each round played."
Read More2025
Review
“Exquisite turf and service. What a great combination. The course is totally redone and now is much more enjoyable to play. It is also a bit more challenging which was needed in my opinion. Must Play if in the area."
Read More2025
Review
“Nice use of the elevation changes in the land. Conditioning was incredible. Lots of firm mown areas around the greens that give you options when scrambling. Some visually striking bunkering, particularly on number 7. Not a difficult driving course with regards to fairway width, but punishing if you miss into the native grass. Putting can be challenging if you leave your approach shots in the wrong place."
Read More2025
Review
“The really special parts of this Andrew Green transformation are the green complexes: elevated, beautifully and strategically bunkered, with varying pitches (some sloped back to front, some the opposite)."
Read More2025
Review
“The really special part of this Andrew Green transformation are the green complexes--elevated, strategically and beautifully bunkered, with variation in the pitch of the green."
Read More2025
Review
“I did not play this course before the Andrew Green renovation, but I was able to play with the pro and he told me about the multitude of revisions. This layout is special and it deserves consideration to at least be one of the Top 15 in Texas."
Read More2025
