Fore!: The Haute 5 Golf Courses in Dallas

This week, there will be two types of viewers scrutinizing the Masters: those who have traditionally followed the dignified legacy of the event, and those who don’t give a chip about golf, but who are irresistibly drawn to the scandalous tabloid coverage of the exploits of the sport’s golden child. Either way, Tiger’s return is expected to garner a buzz of Super Bowl proportions, so there’s no better time to whip out that nine iron and hit the green. Thankfully, Texas has plenty of sprawling landscapes with which to make some of the most breathtaking and challenging golf courses in the country.

The Tribute Golf Club

To get a feel of golfing in Scotland without leaving the Big D, there’s no place like the Tribute. Designed after the links at St. Andrews, Royal Dornoch, Carnoustie and more, the 18 holes echo the seaside courses and wind-swept dunes of the oldest and most revered golfing locations in British Open Championship history. Enjoy the Scottish-designed, 33,000 square-foot clubhouse, sipping an afternoon pint and basking in the glow of grand tradition.

The Tribute Golf Club is located at 1000 Lebanon Rd. in The Colony

Buffalo Creek Golf Club

This course is known for its sixth and 16th holes, ranked some of the most difficult in the country, as well as for its grass. That’s right. They apparently don’t overseed their Bermuda in the winter, instead going for au natural until it greens up in the spring, which surprisingly enough makes putting easier because there are no uneven patches. Given Rockwall’s natural topography, the course at Buffalo Creek is a stunning testament to what the area offers, and is known to have a “contemporary classic design” developed by Charles Perry, previously the president and CEO of Jack Nicklaus’ Golden Bear International.

Buffalo Creek is located at 624 Country Club Dr. in Rockwall

Dallas Four Seasons Resort and Club

Is there anything better than a top-tier golf course attached to a five-star hotel? Home to the HP Byron Nelson Championship, the course at the Four Seasons Resort in Las Colinas just got a face lift last year thanks to former PGA Tour player D.A. Weibring and his partner Steve Wolfard, an architect. But don’t just come for the gorgeous 70-par course–enjoy the resort’s many luxury amenities, like the full-service locker room in the spa or a meal at Café on the Green.

The Four Seasons Resort and Club is located at 150 North MacArthur Blvd. in Irving

Dallas National Golf Club

A majority of the top courses in North Texas are found in the outskirts of Dallas, and in Texas outskirts can mean hours of driving. Thankfully the Dallas National Golf Club is located just beyond a par five from downtown while still managing to take one out of the city with its hilly fairways and dense thickets. Designed by one of golf’s greatest architects Tom Fazio, who has also been known to oversee renovations at Augusta, the combination of deep ravines and towering plateaus at Dallas National allow for stunning views of the surrounding landscapes, making this course arguably one of Fazio’s finest.

Dallas National Golf Club is located at 1515 Knoxville Rd. in Dallas

Cowboys Golf Club

It’s no secret Texas likes its football (think Friday Night Lights). Which is why when Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones opened the first NFL-theme golf course in 2001, there was hardly an eyelash batted, at least in this town. The clubhouse doubles as a hall of fame for the five-time world champions, featuring a display of the Super Bowl trophies along with other team memorabilia from past and present. Markers throughout the course also mention historic plays and major players the Cowboys have seen during the reign of the franchise. More of a Dolphins fan? You might want to skip this course.

Cowboys Golf Club is located at 1600 Fairway Dr. in Grapevine