Golf course architects often try to mold the land to fit their design philosophy. Not so with Ben Crenshaw and his partner Bill Coore; they have a simpler philosophy. Says Crenshaw, "we believe the best architect is nature and the best player's courses make good use of the natural terrain. We let the land dictate the routing rather than imposing ourselves on the landscape." The designer's ideals gives the course a traditional feel with rolling fairways, natural plateaus, and a wide variety of green sizes.... more info.

Located 25 miles west of Barton Creek, the Palmer Lakeside Course is a hidden hilltop retreat. Open for play since 1986, the Arnold Palmer/Ed Seay design is considered by many to be one of the best courses in Texas with phenomenal views of Lake Travis. Ranked by The Dallas Morning News as one of the "18 most beautiful in Texas," the eleventh hole -- a magnificent par three with a cascading waterfall -- alone is worth the 30-minute drive.... more info.

Tom Fazio came back to Barton Creek to design Canyons Golf Course, the resort's newest course opened in 2000. According to Golfweek he must have done a pretty good job as they named it the "#1 course in Texas." The designer used twice as much acreage as he did on the Foothills Course (completed in 1986) with larger landing areas and bigger greens. However, the genius of Fazio is apparent in the subtleties of the putting surfaces and the use of the natural terrain. In fact, the design is so environmentally friendly that it is one of the first courses in the country with the Signature... more info.