10 Best Golf Courses in Oklahoma
Oklahoma's golf courses are home to trademark firm fairways and swirling prairie winds, which present a unique test that attracts players of all skill levels. Southern Hills is a premier tournament venue and has hosted five PGA Championships, and the state is home to a perennial collegiate powerhouse in Oklahoma State University, whose numerous PGA Tour alumni still rave about their home club at Karsten Creek. For the more casual player, resorts like Shangri-La offer 9-hole options and par-3 courses that pair golf with other family-friendly amenities and spa services. Take a look at this list of the best golf courses in Oklahoma as you plan your next getaway.
Southern Hills
Tulsa’s Southern Hills is hands down the most notorious golf course in Oklahoma. Host of multiple PGA Championships and one US Open, this track is known as one of the toughest courses in America. While a private course, Southern Hills can still be accessed by non-members through a variety of pathways due to its fame. This paragon of golf was designed by Perry Maxwell in 1936 and restored by Gil Hanse in 2019. It is a par 70 with a championship rating as high as 78.
This club is as serious a golf venue as it gets. It has a beautiful southern-style clubhouse with an elite-level practice facility, fine dining, and caddie service. While access is limited, seeking out a way to play Southern Hills is a bucket-list item for any avid golfer. Options include playing as the invited guests of a club member, using a reciprocal pass from other exclusive clubs, or participating in special tournaments.
Karsten Creek Golf Club
Karsten Creek Golf Club in Stillwater is the home course to the Oklahoma State Golf Team. This Tom Fazio-designed masterpiece is a par 72 and has a difficult rating of 74.8. Players must navigate tree trouble through forested corridors and face water tests from Lake Louise on the back 9. Karsten Creek has hosted multiple NCAA Championships and is considered one of the best collegiate courses in America.
The clubhouse and restaurant on site are full of exhibits that pay homage to the great Oklahoma State teams and players. Due to the course’s prestige and exclusivity, with priority given to college athletes, green fees range from $300-$500. There are limited spots available for guests, however, and if you can arrange it, Karsten Creek is a must when looking at courses to play in Oklahoma.
Shangri-La Resort
Located on the shoreline of Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, the Shangri-La Resort is about 1.5 hours from the Tulsa airport and includes three 9-hole courses with ratings between 73.8 and 74.9, designed by Don Sechrest with renovations by Tripp Davis. The “Legends Nine” features the signature Mickey Mantle Hole, a par 3 with a green split by a waterfall. There is also an 18-hole par-3 course on the property. Players of all skill levels are welcome to enjoy dynamic golf with stunning lake views. Green fees range widely from $60-$150 depending on differing packages, and the resort also has a full-service spa and wellness center, multiple pools and hot tubs, and boat rentals, as well as several dining options.
Jimmie Austin Golf Club
The Perry Maxwell-designed Jimmie Austin Golf Club in Norman dates back to 1950. It is the home course of the University of Oklahoma and is a challenging par 72 with a 77.9 rating. The course’s main challenges are the region’s fierce winds and sunbaked greens, which can play lightning fast. The facilities here mirror the level required for serious collegiate play. Guests can book a tee time, though, like Karsten Creek, priority is given to students and members, so space is limited. The surrounding community of Norman has a great variety of lodging, restaurants, and entertainment options bolstered by the energy of this college town.
Cherokee Hills Golf Club
Located on the property of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa, Cherokee Hills is a historic course. This Perry Maxwell track opened in the 1920s and has since been redesigned by Tripp Davis. Today, it features a variety of natural elevation changes and tree-lined fairways. It is a shorter par 70 that maxes out at 6,600 yards and has a rating approaching 74. Visitors can play for $50-$70 and have direct access to the resort. The Hard Rock is one of the most notable resorts in Tulsa. The property includes multiple hotel towers and full access to gaming. There are spa experiences available, a full fitness center, and concerts and performances occurring throughout the year.
Bailey Ranch Golf Club
Bailey Ranch in Owasso, Oklahoma, is a public course designed by Bland Pittman in 1993. This track is a links-style, par-72 course with a rating of 73.1. Play here is very affordable, with green fees around $45 per round. Bailey Ranch has a strong reputation as a challenging course and has hosted a variety of professional tour events over the years.
Owasso is a suburb of Tulsa, so Bailey Ranch is less than 20 minutes from the airport. This venue serves as a great add-on to other notable courses in the area or can stand alone as a golf destination in its own right due to local recognition. Property amenities include a pro shop, practice facilities, and an on-site restaurant.
Battle Creek Golf Club
Battle Creek in Broken Arrow is another Bland Pittman links course, and it, too, underwent extensive renovations courtesy of Tripp Davis. That being said, Battle Creek carries more of a prestigious, country-club style atmosphere and gives a more difficult test. This par 72 rates at 75.4 and can be played for an inexpensive cost below $50. This shotmaker’s course has a solid amount of water and offers great views of local wildlife, such as deer and waterfowl. Like Owasso, Broken Arrow is considered a suburb of Tulsa and offers convenient access to the city, though the community itself has a vibrant downtown district filled with restaurants, public art, and trails to keep you entertained on and off the course.
Arrowhead State Park Golf Course
Arrowhead State Park Golf Course opened in 1966 and was designed by Floyd Farley. This par-72 plays as a parkland-style course with a rating of 72.3 and is recognized for the amount of wildlife that roam the grounds. Players can book a round for less than $50 and enjoy a fun course that rewards hitting the right shot over distance.
This region of the state is quite rural, about two hours from Oklahoma City. The lake itself is the largest in Oklahoma and is great for bass fishing and water sports. Camping and hiking are popular, as well as stargazing the very visible skies. In sum, a getaway to Arrowhead State Park presents something refreshingly different as a nature-focused golf spot.
Boiling Springs Golf Club
One of Oklahoma’s most distinct golf venues is Boiling Springs in Woodward, another remote region just over two hours from Oklahoma City. Uniquely, this course is built on a sandbelt, which presents a different style of links golf. Donald Sechrest originally designed this oasis in 1979, and it underwent a full modern redesign in 2013. Golfers can play the 6,500-yard par 71 for $50-$60. It plays with a rating of 71.5 and requires creativity with shot shape to adjust to high sand dunes and heavy wind.
Due to its more isolated location, this is not a place where visitors will find a variety of luxury amenities. The course itself does not have a full restaurant, so golfers will want to plan ahead with regard to food and drink. The town of Woodward does have a number of chain hotels and local restaurants, however, making for an easy-going, low-key destination.
Lincoln Park Golf Course
Lincoln Park Golf Course is recommended for great municipal golf directly within Oklahoma City. The facility dates back to the 1920s and has two par-72 courses just outside of downtown. The West Course (par 71) offers a more challenging test, while the East Course (par 70) provides a more forgiving layout. Tree-lined fairways and water hazards create a scenic contrast to the nearby city skyline. Green fees are typically in the $35-$55 range, depending on time and demand.
Lincoln Park is also known to have one of the better driving ranges in the region. The clubhouse offers casual dining in a casual environment, and after playing a round here, golfers can take advantage of the course’s convenient location and enjoy all of the activities that Oklahoma City has to offer.
Hit the Links in Wide Open Oklahoma
The unique character of golf in Oklahoma is a gift to any serious golfer. The tests presented by the state’s geography and weather are demanding tasks that promote strategic creativity and execution. The beautiful contrast between lakeside resort venues like Shangri-La and formidable munis like Lincoln Park really does make it one of the best states for golf in the US.
