Palmer Lakeside, Par 71, 6,645 yards

Not all the Barton Creek golfing greatness is confined to the scenic 4,000 acre on-site resort property. The Palmer Lakeside course is just 25 minutes west of the main Barton Creek facilities, but the peaceful setting and great challenge make it a worthy member of the resort’s golfing quartet. Arnold Palmer has long been known as “The King”, and he certainly put forth a royal effort in creating this secluded piece of Hill Country heaven.
Golfers should not be surprised to see native white-tail deer wandering on the edges of the fairways early in the morning or late in the afternoon. The elevated par 4 first hole offers a sweeping view of the golf greatness and scenery which is to come and the remaining 17 Palmer layouts certainly do not disappoint.
The par 3 11th hole with multiple waterfalls cascading down from the top of the hill has been ranked as one of the prettiest holes in Texas in various statewide surveys while the par 3 14th offers a stunning view of Lake Travis. Golfers have a separate clubhouse Palmer’s Lakeside course opened in 1986 and has delighted golfers for more than two decades. A brief ride from the Barton Creek resort will allow you to join the ranks of the confirmed believers in this hidden gem.

No. 1, Par 4, 400 yards (back tees)
The opening hole of this peaceful challenge offers golfers a scenic overview of the entire property from the elevated tee box. Right of the cart path is trouble with woods and out of bounds marking the path. Players finding the fairway after a 70 foot drop from the tee will have a fairly short iron approach to the green, with bunkers guarding the entrance on both sides and a tree to the left of the green.

No. 2, Par 5, 496 yards
The opening par 5 forces a double carry over water, first off the tee and then a very large pond which protects the green. There is a collection of trees which line the right side of the fairway with sand all around the green. Length and accuracy is required for success at this hole.

No. 3, Par 3, 162 yards
The opening par 3 is a fairly level hole, but golfers must navigate a large pond which can decide watery success or failure. A lone bunker is set along the right side of the green, but isn’t usually a big factor on the hole. The green isn’t overly steep or challenging.

No. 4, Par 4, 418 yards
This hole plays as a dogleg left off the tee with water creeping in on the left. Bunkers are on both sides of the landing area in the fairway with several large bunkers surrounding the green.

No. 5, Par 4, 395 yards
While this hole is fairly straight but has a narrow tee shot, trees can be a problem on either side of the fairway for the wayward driver. One of the few layouts at Barton Creek Lakeside without an abundance of bunkers. Trees make up for the lack of sand, but the straight driver can be rewarded with par or better. The approach to the green must carry a deep ravine with very little chance for recovery.

No. 6, Par 5, 565 yards
This hole swings slightly to the left off the tee with trees lining both sides of the fairway. The tee shot must carry a deep ravine and on the approach two bunkers are strategically positioned at the front of the green. This is another hole where accuracy is rewarded with a good score.

No. 7, Par 4, 405 yards
The best aiming shot off the tee is to the left center of the fairway. It doglegs right and down hill into a canyon off the tee, often forcing a lay-up. Another fairly sandless hole with trees providing the main difficulty. The green is kidney shaped and can provide some challenging options.

No. 8, Par 3, 201 yards
This is a challenging but fair hole providing a good chance for par, provided you can hit the green off the tee. A lone bunker is on the right side of the green with trees on both sides and a hint of water coming in off the front and right of the green.

No. 9, Par 4, 381 yards
The closing hole of the back nine plays up the hill with a slight right turn off the tee. Your approach shot will play longer than the yardage indicated because of the uphill slope of the course and the green also slopes from back down to front making the conclusion to the front nine a tough one.

No. 10, Par 4, 371 yards
The back nine starts with a dogleg left with a green which sweeps slightly uphill. Ball position is critical for the second shot with bunkers and trees lining the right side of the fairway. The best tee shot hooks back into the fairway, leaving golfers a short iron to a small green.

No. 11, Par 3, 197 yards
This is regarded as one of the prettiest holes in all of Texas as golfers face a series of waterfalls and ponds cascading down from behind the green eventually streaming by the left side of the green and along the fairway. Don’t let the beauty fool you as the safe play is to the right, where you can putt for par or birdie as the water rushes past.

No. 12, Par 5, 578 yards
A long par 5 which curves slightly left off the tee with water also coming into play on the left side as you approach the green. Bunkers line the right side of the green, making distance control on your approach critical to success.

No. 13, Par 4, 485 yards
A very long and demanding hole with a broad, sweeping fairway that also has a deep depression on the left before the green. If the tee shot misses the fairway to the left it is likely lost, forcing golfers to aim right where bunkers come into play. More sand awaits the golfer around the green providing a difficult conclusion to the hole.

No. 14, Par 3, 141 yards
Another highly scenic gem as this short hole plays with the lake all along the left side. On most days, there are actually two greens, although there may be only one flag. The one on the right is shorter, but the target to hit is smaller as well. The golfer must carry a deep canyon to either green.

No. 15, Par 5, 519 yards
The long and straight layout plays away from the water, but the lack of watery scenery doesn’t mean it’s without challenge. You need two lengthy and accurate shots to set up a short approach shot. Trees line both sides of the approach creating a “funnel effect” for the approach.

No. 16, Par 4, 395 yards
A good strategic dogleg left tempting the golfer to take a short cut as they begin their climb towards the large clubhouse. Golfers should aim their shots to the right side of the fairway leaving a mid-iron approach over a live oak to the green.

No. 17, Par 3, 163 yards
The last of five Par 3s on the Arnold Palmer designed course. The final par 3 offers a serene pond in front and left of this green. The watery trouble along with bunkers right make accuracy vital for successfully reaching the green.

No. 18, Par 4, 373 yards
Golfers face a slight dogleg right with a fairway which goes uphill towards the clubhouse. The golfer should favor the left side of the fairway to avoid being blocked out by the grove of trees on the right. A short uphill approach to the green provides the final challenge Barton Creek Lakeside has to offer.

written by Art Stricklin

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