Palmer Lakeside Course
Spicewood, TX, USA




The Palmer Lakeside Course at Omni Barton Creek Resort occupies rolling Hill Country terrain west of Austin, designed by Arnold Palmer and opened in the late 1990s as part of the resort's multi-course complex. The layout takes its name from its relationship to Lake Travis, with several holes offering views of the water and the surrounding Texas landscape. Palmer's design here emphasizes strategic shot-making over length, incorporating the natural limestone outcroppings and live oak groves characteristic of the region into the routing. The course plays through varied elevation changes typical of the Hill Country, with fairways that move through valleys and across ridgelines. Water features appear on multiple holes, and the bunkering reflects Palmer's preference for bold, visible hazards that frame landing areas and greens. The design accommodates resort play while maintaining enough challenge for accomplished golfers, with multiple tee boxes allowing flexibility in course length and difficulty. As part of the Omni Barton Creek property, Palmer Lakeside shares the resort's amenities and serves both guests and members. The course complements the resort's other layouts, including designs by Tom Fazio and Crenshaw & Coore, giving visitors access to varied architectural styles within a single Hill Country setting. The combination of Palmer's strategic design philosophy and the natural Texas landscape creates a course that balances playability with the visual character of the region.
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Unranked
Best in USA
Unranked
Best in TX
Public: #20
Public courses closest to Palmer Lakeside.
The journey to Omni Barton Creek Resort begins at Austin-Bergstrom International (AUS), a straightforward twenty-five-mile drive west into the Texas Hill Country. Private arrivals often favor Austin Executive Airport, positioned conveniently closer to the resort's elevated perch above Lake Travis. The route climbs gently from the city's sprawl into rolling terrain dotted with live oak and limestone outcroppings, the final approach along winding resort roads revealing glimpses of water and fairway before arriving at the resort's understated Hill Country elegance - a refined gateway to Palmer's lakeside design.

FAQ
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Palmer Lakeside has a Course Vaults score of 7.7 out of 10 based on 8 explicit golfer ratings.
Palmer Lakeside was designed by Arnold Palmer.
Yes. Palmer Lakeside is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Palmer Lakeside is 71.
Palmer Lakeside plays 6,645 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Palmer Lakeside is 133.