Pine Forest at Pine Forest Golf Club

Pine Forest Golf Club sits in Bastrop, Texas, a region known for its distinctive "Lost Pines" ecosystem where loblolly pines grow in an isolated stand far west of the main East Texas pine belt. The course was designed by Billy Martindale, a Texas-based architect who has worked on numerous layouts across the state since the latter decades of the twentieth century. Martindale's designs typically emphasize playability for a range of skill levels while incorporating the natural features of their settings.

The routing at Pine Forest takes advantage of the area's rolling terrain and the presence of mature pines, which frame fairways and create a wooded character uncommon in much of Central Texas. The sandy soil native to the region provides good drainage and firm playing conditions, particularly important given the area's variable weather patterns. Strategic bunkering and green complexes require thoughtful course management rather than simply overpowering length.

Bastrop itself is a small community located roughly thirty miles east of Austin, and the course serves both local members and visitors exploring the region. The Lost Pines area has faced environmental challenges in recent years, including significant wildfires in 2011 that affected portions of the surrounding landscape, though recovery efforts have been ongoing. Pine Forest offers a golf experience distinct from the Hill Country courses closer to Austin, with its piney character and more forested feel providing a different visual and strategic environment.