Riverside Golf Course

Riverside Golf Course sits along the Colorado River in central Austin, where it has served the city's public golfers since the 1920s. The original layout was designed by Perry Maxwell, the Oklahoma-based architect known for his strategic bunkering and use of natural terrain, with later work by his son Press Maxwell. The course occupies relatively flat bottomland near the river, with mature pecan and oak trees defining corridors and framing holes throughout the property. The routing makes efficient use of the available land, with several holes running parallel to one another in a traditional out-and-back arrangement. Water comes into play on multiple holes, both from the nearby Colorado River and from creeks that cross the property. The tree-lined fairways require accuracy off the tee, and Maxwell's characteristic green complexes feature subtle contours and strategic bunkering that reward thoughtful approach play. As one of Austin's oldest municipal facilities, Riverside has introduced generations of Texas golfers to the game and remains an accessible option in a city where golf real estate has become increasingly valuable. The course reflects the practical, no-frills character typical of Depression-era public golf, designed to be walkable and playable for everyday golfers while still presenting legitimate strategic challenges. Its location near downtown and along the river corridor makes it a familiar landmark in Austin's recreational landscape.