Golf Destination: Dallas

Big D Comes Up Big as a Golf Destination on the Rise

By Brian Weis

Dallas is known for many things: cattle, cowboys (football and the real thing), and BBQ. But "The Big D" isn't all belt buckles and brisket. The city is growing its reputation as a golf getaway replete with high-end, resort quality courses and daily fee gems.

And as any business traveler knows, hundreds of direct flights, daily make getting to Dallas as easy as a flat three foot putt. The winter months bring wide temperature swings, but "have clubs will travel" types who can break away on short notice can enjoy highs in the 60s and even 70s on occasion.

Where to Play

Old American Golf Club

Old American is the work of acclaimed designer Tripp Davis and PGA TOUR star and hometown hero Justin Leonard. Inspired by the 'Golden Age' of golf course architecture (1911 - 1937), Old American's natural contours, hazard styles, native grasses and green shapes were influenced by such masterpieces as Shinnecock Hills, National Golf Links, Prairie Dunes and Crystal Downs.

The course is quickly becoming known as "the place the pros play." Thanks to a 7,000-yard-plus layout with the chops to host a TOUR event, Old American is a regular stop for many DFW-based pros. Nathan Green, winner of the 2009 RBC Canadian Open, holds the course record. Green fired a 4-under-par 67 in February, breaking the previous record of 68 held by Leonard and K.J. Choi. Other pros playing Old American include Y.E. Yang, Rod Pampling, John Senden, Steven Bowditch, and Paul Stankowski.

More Information: (972) 370-4653, www.oldamericangolfclub.com

The Tribute

Situated next to Old American in The Tribute Resort Community, The Tribute is a true links golf experience simulating some of the most famous and challenging holes from renowned Scottish courses such as St. Andrews, Troon and Prestwick. In addition to offering an experience unlike any other in the Metroplex. The Tribute also has a quaint guest house with seven suites for traveling golfers.

More information: (972) 370-5465, www.thetribute.com

Where to Stay

NYLO

This chic boutique hotel developed by South Side steward Matthews Southwest opened in 2012 amid palpable buzz. The 102 year-old building in the trendy neighborhood is an architectural all-star in Dallas' lodging lineup. Walls are adorned with works from local artists, and the rooftop "Soda Bar" with its infinity pool and casual grill and has become one of the most popular "hangs" in the city. The hotel's 76 guest rooms feature original concrete floors and exposed ceilings.

For more information and reservations: www.nylohotels.com

Omni Dallas Hotel

The new Omni Dallas Hotel is smack-dab in the middle of downtown and provides easy access to restaurants, shops and entertainment. Featuring more than 1,000 guest rooms and dozens of luxury suites, the hotel is Dallas through-and-through (Larry Hagman and Linda Gray from the television show "Dallas" were even on-hand for the opening).

The hotel also provides on-site dining and entertainment. Golfers will want to be sure to check out Bob's Steak & Chop House, where Texas-sized steaks, shrimp and deserts are plentiful. The Owner's Box is an interactive sports bar with a 16-foot television that's sure to be showing the Cowboys, Mavs, Rangers, and any other Texas team.

More information: www.omnihotels.com/findahotel/dallashotel

Revised: 03/18/2013 - Article Viewed 33,646 Times

About: Brian Weis

Brian Weis is the Publisher of GolfTrips.com, a network of golf travel and directory sites including GolfWisconsin.com, GolfMichigan.com, ArizonaGolfer.com, GolfAlabama.com, etc. Professionally, Brian is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America (GWAA), International Network of Golf (ING), Golf Travel Writers of America (GTWA), International Golf Travel Writers Association (IGTWA) and The Society of Hickory Golfers (SoHG). In 2016, Brian won The Shaheen Cup, an award given to a golf travel writer by his peers.

All of his life, Brian has been around the game of golf. As a youngster, Brian competed at all levels in junior and high school golf. Brian had a zero chance for a college golf scholarship, so he worked on the grounds crew at West Bend Country Club to pay for his University of Wisconsin education. In his adult years, his passion for the game collided with his entrepreneurial spirit and in 2004 launched GolfWisconsin.com. In 2007, the idea for a network of local golf directory sites formed and GolfTrips.com was born. Today, the network consists of a site in all 50 states supported by national sites like GolfTrips.com, GolfGuide.com and GolfPackages.com. It is an understatement to say, Brian is passionate about promoting golf and golf travel on a local, regional, national and international level.

On the golf course, Brian is known as a fierce weekend warrior that fluctuates between a 5-9 handicap. With a soft fade, known as "The Weis Slice", and booming 300+ drives, he can blast it out of bounds with the best of them.