Cimarron Hills, located in Georgetown, Texas, just on the outskirts of Austin and the Texas Hill Country, is a private golf and country club community; it’s one of two clubs owned by Legacy Golf Properties. Their other property is The Club at Comanche Trace in Kerrville.
The surroundings of the golf course are as spectacular as the golf course is challenging. The community is a collection of luxury residences ranging in price from the $700s to over $3 million, and built by some of the finest builders in the area. Cimarron Hills’ 45,000 square-foot clubhouse features old-world architecture with modern amenities, including the Cimarron Spa, where members can unwind and indulge in services such as a lux facial or massage. Or they can sit around the fire, sipping wine with friends. There’s also a newly renovated fitness center where you’ll find a spacious gym with all of the latest equipment and a vibrant schedule of fitness classes that includes Yoga and Pilates, strength training, and dance cardio.
Hiking trails, tennis and pickleball courts, a swimming pool, and world-class dining round out the list of amenities.
The focal point of the community is the golf course. The golf course opened in 2003 and underwent a major renovation of the greens and bunkers in 2017. The bunkers at Cimarron Hills seem to be everywhere…and strategically placed…and beautiful. You’ll find them on the peripheries of the fairway, in the middle of the fairway, and around the green. The greenside bunkers are deep with steep faces. Each one is well-maintained with deep, soft sand.
Cimarron Hills boasts one of the largest practice facilities in the area. You’ll find a full-length driving range where you can hit every club in your bag, along with multiple Champion Bermuda chipping and putting areas.
Jack Nicklaus’ design philosophy has always been “Never try to force an idea onto a piece of land,” and nowhere is that more visible than at Cimarron Hills. As a result, the course blends in nicely with its natural surroundings. Rolling terrain, stately oaks, deep bunkers, several lakes, the San Gabriel River, and a waterfall highlight some of the features you’ll encounter along the way.
With seven sets of tees and yardages that play from 5,010 to 7,302 yards, finding a suitable distance to match your ability shouldn’t be a problem. If it is, check out the three additional hybrid yardages on the scorecard. I found the Cimarron and Legend “combo” tees (6,080/70.8/134) provided the perfect distance and difficulty, yet still made for an enjoyable and invigorating round.
The course starts with a dogleg right par 5 that plays 531 yards. Playing your tee shot down the left side will give you the best angle for your layup shot. A great layup shot down the left will leave you the best look at the green. The green is slightly elevated and slopes left to right with some good undulation. It’s protected by two bunkers about 30 yards short on the left and another large deep bunker on the right.
As you peer down the fairway of the 356-yard, 2nd hole, that tree you see about 200 yards away is in the middle of the fairway, right at the dogleg. If you try to go over the tree, make sure you hit it far enough to carry the creek as well, which is about 40 yards past it. Playing your tee shot right of the tree and short of the creek will leave a manageable uphill approach shot into a long, narrow green protected by a large bunker on the left side.
Perhaps the prettiest hole on the golf course is the par-5, 15th hole, which plays 482 yards with more trees in the landing area off the tee. Unless you can carry your tee shot 250, it’s best to play short of the trees and play your second shot down the left side to avoid the lake. The bunkers on the left are about 50 yards short of the green. The lake that fronts the right of the green has a rock retaining wall, which adds to the beauty of the hole.
The finishing hole at Cimarron Hills is a short par 4 from the Cimarron/Legends combo tees, playing 334 yards. The key is to hit your tee shot past the corner of the dogleg and give yourself an unobstructed view of the green. From there, you’ll have a mid or short iron over water into a green protected by that water on the right side and a deep bunker in the back left. After playing the hole, I got the idea that very few golfers walk the course; there’s no way to get to the green without getting your feet wet!
If the stakes are high and you’re still tied with your partner after 18 holes, you’re in luck. There’s a 71-yard, par-3 19th hole that helps players to break ties. It’s also used as a practice hole.
The only thing that may be as good as the golf course at Cimarron Hills is the food. My perfect day at the club would include a round of golf followed by a sumptuous meal in the dining room. The culinary team brings decades of industry experience to the table (pun intended) and creates a memorable dining experience. All meals are created from simple ingredients and delivered in imaginative ways. The ribeye steak was one of the best I’ve ever had. Anywhere! My wife had the filet and said the same thing!
Cimarron Hills Golf and Country Club has a lot going for it. For starters, it’s in a peaceful, serene setting. Just you, your partners, and that little white ball; maybe the occasional cactus. Secondly, it has a fantastic golf course with 18 holes of Jack Nicklaus Signature golf. Thirdly, the Members have created a vibrant club culture with a base that is getting younger. Social events like themed wine dinners, a 4th of July Celebration that includes a spectacular fireworks show, and a fantastic New Year’s Eve Bash only add to the attraction.
Several classes of Invitational and Residential memberships are available for Full Golf, Young Executive (39 years old and younger), Sports (everything except golf), Social, and Corporate. As a member of Cimarron Hills Golf & Country Club and the Legacy Golf Properties’ family, you’ll have full reciprocal benefits at The Club at Comanche Trace, just two hours away in Kerrville. You’ll also receive reciprocal benefits at over 500 Troon clubs around the world as part of the Troon Privé Privilege Program. For more information on the club or becoming their newest member, give them a call at (512) 763-8700 or visit them online at www.cimarronhills.com.