When Nicklaus Met Ranch Land
Jack Nicklaus shaped the layout to preserve the natural beauty of Texas Hill Country, working with the river valley and massive native oaks. The course's routing honors the ranchland legacy on which it was built.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Cimarron Hills Golf & Country Club
Georgetown, Texas
Established
2003
Architect
Jack Nicklaus, Chet Williams
Access
Private
Par
Par 72
Length
5,127 – 7,302 yds
The verdict
A Premier Hill Country Challenge
Cimarron Hills delivers bold, championship golf amid rolling Texas ranchland. Its Nicklaus pedigree rewards thoughtful play and shot-making across a beautifully conditioned, member-focused course. The stretch through the river corridor—anchored by commanding par 4s and 5s—sets it apart among private clubs in the region.
Course DNA
Difficulty
87
Scenery73
Conditioning84
Shot Variety82
Walkability62
Green Complexity76
Wow Factor74
Design Quality80
Don't miss
Order the legendary breakfast tacos served at the turn—members rave they’re the perfect Jolting Hill Country pick-me-up.
At a glance
Quick facts
Jack Nicklaus Signature
One of Nicklaus’ hallmark Texas creations
Dominant Plus Bent greens
Modern, tour-level putting surfaces
San Gabriel River corridor
Course winds along natural river
Major 2017 renovation
Greens rebuilt, bunkers reconstructed
Slope and Rating
75.5 / 141 from championship tees
Three challenging par 5s per side
Invites birdies and punishes mistakes
Practice complex
Full range and short game areas
The design
The architecture
Cimarron Hills is quintessential Jack Nicklaus: bold, strategic, shaped by the land but never dominated by it. Nicklaus and Chet Williams built the course to wind through Texas’ native oaks and along the San Gabriel River, creating a routing that rewards thoughtful club selection, careful tee shot positioning, and creative approach play. Well-defined landing areas and tailored risk-reward challenges on the par 5s highlight a course that always asks 'what shot is smartest?'. A 2017 renovation ensured that greens and bunkers remain crisp, contemporary, and fair.
Nicklaus’s mark is evident in both the demanding tee shots and dynamic green complexes—always pushing smarter rather than harder golf.
Defining features
- Seamless integration with native river corridor
- Distinct par 5s and stout par 4s
- Bold, strategic bunkering with modern lining
- Large, well-contoured Dominant Plus Bentgrass greens
- Natural preservation of mature oaks and native terrain
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 1
River Valley Awakening
PAR
5
YARDAGE
585
Opening alongside native trees and gentle riverbank, this par 5 sets the tone: a sweeping double-dogleg that rewards a confident first swing. Its generous landing area narrows quickly and tempts the aggressive to reach in two.
Play it smart
Smart position off the tee leaves a manageable second; lay up short of trouble unless wind is perfect for the big bite.
Where it bites
Miss too far right and mature oaks or rough make recovery nearly impossible; water and tough lies threaten the ill-considered third.
Course management
Shots to think about
Approaching the par-4 4th green from the rough
Bail to the fat side and trust a two-putt rather than risking deep trouble left.
Decision for the par-5 15th on your second shot
Unless you’re in prime position, lay back and wedge in—the green complex punishes half-committed runs.
Attacking back pin on the par-3 17th with crosswind
Play to the middle—short is safe, long and left is costly.
Navigating trees right on the par-5 1st after a miss
Pitch out and play for position; hero recovery shots rarely end well here.
Keeping a round alive on the finishing holes
Aim for fairways at all costs—risk multiplies late in the round when nerves and hazards converge.
Reading bentgrass greens that break away from water
Trust subtle river influence over traditional grain—often the break is more than it appears.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Pure modern bentgrass greens, tightly mown fairways, and sculpted bunkering throughout.
Pace
Expect a deliberate, member-paced round with ample time for decision-making.
Vibe
Upscale, golf-focused, and quietly social—membership pride in a championship pedigree.
Dress code
Standard country club attire expected; collared shirts and slacks or Bermuda shorts recommended.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Sharpen long-iron play
Several par 3s and lengthy par 4s demand confident long shots into well-guarded greens.
02
Speed up your reads
Nicklaus greens roll quick and true; focus on speed-control in practice to avoid three-putts.
03
Pack for wind shifts
The open corridor terrain can bring swirling gusts, especially in spring and fall.
The lore
How it came to be
- 2003
Cimarron Hills Golf & Country Club officially opens as a Jack Nicklaus Signature Course.
- 2008
Hosts Legends Junior Tour Spring Preview and WTGA Four-Ball Championship.
- 2015
Annual Cimarron Hills Pro-Am begins supporting PGA REACH Southern Texas.
- 2017
The club undertakes major renovation: rebuilt greens and bunkers.
- 2020
Clubhouse and amenities undergo major interior upgrades.
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Turning the Greens to Gold
The 2017 greens and bunker overhaul modernized the playing surfaces, elevating conditions to championship standards. Members rave about the improved bounce, texture, and purity of the putting surfaces ever since.
Bear Invitational Tradition
The annual 'Bear Invitational' draws top amateurs for spirited competition, echoing the club’s Jack Nicklaus namesake. It’s a showcase event for the course and its championship pedigree.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
The course routing preserves much of the original Texas ranch landscape, winding along the San Gabriel River.
2
Host of annual charity pro-ams that have raised tens of thousands for local causes.
3
Nicklaus’s signature bear logo subtly marks several on-course waypoints and tees.
4
A major 2017 renovation elevated turf and bunker quality to modern Nicklaus standards.
5
Many member events are named for local wildlife or the club’s 'Bear' theme.
Build the trip
If you're making a Hill Country golf trip out of it
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Wolfdancer Golf Club
Resort
A top-tier public resort layout, dramatic terrain, and true destination golf flavor.
Omni Barton Creek Fazio Canyons
Resort
One of Austin’s elite modern resort courses, with exceptional design and conditions.
Falconhead Golf Club
Public
Accessible daily-fee layout, routed through Texas hills and woods—strong value.
Riverside Golf Course
Public
Historic Austin municipal with an old-school feel and friendly green fees.
Star Ranch Golf Club
Public
Popular east-of-Austin daily-fee track, consistent conditions, and a lively finish.
Stay in Georgetown for direct club access, or choose north Austin/Round Rock for the best mix of golf and urban amenities.
Course DNA
If You Like Cimarron Hills Golf & Country Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match8.0
Spring Creek Ranch Golf Club
Collierville, TennesseeDifficulty
Why it matches: Spring Creek Ranch Golf Club is a natural next stop after Cimarron Hills Golf & Country Club: it asks for the same disciplined decision-making.
Strong DNA Match8.0
Innisbrook Resort, Copperhead Course
Palm Harbor, FloridaDifficulty
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Innisbrook Resort, Copperhead Course asks for the same disciplined decision-making, making it a compelling counterpart to Cimarron Hills Golf & Country Club.
Strong DNA Match8.3
Ansley Golf Club at Settindown Creek
Roswell, GeorgiaDifficulty
Why it matches: What links these two? Brings a comparable level of challenge — a familiar feeling, expressed in Ansley Golf Club at Settindown Creek's own setting.
The architect's other work
More from Jack Nicklaus
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Manele Golf Course
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Mayacama Golf Club
Santa Rosa, CaliforniaJack Nicklaus precision in wine country hills
Vermont National Golf Club
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Pebble Beach Golf Links
Pebble Beach, CaliforniaAmerica’s ultimate seaside bucket-list test
Community Sentiment
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