The opening hole at Travis Club is a welcoming downhill par 4 that will offer golfers their first look of the course. From the tee, golfers must contest the right-side fairway bunker to achieve the best angle into the right-to-left green. Tee shots that find the left side of the fairway will require an approach shot to be played over the two left greenside bunkers to access a back-left pin position. Alternatively, golfers will need to avail of the contour right of the green in hopes of running the ball up onto the right-to-left slope of the green surface.

The second hole is a lengthy par 4, measuring 495 yards from the back tee, that plays over 100 feet down to the fairway. From the tee elevation, golfers are introduced to their first glimpse of panoramic views of the property down to Lake Travis. Tee shots that take on the left fairway bunkers will be rewarded with an unobstructed approach shot into the green, while those who choose to play away from the left side fairway bunkers will be challenged by the right greenside bunker with their approach shot.

Travis Club’s initial par three measures just under 200 yards and continues the downhill descent towards Lake Travis. From the tee, players must take into account the elevation change and blustery wind conditions to ensure distance is appropriately judged to find the putting surface perched above the natural rock ledge. Angled from right-to-left, the green offers multiple avenues to access the putting surface – through the air or along the ground via the undulating and closely mown turf surrounding the green.

The par four fourth hole begins with an elevated tee shot playing down and along a dramatic ravine to the left of the hole with picturesque views down to Lake Travis and the lakeside club.  Golfers that opt to challenge the left side of the fairway along the ravine will be rewarded with the shortest distance to the green, while those who choose to play away from the ravine, must navigate the two right fairway bunkers, and front right greenside bunkers.

One of the most picturesque holes on the golf course, the fifth hole will offer a distinct challenge to golfers along Lake Travis’ shores. From the longest tee perched up above a stunning cove, players must navigate across the cove to a sizable green that is protected by water and two greenside bunkers. A long- to mid-iron will likely be needed to find the putting surface situated on the stunning peninsula. Players will find that any tee shot that finds the green will provide excellent position for a 2-putt par.

The par 4 sixth hole offers two distinct levels within the fairway that creates a fun and dynamic strategy from the tee. The lower elevation to the left side of the fairway will be the conservative option for golfers choosing to play away from the hazards but will result in an angle of approach that will leave an uphill pitch shot over greenside bunkering found to the left of the elevated putting surface. Alternatively, golfers taking the more daring route will favor the higher elevation to the right side of the fairway by challenging the short, right fairway bunkers. A successful drive over the bunkers will result in a manageable pitch shot to an open and visible green.

The par 4 seventh hole plays uphill, away from the lakeshore to a generous fairway. From the tee, players will find that a well-struck shot avoiding the single right fairway bunker is rewarded with a mid to short iron into the green. The green is guarded by two bunkers located just behind the green as well as a low collection area in the fairway that protects the front section of the green.

The par 5 eighth hole plays again plays dramatically downhill over the natural area to a fairway sloping from right-to-left. Golfers opting to take the shortest route to the green must contend with the left fairway bunkers but will be rewarded with the best angle to the second landing area which is guarded by a single bunker on the right side of the fairway. Multiple options will be available to approach shots from various distances through the air or along the contoured green surrounds that could project the golf ball onto the putting surface.

The par 4 ninth hole plays 449 yards downhill and over a beautiful lake located to the left of the hole that will provide a prime scoring opportunity to close out the front nine. From the tee, golfers will want to avoid the left fairway bunker that pinches into the expansive fairway. Should players successfully avoid the fairway bunker, they will find the optimal angle of approach into the green guarded by a front right greenside bunker.

A healthy, uphill par four welcomes players to the back nine at Travis Club. The tenth is the only hole on the course without bunkers, but don’t be fooled into thinking it is a pushover. Despite the hole’s lack of bunkering, the tenth stresses positioning and accuracy for both the tee shot and approach to navigate a successful score for the hole. From the tee, the ideal play is near the steep slope and natural swale left of the fairway leaving the best approach and distance to the green. The bold personality of the tenth’s putting surface is expressed by a vast, undulating nature including the tightly mown, rolling green surrounds that defend the green. A demanding close to a fine hole that provides a challenge for even the finest players.

They say big things come in small packages and the eleventh hole stands as a perfect example. The tiniest hole at Travis Club might be short in yards but is long in beauty and fun. With only a short iron in hand, players will be faced with a target that is one of the smallest greens on the course with testing bunkers guarding the green’s left side. Accuracy is necessary for players. Their tee shots must not only find the green, but also find the proper portion of this putting surface which is separated into distinct zones. A delicate touch will be needed for tee shots missing the green to the right which leave a ticklish pitch up to a surface that speeds away from the player to the back of the green. Bunkers to the left of me, delicate pitch to the right. Here I am says the eleventh!

While not a long hole, the twelfth plays into a hillside and features interesting movement throughout the hole. Players have a choice with their tee shots; do I confront the impressive fairway bunkers on the righthand side to be rewarded with a wonderful angle for my approach into the green, or do I favor the left side trying to avoid the conservation area just down the hill from the fairway hoping to find the magic speed slot for added yardage? A single bunker down the left side may be more helpful than it is penal catching stray shots and keeping them out of the penalty area. An interesting green awaits players. The surface has a distinct slope from back-to-front and features four distinct fingers of green surface which are protected by strategic bunkering. This creative and beautiful hole will surely provide a variety of opportunities for players.

After playing the diminutive eleventh just a bit earlier, now players face the longest hole at Travis Club, the substantial thirteenth. Truly a three-shot hole, players will face and need to navigate a myriad of hazards throughout the hole that runs along a ridge on the north end of the property. Even though the journey to the green is a long one, precision on this hole is required. Players will want to evade three fairway bunkers as well as a steep slope to the player’s left. Exactness is compelled on the second shot as well. Players will want to avoid numerous bunkers down the left side which safeguard against those looking for the best angle into the green and to cut off distance to the hole. After navigating the first two shots on the thirteenth, players will play their approach to a green which is distinctly divided into right and left halves. Multiple greenside bunkers protect the putting surface along with a steep surround influencing shots landing short of the putting surface.

The fourteenth hole at Travis Club stands alone in its personality and design as it plays over a ravine then up to a prominent and elevated green. The fairway is generous and offers a broad target, but those looking for the optimal line of play will steer their tee shot up the right side of the fairway which is guarded by several unkind bunkers. Those successfully finding the favored right side of the fairway will have a clear view into the green, while shots to the left side of the fairway will meet and need to traverse a foreshortened bunker that skews visibility and depth perception. The good news? No matter where a player finds themselves, a drive in the fairway leaves only a short iron to the green. A single bunker guards the front of the green with a severe back-to-front pitch formed by a ridge on the back. Controlled shots into the green can use this ridge to work approaches closer to tucked pin locations.

On top of the world! Featuring views of golf and of Lake Travis, the tee at the fifteenth is the highest point on the Travis Club course and another photo-op worthy view. What awaits the player is a spectacularly, beautiful roller coaster ride of a par five. While the length tells you it is a three-shot hole, this hole will play substantially downhill shortening the effective length for all players. With an aggressive tee shot, players can look to shorten the hole further by contesting multiple fairway bunkers at the first landing area, catching the slope, and adding yards to their tee shot. From the fairway, players will be presented with several strategic options for their next play which is downhill to a landing area with centerline bunkers scattered throughout. Players will need to balance the downhill slope in their calculations for a specific layup yardage for their second shot. Once executed, the player has great prospects of hitting the green with their third. The final target on the hole sits innocently at the bottom of the hill but watched over by three sentinel bunkers. An exciting ride down a marvelous and stunning hole.

Starting our journey home, the sixteenth hole is robust and picturesque three-shot hole with the Travis Club clubhouse watching from above. One of the few forced carries on the course, the tee shot here compels the player to navigate over Travis Club’s only internal lake to successfully find the green. The undulating putting surface here is generous in size and provides a substantial target for players. Avoid the water, avoid the bunkers guarding the green and a par is likely. As is a well-earned round of applause from the gallery on the clubhouse porch.

As your round draws toward a conclusion at Travis Club, the excitement doesn’t end. Playing away from the clubhouse, the penultimate hole is a long four from the back tees, but very reasonable and welcoming from the other markers providing players of all levels a fantastic scoring opportunity. You will want to avoid the fairway bunkers pinching in the left side as you drive to the wide fairway providing multiple routes into the green. The uphill second shot is played into a large green featuring two distinct levels and is guarded on the left side, by greenside bunkering in both the front and back. A miss to the left keeps the player busy, while a miss to the right into the closely mown surrounds is preferred providing the player with multiple short game methods to try and collect a par.

Heading home, Travis Club finishes with a bang as strength, creativity and strategy are all emphasized on this long finale. Measuring 500 yards only the strongest of players will want to attempt the hole from the back tee. No matter the tee played, players will be required to execute two outstanding shots for any chance to close with a final birdie or par. The tee shot plays to a cross-sloped fairway which follows the natural terrain and has fairway bunkers situated low at the left corner. The second shot could be played with a myriad of clubs depending on the success of the tee shot. Played skillfully, the green and surrounds will reward a well-played approach, but players will also find ample room for their next shot in a large and open second landing area around the green. Players may opt to defy the bunker short of the green on the high side of the hole in hopes of kicking the ball near or onto the green. While approach shots finding the low side of the second landing area will need to navigate over greenside bunkers pinching in the putting surface to the left. A bunker in the rear may be a redeeming feature saving shots heading into the hillside behind the green. The large putting surface features three distinct areas that will reward precise shots into the green or create a test to avoid three puts should you find the wrong level. A magnificent way to end the round on this remarkable course. Now to the 19th hole!