Grey Rock Golf Club
Austin, Texas
Situated just south of downtown Austin on 160 acres of rolling Hill Country, Grey Rock is a Jay Morrish design that plays through stately live oaks and dramatic elevation shifts. The semi-private layout pairs public access with private-club conditions.
History & Heritage
Grey Rock Golf Club opened in 1992 as Circle C Golf Club, designed by Jay Morrish with Roy Bechtol as part of the Circle C Ranch master-planned community in southwest Austin. The 160-acre property was built on rolling terrain with towering live oaks that Morrish routed around to create the course's signature tree-lined corridors.
In March 2014, the Austin City Council voted 6-1 to purchase the course for $9.6 million using parkland and open space funds, preserving 160 acres of green space in a rapidly developing part of southwest Austin. The course was rebranded Grey Rock Golf Club and contracted to Touchstone Management. In 2023, the course closed for a five-month renovation that rebuilt all 18 greens (excavated to 6 inches and regrassed with TifDwarf Bermuda) and resurfaced all tee boxes — the most significant investment in the course since its 1992 opening. Grey Rock reopened in October 2023.
Signature Holes
The hardest hole on the course (Handicap 1). At 542 yards, the hole plays through clusters of live oaks that demand precise shotmaking at multiple points. Three well-executed shots are required to have a realistic birdie chance — going for the green in two through the trees almost always leads to trouble. Par is a solid score here.
A tricky mid-length par 4 where the challenge comes from the bunker complex surrounding the green. The green is set slightly right at the fairway's end — approaches from the left side open up the best angle and reduce bunker exposure.
The closing hole plays toward a lake overlooked by the two-story clubhouse. The visual drama of finishing with a gallery from the clubhouse veranda, with water in play, makes this one of the most memorable finishers among Austin public courses.
What to Expect
Grey Rock plays through 160 acres of southwest Austin terrain with towering live oaks as the defining visual and strategic feature throughout. The tree-lined corridors frame virtually every hole, creating a golf-in-the-forest atmosphere unusual for a city-owned course.
The layout is largely parkland-style with gently rolling terrain. The front nine is relatively straightforward; the back nine tightens with more doglegs and demanding angles. At 6,909 yards (slope 139, rating 74.6) it is one of the more demanding public layouts in Austin.
The 2023 green renovation means the putting surfaces are in their best condition since 1992. The Rock Grille restaurant and two-story clubhouse make it a full-service facility.
Playing Tips
Respect the live oaks — they are in play on virtually every hole and will deflect errant shots unpredictably. Keep the ball in the fairway corridors; recovery from deep under the oaks is very difficult.
Hole 7 (the hardest hole): treat it as a genuine three-shot par 5. Attempting to reach in two through the tree clusters almost always results in trouble. Lay up short of the trees on the second shot and hit a wedge to the green.
On Hole 5, attack from the left side of the fairway. The green is set right, so left-of-center approaches reduce bunker exposure and open up the best angle.
The Hole 18 lake is unforgiving. Do not force a heroic shot to a tight flag — two-putt par is a satisfying finish.
Highlights
- ✓ Jay Morrish design on 160 oak-studded acres near downtown
- ✓ Recent comprehensive greens and tee-box renovation
- ✓ Semi-private access with resort-quality conditioning
Frequently Asked Questions
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