Discovering Memorial Park Golf Course: Houston's Public Gem For Golfers

This course, located right in the heart of Houston, offers a lovely mix of long history, fun playability, and some really nice views. It's a public place that has managed to keep its charm while also keeping up with the times. You might say it's a bit of a local treasure, actually, giving folks a chance to enjoy a round of golf without having to join a fancy club, which is great.

For anyone thinking about visiting, whether you're a local or just passing through, there's a lot to like about this course. It's got a rich past, a design that challenges you just enough, and it even hosts big professional events. It's pretty cool, if you ask me, how it manages to be so many things to so many different golfers, you know, from beginners to seasoned players.

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Table of Contents

• A Public Golf Course Like No Other
• A Bit of History and Design
• Playing a Round: What It Costs
  • Rates for Locals
  • Visitor Fees
  • Extra Costs
• Home to the Pros: The Houston Open's Return
• A Course for Everyone: Technology and Accessibility
• Comparing Designs: A Unique Layout
• Frequently Asked Questions About Memorial Park Golf Course

A Public Golf Course Like No Other

The memorial park golf course has a reputation for being one of the best public courses in the whole country, and that's not just talk. It’s a place that sees a lot of action, with more than 60,000 people coming through its gates each year to play. That number itself tells you quite a bit about its appeal, actually, showing how many people enjoy spending time there.

What makes it stand out, perhaps, is its status as a municipal course. It's one of five golf courses that the Houston Parks & Recreation Department takes care of, so it's truly a community asset. This means it’s kept up to a really good standard, yet it remains open and welcoming to everyone, which is pretty neat.

You might wonder what it’s like to play there. Well, it's known for being a course that challenges you, but also one that you can enjoy. It’s got a good flow, and the finishing hole, in particular, is described as quite a tough one, a brute of a finish, some might say. So, it's not just a casual stroll, but a proper golf experience, you know?

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A Bit of History and Design

The history of the memorial park golf course goes back a good ways, to the 1930s. It was first set up then, and the design we see today comes from John Bredemus, who laid out the course back in 1936. So, it's got some real roots in the past, and that history kind of adds to its charm, I think.

Over the years, the course has seen some important changes and updates. Recently, there were some big renovations, and those were a pretty significant deal. These improvements helped bring the PGA Tour's Houston Open back to Memorial Park, which hadn't happened since 1963. That's a long time, so it was a big return for professional golf there, truly.

When you look at the design, especially after the renovations, it’s clear that a lot of thought went into it. The course is now known for being one of the most affordable golf courses used on the PGA Tour, especially for local residents. This combination of a challenging design and great accessibility for the public is something special, actually, making it quite unique.

Playing a Round: What It Costs

One of the most appealing things about the memorial park golf course, especially for those who live nearby, is how reasonable the prices are. It’s pretty amazing, really, when you consider the quality of the course and the fact that it hosts professional events. So, it's a great value for many, many people looking to play.

Rates for Locals

If you're a local resident, you get some really good deals here. As of 2025, the standard price for a round on weekends and holidays is $38. That's for local folks, and it's a very fair price, honestly, for a course of this standing. It’s pretty much unbeatable for what you get, in some respects.

It gets even better for weekday twilight golf. For those times, the local resident rate drops to as low as $21. That’s a truly fantastic price, allowing people to enjoy a round without spending too much money. It’s almost like a steal, if you think about it, making golf very accessible.

This means that locals can play on the same greens as top pros, like Scottie Scheffler, for no more than $38. That's a pretty cool experience, actually, to follow in the footsteps of golf's biggest names without breaking the bank. It really makes it a course for the people, you know?

Visitor Fees

For those visiting Houston, or who aren't local residents, the green fees are a bit different, as you might expect. Currently, during the week, from Monday to Thursday, the cost to play is $120. That's a standard rate for visitors, and it's still quite competitive for a course of this caliber, in a way.

On the weekends or holidays, the price for visitors goes up a little bit, to $140. While it’s more than the local rate, it still offers a chance to play a course that’s used on the PGA Tour. So, even for visitors, it’s a chance to experience something special, which is nice.

Extra Costs

Beyond the green fees, there are a few other things you might want to consider. If you prefer to walk the course and need a push cart, that will cost you $13 to rent. It's a small added cost, but good to know if you like to carry your own bag, you know?

Also, if you don't bring your own clubs, you can borrow a set of rental clubs. The text doesn't say the exact price for those, but it's good to know the option is there. So, even if you travel light, you can still get out and play a round, which is pretty convenient.

Home to the Pros: The Houston Open's Return

The return of the PGA Tour's Houston Open to the memorial park golf course was a really big deal. It had been away since 1963, so bringing it back after all those years was a huge success for the Astros Golf Foundation, who helped make it happen. It showed the course's renewed standing, honestly.

The course actually hosted the Shell Houston Open in the past, so it has a history with professional golf events. Having the Houston Open back meant that top players from around the world would be playing on these very fairways. It’s pretty cool to think about, really, how the pros tackle the same holes you can play.

In 2020, the Houston Open was indeed hosted at Memorial Park. This event brought a lot of attention to the course and to Houston as a golf destination. It really cemented Memorial Park’s place as a premier venue, even for the highest levels of the sport, you know, which is quite an achievement.

The fact that Memorial Park is among the most affordable courses used on the PGA Tour, especially for local residents, is something quite unique. Most courses that host such big events are private or have extremely high public rates. This course offers a rare chance for everyday golfers to experience a professional tour venue, and that's pretty special. You can learn more about the PGA Tour and its events on their official website: PGA Tour Official Site.

A Course for Everyone: Technology and Accessibility

Beyond the traditional golf experience, Memorial Park also seems to embrace modern technology to make the game even more enjoyable. There's a fusion of golf, GPS, database, mapping, and fun technologies available. This suggests a more interactive and informative way to play, which is pretty neat for many players, actually.

These technologies are available on various platforms, including different devices and browsers. So, whether you use an Android phone, an iPhone, a Blackberry, or even older Windows Mobile devices, you can likely access these features. It shows a commitment to making the course experience better for everyone, you know, no matter their tech preference.

The course database provides key information like course descriptions, tee yardages, par, and handicaps. You can also view scorecards, contact information, and even course tours and directions. This makes planning your visit and playing your round much easier, giving you all the details you might need right at your fingertips.

Comparing Designs: A Unique Layout

When you look at the design of the memorial park golf course, especially in comparison to other notable courses, it stands out. Tom Doak, a very respected golf course designer, has Memorial Park on his impressive list of projects. What makes it unique for him is that it's the only golf course he has built thus far with the professional golfer in mind from the start, which is interesting.

There's even a comparison to how designers like Hanse/Wagner and Tom Doak approach creating courses for the pros, specifically at places like PGA Frisco and Memorial Park. This kind of discussion, about the thought process behind the layout for top-tier competition, shows how seriously the design of Memorial Park is taken. It's a topic that could take about 13 minutes to really get into, apparently, so there's a lot to consider.

The course's finishing hole, as mentioned before, is quite a challenge. It's described as a "brute of a finishing," meaning it’s tough and requires a lot of skill to play well. This kind of feature adds to the course's reputation and its appeal for both everyday golfers and professional players alike, making it a truly memorable place to end your round.

Frequently Asked Questions About Memorial Park Golf Course

How much does it cost to play at Memorial Park Golf Course?

For local residents in 2025, the weekend and holiday rate is $38, and weekday twilight golf can be as low as $21. Visitors pay $120 during the week and $140 on weekends or holidays. Push cart rental is $13, and rental clubs are also available.

Is Memorial Park Golf Course open to the public?

Yes, absolutely! Memorial Park Golf Course is a public gem, operated by the Houston Parks & Recreation Department. It welcomes over 60,000 players each year, making it one of the most popular municipal courses in the nation.

Who designed Memorial Park Golf Course?

The course was originally designed by John Bredemus in 1936. More recently, it underwent significant renovations, which helped bring the PGA Tour's Houston Open back to its greens. Tom Doak is also associated with its unique design, particularly for its focus on professional play.