Wow, Boot Ranch is one very impressive Texas golf community. It may be one of the best golf communities in Texas. This review will tell you why we think it is one of the best Texas golf communities.
Introduction to Boot Ranch
Designed and built by PGA Pro Hal Sutton, Boot Ranch is a one-of-a-kind, exclusive, and impressive golf community. You can’t help but fall in love with Boot Ranch as you drive from the gated entrance, past the water and pond on the 10th and 11th hole, and wind your way up to the Clubhouse Village sitting on top of one of the tallest bluffs overlooking the golf course. The drive includes some of the prettiest Hill Country scenes in Texas.
One of the first things we noticed when we arrived, something that sets Boot Ranch apart from its competition, is the first-class service.
We were greeted by a friendly and helpful guard at the entrance. A staff of 20 personnel welcomed us with open arms at the clubhouse. Two of them opened the Jeep’s doors with a warm smile while greeting us, two more grabbed our clubs and put them on a waiting cart, and a couple more held the doors open to the clubhouse for us. It only got better from there!
Everyone we met had a smile, a welcome greeting, or a “How can I help you?”
Breathtaking Views at Boot Ranch
Our first “Wow” escaped as we walked through the stone and wood entrance to the clubhouse. From there, we walked to the clubhouse deck where we took in the breathtaking panoramic view.
The clubhouse, pro shop, and guest villas sit on one of the tallest bluffs (2000′) on the property. It includes stunning views of the valley, rolling hills, and the golf course. We immediately plopped ourselves into one of the comfy deck chairs and ordered a drink!
I can only imagine sitting here and watching a beautiful Texas sunset. It was hard leaving, but our tee time beckoned.
As we meandered through the impressive and upscale 55,000-square-foot clubhouse, locker rooms, bar, and restaurant on our way to the pro shop, we murmured a few more “wows”.
The locker rooms are exquisite with rich wood paneling and lots of amenities. The clubhouse is extremely well done with upscale appointments, massive wood beams, leather sofas and chairs, terraced patios, fire pits, and unbelievable views.
Boot Ranch Restaurant and Lodges
The Boot Ranch restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. While we weren’t able to sample any of the food, we did check out the dinner menu. It included: appetizers like crab cakes, grilled gulf prawns, warm spinach and lump crab dip, several soups and salads (bison chili, grilled Caesar salad, seared Ahi tuna salad), and several entrees that made my mouth water.
Entrees include
- A potato-crusted grouper with a guajillo buerre blanc sauce
- Venison chops
- Colorado lamb chops with artichoke pesto and veal demi-glaze
- Berkshire pork chop with house-made cranberry demi-glaze
- A couple of steak choices
- And a few desserts including creme brulee, banana bread foster, and berry cobbler
A well done and magnificently landscaped gazebo with a conversation and fire pit sits on the same 2000′ bluff the Clubhouse sits on. A few yards from the gazebo are the Sutton and Burke Lodges, which are home to 10 five-star, well-appointed guest rooms for members and their guests to enjoy.
After checking all of that out, we made it to the Pro Shop where the friendly staff gave us some helpful hints on playing the course. During our round of golf, we uttered several more “Wows”.
We also played some fun and demanding holes, enjoyed the stunning scenery, and ate lunch on the signature 10th hole, which has a series of cascading waterfalls in front of the green.
How Boot Ranch Was Designed
PGA legend Hal Sutton designed Boot Ranch to be a celebration of golf and to complement rather than confront the scenic surroundings. What a unique and enjoyable experience!
With a slope and rating ranging from 131 to 148 and 71.4 to 76.2, the hole yardages range from 5006 to 7155. Boot Ranch is no walk in the park and it will test just about every part of your game. In fact, Hal Sutton designed the course with the same number of dog legs right and left, both uphill and downhill shots, shots left to right and right to left, and 5 par 3’s to test your short game.
Don’t bite off more than you can chew. In fact, you may want to choose one of the shorter tee boxes the first time you play the course. And when you finally hit the green, you’ll love the smooth and true Bentgrass greens. I don’t think we’d ever get tired of playing this stunning course.
Boot Ranch Real Estate Options
The neighborhood surrounding Boot Ranch is just as stunning as the golf course itself. There are 387 home sites sitting on 2050 acres of beautiful rolling Texas Hill Country. These include:
- Texas Country Estates
- Fractional Sunday House Ownership homes
- And Overlook Cabins.
The Sunday Houses are modeled after the original Fredericksburg settler’s Sunday Houses. They include four luxurious suites, a full kitchen, and a great room centered around a courtyard with a magnificent view.
The Estate lots for custom built homes range from 2 to 18 acres. Site choices overlook the golf course or sit atop magnificent hilltops with unbelievable views.
The Overlook Cabins sit on a half acre and feature intimately scaled one or two bedroom cabins, lofty guest cottages, barn-style garages, and spacious outdoor courtyards.
Here is a link to Texas Outside’s review of Boot Ranch. You need to do whatever it takes to play this course.
Boot Ranch is An Exclusive Club For Serious Golfers
Boot Ranch plans to remain exclusive with only 475 members.
As we toured Boot Ranch and talked to some of the members, we got a real sense of an active community with a family spirit. For example, during the summer, kids can participate in Boot Camp where they enjoy swimming, fishing, kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking, and golfing. Or, they can create their own adventure. And there are a number of other amenities for Boot Ranch members to enjoy, some of which include:
- A fitness center
- Swimming pool
- 34-acre practice range designed to allow you to practice every part of your game including approach shots guarded by trees and bunkers
- Executive par-3 course
- A spa
- Trap and skeet shooting course
- Walking trails
- Natural springs and ponds loaded with fish for catch and release
- Smooth, peaceful water for kayaking or canoeing
If you need to get off the Ranch, you’re in some of the prettiest Texas Hill Country loaded with hundreds of fun things to see and do within 50 miles. You can start with Fredericksburg, which is only 15 miles away with excellent shopping options, great restaurants, live music, museums, and a fun nightlife.
You’re also close to Enchanted Rock for hiking, several excellent golf courses, the Highland Lakes, award-winning wineries, campgrounds, and lots more. See our list of Fun Things to See and Do in The Hill Country.
Author: Mike Sharp
I have a passion for travel and outdoor activities, and now I'm enjoying retired life. I will continue my traveling, golfing, boating, and enjoying life all across the great state of Texas.
