Welcome to Legends on Lake LBJ, where Texas Hill Country meets championship golf. This course, designed by Tom Kite, Roy Bechtol, and Randy Russell, winds through rolling hills, native oaks, and scenic water features. Each hole brings its own unique test, offering a challenge for every level of golfer. Join us for a hole-by-hole breakdown of this incredible layout, complete with strategy insights, risk-reward opportunities, and a few surprises along the way. Let’s tee it up!
Hole-by-Hole Strategy Guide
Hole 1: A Confident Start
The opening hole at Legends Golf Course sets the tone for your round—a straightforward yet strategic par 4 that rewards a confident tee shot. Measuring 386 yards from the blue tees, with out-of-bounds lurking left and fairway bunkers waiting on the right, the best play is to aim straight down the middle and let it fly. While a severe pull hook might bring the houses into play, staying focused on the fairway will set you up for success. As you approach the green, be mindful of the deep bunkers guarding the left side. A well-placed approach shot slightly long and right will leave you in the best position for a good start to your round. The green itself features a subtle two-tiered slope from back to front, so depending on pin location, that slope may either help or hurt your putting opportunities.
Hole 2: A Test of Accuracy
Hole 2 at Legends Golf Course is a solid par 4 that demands both accuracy and strategy off the tee. Coming in at 400 yards from the blue tees and houses lining both sides, slicers and hookers alike need to be mindful of their miss. The fairway itself is fairly open, but a couple of bunkers on the left come into play if you stray too far. The real challenge, however, comes on the approach—this green is heavily guarded by bunkers in every direction. Short? Bunker. Long? Bunker. Right? You guessed it—bunker. Your best miss is a little left, but the uneven lies from the berms there will keep you on your toes. If the pin is up front, a controlled draw sets up a great look, but if the flag is tucked back right, a gentle fade from the fairway is the ideal play. Precision is key here—miss in the wrong spot, and you’ll be grinding for par.
Hole 3: A Strategic Par 5
The first par 5 at Legends, Hole 3, is a true test of course management. Playing at 525 yards from the blue tees, this slight dogleg right tempts you to let it fly, but precision is just as important as power. Fairway bunkers line the left side, while a pond lurks on the right, waiting to catch any errant tee shots. The fairway naturally slopes toward the water, so slicers need to aim left to stay dry. Your best angle into the green comes from the left side, giving you a chance to run one up onto the putting surface. If you’re coming in from the right, a front bunker forces you to carry your approach onto a fairly narrow green. Play smart here—a well-placed drive sets up a good look at birdie, but trouble awaits if you get too aggressive.
Hole 4: A Short but Demanding Par 3
Hole 4 at Legends may only play 123 yards from the blue tees, but don’t let the short distance fool you—precision is everything here. This downhill par 3 features a narrow green sloping from back to front, making distance control a priority. The conservative shot is to favor the left side of the green, allowing for an uphill putt. Bunkers guard the right side, and if you come up short, you're facing a tough escape thanks to a steep bunker lip. Choose your club carefully to carry the trouble while keeping the ball below the hole for an uphill putt. With the right touch, this hole offers a great birdie opportunity—but miss your spot, and you'll be scrambling to save par.
Hole 5: A Strategic Par 4 with a Tough Finish
Hole 5 at Legends Golf Course is a 407-yard par 4 that rewards accuracy off the tee and touch on the approach. This slight dogleg left is lined with fairway bunkers on the left side, making it risky for players trying to shape a draw. The fairway itself sits in a natural valley with rolling hills along the right, which can lead to some tricky, uneven lies. On the approach, the green is well-guarded by bunkers on the right and slopes from right to left, with a slight back-to-front tilt. Be mindful of the back shelf—if you go long or left, your ball is in trouble, rolling down the hill, across the cart path, and into the native area. Play smart and leave yourself an uphill putt to walk away with par.
Hole 6: A Risk-Reward Par 5
Hole 6 is a 527-yard par 5 that sets up for an exciting challenge. Right off the tee, you’ll need to carry a pond, so commit to your shot and let it rip. Fairway bunkers line the left side, while rolling hills on the right can leave you with some uneven lies. The hole doglegs right, making the second shot a bit of a blind play—working it slightly left to right will set you up best for the approach. The green is narrow, well-protected by bunkers short, and features a sharp drop-off long, meaning precision is key. The best play? Favor the left side of the fairway for a clean, straight look at this tough green.
Hole 7: A Strategic Par 4 with an Elevated Green
Hole 7 at Legends is a 410-yard par 4 that rewards smart play. This is the most difficult hole on the golf course. Off the tee, the hole doglegs left, with fairway bunkers lining the left side—so if you're trying to cut the corner, make sure you’ve got the carry. The right side offers rolling hills, but going too long could leave you flirting with the street and some stunning waterfront homes. The approach plays downhill, leading to an elevated green perched on a plateau. But beware of the large oak tree guarding the front of the green. It will definitely impact your approach shot, especially if you’re on the left side of the fairway. There aren’t many bunkers in play here, but don’t let that fool you—if you miss the green, expect your ball to roll down a steep slope, leaving you with a tricky wedge shot back up. Play it smart, and give yourself a good look at par.
Hole 8: A Short but Demanding Par 3
Hole 8 may only play 125 yards from the white tees, but this downhill par 3 demands precision. This is the only hole without bunkers to worry about, but the slopes around the green can be unforgiving. Miss left or long, and you’re in trouble; miss right, and you might find yourself on the street. The green itself slopes from back left to front right, with a back-left pin placement sitting on a tricky little shelf. A well-struck wedge is all you need—just make sure you hit your spot, or you’ll be scrambling to save par.
Hole 9: An Uphill Test to Close the Front Nine
Hole 9 at Legends Golf Course is a 415-yard par 4 that plays every bit longer, thanks to its uphill climb. Off the tee, you’ll need to avoid the fairway bunker on the left while keeping in mind that anything too far right of the cart path is OB in the native area. The fairway is far from flat, with rolling hills making for a tricky approach. The green is relatively flat but does slope slightly from back to front. With a bunker short right and more trouble lurking long and right, the safest miss is to the left—just don’t go too far, or you’re back in the native area. Stay focused, and you’ll set yourself up for a solid finish to the front nine. Par here is a great score.
Hole 10: A Challenging Start to the Back Nine
Kicking off the back nine, Hole 10 at Legends Golf Course is a 395-yard par 4 that demands accuracy from the start. Fairway bunkers line the left, while the signature rolling hills frame both sides of the fairway. A miss too far right will put you OB in the native area—where you’re more likely to find a rattlesnake than your golf ball. The approach is heavily guarded with greenside bunkers on the right and deep craters long and left that can leave you scrambling with little green to work with. The green is mostly flat with a slight back-to-front slope, but a tricky back-left shelf can turn an easy two-putt into a nightmare if the pin is tucked away. Play smart, and you’ll start the back nine on the right foot.
Hole 11: Risk and Reward on Osprey Pond
Hole 11 at Legends Golf Course is a 527-yard par 5 that tempts you to go big but punishes any missteps. A pond sits just right of the tee boxes, and fairway bunkers on both sides demand accuracy off the tee. The hole doglegs slightly right before bringing another pond into play along the left side of the fairway—something to consider on your second and third shots. Do not miss left on this hole. You will end up in the water with an even more difficult shot after taking a penalty stroke. The fairway is relatively flat, but those signature rolling hills on the right can create some tricky lies. Approaching the green, you’ll need to navigate a bunker short and left while avoiding the water lurking nearby. Once again, you will need to favor the right side for an easier uphill putt or chip. The green itself is generous in size, featuring a back-left shelf and a slope that funnels shots toward the fairway rather than the pond. Play smart, and this hole offers a solid birdie opportunity—just don’t get too greedy.
Hole 12: A Precision Test with Natural Defenses
Hole 12 at Legends Golf Course is a 365-yard par 4 that requires both strategy and precision. With a slight dogleg to the right, fairway bunkers and sturdy oak trees create a natural barrier along the right side—stray too far, and your ball is lost in the native area. The left side isn’t much friendlier, with clusters of live oaks and rolling hills ready to challenge your approach. The green is well-defended, with multiple bunkers on the right and undulating berms on the left. A heavy slope from back right to front left makes placement key—land it front left, and your ball might roll back into a gully. The smart play? Take aim at the center of the green regardless of pin placement.
Hole 13: A True Risk-Reward Challenge
Hole 13 at Legends Golf Course is a 405-yard par 4, the second most difficult hole on the golf course, where precision is everything. Off the tee, long ball hitters should consider hitting a long iron or fairway wood. Water is in play again, wrapping around in front and right side of the green, making for a daunting approach. A massive oak tree stands defiantly in the middle of a bunker on the left, adding another layer of challenge. Stray right, and the water will swallow your ball. Stray left, and you're dealing with a line of houses and potential OB. Long isn’t an option either—overshooting the green will result in a difficult downhill pitch. The green slopes from back to front funneling shots toward the water, so sticking your approach is crucial. Play it smart, aim for the center, and don’t get greedy—this hole is designed to punish miscalculations.
Hole 14: A Short but Tricky Par 4
Hole 14 at Legends Golf Course may only be 310 yards from the white tees, but this par 4 demands accuracy. Off the tee, you’ll need to carry a small canyon and creek bed to reach an elevated fairway. Miss right, and your ball will tumble into the creek bed, nestled among towering live oaks. Miss left, and you’re flirting with the edge of the fairway, where homes and defensive berms come into play. Once again a long iron or fairway metal is the safe play. Finding the fairway is crucial, as trouble lurks in every direction.
On approach, you’re dealing with a narrow green that slopes significantly from right to left, with a steep drop-off on the front edge. Anything short may not hold, and if you misjudge the slope, your ball could easily roll off. Flying the green might land your ball in a hidden bunker behind the green or, worse yet, into the hazard with a difficult save for bogey. Play smart, favor the high side, and trust your short game to walk away with a good score.
Hole 15: A Demanding 230-Yard Par 3
Hole 15 at Legends Golf Course is a true test of precision and distance control. At 230 yards from the blue tees, this might be the longest par 3 you have ever played. This challenging hole requires a well-struck tee shot to find and hold the green. Bunkers guard the entire left side, while the right side is lined with a native wooded area and a few scattered oaks that can complicate recovery shots.
The green itself is no easy target. Positioned diagonally from left to right, it features a pronounced slope from back to front, with a distinct ridge running through the middle. There’s a small shelf area in the back for tougher pin placements, while the front portion is mostly sloped, aside from a small, flatter landing zone in the bottom right. Misjudge your shot, and you could find yourself dealing with a tough uphill putt—or worse, chipping back onto the green. Play smart, take enough club, and trust your swing.
Hole 16: A Strategic 401-Yard Par 4
Hole 16 at Legends on Lake LBJ offers a straightforward visual from the tee, but it plays trickier than it looks. At 401 yards, this par 4 runs mostly straight but features a slight dogleg as you approach the green. A large fairway bunker dominates the right side, demanding accuracy off the tee. Oak trees line the left, and native areas flank both far left and right, making an errant shot costly.
On approach, the green is well-defended—not by bunkers but by Legends’ signature rolling berms. These undulating mounds create challenging lies and can send any misjudged shot tumbling into trouble. If you go long, it’s a steep drop-off into the native area, likely turning a simple par attempt into a scrambling bogey. The green itself is generously sized, sloping right to left with a subtle shelf on the far right side. It also slopes slightly from back to front, so approach shots should favor the left side for the best look at birdie.
Hole 17: A Scenic Yet Demanding 180-Yard Par 3
Hole 17 at Legends on Lake LBJ is one of the most picturesque spots on the course, especially in the evening when the Texas sun casts a golden glow and deer wander out from the woods. But don’t let the beauty distract you—this 180-yard par 3 demands focus.
A large bunker guards the front left side of the green, and with a back-to-front slope that runs slightly diagonally from back left to front right, positioning is everything. The margin for error is razor-thin—miss right, left, or long, and you’re in the trees. Hit it short, and you’ll have to contend with that front bunker. The best play? A well-struck iron aimed just right of center, letting the natural slope feed your ball toward the pin. Stick the green, and you’ll have a great look at birdie. Miss it, and you’ll be scrambling to save par from the woods.
Hole 18: The Grand Finale – A 503-Yard Par 5
The 18th at Legends on Lake LBJ is a strong finisher—a 503-yard par 5 that demands a solid final push to close out the round. A slight dogleg right, this hole is lined with out-of-bounds along the left side, while a beautiful rock wall marks the right OB boundary. Stray too far left, and you're in the native area with little hope of recovery.
The fairway is relatively open, but positioning is key. You’ll want to favor the left side to set up a better angle for the uphill approach. A well-struck tee shot will give you an opportunity to go for the green in two, while any miss will require playing conservatively and laying up. More oak trees come into play as you navigate the dogleg, requiring a controlled left-to-right ball flight. The elevated green is well-defended with multiple bunkers on the right and those signature rolling berms protecting the back and left. The green itself slopes from back to front, meaning an approach shot left below the hole is ideal for a final birdie opportunity. Finish strong, and you’ll walk away from Legends with a round to remember.
And that’s a wrap on a round at Legends on Lake LBJ—18 holes of Texas Hill Country golf at its finest. From the dramatic elevation changes and signature rolling berms to the well-placed bunkers and scenic lake views, this course is as challenging as it is beautiful. After your round, grab some cocktails, grab some dinner at a nearby restaurant, and start planning your next weekend getaway!