Memorial Park Golf Course is a historic 18-hole championship municipal venue situated across 250 acres within Houston's 1,500-acre Memorial Park. Following a $34 million redesign led by architect Tom Doak and funded by the Astros Golf Foundation, the facility hosts the PGA Tour's Texas Children's Houston Open while remaining fully accessible to public golfers with affordable city-resident rates and an 84-bay double-decker driving range.
Key takeaways
- Memorial Park Golf Course operates Wednesday through Monday from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM at 1001 E Memorial Loop Drive, closing on Tuesdays for agronomic turf recovery.
- City of Houston residents verify residency via ID.me to access discounted $30 weekday and $38 weekend green fees, while non-resident fees are $120 on weekdays and $140 on weekends.
- The two-tiered driving range features 84 hitting bays and stays illuminated until 9:00 PM, selling final ball buckets ($10 to $16) at 8:00 PM.
- Standard online tee times open 3 days in advance at 6:00 AM, while advanced bookings can be reserved 4 to 14 days ahead for an additional $20 per player fee.
- The 7,432-yard layout serves as the official host venue for the PGA Tour’s annual Texas Children’s Houston Open.
Plan your visit
Verified
- Location
- 1001 E Memorial Loop Dr, Houston, TX 77007
- Hours
- Wed-Mon 6:30am-7:30pm (Course closed Tue); Range open until 8pm
- Admission
- $30-$38 residents, $120-$140 non-residents
- Best time to go
- October to April, early morning tee times
Memorial Park Golf Course at a Glance
The facility stands as the crown jewel of municipal athletics in Southeast Texas. Spanning 250 acres within Houston's 1,500-acre parkland, the 7,432-yard municipal layout underwent a $34 million renovation funded by the Astros Golf Foundation, accommodating over 60,000 annual rounds alongside an 84-bay double-decker practice facility.
Golfers exploring Memorial Park golf Houston opportunities find a rare balance between championship conditioning and daily community access. Wrapped along the scenic trails that define the best Houston parks to visit, the property serves scratch golfers and beginner practice sessions alike.
| Player Category / Format | Weekday 18 Holes | Weekend 18 Holes | Twilight Rate | Booking Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Resident | $30 | $38 | $21 | ID.me online residency verification |
| Non-Resident | $120 | $140 | $70 | Open public booking window |
| Junior (Under 18) | $10 | $15 | $10 | Valid student ID or birth record |
| Senior (65+) & Disabled | $15 | Regular Rate | $15 | Resident card verification required |
| Practice Range Buckets | $10 (Small / 50) | $12 (Med / 80) | $16 (Large / 120) | Walk-up kiosk purchase |
What Are the Course Hours, Tee Time Windows, and Tuesday Closures?
The course opens Wednesday through Monday from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM, remaining completely closed on Tuesdays for agronomic turf recovery. The pro shop maintains limited Tuesday afternoon hours to support practice range operations.
Booking Memorial Park golf course tee times requires careful attention to reservation clocks. According to the Official Memorial Park Golf Course Directory, standard tee times open online at 6:00 AM three days before the date of play. Telephone reservations open at 9:00 AM on that same booking morning.
Golfers planning special outings can make an advanced Memorial Park golf course reservation 4 to 14 days ahead of time by paying an extra non-refundable $20 booking fee per player. Same-day walk-up play without an advance reservation is no longer permitted on the grounds, which sit inside the broader Memorial Park urban green space.
Tip
Log into the tee-time booking portal by 5:58 AM on the third day prior to your desired round. High weekend demand regularly books every open morning slot within four minutes of release.
Green Fees, Resident Discounts, and Equipment Rentals
Green fees at the municipal facility follow a tiered pricing schedule that protects affordable recreation for local taxpayers. Reviewing posted Memorial Park golf rates shows that city taxpayers pay roughly one-fourth the green fee charged to traveling visitors.
City policies established by the City of Houston Parks and Recreation Municipal Golf Division require all golfers to present confirmation at check-in. The pro shop rents golf carts, pull carts, and high-end club sets for visiting players.
Verifying Houston City Residency With ID.me
Local golfers qualify for resident rates by completing digital verification through ID.me on the city golf portal. You must upload a government-issued photo ID and a current utility bill matching a City of Houston residential address.
Once verified, the resident profile remains active for one calendar year from approval. Non-residents playing in a foursome with local residents still pay standard non-resident rates.
Cart Rentals and Equipment Pricing
Walking is permitted and encouraged at the facility, preserving traditional golf heritage. Players choosing to walk can rent three-wheel push carts for $16 per round.
Motorized riding carts cost $25 per player for an 18-hole round, dropping to $20 during twilight hours. Premium rental club sets from Callaway are available in the pro shop for $55, complete with six golf balls and a tee pack.
Double-Decker Driving Range and Practice Facilities
The Memorial Park Golf Course driving range is a two-story covered practice pavilion featuring 84 hitting stations. Bucket prices range from $10 for 50 balls to $16 for 120 balls, and the facility operates Monday and Wednesday through Sunday from 6:30 AM to 8:00 PM.
Standard Memorial Park driving range hours shift on Tuesdays, opening at 3:00 PM following weekly morning turf maintenance and mowing. The ball dispensing machines shut down at 8:00 PM sharp, while overhead floodlights remain illuminated until 9:00 PM.
Adjacent to the two-tier structure sits an expansive putting green and a dedicated short-game chipping complex with practice bunkers. Golfers can sharpen their wedge play from various turf lies before heading to the first tee.
Playing the Tom Doak Championship Redesign
The historic layout underwent a comprehensive Memorial Park golf course renovation completed in late 2019 under architect Tom Doak. As detailed in the Texas Children's Houston Open PGA Tour Course Guide, the course stretches to 7,432 yards from tournament tees, challenging elite professional ball-strikers each spring.
Doak drastically restructured the layout by removing 34 outdated sand traps, reducing total bunker count from 54 down to 20 strategic hazards. Severe green surrounds feature shaved short grass slopes that funnel slightly off-target iron shots into collection swales.
Strategic Routing and Key Holes
The par-71 layout presents five par-5 holes and five par-3 holes, creating an unusual rhythm that rewards aggressive decision-making. Hole 2 plays as a punishing par 3 over 240 yards into prevailing winds, demanding long iron precision.
Hole 16, a risk-reward short par 4, tempts long hitters to drive the green over a protective lateral water hazard. Golf enthusiasts exploring the best things to do in Houston often rank playing this tour-tested stretch as an essential sports experience.
PGA Tour Conditioning and Stormwater Irrigation
Agronomists maintain lush MiniVerde bermudagrass greens that roll true and firm even during humid Gulf Coast summers. Fairways are sodded in durable Tifway 419 bermuda that tolerates heavy municipal cart traffic.
The redesign introduced an innovative stormwater retention network that captures 80 million gallons of rainwater annually. This sustainable closed-loop irrigation system cleans runoff from adjacent parkland while irrigating course fairways without drawing on city treated drinking water.
Parking Options, Arrival Logistics, and ParkHouston Meters
Golfers access the clubhouse by navigating to 1001 E Memorial Loop Drive on the park's eastern rim. The paved parking lot provides designated spaces equipped with ParkHouston digital payment meters.
According to the Memorial Park Conservancy Visitor Information Portal, drivers pay meter fees using the ParkHouston mobile smartphone app under zone 471027. Paid parking enforces turnover so arriving golfers can locate spaces near the bag drop.
Travelers seeking free outdoor activities in Houston can park in outer perimeter lots along Picnic Loop and walk ten minutes across the grounds to the clubhouse. Arrive at least 45 minutes prior to your assigned tee time to allow adequate time for parking, bag drop, and practice warmups.
Pairing Golf With Central Houston Itineraries
Located in the heart of the Inner Loop, a morning round or evening range session at this Memorial Park golf course Houston TX venue fits smoothly into urban travel plans. Beck's Prime operates the clubhouse grill, serving pit-smoked brisket burgers, ribeye steaks, and craft beer on a shaded outdoor patio overlooking the putting green.
Golfers planning romantic date ideas in Houston often pair an afternoon practice session with sunset strolls across the nearby Kinder Land Bridge. The living bridge connects fragmented park habitats and offers sweeping skyline panoramas of downtown Houston.
The municipal property stands out because it blends high-level tournament athletics with community recreation. Whether hitting a bucket of balls after work or playing 18 holes of championship layout, golfers experience an authentic staple of Houston municipal golf.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the golf course open to the general public?
Yes, the course is an open municipal facility owned by the City of Houston and operated for public play. While it hosts the PGA Tour's Texas Children's Houston Open each spring, everyday golfers can book tee times throughout the rest of the year.
How much does it cost to play eighteen holes?
Houston residents pay $30 on weekdays and $38 on weekends with a verified ID.me resident account. Non-residents pay $120 on weekdays and $140 on weekends, with optional golf cart rentals costing $25 per rider.
What time does the driving range close each evening?
The driving range opens at 6:30 AM Wednesday through Monday and at 3:00 PM on Tuesdays, closing each night at 8:00 PM when the last practice buckets are sold. Overhead field lights keep the hitting bays operational until 9:00 PM.
How far in advance can players book tee times?
Standard tee times open online at 6:00 AM three days prior to the desired day of play with no booking surcharge. Golfers can also secure advanced reservations 4 to 14 days ahead of time by paying an extra $20 reservation fee per player.
Where do golfers park when arriving at the course?
Golfers should park in the dedicated paved lot directly adjacent to the clubhouse at 1001 E Memorial Loop Drive using ParkHouston meter zone 471027. Parking meters charge nominal hourly rates, and spaces fill quickly during morning tee time waves.
