Every year, the Dallas Morning News releases the definitive ranking of the best golf courses in Texas — and every year it sparks passionate debate. The 2026 Texas Golf Top 100 is out, and there’s a familiar name back at the top: Whispering Pines Golf Club has reclaimed the number one spot after a notable […]
Every year, the Dallas Morning News releases the definitive ranking of the best golf courses in Texas — and every year it sparks passionate debate. The 2026 Texas Golf Top 100 is out, and there’s a familiar name back at the top: Whispering Pines Golf Club has reclaimed the number one spot after a notable absence last year.
Why Whispering Pines Slipped — and Why It’s Back
Whispering Pines, the private club in Trinity that has long been considered the finest golf course in the state, dropped in last year’s rankings after severe flooding damaged the course. But the club invested heavily in restoration, and by all accounts it has returned to — and may have surpassed — its pre-flood condition. The 2026 panel agreed: Whispering Pines is back and better than ever.
How the Rankings Work
The DMN Top 100 relies on 77 evaluators — golf professionals, course architects, superintendents, and knowledgeable amateurs — who rate courses on a 10-point scale from a ballot of 300. The methodology is rigorous and results are taken seriously across the Texas golf community. The print version ran in the Sunday, May 17 Dallas Morning News.
What the Rankings Tell Us About Texas Golf
The breadth of the 2026 Top 100 reflects a state that takes golf seriously at every level. Elite private clubs, strong Hill Country resorts, Gulf Coast gems, and a public infrastructure that punches above its weight. The annual rankings give visibility to courses across all categories and all regions of Texas, making it the best starting point for building a Texas golf bucket list.
Your Next Course on the List
Whether you’ve played 10 of the Top 100 or none, the 2026 rankings are your roadmap. Start with the top public courses accessible without a private membership and work your way through. Texas has exceptional public golf at every price point. Whispering Pines may be number one, but 99 other courses deserve your time and attention.
