Featured Golf Trip: Lajitas Golf Resort

Golf travel writers are occasionally guilty of overusing the word, “secluded.” But trust us when we say Lajitas Golf Resort is deserving of that moniker.

A true testament to just how gargantuan the state of Texas is, Lajitas is a 7-hour drive from even the closest (San Antonio) of the state’s major cities. It’s situated in the far southwest corner of the state, near Big Bend National Park and on the border of Mexico.

There’s certainly a case to be made that if it were a little easier to get there, Lajitas would register much higher on golf sicko bucket lists—perhaps on rankings, as well. As it stands, ​Black Jack’s Crossing​, the resort’s lone golf course, sits at 49th on Golfweek‘s top 100 publics ​list​ but doesn’t appear at Golf Digest or GOLF mag.

Everyone who makes the trip, however, seems to come back raving about it. The Lanny Wadkins design is big and rugged, with expansive views overlooking the cliffs and rocky terrain. And the elevation change is not just a contributor in the scenery—it’s also a major factor in the golf. You’re golfing your ball from various perches along the Rio Grande, so close that you could tee off into Mexico, and you’re in a place filled with history. The pro shop ​was​ a trading post for cowboys and miners in the 1800s.

The biggest hurdle in your plans, of course, is making it to the place. That’s not such a problem for some of the high-end clientele the resort pulls in—you can charter a jet right ​into Lajitas​. More recently, Resort Air Services has started ​offering​ more accessible direct flights from Dallas, Houston, and Austin. Of course, many a golf group has also embarked on a road trip to the area, tying in some adventures in Big Bend and some camping or RVing.

However you make the journey, if you’re looking for a remote golf destination that’s like nothing else, Lajitas is worth your consideration.