McLay Kidd’s first course in the South is now open for members of the residential community in the Texas Hill Country
AUSTIN, Texas — Loraloma Private Club and Estates, a premier Hill Country community near Austin, Texas, has unveiled its highly anticipated 18-hole championship golf course.
Designed in collaboration with renowned Scottish architect David McLay Kidd of DMK Golf Designs—celebrated for iconic courses like Bandon Dunes and the Castle Course at St Andrews—this course marks McLay Kidd’s first and only project in Texas, bringing his masterful links-style design philosophy to the heart of the Texas Hill Country.
“Loraloma represents the very best of Hill Country living, where world-class golf, luxurious residences, and unparalleled amenities come together in harmony with the land,” said Joe Rentfro, managing director of Loraloma. “Partnering with David McLay Kidd to bring this signature course to life was a natural fit, and we’re proud to offer a community that not only celebrates the beauty of Texas but elevates the lifestyle experience for our residents and members.”
Set across 120 acres, the par-72 championship course stretches 7,400 yards from the back tees, offering a dynamic mix of holes—from demanding par-4s to risk-reward par-3s—that welcome golfers of all skill levels. More than half of the holes trace the cliffs of the Pedernales River, while others ascend to elevated ridges, providing sweeping panoramic views of the Hill Country and the Balcones Escarpment.
The course is immaculately maintained with 100% Zoysia grass—Stadium Zoysia on the tees and fairways; Zeon Zoysia in the rough; and Lazer Zoysia on the greens, a cutting-edge variety developed by Texas A&M University. Loraloma is among the first courses in the nation to showcase Zoysia wall-to-wall and only the second in the U.S. to feature Lazer Zoysia greens.
Among the course’s signature holes, Hole 2 immediately captures attention with an expansive double green that demands accuracy and strategic play, setting the tone early in the round. Midway through, Hole 8 rises to a dramatic cliffside par-5, offering sweeping vistas of the Pedernales River and surrounding Hill Country—a hole as visually stunning as it is strategically demanding.
The journey concludes with Hole 18, a memorable 590-yard par-5 that combines length, elevation changes, and a thoughtful layout to deliver a satisfying finish.
“Designing Loraloma’s championship course has been an extraordinary opportunity,” said McLay Kidd. “We aimed for each hole to have its own character while drawing players into the stunning natural landscape. I designed this course to create memorable moments at every turn, whether you’re an experienced golfer or just beginning your journey in the game.”
Enhancing the on-course experience, a retrofitted 1958 Bambi Airstream between Holes 9 and 10 serves as a stylish refreshment stop at the turn. Adorned with a custom mural by local artist Soledad Fernandez-Whitechurch, and offering curated cocktails, exclusive merchandise, and sweeping panoramic views, it provides a one-of-a-kind mid-round pause. Additionally, just before teeing off on Hole 2, players can stop by the historic Tipsy’s Wellhouse to grab a drink and leave a dollar pinned to the ceiling, along with a nugget of wisdom or a note of thanks—a fun on-course tradition that adds a personal touch to every round.
For those looking to practice or fully immerse themselves in the game, the course will include two future comfort stations—one with a full restaurant—while a golf house will offer a pro shop, player’s lounge, and a restaurant and bar, ideal for both pre- and post-round enjoyment.
Loraloma extends the Hill Country experience far beyond its championship golf course. The community features a curated collection of luxury residences and homesites, including a rare selection of 29 lots along Hole 15 for those seeking golf-front living—one of only eight holes in the community with this distinction.
The debut of the course also marks the launch of the Private Residences Club, an exclusive ownership program limited to six fully furnished homes situated on Hole 18. Members enjoy six weeks of residence each year with seamless access to the community’s full suite of amenities.
As one of Texas’s most amenity-rich master-planned developments, Loraloma is designed to celebrate the region’s natural beauty. Beyond the golf house, residents can immerse themselves in the Limestone Gulch amenity area, the cliffside clubhouse, and riverfront offerings. The cliffside clubhouse serves as a retreat, featuring pools, a spa, fitness and wellness facilities, tennis and pickleball courts, elevated dining, and a kids’ club.
Along the river, residents can enjoy floating docks, cabanas, and water activities, blending luxury living with the natural splendor of the Colorado and Pedernales Rivers. The Limestone Gulch neighborhood brings the best of Texas to life with swimming holes, fishing ponds, a communal farm, a recreation fieldhouse, an outdoor amphitheater, a dance hall, and a tap house.
For more information on Loraloma, please visit loralomaclub.com.