Golf and sports guide
Links golf by the dunes, city courses, a lighted nine, disc golf and minor league baseball on the Coastal Bend.
Last updated
Overview
Golf on this coast includes a links-style course at Palmilla Beach Golf Club and municipal courses in Corpus Christi. There is also disc golf in Rockport and Port Aransas, and Double-A baseball at Whataburger Field.
The Corpus Christi visitor bureau describes the area's courses as ranging from scenic nine-hole layouts to traditional links-style fairways, set against coastal backdrops. The Port Aransas tourism bureau says the island offers fun for golfers of all kinds, whether you prefer traditional fairways or flying discs.
The Port Aransas bureau says Palmilla Beach Golf Club was built on rugged, windswept land similar to the coastline of Mustang Island, and that holes 4, 5 and 6 have views of the beach and the Gulf. It says links golf is about controlling ball trajectory and adjusting to slopes and conditions more than raw power.
What to do
Rockport & Fulton
The city of Rockport says Memorial Park Hike & Bike Nature Trails is a 92-acre park with a nine-hole disc golf course, a competitive fitness court, a skate park, four baseball fields, three soccer fields and a full-size basketball court.
- Live Oak Country Club
A nine-hole course southwest of town with new greens, wide open fairways, and no dress code to speak of.
- Rockport Country Club
An 18-hole course with a nicely restored clubhouse, a restaurant, a pool, and tennis and pickleball courts.
Ingleside & Portland
- Ingleside Skate Park
Ingleside's concrete skate park, free and open for boards and scooters.
Port Aransas
The Port Aransas tourism bureau describes Palmilla Beach Golf Club as a links-style course originally designed by Arnold Palmer, with nine holes, a three-hole short course called The Loop, a driving range and lessons with a golf pro. For disc golf, the Port Aransas bureau points to a course at the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center.
- Palmilla Beach Golf Club
A links-style course running near the dunes at Cinnamon Shore, with genuinely excellent greens and a cart service.
- Port Aransas Disc Golf Course
Free disc golf course in Port A with island wind as the built-in handicap.
- Port Aransas skatepark
Skate park at Port Aransas Community Park, a city park that also has a playground, dog park, and basketball court.
Corpus Christi & Padre Island
The city of Corpus Christi owns two full-service municipal courses. Lozano Golf Center has an 18-hole course and a nine-hole executive course, with water on most holes and a fully lit practice facility. The city's course page lists the 18-hole Blue Heron Championship Course and the nine-hole Firefly Course, and says illuminated night golf at The Firefly opened for play. Oso Beach Municipal Golf Course has an 18-hole regulation course, a pro shop, practice putting and chipping greens and a snack bar, and the city says it is a par 70 layout of 6,223 yards designed by John Bredemus. For baseball, Whataburger Field is home to the Corpus Christi Hooks, the Double-A Texas League affiliate of the Houston Astros. The Hooks say fans can watch large oceangoing vessels and their tugboat escorts move through the port's ship channel during games.
- In The Game Funtrackers
Go-karts, bumper boats, mini golf, and a large arcade, with a food counter and ice cream.
- Lamar Park
Corpus park and surrounding shopping pocket with green space, courts, and boutiques nearby.
- Lozano Golf Center
Municipal golf complex in Corpus with a full course, driving range, and green fees that won't sting.
- Oso Beach Municipal Golf Course
A municipal 18 with sand, water and elevated greens, plus water coolers and cold towels every few holes.
- Parked-It Disc Golf Emporium
Corpus disc golf shop with discs, gear, and course intel for the local chains.
- S2G Golf
Indoor golf simulator lounge in Corpus, swing practice and virtual rounds with drinks in hand.
All places in Corpus Christi & Padre IslandAll Golf & Sports
When to visit
The visitor bureau describes Corpus Christi as having a mild year-round climate and plenty of sunshine. The city says Lozano's practice facility is fully lit, and that the course designed for night golf can be played day or night.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, according to NOAA. Storms sometimes form outside those dates. Check the forecast from the National Weather Service in Corpus Christi and follow local officials.
Getting around
The city of Corpus Christi says both of its municipal courses are managed by Foresight Golf, and it suggests contacting the courses for programming, schedules and more information. It says Lozano Golf Center is just minutes from downtown, and that Oso Beach Golf Course is south of downtown.
The Corpus Christi visitor bureau says the Lozano executive course suits newer players and those who want only a short time on the greens, and that Lozano offers PGA-certified instruction. It calls Oso Beach Municipal Golf Course a player-friendly course for casual golfers and beginners.
At the ballpark, the Hooks describe the site as land once dominated by cotton warehouses at the Port of Corpus Christi. The videoboard in left-center field is framed by antique cotton presses, one of which dates to the 1920s.
Where to stay
Build your own guide
Answer a few questions and get a trip plan built from the places in our directory.
Plan your tripSources
- Golf courses (City of Corpus Christi)
- Golf courses along the Coastal Bend (Visit Corpus Christi, the Corpus Christi CVB)
- Golf in Port Aransas (Port Aransas Tourism Bureau and Chamber of Commerce)
- Area parks (City of Rockport)
- Whataburger Field (Corpus Christi Hooks, MiLB)
- Tropical cyclone climatology (NOAA National Hurricane Center)
- National Weather Service Corpus Christi