Scottish golf architect David McLay Kidd has brought his distinctive design philosophy to Texas with the opening of Loraloma, a striking new course located in Spicewood, approximately 30 minutes from downtown Austin.
The 7,412-yard, par-72 layout represents Kidd's first project in the Lone Star State and serves as the centerpiece of Thomas Ranch, a comprehensive 2,200-acre development by Areté Collective. The course officially opened for play in October 2025.
Kidd's reputation soared following his acclaimed design at Bandon Dunes in 1999, but his golf roots run much deeper. The son of a longtime superintendent at Scotland's renowned Gleneagles, Kidd has emerged as one of the world's leading course architects over the past quarter-century.
His portfolio spans continents and includes notable designs such as Mammoth Dunes at Wisconsin's Sand Valley, Gamble Sands in Washington, and the Castle Course at St. Andrews—making him the first designer of a new course at the home of golf in nearly 100 years.
"Golf is a sport that relies on nature for the field of play. The more compelling the landscape the golf course sits within, the more golfers enjoy their game," said Kidd. "At Loraloma, my hope is that in a short space of time, Mother Nature will adopt the course, make it her own, and the line between what I created and what existed before will disappear almost completely."
The course maximizes its dramatic setting, with eight holes positioned along cliffs overlooking the Pedernales River, which flows into nearby Lake Travis. Built on less than 120 acres, the layout features Kidd's signature elements: spacious fairways with internal movement, engaging approach angles, and greens that reward precise shots while penalizing wayward ones.
Loraloma's routing splits the holes into two distinct areas connected by a narrow land bridge. This design allows for maximum variety while working within the natural boundaries created by a main road to the north and the river to the south.
The course offers five different tee positions, accommodating players of all skill levels with yardages ranging from 4,559 yards to the full 7,412 yards from the championship Loraloma tees. The layout carries a 75.1 course rating and 142 slope rating.
Zoysia grass was selected as the playing surface, with course conditioning focused on achieving daily firmness to promote Kidd's preferred blend of aerial and ground game shots. This approach reflects his Scottish heritage, where firm conditions and strategic thinking take precedence over pure power.
The opening hole immediately establishes the course's character with a 438-yard par-4 that appears straightforward but punishes approaches pushed too far right. The second hole reverses direction at 368 yards, featuring a diagonal tee shot that demands precision to avoid a dead-end gulch on the right side.
The third hole showcases Kidd's architectural sophistication with a 468-yard par-4 requiring a blind approach to a complex green surrounded by strategic mounding. Multiple playing options exist, but success depends on marrying proper distance with correct trajectory.
The Thomas Ranch development will eventually include 89 homes positioned near the golf property without intruding on the playing experience. Additional amenities planned for the community include fitness facilities, wellness centers, culinary programs, and equestrian activities.
Loraloma joins a growing collection of new courses in the greater Austin area, reflecting the region's status as one of America's hotbeds for golf development. The course represents Kidd's continued evolution as an architect while maintaining his commitment to designs that challenge golfers mentally and reward strategic thinking over brute force.