Tee Off at These 5 Top San Antonio Golf Courses

If you want to spend some quality time with friends or family, why not head out to the golf course? Golf is the perfect mix of social and physical activity with the added attraction of scenic settings.

Whichever form you're looking for, whether it's traditional or mini, you'll find it near our Springs San Antonio communities. We've put together a list featuring some of our favorite golf courses in the area.

La Cantera has been recognized as one of the premier golf facilities in Texas by industry sources like Golf Magazine and Golf Advisor. From its perch in the hills just north of San Antonio, the course offers amazing views of Hill Country and the downtown area. La Cantera's main course was designed by the legendary golfer Arnold Palmer and includes Signature Hole #4, where the ball must carry over a lake and waterfalls.

Many golf courses in San Antonio have beautiful grounds, but few are as unique as The Quarry. The front nine holes are links-style, playing over gently rolling hills and native greenery, while the back nine holes traverse a 100-year-old abandoned quarry. This quarry pit, surrounded on three sides by a 100-foot wall, includes show-stopping Hole #17, where your tee shot soars over a ravine framed by a waterfall.

Embassy's slogan is, "We do miniature ... big!" The 18-hole course forgoes the traditional clowns and windmills for a tropical island theme that makes you forget you're in San Antonio. Palm trees and waterfalls dot the grounds that are home to life-size "animals" Ellie the Elephant and Puttunia the Giraffe. After the game, cool off with a water balloon battle including 10, 24 or 50 pre-filled balloons.

Brackenridge Park, one of eight courses that make up the Alamo City Golf Trail, is steeped in golf history. The course dates back to 1916 and was the first site of the Texas Open as well as the first inductee in the Texas Golf Hall of Fame. In 2008, the facility underwent a massive $7.5 million renovation that included improved greens, tees and fairways along with a reintroduction of the original path of the San Antonio River.

Part golf course and part funhouse, Monster Mini Golf is entertaining for all ages. The indoor glow-in-the-dark 18-hole course has animated monsters lurking at every turn. Black-light pop culture artwork and internal radio station W.I.R.D. (pronounced "weird") complete the festively spooky ambiance.

Tell us about your favorite golf course in the comments!