If you’ve ever driven through Norman, Oklahoma, you know the vibe. It’s crimson, it’s loud on Saturdays, and it’s deeply rooted in Sooner pride. But tucked away on the east side of the University of Oklahoma campus is something that feels a world away from the stadium roar. Honestly, the Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club is a bit of a local anomaly. It’s a championship-caliber beast that somehow keeps a "public-ish" soul despite being the breeding ground for PGA Tour talent.
Most campus courses are, well, fine. They’re convenient. But Jimmie Austin is different. It’s currently ranked among the top collegiate courses in the nation—holding the #6 spot on Golfweek's Best Campus Courses list recently—and it doesn’t play like a muni. Not even close.
The Perry Maxwell DNA and the Tripp Davis Touch
You can't talk about this place without mentioning Perry Maxwell. He’s the legendary architect who gave us Southern Hills, and he laid the original bones for this course back in the early 1950s. If you know Maxwell, you know his greens. They’re famous for those "Maxwell rolls" that make a five-foot putt feel like a game of 3D chess.
But here’s what most people get wrong: they think it’s just a vintage relic.
In 1996, Bob Cupp did a massive overhaul, and then Tripp Davis—who, by the way, was a member of OU’s 1989 National Championship team—came back to finish the job in 2017. Davis didn't just move some dirt. He redesigned the tees, switched the turf to Zoysia, and completely reworked the bunkers to have those ragged, "classic" edges that look like they've been there for a century.
It’s a long walk. Seriously. From the tips, the Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club stretches to nearly 7,500 yards.
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Why the Yardage is Deceiving
The course rating is a staggering 77.9. For the uninitiated, that means a scratch golfer is expected to shoot nearly 6-over par here on a "normal" day.
- Bishop Creek: This little stream cuts right through the heart of the property. It’s scenic, sure, but it’s a ball magnet on several holes.
- The Rough: It’s thick. It’s nasty. If you miss the fairway, you aren't just looking for your ball; you’re looking for a way to just hack it back into play.
- Elevation: Oklahoma isn't flat, at least not here. The "Heatly House" sits on the highest point of the course near holes 4 and 14, offering a view of the campus that’s honestly worth the greens fee alone.
The Secret Weapon: The Ransom Course
If you really want to know why OU’s golf team is consistently a powerhouse, you have to look at the practice facilities. They have this thing called The Ransom Course. It’s a four-hole "short course" designed specifically for the golf team, though members get a crack at it too.
It’s basically a laboratory for short-game misery.
Tripp Davis built four distinct greens here, each modeled after a different legendary architect:
- A Perry Maxwell green (obviously).
- An A.W. Tillinghast green with those deep, intimidating bunkers.
- A pushed-up Donald Ross green where anything slightly off-center rolls 30 yards away.
- A Seth Raynor green with sharp, geometric edges.
Imagine being a college kid and being able to practice on a Ross green on Monday and a Raynor green on Tuesday. It’s no wonder the Sooners keep churning out pros.
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Is it Actually Open to the Public?
This is the question everyone asks. The answer is: sorta.
It’s technically "semi-private." The university uses it as its home base, and there’s a robust membership (Legacy, Maxwell, and Faculty levels), but they do set aside tee times for the public. You just have to be smart about when you book.
Don't expect "cheap" muni prices. You’re paying for a championship experience. Weekend rates for public players usually hover around $85-$100 including a cart, which, considering you’re playing a course that has hosted multiple NCAA Regionals and the U.S. Amateur Public Links, is actually a steal.
Surviving the Par 5s
If you’re going to play Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club, you need a plan for the long holes. Hole 5 is a monster. It’s a 625-yard par 5. You read that right. Unless you’re hitting a 350-yard drive with a 20-mph Oklahoma wind at your back, you aren't getting there in two.
Then you’ve got the 18th. It’s a 586-yard finisher that plays back toward the clubhouse with the lake and Coe's Creek guarding the approach. It’s a spectacular way to lose a $5 Nassau on the final hole.
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Real Talk on the Conditions
The fairways are Latitude 36 Bermuda, and they are usually immaculate. The greens are Pure Distinction bent grass. They are fast. Not "country club fast," but "USGA tournament fast." If you’re used to your local muni where you have to hammer the ball to get it to the hole, you’re going to three-putt the first four holes here. Guaranteed.
Beyond the Fairway: The Everest Event Center
They’ve dumped a lot of money into the infrastructure lately. The Everest Event Center is the new hub for weddings and corporate retreats, and the "Club Grill" (officially Nosh on the Green) actually serves food you’d want to eat even if you weren't playing golf.
The patio is arguably the best spot in Norman for a post-round beer. You can sit there, look out over the 9th and 18th, and watch people struggle with those Maxwell rolls while you sip something cold.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re planning a trip to Norman or just want to test your game against a true championship layout, here is the play:
- Call at least a week out. Public tee times fill up, especially on Friday and Saturday.
- Check the wind. If the forecast says 25+ mph (which is basically every day in Oklahoma), add 5 strokes to your expected score and bring an extra sleeve of balls.
- Visit the Heatly House. Take the two minutes to grab a milkshake or a sandwich at the comfort station between holes 4 and 14. The view of the OU campus is the best photo op on the property.
- Practice your lag putting. Go to the practice green for 20 minutes before you tee off. If you don't get the speed of these bent grass greens down early, it’s going to be a very long afternoon.
The Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club isn't just a university amenity. It’s a legitimate pilgrimage for anyone who appreciates the history of golf architecture mixed with the brutal demands of the modern game.