Georgetown Edition | January 2026

From the cover

Golng drives players' health

The impact

The big picture

Kristen Hullum, a registered nurse and the trauma injury prevention coordinator at St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center, said golf provides both physical activity and social interac- tion, which many people, especially older adults, have to explicitly seek out. “We do think of the sunshine aspect,” Hullum said. “It really does help improve your mood, and depression is something that we think about with anyone, but especially with older adults. They have a very high risk of depression because that is more likely to occur when they are not participat- ing in social activities, they are not getting physi- cal exercise and they are not getting outdoors. Golf provides all three of those things.” On the physical front, Dr. Jordan Handcox, with Baylor Scott & White Health orthopedic surgery, said golf oers many cardiovascular benets. This is particularly true of players who are able to walk the course, but Handcox said the benets of walking to and from the ball don’t go away if someone uses a cart. Additionally, playing outside during the sunnier months can help golfers get their daily dose of Vitamin D, Hullum said, cautioning that players use sunscreen and stay hydrated. Lastly, Handcox said because golf is a strategic sport, it helps players maintain their analytical thinking skills and keep their mind sharp.

and older active-adult community. “Growth has been driven by a combination of new residents, strong interest from existing players, and the overall popularity of golf as a low-impact, socially engaging sport,” Phillips said in an email. Outside of Sun City, Berry Creek Country Club, Cimarron Hills Golf & Country Club, and Georgetown Country Club provide other options to golfers in the city. Georgetown Country Club, established in 1927, is one of the oldest courses in the state, according to recreation website Outside Texas. Phillips said golf “aligns perfectly” with the lifestyle Sun City residents value since it oers social connection, outdoor recreation, friendly competition and a sense of community. Local providers said many of these same factors drive the sport’s health and wellness benets.

Georgetown surpasses other cities in the north Austin suburbs in the number of golf courses it oers, with two courses in Round Rock and one each in Leander, Hutto and Pugerville. In Georgetown, there are six 18-hole outdoor private courses as well as an indoor golf simulator business. Three of Georgetown’s golf courses are located in the Sun City Texas neighborhood. Between the Legacy Hills, White Wing and Cowan Creek courses, Sun City golfers play about 155,000 rounds a year, or an average of 425 rounds a day, according to data provided by the Sun City Texas Community Association. Jenny Phillips, Sun City director of communications and lifestyle, said there’s been a steady growth year over year in the number of rounds played, and said golf is one of the top amenities prospective residents ask about when they consider moving to the 55

Where to play

There are six 18-hole private golf courses in Georgetown. Three of them are located within the Sun City Texas 55 and older active-adult community, while the others are at local country clubs.

DOVE HOLLOW TRAIL

SUN CITY BLVD.

“[Golf] is one of those ways where you can get both your

COOL SPRINGS WAY

White Wing

physical activity and your mental well-being queued up in the same session.” DR. JORDAN HANDCOX, BAYLOR

195

Cowan Creek

Berry Creek Country Club

Legacy Hills

SCOTT & WHITE HEALTH ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY

DEL WEBB BLVD.

BERRY CREEK DR.

Health benets of golf

Cimarron Hills Golf & Country Club

Georgetown

Helps prevent and treat chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes

W. CIMARRON HILLS TRAIL

COUNTRY CLUB RD.

Improves and maintains lung function

Georgetown Country Club

CROSS CREEK RD.

Provides exercise option for patients in physical rehab

RIVERY BLVD.

MAP NOT TO SCALE N

Betters balance, muscular function and strength in older players

SOURCE: NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINECOMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM