With the opening of its new headquarters in Frisco, Texas, last year, PGA of America unveiled a state-of-the-art monument to golf that includes classrooms and advanced coaching facilities such as indoor practice areas and simulated hitting bays. Just steps away from this massive golf mecca is the Omni PGA Frisco Resort, which proves to be the perfect companion for the PGA’s new home. 

This new addition to the Omni Hotels & Resorts portfolio takes full advantage of the wide-open spaces still available in the growing city of Frisco, about 30 miles north of Dallas. The 660-acre complex is the first of its kind for the Omni brand, offering 500 luxury guest rooms and suites, 10 private four-bedroom ranch houses, more than a dozen restaurant and bar offerings, four swimming pools, a variety of retail and entertainment options, and close to 130,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor events space. The stunning $520 million facility provides a destination that golfers and their non-golfing companions alike will find easy to embrace. 

GOLFERS’ PARADISE 

Two themes are subtly infused throughout the Omni PGA Frisco Resort: golf and Texas. That’s reflected in the décor, which includes such can’t-miss touches as a 1,500-pound horse-shaped crystal chandelier hanging over the bar at the on-site steakhouse, Trick Rider. The rooms have a Texas flair, but also give a nod to golf’s roots with traditional tartan prints and deep emerald-green tufted headboards. 

Billing itself as “the new home of modern golf,” the resort lives up to the ambitious title with multiple options designed to engage and delight players of all skill levels and ages. Two 18-hole championship courses anchor the Omni PGA Frisco Resort; Fields Ranch East was designed by Gil Hanse while Fields Ranch West brings to life the vision of Beau Welling. Both courses rely upon the natural topography to present a unique set of challenges and serve as a reminder of the diversity of Texas’ terrain. 

Hanse’s East golf course is a 72-par design built on rolling land amidst dry washes and the winding Panther Creek. Among the challenges that players must adjust to are an ever-present wind that seems right at home amongst the rough-hewn bunkers and the prairie grasses surrounding the holes. With smaller greens and gentle rolls, its sloping designs and false edges push players to test their accuracy on every shot. Adding to the thrill of this course is that the tees can be varied, giving the course setup multiple options, and changing the way it plays each time. 

On the West course, Welling has designed an experience to put players’ strategic abilities to the test. Relying on the native field grasses, live oaks, and mesquite trees to create a beautiful urban oasis, the West course has more than 75 feet of elevation changes and requires creativity to make the shot. While challenging, this course is also built for fun, and its expansive fairways are, on average, about 75 yards wide, creating an enjoyable, playable course regardless of your skill level. 

JUST FOR FUN 

Hanse and Welling joined forces to create a pair of fun golfing features for the resort. The Dance Floor is a massive 72,000-square-foot lighted green that happens to be one of the largest natural-grass putting courses in the U.S. It’s a family-friendly experience that is just as fun for non-golfers as it is for those who take the game seriously. 

Across a pathway from The Dance Floor is Hanse and Welling’s second collaboration for the Omni PGA Frisco. The Swing is a lighted, 10-hole, par-3 course adjacent to the Ice House restaurant, a modern ranch-style beer garden that also has six hitting bays. The Swing boasts several unique green complexes that are fun but challenging, with distances varying from about 45 yards to 100 yards. It’s designed to have a relaxing family or date night vibe, so it’s an excellent way to play without pressure. 

And, for more golf-themed all-ages fun, the resort is also home to the Lounge by Topgolf, which has a high-energy atmosphere that’s as perfect for a family outing as it is for a night of cocktails and games. The Lounge has a full menu of upscale bar food and craft cocktails as well as a special menu for the kids. It’s also home to the Swing Suites with Toptracer technology, allowing you to test your swing on a virtual course. Or, if you need a break from working on your swing, you can always jump into a game of zombie dodgeball. 

Omni PGA Frisco Resort is designed to be a one-of-a-kind experience. By providing so many ways to enjoy the sport, it has built a mecca that takes its fun as seriously as it takes the game of golf. 

Omni PGA Frisco Resort, 4341 PGA Pkwy., Frisco, TX, (469) 305-4500, omnihotels.com