In Austin, there are just about 40 golf course in the greater Austin area. But when you get off work, there's no time to rush to the golf course and play a round. But if you've read my previous writings, practice makes better. So here's the list of the top 5 Austing practice facilities, starting with number 5...

5. Cedar Park Driving Range. If you're anywhere near Cedar Park, and happen to have your golf clubs with you, swing by Industrial Blvd. and check out the Cedar Park Driving Range. This facility includes 36 stations, 18 of which are shaded. Also for you short game, there are yardage targets at 25, 50, 75, and 100 yards. On top of the short game targets there are long range markers ranging from 100 to 300 yards. The range is always kept in neat condition, and they also provide a short game area with a bunker to practice your sand game. 

4.  Oak Hill Golf Range. Just southwest of central Austin off of highway 290 lies Oak Hill Golf Range. You can't miss it's giant nets surrounding the beautifully laid out range. With a 1500 foot artificial putting surface, a player can practice his chipping or putting without getting in someone else's way. Also, because it's artificial grass, you won't have to worry about those divots and ball marks knocking your putt off line. You can hit on their grass tee line or, if you take huge divots, don't worry about it, they have mats just for you. Of course, if you're looking to improve your game immediately, their golf professionals, Charlie Degenhart and Jimmy Han are there to help.

3. Jimmy Clay/Roy Kizer Golf Club. One of the largest driving ranges in the Austin area is the Jimmy Clay/Roy Kizer practice facility. The chipping areas are always kept neet and clean, and the range is never chopped up with divots and holes dug to China. The yardage markers are just about spot on and after hitting a bucket of balls, head over to the putting area where the green is in pristine shape and large enough for anybody. After practicing, if you feel like you have any energy left, go ahead and play a round. The Clay course plays with trees and tall rough, while Kizer plays with a lot of water. So pick your poison and get out there.

2. Tejas Golf. Easily one of the most overlooked and underrated golf practice facilities in the Austin area is Tejas Golf Range and Practice Center out in Round Rock. They have an 11,500 square foot putting green and professional one-on-one golf instruction from six different pros. The clubhouse has a beautiful lounge to relax in and one of the best parts, you get all the balls you can hit for just 13 dollars! They're open from 10am-10pm and have bright lights that crank on at just around sunset. Don't miss out on this driving range if you're in Round Rock. And if you've taken my advice about practicing, take a full day and practice from 10am-10pm. You will become a better golfer, and you'll have tougher hands.

1. The Golf Club at Star Ranch. This central Texas gem was highlighted in a review earlier this week, so go check that out. But one of the better kept secrets is the golf course's practice facility. To put simply; it's huge. Officially located in Hutto, Texas, Star Ranch might be one of the top 5 practice facilities in the state. It contains possibly the largest practice green in the state, and the driving range is in perfect condition year round. Waiting for you on the range are pyramids of perfectly cleaned white golf balls just begging to be hit. If you just so happen to get low on balls, a member of the service team will bring you a fresh pyramid right away. There are separate greens for chip shots and pitch shots or sand shots, but that doesn't mean the pitching green is in any worse condition than the putting green. This course is a must-play for any golfer, professional or amateur, but get there early; you won't want to miss the practice facilities.