Contents
- The 10 Best Arkansas Golf Courses Ranked in Order
- 1. Granada Golf Course
- 2. Ponce De Leon Golf Course
- 3. Magellan Golf Course
- 4. Bella Vista Country Club | Scotsdale
- 5. Sage Meadows Golf Course
- 6. Cortez Golf Course
- 7. Isabella Golf Course | Nina/Pinta
- 8. Hot Springs Village | Balboa Golf Course
- 9. Bella Vista Country Club
- 10. Bella Vista Country Club | Highlands
- Other Notable Courses in Arkansas
The Hot Springs Village is home to 9 golf courses and 12 lakes provide stunning backdrops.
The dramatic contrasts in topography from the flat Arkansas Delta, surrounded by the Quanchita and Ozark Mountains, create an incredible setting for golf courses.
Selecting The 10 best golf courses in Arkansas, with all the choice available, is difficult, but the saying “stats don’t lie” has been applied in this article.
This task has been eased with a collaboration with TheGrint, our favorite mobile app that helps golfers track their handicap and stats. They have collected golf course reviews from millions of real golf rounds from real golfers.
The 10 Best Arkansas Golf Courses Ranked in Order
- Granada Golf Course
- Ponce De Leon Golf Course
- Magellan Golf Course
- Bella Vista Country Club | Scotsdale
- Sage Meadows Golf Course
- Cortez Golf Course
- Isabella Golf Course | Nina/Pinta
- Hot Springs Village | Balboa Golf Course
- Bella Vista Country Club
- Bella Vista Country Club | Highlands
1. Granada Golf Course
- Site Link
- Location: Hot Springs Village, Arkansas.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,522 meters off the Tips and the Front tees 2,929 meters.
PLAYER RATING
5 tee boxes are available.
Signature Hole – The 234-meter stroke 4 18th is the signature hole and it features a waterfall that meanders alongside the fairway. A stunning hole to finish your round.
Granada is regarded as the most scenic course within the Hot Springs Village complex. It is also the newest course that cuts through tall pine trees and the undulating fairways do not offer many flat lies.
Water and white sand bunkers complete this very challenging course.
2. Ponce De Leon Golf Course
- Site Link
- Location: Hot Springs Village, Arkansas.
- Par: 72
- Length: Back tees at 3,654 meters and Front 3,156 meters.
PLAYER RATING
Signature Hole – From various reviews, the par 4 380-meter 15th hole wins the accolade. This could be debatable as the stunning views and challenges on many holes keep the golfer interested.
The course was opened in 1991 by John Daly and the true greens and tree-lined fairways make this a favorite with the low handicap golfers.
Precision golf is required and a deep sense of satisfaction for those who conquer it.
3. Magellan Golf Course
- Site Link
- Location: Hot Springs Village, Arkansas.
- Par: 72
- Length: 3,173 meters off the Tips and 2,688 meters from the Front.
PLAYER RATING
Signature Hole – The Megallon Golf Course is a fairly short and fun regulation course with some testing holes for all skill levels. No signature hole was nominated.
Originally a 3-hole golf school, it now features a full 18 holes and is the shortest course within the Hot Springs Village.
The very tricky greens make up for the lack of total length and it is a favorite among women golfers.
4. Bella Vista Country Club | Scotsdale
- Site Link
- Location: Bella Vista, Arkansas.
- Par: 72
- Length: 3,540 meters off the tips and 5,037 meters off the white tees.
PLAYER RATING
5 tee boxes available to suit all levels of golfer.
Signature Hole – The 480-meter par 5 18th hole is the choice of the locals and cannot be beaten for its challenge and beauty.
Opened in 1987 and situated on the Springfield Plateau of the Ozark Mountains.
Scotsdale is unique in the area and it plays like a true Scottish-links, without the ocean.
Creeks meander through the course and the back 9 is particularly challenging.
5. Sage Meadows Golf Course
- Site Link
- Location: Jonesboro, Arkansas.
- Par: 72
- Length: 3,630 meters off the Back and Front 2,827 meters.
PLAYER RATING
Multiple tees are available for an enjoyable experience.
Signature Hole – The 235-meter Par 4 9th hole is the signature hole and avoiding the many water hazards from tee to green creates the challenge.
This highly ranked course is fair but challenging. It is a Tommy Bolt signature course and features extensive use of water on 9 of the holes.
The par 4 14th hole can be a score-breaker requiring an accurate tee shot to avoid the water on the left and the trees on the right.
6. Cortez Golf Course
- Site Link
- Location: Hot Springs Village, Arkansas.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,042 meters off the tips and 5,487 meters off the front.
PLAYER RATING
5 sets of tees available.
Signature Hole – The 93-meter par 3 17th is not only the signature hole on the course but also the most photographed view of the mountain peak in the village.
Known as a shot-makers course with accuracy off the tees essential. Miss the landing areas on the fairways and all types of trouble comes into play.
The rolling fairways meander through pine, hickory, and oak trees, with plenty of water hazards and elevation changes to test even the accomplished golfer.
The par 4 10th hole is rated as one of the toughest in the area. It requires an accurate tee shot that drops down to the fairway below and then climbs back up to an elevated green.
7. Isabella Golf Course | Nina/Pinta
- Site Link
- Location: Hot Springs, Arkansas.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,454 meters off the Tips and 6,016 meters off the White tees.
PLAYER RATING
Signature Hole – The 305-meter par 4 15th hole is the signature hole, with stunning views and a carry over water.
Opened in 2000, this 27 hole complex has 3 very unique 9 holes. Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria.
Consistently in the high rankings and has been added to the Natural State Golf Trail.
The Pinta/Nina is the preferred 18 holes but the Santa Maria offers its challenges.
8. Hot Springs Village | Balboa Golf Course
- Site Link
- Location: Hot Springs Village, Arkansas.
- Par: 72
- Length: Back tees are 6,147 meters and Gold 5,373 meters.
PLAYER RATING
Signature Hole – The 399-meter par 4 18th is the signature hole, and has a man-made waterfall running down the side of the fairway.
The Balboa course is one of the most challenging in the village and the elevation changes are spectacular while still offering an enjoyable round for all skill levels.
Every hole is different and adds to the value of this layout.
9. Bella Vista Country Club
- Site Link
- Location: Bella Vista, Arkansas.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,245 meters off the Back tees and 3,669 meters Front.
PLAYER RATING
Signature Hole – No specific signature hole was identified, but the 3rd and the 7th are long and narrow par 5s that require accurate tee shots to fairways where water “lurks” to catch the stray shot.
One of the oldest and a classic design, which moves through the valley, flanked by tall trees, with scenic views.
Little Sugar Creek comes into play on several holes, and the layout is easily walked.
It offers a good challenge to all and is home to the Cooper Community Classic Tournament on the APT Professional tour.
10. Bella Vista Country Club | Highlands
- Site Link
- Location: Bella Vista, Arkansas.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,194 meters off the Tips and Front 4,938 meters.
PLAYER RATING
Signature Hole – The monster 410-meter par 4 2nd is deemed to be the toughest and best hole by many and plays downhill off the tee, to a narrow tree-lined fairway.
A long-iron 2nd to a small undulating green makes scoring par an achievement.
Need we say any more?
The Highland Course is the longest and the most challenging in Bella Vista.
It is a shot-makers dream and the fairways roll through the terrain.
The doglegs create their obstacles and will keep the pressure on during the round.
The 5 tee options make this playable and enjoyable and golfers are advised to play from the tee box that suits their ability.
Other Notable Courses in Arkansas
1. Stonebridge Meadows Golf Club
- Site Link
- Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas.
PLAYER RATING
Rated very highly by many golfers, the breathtaking views and challenging layout has fairly wide fairways and very quick greens.
2. Bella Vista Country Club | Dogwood Hills
- Site Link
- Location: Bella Vista, Arkansas.
PLAYER RATING
This par 71 is very much a links-style course on gently sloping terrain, with a variety of hazards to keep the golfer honest. A fun experience.
3. Bella Vista Country Club | Kingswood
- Site Link
- Location: Bella Vista, Arkansas.
PLAYER RATING
Another links-style course and suited to all levels of golf, with wide fairways and flat terrain.
Ideal venue for family and social golf.
Final Thoughts
Arkansas has an unbelievable golf offering for all levels of golfer.
From traditional-style courses on gently rolling terrain to the more difficult shot-makers courses, which require precision placement off the tee.
Add a few tough layouts that will test the best golfers, with immaculate greens and scenic views, it is a destination not to be missed.
Nick is the founder of GolfSpan and an avid golfer. He's not quite a pro but has over 15 years of experience playing and coaching golfers worldwide. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience when it comes to choosing the right golf gear and finding the right setup for your game.
