Hello, golf nuts and lovers of obscure state nicknames! It’s your favorite San Diego slice specialist, Linda Parker, coming at you with a tale from the land of Bill Clinton, Walmart, and apparently, some pretty sweet golf courses. That’s right, we’re talking about Arkansas, the Natural State. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Linda, did you accidentally book a flight to Arkansas instead of Augusta?” And to that I say… maybe. Look, after a few Stone IPAs, all those ‘A’ states start to blur together.
But fear not, my dear duffers! As it turns out, Arkansas has some golf gems that’ll make you forget all about your Torrey Pines membership. So grab your clubs, a bottle of bug spray (trust me on this one), and let’s dive into the best golf courses Arkansas has to offer!
1. Diamante Country Club: Hot Springs Village’s Crown Jewel
First up on our Arkansas golf tour is Diamante Country Club in Hot Springs Village. Now, when I heard “Hot Springs,” I immediately packed my bathing suit, thinking it was going to be like those Japanese onsen golf resorts. Spoiler alert: it’s not. But what it lacks in public nudity, it makes up for in challenging golf.
Diamante is a private course, but don’t let that scare you off. I managed to charm my way onto the course by regaling the starter with tales of my Kirkland club adventures. Either that or he just wanted me to stop talking.
The course itself is tougher than trying to find a decent fish taco in Arkansas. With elevation changes that’ll make your San Diego courses look like putt-putt, Diamante is not for the faint of heart. I’m pretty sure I saw a mountain goat laughing at me as I tried to hit my approach shot on the 12th hole.
Pro Tip: Bring extra balls. And by extra, I mean all the balls you own, plus a few you can “borrow” from your playing partners when they’re not looking.
2. Big Creek Golf & Country Club: Mountain Home’s Hidden Treasure
Next up is Big Creek Golf & Country Club in Mountain Home. Now, I don’t know about you, but where I come from, “Big Creek” is what we call the aftermath of a Taco Tuesday gone wrong. Thankfully, this Big Creek is much more pleasant.
This course is so beautiful, I almost forgot I was in Arkansas. Almost. The constant “y’alls” from my playing partners kept reminding me. The layout is gorgeous, with the Ozark Mountains providing a backdrop that’s more stunning than my golf tan (which, let’s be honest, is just various shades of sunburn).
The par-3 14th hole is a standout. It’s got more elevation drop than my chances of ever breaking 80. I’m pretty sure I saw my ball parachute down to the green. Or maybe that was just the vertigo kicking in.
Pro Tip: Bring a camera. And a Sherpa. Both will come in handy.
3. Mystic Creek Golf Club: El Dorado’s Gold Mine
Mystic Creek in El Dorado is next on our list. And let me tell you, this course is about as mystic as my ability to hit a fairway – which is to say, very.
This course is tougher than trying to pronounce “Arkansas” correctly after a few Ballast Point Sculpins. (Is it “Ar-kan-saw” or “Ar-kansas”? I’m still confused.) The fairways are tighter than my grip on a 3-foot putt, and the greens are faster than my cart when I’m trying to outrun a thunderstorm.
But oh boy, is it beautiful. The pine trees lining the fairways make you feel like you’re in a nature documentary. I half expected David Attenborough to start narrating my terrible shots.
Pro Tip: Bring your A-game. And if you don’t have an A-game (welcome to the club), bring lots of patience and a sense of humor.
4. The Alotian Club: Little Rock’s Secret Society
Alright, let’s talk about The Alotian Club in Roland, just outside of Little Rock. This place is more exclusive than the “winners” section of my scorecard. Seriously, it’s easier to get into Fort Knox than to play a round here.
But, through a series of events involving a mistaken identity, a lost UPS package, and a surprisingly convincing Arkansas accent (if I do say so myself), I managed to sneak peek at this beauty.
The course is like Augusta National’s cooler, slightly more down-to-earth cousin. It’s got more undulation than a belly dancer convention, and the views of Lake Maumelle are so pretty, I almost forgot to shank my drive into the woods. Almost.
Pro Tip: If you somehow manage to score a tee time here, don’t ask questions. Just go. And maybe buy a lottery ticket, because clearly luck is on your side.
5. Pleasant Valley Country Club: Little Rock’s Not-So-Hidden Gem
Last but not least, we’ve got Pleasant Valley Country Club in Little Rock. Don’t let the “pleasant” fool you – this course has more bite than an Arkansas mosquito (and trust me, those things are no joke).
The course hosted the PGA Tour’s Arkansas Classic back in the day, which is impressive considering most people can’t even find Arkansas on a map. (No judgment, I may or may not have ended up in Alabama first.)
The signature 13th hole is a par-3 that’s more island than green. I’m pretty sure I contributed at least a dozen balls to whatever ecosystem is thriving in that water hazard. I’d like to think of it as my contribution to Arkansas wildlife preservation.
Pro Tip: Bring your water ball. You know, that old scuffed-up ball you don’t mind losing? Yeah, bring about 20 of those.
In Conclusion: Arkansas, Who Knew?
So there you have it, folks! The best golf courses in Arkansas, as experienced by yours truly. Who would have thought that a state known for Razorbacks and Bill Clinton could deliver such golfing gems?
Now, do these courses stack up to our beloved Torrey Pines or Aviara? Well, let’s just say that beauty is in the eye of the beer holder. And after a few local Arkansas brews, these courses start looking pretty darn good.
One thing’s for sure: Arkansas golf is tougher than trying to explain to your spouse why you need yet another new driver. It’s challenging, it’s beautiful, and it’s full of surprises – kind of like my golf game, minus the beautiful part.
So the next time you’re thinking about a golf trip and someone suggests Arkansas, don’t laugh it off like I did. (Seriously, I think I pulled a muscle from laughing so hard.) Give it a chance. You might just find yourself falling in love with the Natural State’s unnatural ability to challenge your golf game and your preconceptions.
And if all else fails, there’s always the Clinton Presidential Library. I hear they have a great exhibit on how to get out of tough lies – both on and off the golf course.
Until next time, keep your head down, your left arm straight, and your expectations lower than an Arkansas valley!
Cheers,
Linda 🏌️♀️🍷
P.S. If anyone needs me, I’ll be back at Torrey Pines, trying to convince them to add some Ozark-style elevation changes. Wish me luck!