The Alotian Club is the best overall editorial choice among Arkansas golf courses, while Mystic Creek Golf Club is the strongest option for golfers seeking public or semi-private access. Arkansas's leading layouts range from nationally recognized private clubs to public courses in state parks, resort communities and regional golf destinations.
Access matters because many of Arkansas's highest-ranked courses are private. This guide evaluates public and private courses together in the main ranking, then separates the best public golf courses in Arkansas so visitors can identify realistic places to play.
At a Glance: Best Arkansas Golf Courses
- Best overall: The Alotian Club in Roland, a private Tom Fazio course with national recognition.
- Best public course: Mystic Creek Golf Club in El Dorado, a semi-private course open to the public.
- Best private course: The Alotian Club, with Blessings Golf Club close behind for championship difficulty.
- Best near Little Rock: The Alotian Club for private access; Chenal Bear Den and Country Club of Little Rock are also important Central Arkansas private courses.
- Best near Hot Springs: Diamante Country Club for private rankings and Hot Springs Country Club Park Course for semi-private access.
- Best in Northwest Arkansas: Blessings Golf Club near Fayetteville and Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers lead the private and tournament conversation.
- Best golf-resort option: DeGray Lake Resort Golf Course for an actual state-park resort setting.
- Best value public option: The Ridges at Village Creek gives public players 27 holes inside an Arkansas state park.
- Best state-park course: The Ridges at Village Creek in Wynne, with DeGray Lake Resort close behind.
Arkansas Golf Course Comparison Table
| Rank | Course | City or region | Access | Par | Verified longest official tee | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Alotian Club | Roland / Central Arkansas | Private/member or guest access | 72 | 7,500 yards | Best overall private course |
| 2 | Mystic Creek Golf Club | El Dorado / South Arkansas | Semi-private with public tee times | 72 | Approximately 7,500 yards | Best public-access challenge |
| 3 | Blessings Golf Club | Johnson/Fayetteville / Northwest Arkansas | Private/member or guest access | 72 | Nearly 7,500 yards; longer championship setups exist | Collegiate championship golf |
| 4 | Diamante Country Club | Hot Springs Village | Private with limited resort or guest access | 72 | 7,560 yards | Hot Springs Village private golf |
| 5 | Country Club of Little Rock | Little Rock / Central Arkansas | Private/member or guest access | 71 | 6,764 yards | Historic Little Rock private golf |
| 6 | Chenal Country Club: Bear Den Course | Little Rock / Central Arkansas | Private/member or guest access | 72 | 7,326 yards | Modern wooded RTJ II design |
| 7 | The Ridges at Village Creek | Wynne / Northeast Arkansas | Public daily-fee | 72 or 74 by routing | Up to 7,449 yards by rotation | State-park public golf |
| 8 | Hot Springs Country Club: Park Course | Hot Springs | Semi-private with public tee times | 72 | 6,852 yards | Hot Springs golf history and access |
| 9 | Big Creek Golf & Country Club | Mountain Home / North Central Arkansas | Semi-private with public tee times | 72 | 7,320 yards | Ozarks public-access quality |
| 10 | DeGray Lake Resort Golf Course | Bismarck / near Hot Springs | Public resort | 72 | 6,935 yards | State-park resort trips |
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How These Arkansas Golf Courses Were Selected
This independent editorial ranking considers architecture, current reputation, conditioning, tournament history, scenery, public accessibility, travel value, geographic representation and overall experience. Best is subjective: the strongest private course is not always the most useful recommendation for a visitor.
Private and public courses are evaluated together in the main list, but public accessibility does not automatically determine the ranking. The public-course section below gives visitors a separate, practical answer. Access rules, tee times, course conditions and resort-package availability can change, so golfers should confirm current details directly with each course before booking.
1. The Alotian Club
The Alotian Club ranks first because it is Arkansas's clearest nationally recognized private course. Located in Roland, west of Little Rock and near Lake Maumelle, it is a private Tom Fazio design opened in 2004.
Golf Digest lists The Alotian Club as a par-72 course of 7,500 yards and ranks it No. 1 in Arkansas for 2025-26, with a place in America's 100 Greatest. The course is known for elevation change, refined conditioning, strategic approach shots and a secluded Central Arkansas setting. It also has collegiate relevance through the Stephens Cup.
The Alotian Club is not publicly bookable. Its No. 1 position is an editorial choice based on architecture, reputation and national standing, not visitor access. Source: Golf Digest course profile.
2. Mystic Creek Golf Club
Mystic Creek Golf Club ranks second overall and first for public-access intent. The course is in El Dorado, in South Arkansas, and its official site describes it as a semi-private club that is also open to the public.
Designed by Kenneth Dye Jr. and opened in 2013, Mystic Creek is a par-72 course built through rolling timberland. The course uses cathedral pines, high flashed bunkers and domed greens with runoffs to create a serious test while still offering public tee-time pathways.
Mystic Creek is the best public golf course in Arkansas for many visiting golfers because it combines ranking reputation, public booking pathways and championship-style difficulty. Tee-time and stay-and-play availability should still be confirmed before travel. Source: Mystic Creek Golf Club official golf page.
3. Blessings Golf Club
Blessings Golf Club ranks third because it is one of Arkansas's most demanding private championship layouts and the home course for the University of Arkansas golf teams. The course is in Johnson, near Fayetteville, in Northwest Arkansas.
Robert Trent Jones II identifies Blessings as a private championship course opened in 2004, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and built for flexible high-level competitive play. The layout stretches to nearly 7,500 yards from the back tees, with adjustable holes and topography shaped around Clear Creek.
Blessings hosted the 2019 NCAA men's and women's championships and remains important in collegiate golf. It is private, so golfers should not assume public tee-time access. Source: Robert Trent Jones II Blessings profile.
4. Diamante Country Club
Diamante Country Club ranks fourth because it is a leading Hot Springs Village private course with long-running state recognition. Diamante is in Hot Springs Village and identifies itself as the only member-owned private golf course in the community.
Hot Springs Village's official Diamante page says the course opened in 1995 and is an 18-hole, par-72 layout with tee options ranging from 4,650 to 7,560 yards. Its length, bentgrass greens, Zoysia fairways and private-club setting make it a major piece of the Hot Springs Village golf picture.
Diamante has promoted limited outside guest and stay-and-play opportunities, but its default access classification remains private. Confirm current access directly before planning around it. Source: Hot Springs Village Diamante page.
5. Country Club of Little Rock
Country Club of Little Rock ranks fifth because it is a historic Central Arkansas private course and a core part of Little Rock golf. It is located in Little Rock and is best treated as a private/member or guest-access course.
Golf Digest lists the course as an 18-hole private layout of 6,764 yards with a 133 slope and identifies Herman Hackbarth as the designer. Its hillside setting, older routing and position in Arkansas golf course rankings give it value beyond raw yardage.
The course is not a public-trip recommendation, but it belongs in a top Arkansas golf courses discussion because history and private-club quality matter in a statewide ranking. Source: Golf Digest Country Club of Little Rock profile.
6. Chenal Country Club: Bear Den Course
Chenal Country Club's Bear Den Course ranks sixth as the strongest specific Chenal layout for this guide. It is in west Little Rock and is a private Robert Trent Jones Jr. design.
Chenal's official Bear Den page says both Chenal courses were designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and describes Bear Den as a 7,326-yard course with tight tree-lined fairways, clear creeks and protected natural areas. It differs from the more open Founders Course by leaning into wooded terrain and demanding placement.
Bear Den is important for golfers comparing Little Rock private courses, but access is through the club rather than public booking. Source: Chenal Country Club Bear Den page.
7. The Ridges at Village Creek
The Ridges at Village Creek ranks seventh because it is a high-quality public state-park course with strong travel usefulness. It is located in Village Creek State Park in Wynne, on Crowley's Ridge in Northeast Arkansas.
Arkansas State Parks describes The Ridges as an Andy Dye-designed 27-hole championship public course with three distinct nines, MiniVerde Bermuda greens, Tiff 419 Bermuda tees and fairways, and water in play on 12 holes. Certain 18-hole combinations can stretch beyond 7,400 yards.
For golfers seeking public golf courses in Arkansas, The Ridges stands out because it combines state-park access, multiple nines and real regional character. Source: Arkansas State Parks Ridges page.
8. Hot Springs Country Club: Park Course
Hot Springs Country Club's Park Course ranks eighth as the Hot Springs representative in the main list. The club has multiple layouts, so this ranking specifically refers to the Park Course.
The official Park Course scorecard lists a par-72 layout of 6,852 yards from the Gold tees, with a men's rating/slope of 73.6/134. The routing includes multiple long par 4s and a mix of par 5s and par 3s that give Hot Springs golfers a substantial test.
Hot Springs Country Club should be treated as semi-private or access-limited, not unrestricted public golf. It is useful for Hot Springs golf planning, but visitors should confirm booking options with the club. Source: Hot Springs Country Club Park Course scorecard.
9. Big Creek Golf & Country Club
Big Creek Golf & Country Club ranks ninth because it gives North Central Arkansas a strong semi-private course with public play and documented championship tee data. It is in Mountain Home, in the Ozarks.
Big Creek's official golf page lists the Black tees at par 72, 7,320 yards, with a 75.8 rating and 134 slope. The course uses generous fairways, white sand bunkers, Ozarks scenery and a full practice setup to create a polished public-access experience.
Big Creek is a good fit for golfers planning around Mountain Home, Bull Shoals, Norfork Lake or the wider Ozarks. Confirm tee-time availability and member-event restrictions before traveling. Source: Big Creek official golf page.
10. DeGray Lake Resort Golf Course
DeGray Lake Resort Golf Course ranks tenth because it is the clearest Arkansas state-park resort option in the main list. It is in Bismarck, near Hot Springs and Arkadelphia, within the DeGray Lake Resort State Park area.
The official course page describes an 18-hole championship public course measuring 6,935 yards from the championship tees with a 73.0 rating and 134 slope. The front nine has wider fairways and elevated greens, while the back nine moves through pine and hardwood corridors with water in play on seven holes.
For golfers asking about Arkansas golf resorts or stay-and-play planning, DeGray Lake is valuable because the golf course is tied to lodging and state-park amenities. Source: DeGray Lake Resort Golf Course information.
Golf course prints can also help golfers compare and remember the distinctive routing of courses they have played or hope to visit.
What Are the Top Public Golf Courses in Arkansas?
The top public or publicly bookable golf courses in Arkansas include Mystic Creek, The Ridges at Village Creek, DeGray Lake Resort, Big Creek, Mountain Ranch, Hot Springs Country Club Park Course, Glenwood Country Club and The Country Club of Arkansas. Hot Springs Village's 2026 rules also allow non-property owners to reserve advance tee times by phone, making Isabella Golf Club publicly bookable subject to availability and current POA rules.
| Rank | Course | City or region | Access classification | Why it stands out | Booking qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mystic Creek | El Dorado | Semi-private with public tee times | Best public-access test in South Arkansas | Confirm tee times or package availability |
| 2 | The Ridges at Village Creek | Wynne | Public daily-fee | 27 Andy Dye-designed holes in a state park | Book through state-park course channels |
| 3 | DeGray Lake Resort | Bismarck | Public resort | Golf tied to lodge and lake amenities | Confirm resort and course availability |
| 4 | Big Creek | Mountain Home | Semi-private with public tee times | Documented 7,320-yard Black tees in the Ozarks | Check member events and tee times |
| 5 | Mountain Ranch | Fairfield Bay | Public resort | Ozark terrain and Arkansas Golf Trail presence | Verify current seasonal tee times |
| 6 | Hot Springs CC Park Course | Hot Springs | Semi-private with public tee times | Park Course scorecard lists 6,852 yards | Confirm guest and booking rules with the club |
| 7 | Glenwood Country Club | Glenwood | Public daily-fee | Accessible Arkansas Golf Trail option | Confirm current online or phone booking |
| 8 | The Country Club of Arkansas | Maumelle | Semi-private with public tee times | Central Arkansas option near Little Rock | The club describes itself as semi-public and welcomes non-members |
Arkansas Tourism's Golf Trail helps visitors identify public and resort-style options across the state, including Mystic Creek, DeGray Lake, Mountain Ranch and Hot Springs Village courses. Source: Arkansas Tourism Golf Trail.
What Are the Best Private Golf Courses in Arkansas?
The best private golf courses in Arkansas are The Alotian Club, Blessings Golf Club, Country Club of Little Rock, Diamante Country Club, Chenal Bear Den, Pinnacle Country Club and Texarkana Country Club. They differ from the public recommendations because access, not quality, is the limiting factor.
The Alotian and Blessings carry the strongest national recognition, while Country Club of Little Rock and Chenal are central to Little Rock private golf. Diamante anchors private Hot Springs Village golf, Pinnacle Country Club hosts the LPGA's Northwest Arkansas Championship, and Texarkana Country Club adds southwestern Arkansas history through its Langford and Moreau design and Byron Nelson connection. Sources: Pinnacle Country Club golf FAQ and Texarkana Country Club official site.
These clubs should be treated as private unless the club confirms a guest, event or other access pathway. Golfers should verify current membership and guest policies directly with each club.
Best Golf Courses Near Little Rock
The best golf courses near Little Rock are The Alotian Club in Roland for the top overall private choice, Chenal Country Club's Bear Den Course in west Little Rock for modern private golf, and Country Club of Little Rock for historic private golf inside the city.
Those courses are not interchangeable for visitors. The Alotian is near Little Rock but not in the city, Chenal is a west Little Rock private club, and Country Club of Little Rock sits within Little Rock proper.
Best Golf Courses Near Hot Springs
The best golf courses near Hot Springs include Diamante Country Club in Hot Springs Village, Hot Springs Country Club's Park Course in Hot Springs and DeGray Lake Resort Golf Course in nearby Bismarck. They represent different access types: private, semi-private/access-limited and public resort.
Hot Springs Village also has multiple courses, so golfers should identify the exact layout before booking. Resort, village and private-club access rules can differ from ordinary daily-fee golf.
Best Golf Courses in Northwest Arkansas
The best Northwest Arkansas golf courses are Blessings Golf Club near Fayetteville for private collegiate golf and Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers for LPGA tournament relevance. Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale and Fayetteville also have public and semi-private regional courses for visitors who cannot access private clubs.
Blessings and Pinnacle should not be treated as public Fayetteville or Rogers tee times. Public golfers planning around Northwest Arkansas should verify current daily-fee, resort or semi-private options before building a trip around those private names.
Other Arkansas Golf Regions
South Arkansas is led in this guide by Mystic Creek in El Dorado. Northeast Arkansas is represented by The Ridges at Village Creek in Wynne. North Central Arkansas includes Big Creek in Mountain Home, while southwestern Arkansas has Texarkana Country Club as an important private historical course.
Arkansas state-park golf is most relevant through The Ridges at Village Creek and DeGray Lake Resort. Jonesboro, Fort Smith, Bella Vista and other regional hubs also have active golf scenes, but this article keeps the main ranking focused on the strongest statewide candidates.
Arkansas Golf Courses Map and Regions
An Arkansas golf courses map helps explain why the rankings include more than one region. The Central Arkansas group includes The Alotian, Country Club of Little Rock and Chenal Bear Den. Hot Springs and the Ouachita area include Diamante, Hot Springs Country Club and DeGray Lake Resort.
Northwest Arkansas is represented by Blessings, Northeast Arkansas by The Ridges at Village Creek, North Central Arkansas by Big Creek and South Arkansas by Mystic Creek. The map below uses separate colors for public, semi-private or access-limited and private courses.
How to Choose the Right Arkansas Golf Course
Choose by access first. If you need a public or publicly bookable round, start with Mystic Creek, The Ridges at Village Creek, DeGray Lake Resort, Big Creek, Mountain Ranch or other Arkansas Golf Trail options. If you are comparing architecture and reputation, private clubs such as The Alotian, Blessings and Country Club of Little Rock belong in the conversation.
Location matters as much as ranking. Little Rock, Hot Springs, Northwest Arkansas, South Arkansas and Northeast Arkansas can be several hours apart by car. Difficulty, budget, resort amenities, trip length, guest access and seasonal conditions should also shape the decision. For weather planning, read The Golf Prints guide to when golf season starts and ends.
Remembering a Favorite Arkansas Golf Course
A favorite Arkansas course might be a home course, a memorable resort round, a college golf memory, a tournament site or a corporate event venue. Course-based keepsakes work best when they support the memory without distracting from the golf itself.
For practical course-connected gifts, Arkansas golf course towels can suit golf trips, member events, tournament packages or a favorite round in the Natural State.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best golf course in Arkansas?
The Alotian Club is the best overall editorial choice in Arkansas because it combines Tom Fazio design, national recognition and a private setting near Little Rock. For golfers who need public or semi-private access, Mystic Creek Golf Club in El Dorado is the strongest recommendation.
What are the top public golf courses in Arkansas?
The top public or publicly bookable Arkansas courses include Mystic Creek, The Ridges at Village Creek, DeGray Lake Resort, Big Creek, Mountain Ranch, Hot Springs Country Club Park Course, Glenwood Country Club and The Country Club of Arkansas. Hot Springs Village's 2026 rules allow non-property owners to reserve advance tee times by phone, so Isabella Golf Club is publicly bookable subject to availability and current POA rules.
What are the best private golf courses in Arkansas?
The leading private Arkansas courses include The Alotian Club, Blessings Golf Club, Country Club of Little Rock, Diamante Country Club, Chenal Country Club, Pinnacle Country Club and Texarkana Country Club. These courses matter for rankings, but most require member or guest access.
Can the public play The Alotian Club?
The general public cannot book regular tee times at The Alotian Club. It is a private club, although a golfer may potentially play through an invited-member arrangement or authorized event. Do not plan a public Arkansas golf trip around Alotian access unless the club confirms it.
Can the public play Blessings Golf Club?
The general public cannot book regular tee times at Blessings Golf Club. Blessings is a private course near Fayetteville and the University of Arkansas golf home. Access may exist through member invitation, university use or authorized events, but visitors should not treat it as publicly bookable.
Is Hot Springs Country Club private?
Hot Springs Country Club should be treated as semi-private with public or guest-access pathways that can change. The Park and Arlington courses publish scorecards, and Arkansas golf booking pages list tee-time access, but golfers should verify current booking rules directly with the club.
What are the best golf courses near Little Rock?
Near Little Rock, The Alotian Club is the top private editorial choice, Chenal Country Club's Bear Den Course is a leading west Little Rock private layout, and Country Club of Little Rock is a historic private option. Public golfers should also compare central Arkansas daily-fee courses.
What are the best golf courses in Northwest Arkansas?
In Northwest Arkansas, Blessings Golf Club is the top private and university-connected course, Pinnacle Country Club is the LPGA tournament venue in Rogers, and public golfers can look toward regional daily-fee and resort-style options around Fayetteville, Rogers and Bentonville.
How many golf courses are in Arkansas?
There is no single official statewide total for Arkansas golf courses. Published directories produce different counts because some count individual layouts, nine-hole courses and private facilities differently.
What are the best golf resorts in Arkansas?
The strongest Arkansas golf-resort options include DeGray Lake Resort Golf Course near Bismarck and Hot Springs, Mountain Ranch in Fairfield Bay, Hot Springs Village courses with verified visitor access, and stay-and-play access connected with Mystic Creek through travel packages.