Little Rock, Arkansas
Country Club of Little Rock blends history, strategy, and panoramic hilltop views into a members-first, tradition-rich golf experience. While not a national bucket-list stop, its pedigree and setting make it a standout private round for those lucky enough to score a tee time.
Country Club of Little Rock marries classic, tree-lined parkland character with strategic hilltop routing—a product of generations of design hands. While the core experience remains rooted in old-world shot-making and careful placement, upgrades by Tom Clark and Keith Foster have opened up long views, modernized conditioning, and revived a traditional sense of play. The result is a course that tests position play and long-iron prowess amidst a setting of panoramic vistas and southern hospitality.
Original layers by Hackbarth and others remain, but Tom Clark and Keith Foster’s renovations have left the most lasting modern mark—combining restoration with updates for playability and sightlines.
The longest par 5 on the course is a three-shot brute for most, winding across a subtly contoured landscape. Long hitters might daydream about getting there in two, but the uphill second and clever bunkering reward discipline.
Keep your tee ball in play—out of the trees—and lay up smart for a manageable approach; overreach and thick rough awaits.
Tree trouble right, fairway bunkers, and a green that shrugs off weak or spinless long shots.
Impeccable private-club conditioning with smooth bentgrass greens and fast, firm fairways.
Steady, efficient member pace; rarely crowded if playing with a host.
Refined, tradition-rich Southern hospitality; quiet and exclusive but welcoming for guests.
Traditional country club attire—collared shirts, soft spikes, appropriate shorts or slacks required.
Multiple par 3s and long par 4s will demand confident carries and precise approaches.
Expect subtle slopes and quick surfaces—lag putting discipline is critical.
A solid walking base will help, as several holes include uphill or downhill stretches.
The route rewards smart decision-making over raw aggression—think your way around!
Club founded and original 6-hole course established
Bentgrass greens introduced by Herman Hackbarth
Host of the PGA Championship
Host of the U.S. Women's Open
Major course renovation and clubhouse improvements
Clubhouse expansion and restoration
Scheduled host of Arkansas State Amateur
In the club's early years, members arrived via a streetcar line that ran up to Pulaski Heights—making the trek as adventurous as the opening tee shot. The course's hilltop perch was so remote, a special road had to be cut just to reach the site.
When the PGA Championship rolled into Little Rock in 1952, the club's traditional layout and classic hospitality put Arkansas golf on the national map. Legendary pros walked the same fairways that still test modern members.
Herman 'Hack' Hackbarth was the guiding hand behind much of the club’s early evolution, introducing bentgrass greens in 1939 and shaping the layout for decades. His classic touch still echoes in the subtlety of the green complexes.
More than just a 19th hole, the Colonial Revival clubhouse—with its National Register status—sets the tone for the club's refined Southern charm. Its iconic columns and panoramic terrace are as much a part of the experience as the closing stretch.
The original course was reached by streetcar and a specially carved road up the bluff.
The classic Colonial Revival clubhouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Country Club of Little Rock hosted the 1952 PGA Championship and the 1988 U.S. Women’s Open.
The course features five par 5s—unusual for a classic U.S. layout of its era.
Bentgrass greens have been a staple since 1939, echoing the course’s legacy of innovation.
Best public-access option in Little Rock; enjoyable, walkable riverside layout great for warming up your game.
Elite local private club; challenging modern layout if you have reciprocal access or an invite.
Well-regarded by locals for its friendly atmosphere and playable course.
A bit farther afield, but scenic and worth a day trip if time allows.
West or central Little Rock—close to the club, top dining, and the Arkansas River trail.
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: If Country Club of Little Rock is your kind of course, Fort Collins Country Club is worth a look because it puts the same premium on presentation.
Why it matches: What links these two? Puts the same premium on presentation — a familiar feeling, expressed in TPC Jasna Polana's own setting.
Why it matches: Alpharetta Athletic Club is a natural next stop after Country Club of Little Rock: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Community Sentiment
See something inaccurate in this listing?