Lakeside Country Golf Club
Set beside the tranquil waters of Lake Catherine, Lakeside Country Golf Club offers a well-kept, nine-hole course combining manageable distance with subtle challenges. Its carefully designed greens and natural contours create a rewarding experience for golfers seeking strategic play in a welcoming atmosphere.
Course Overview
Lakeside Country Golf Club offers a refreshing and approachable golfing experience set along the scenic shores of Lake Catherine in Hot Springs, Arkansas. This intimate nine-hole course stretches just over 2,800 yards from the blue tees, providing a compact yet thoughtfully challenging layout that appeals to golfers of various skill levels. Its location beside rolling hills and water features creates a natural setting that interacts with every hole, lending each stroke a subtle element of strategy and discovery.
The course’s playing surface is defined by a blend of fescue and wild grasses framing well-maintained fairways that demand accuracy off the tee. Small, intentionally narrow greens present a genuine test of short game skill; they reward precision and good touch, often punishing wayward approaches with tricky up-and-down scenarios. Bunkers protect the greens with an unyielding presence, requiring careful navigation throughout your round. Elevation changes add variety, gently shifting the vantage points and forcing players to think carefully about club selection.
Lakeside Country Golf Club emphasizes an authentic golf experience that challenges adaptability over raw power. It suits players keen on testing shot-making and course management rather than sheer distance. The quiet charm of the surroundings enhances focus, with water glimpses and woodland edges providing a calm backdrop to each hole.
The family-owned facility pairs its classic golf appeal with inviting hospitality. The clubhouse offers comfortable amenities and a welcoming atmosphere, reflecting a community-oriented spirit. Staff members are known for their friendliness and helpfulness, easily accommodating walk-up players and returning golfers alike. Walking is encouraged to fully enjoy the course’s contour and natural rhythm, with stable footing available on well-groomed paths and turf.
Whether a seasoned player seeking a low-key challenge or a newcomer looking for supportive conditions to grow your game, Lakeside Country Golf Club blends practical playability with the quiet pleasures found in lakeside golf. It’s a modest gem that invites you to engage with the game thoughtfully while surrounded by the character that only a local, lovingly maintained course can provide.
Course Highlights
The course distinguishes itself with small, tightly guarded greens that demand precision putting and delicate chip shots. Water hazards bordering several holes shape strategic tee shots, while the mix of elevation and diverse grass types adds texture to play. Its family-run operation fosters a warm, community-focused environment uncommon in public courses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Reviews
Steve Pope
Marcos Villa
Hidden 9 hole gem with a unique design. Driving range is very convenient and yardages are set. Carts are in great shape. Respect the course.
Marshall Sanchez
Honest and thorough review: I played here a couple months ago and wanted to wait till I had time to write a full review. I showed up unannounced hoping to use the driving range and they worked me in to play an immediate round a little before they were technically open. The staff was *extremely nice* - contrary to other reviews. There was dew on the cart which they toweled off, I got a full explanation of the course layout, and was accommodated at every point. Now for the course: The setting is beautiful. There's some elevation, some water, and it plays more or less challenging depending on your chosen tee boxes. They keep the course mowed and obviously do their best to maintain the greens, given the challenges of doing so in that specific area of the country (i.e. hard freezes, dry spells, being near a lake, unpredictable rains, etc.) No, the greens weren't perfect, but they were absolutely playable, and work was being done proactively improve them. The fairways are primarily fescue and wildgrass blend. Again, no- it's not perfectly manicured bermuda, but its maintained and playable. Part of the (fun) challenge of golf is being able to perform in different environments. If you can only hit the ball well when you have a perfect PGA quality lie, then this isn't the place for you, but also you're missing out on a fun little course (and you probably need to figure out why you can't hit from different assorted situations. Real golf isn't a driving range.) Also, the expense of owning and maintaining such a course would necessitate charging well over $50 per round for 9 holes, so try and have reasonable expectations for reasonable greens fees. I think its amazing that they've been able to use this space to create an interesting 9 holes of recreational golf. The TLDR version is this- I think this is a really pretty, fun course for a great price, with nice and accommodating staff. If you are a very particular player and can't roll with the occasional figurative punches, then maybe it's not the place for you. But you're missing out- not just on this course, but on the game of golf in general. 5 stars.
Corey Stanley
I’ve been golfing out here for nearly 20 years — even when they had the old clubhouse many, many years ago. Hadn’t been in awhile, so decided to show up yesterday. It’s still the same great golf course it was 20 years ago. You can tell they are constantly adding on and improving each and every hole throughout the years. Only interacted with one of the workers yesterday at the front desk — she was very friendly and approachable. Happy to call this my home golf course!
Marshall Sanchez
Honest and thorough review: I played here a couple months ago and wanted to wait till I had time to write a full review. I showed up unannounced hoping to use the driving range and they worked me in to play an immediate round a little before they were technically open. The staff was *extremely nice* - contrary to other reviews. There was dew on the cart which they toweled off, I got a full explanation of the course layout, and was accommodated at every point. Now for the course: The setting is beautiful. There's some elevation, some water, and it plays more or less challenging depending on your chosen tee boxes. They keep the course mowed and obviously do their best to maintain the greens, given the challenges of doing so in that specific area of the country (i.e. hard freezes, dry spells, being near a lake, unpredictable rains, etc.) No, the greens weren't perfect, but they were absolutely playable, and work was being done proactively improve them. The fairways are primarily fescue and wildgrass blend. Again, no- it's not perfectly manicured bermuda, but its maintained and playable. Part of the (fun) challenge of golf is being able to perform in different environments. If you can only hit the ball well when you have a perfect PGA quality lie, then this isn't the place for you, but also you're missing out on a fun little course (and you probably need to figure out why you can't hit from different assorted situations. Real golf isn't a driving range.) Also, the expense of owning and maintaining such a course would necessitate charging well over $50 per round for 9 holes, so try and have reasonable expectations for reasonable greens fees. I think its amazing that they've been able to use this space to create an interesting 9 holes of recreational golf. The TLDR version is this- I think this is a really pretty, fun course for a great price, with nice and accommodating staff. If you are a very particular player and can't roll with the occasional figurative punches, then maybe it's not the place for you. But you're missing out- not just on this course, but on the game of golf in general. 5 stars.
Mickey Rozzell
There's not much better than being treated to a hidden gem like Lakeside Country Golf at dawn on Independence Day with your son in tow. This track sports nine perfectly quaint holes (2800 +/- from blue) tucked in the hills adjacent to Spencer Bay on Lake Catherine. The clubhouse and staff are welcoming as one would expect when essentially playing in someone's back yard. Tiny fuzzy (intentionally so) greens make up and down tough and critical to scoring and defend the course well. Left off the tee or long over the green is death at this awesome well kept oasis.
Charles Kloosterman
Corey Stanley
I’ve been golfing out here for nearly 20 years — even when they had the old clubhouse many, many years ago. Hadn’t been in awhile, so decided to show up yesterday. It’s still the same great golf course it was 20 years ago. You can tell they are constantly adding on and improving each and every hole throughout the years. Only interacted with one of the workers yesterday at the front desk — she was very friendly and approachable. Happy to call this my home golf course!
Casey Hudson
Family owned golf course with tons of challenges. Small yardages but the course slope makes this place an awesome place to play. We played the 9 hole course back to back and it was very enjoyable both times. Good greens, fully stocked clubhouse, and even better hospitality. I highly recommend this place.
Jacey Jarrell
What an excellent golf course! My husband and I just started golf about a year ago so we are pretty new. Since we are on vacation in Hot Springs, we decided to stop by here and play some golf. I was nervous since we have never been here before but the staff and other players were so welcoming and nice to us. Beautiful course with ponds and bunkers that really give you a challenge. I couldn’t recommend this place enough!
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Course Details
Access & Location
418 Wilson Lake Ln, Hot Springs, AR 71901, USA
Small, comfortable clubhouse featuring basic amenities and friendly staff
Walking encouraged; terrain is mostly gentle with some elevation changes—sturdy golf shoes recommended
No advance reservations required; early arrival recommended during peak seasons
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