HIT THE LINKS
Greers Ferry Lake is home to great golfing
With its beautiful scenery, pleasant weather and rolling hills, the Greers Ferry Lake area makes a serene setting for world-class golf.
With the area serving as home to several golf courses and country clubs, those looking to get in a quick 18 holes can find just the right place to tee off. The following are just a few of the area’s golf courses.
INDIAN HILLS GOLF RESORT
In Fairfield Bay, Indian Hills Golf Resort is an 18-hole course with four sets of tees for players of all abilities. The course is known for its tree-lined fairways and Indian Rock Cave, which is just off the No. 9 fairway. Local golfer Ernest Campbell lives just off the course and said that what makes Indian Hills a great spot for golf is that the course is very tight. He said golfers who like to use power might need to adjust their playing style for this course.
“If you have an errant shot, you’re [going to be] in the woods or someone’s yard,” he said.
In addition to traditional golf, Indian Hills offers footgolf, a hybrid sport that combines golf and soccer. Footgolfers kick a soccer ball down the fairway and try to sink the ball in a soccer-ball-sized cup with the fewest kicks possible. Campbell said this game allows older golfers to enjoy a round with kids or grandkids because the 18-hole footgolf course is on the first nine holes of the golf course.
“About a month ago, we had a group of about 100 students from Harding University come up and play,” he said. “It’s an interesting addition to the course.”
RED APPLE INN & COUNTRY CLUB
Just a short drive from downtown Heber Springs, the Red Apple Inn & Country Club boasts a stunning setting for a day on the links. The club’s championship course offers hilltop views of Greers Ferry Lake, and the course has been recognized for its beauty. The course is also one of the founding courses for the Natural State Golf Trail, and the area’s temperate climate makes the course great for golfing year-round. For more information, visit www.redappleinn.com.
MOUNTAIN RANCH GOLF CLUB AT FAIRFIELD BAY
On the north shore of Greers Ferry Lake lies Fairfield Bay, one of the area’s most popular destinations. In the community is Mountain Ranch Golf Club at Fairfield Bay. This course has been named the No. 4 Best-Valued Course in America by Golflink, a golf-resource website, and as the No. 2 Best Public Course in Arkansas by Golf Magazine. This course is nestled in the Ozark Mountains and contains challenging and exciting holes. While challenging, the course can be enjoyed by golfers of all skill levels. For more information, visit www.tboxgolf.net.
TANNENBAUM GOLF CLUB
Operated by the same folks who run Mountain Ranch Golf Club, Tannenbaum Golf Club in nearby Drasco is another option for great golf in the Greers Ferry Lake area. This course was designed by John Floyd and has been ranked one of the best places to play by Golf Digest magazine. In addition to the course, there is a 10-acre proactive facility with a driving range, a putting and chipping green, and a practice bunker.