Hot Springs Golf Trip Planning Guide
Hot Springs is an underrated golf trip gem — solid mountain courses at low prices, legendary Bathhouse Row for recovery, and Oaklawn racing for a gambling fix. The national park setting adds a unique backdrop, and the lower costs mean you can play more rounds and eat more steak. Old-school Americana with legit golf.
Quick Facts
Spring, Fall
LIT (60 min drive)
$35–$110
$400/night
1 of 5
~$340/person
Sample 3-Day Itinerary
Here's a realistic 3-day itinerary for a group golf trip to Hot Springs. Every venue below is real and pulled from our curated database — no filler.
Day 1
Hot Springs Country Club - Arlington Course — mountain, $65–$110 · 4.4★
Classic 1890s course redesigned by Willie Park Jr. — tight mountain fairways with views of the Ouachita range
The Ohio Club — steakhouse, $$$ · 4.5★
Oldest bar in Arkansas (1905) now serving steaks — Al Capone used to hang here. Live blues most nights.
The Ohio Club — whiskey bar · Open late
Oldest bar in Arkansas with original 1905 mahogany bar, live blues, and serious whiskey collection
Day 2
Diamante Golf Club — mountain, $55–$95 · 4.4★
Longest and most challenging public course in the area — carved through dense Ouachita forest with water on eight holes
Bathhouse Row Soaking — 2-3 hours, $30–$75/pp
Soak in natural thermal springs at Buckstaff or Quapaw bathhouses — the ultimate post-round recovery
McClard's Bar-B-Q — bbq, $ · 4.4★
Legendary since 1928 — Bill Clinton's favorite BBQ spot with ribs, tamales, and a secret sauce recipe
Maxine's Live — dive · Open late
Live music venue in a former bathhouse-era bordello — rock, blues, and cheap drinks in a historic space
Day 3
Hot Springs Country Club - Majestic Course — mountain, $50–$85 · 4.3★
Companion course at HSCC — more open and forgiving than the Arlington with some of the same mountain views
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort — half day, $20–$100/pp
Live thoroughbred racing Jan-May, full casino year-round — perfect for a group gambling session
Fisherman's Wharf — seafood, $$ · 4.3★
Lake Hamilton waterfront spot with catfish, crawfish, and sunset views from the dock
Superior Bathhouse Brewery — brewpub
The only brewery inside a national park — craft beer brewed with Hot Springs thermal water. Not a joke.
Course-by-Course Guide
Hot Springs has 5 courses worth playing. 1 are walkable if you want to save on cart fees.
Where to Stay
Hot Springs has 2 group-friendly lodging options in our database, starting at $400/night for the whole house. Several options include hot tubs — a non-negotiable for most groups.
$400–$1200 /night
Lake Hamilton waterfront
$500–$1400 /night
Ouachita Mountain area / west of town
Group Dining Guide
4 restaurants vetted for group golf trips. Several can handle large parties without a reservation headache.
The Ohio Club
$$$Oldest bar in Arkansas (1905) now serving steaks — Al Capone used to hang here. Live blues most nights.
McClard's Bar-B-Q
$Legendary since 1928 — Bill Clinton's favorite BBQ spot with ribs, tamales, and a secret sauce recipe
Fisherman's Wharf
$$Lake Hamilton waterfront spot with catfish, crawfish, and sunset views from the dock
Rolando's Nuevo Latino Restaurante
$$Cuban-Latin fusion in a converted bungalow — creative dishes, strong margaritas, and a cult following
Nightlife
4 bars curated for groups. 2 stay open past midnight.
The Ohio Club
Late nightOldest bar in Arkansas with original 1905 mahogany bar, live blues, and serious whiskey collection
Maxine's Live
Late nightLive music venue in a former bathhouse-era bordello — rock, blues, and cheap drinks in a historic space
Superior Bathhouse Brewery
The only brewery inside a national park — craft beer brewed with Hot Springs thermal water. Not a joke.
The Arlington Lobby Bar
Grand hotel lobby bar with old-school cocktails and a cigar-lounge feel in the iconic Arlington Hotel
Activities Beyond Golf
5 off-course activities for rest days or afternoons.
Bathhouse Row Soaking
Soak in natural thermal springs at Buckstaff or Quapaw bathhouses — the ultimate post-round recovery
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort
Live thoroughbred racing Jan-May, full casino year-round — perfect for a group gambling session
Lake Hamilton Boat Rental
Pontoon or ski boat on Lake Hamilton — 7,000 acres of warm-water lake with coves and swimming spots
Hot Springs Mountain Tower Hike
Short hike through Hot Springs National Park to the observation tower — 140-mile views from the top
Lake Ouachita Fishing
Guided bass and striper fishing on crystal-clear Lake Ouachita — 40,000 acres and 690 miles of shoreline
Getting There
Fly into Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT) — it's a 60-minute drive to Hot Springs. For groups of 8+, consider booking a shuttle or party bus from the airport (local providers include Hot Springs Shuttle and Diamond Lakes Limo). Renting two SUVs usually works for groups of 4-8.