Ponce de Leon Course at Hot Springs Village

Golf Course Description

This private residential development has six eighteen hole courses. Membership requirements stipulate that in order to play here, you must be a property owner. The Ponce de Leon Course has a unique design that features rolling terrain, with creeks and ponds frequently coming into play. Hardwood trees are another distinct characteristic of this course. The fairways are extremely narrow, and the large and spacious greens are full of subtle breaks. “Golf Digest” rated this as the 3rd “Best in State” course for the years 1995 through 1998. The 6,000-yard ladies’ tee also has a men’s course rating of 69.6 and a slope of 126. The DeSoto Course has a man-made lake coming into play on two holes. Despite being lined with pine trees, the fairways still afford generous landing areas. Elevation changes from tee to green are greater here than any other course. The Balboa Course, built mainly upon flat terrain, is easy to walk. Water hazards are a factor on a few holes, and the greens are exceptionally large. “Golf Digest rated it as the 7th “Best in State” course for 1997-98. Locals generally consider the Cortez Course as the most fun to play, referring to it as a “drivers’ paradise.” In fact, results from one local survey indicated that ninety percent of all respondents cited this course as their favorite. Water hazards on this course are a factor on three holes, including one par 3 that requires a 150 yard tee shot over water. “Golf Digest” rated the Cortez as the 6th “”Best in State” course for 1997-98. The Coronado Course is an executive design. This course consists of ten par 4’s and eight par 3’s. This course has the least amount of bunkers and the flattest terrain. The 3,895-yard men’s tee also has a ladies’ course rating of 32.0 and a slope of 90. The 3,341-yard ladies’ tee also has a men’s course rating of 27.9 and a slope of 80. The Magellan Course opened September 1, 1996. This is a shorter course that requires good shotmaking skills. The greens are well protected and accurate approach shots are vital if you want to score well. Water hazards come into play on four holes. The Isabella Course is scheduled to open during Labor Day weekend in 2000. Another course, the Granada, will be completed in 2002.