Little Rock, Arkansas
Overview
Rebsamen is a City of Little Rock-owned municipal golf course located along the banks of the Arkansas River in the capital city of Arkansas. The facility has an 18-hole course, a 9-hole executive course, and a driving range. The course was built in the 1950s with major work being done to several of the holes in the 1960s because of erosion near the Arkansas River.
The course provides an enjoyable, playable parkland golf experience. While there are plenty of trees and several ponds to deal with, it is certainly common for the golfer to be able to make it around Rebsamen without losing a golf ball. There is little elevation change or land movement throughout the course.
Many of the Bermuda greens have significant slopes with some being so significant that pin placements would become almost impossible at higher green speeds. The greens have shrunk over the years as evidenced by the growing rough between many of the greenside bunkers and the greens themselves. The small greens are the biggest defense that Rebsamen has to offer.
The most unique part of the property, the Arkansas River, is only utilized on 4 holes on the championship course. The back of the driving range and several holes of the executive course run along the river. If the course was being designed from scratch it would seem the designer would want to make better use of the banks of the river than the back of the driving range.
Favorite Golf Holes at Rebsamen
Number 2 presents an interesting challenge as the tee shot requires a right to left shot to get the best chance to go for this par 5 in two. There used to be a tree short of the green that turned the hole into a double dogleg. With that tree now gone, the hole is not as challenging as it once was. The slenderness of the green rewards being as close to the green as possible for the third shot.
Number 6 is a short par 4 that allows longer players to attempt to drive the green. Several bunkers short of the green present the main challenge in trying to have an eagle putt. Mishitting a drive can leave the golfer with a long bunker shot to a sloping green. The green is slightly elevated from the fairway, so laying back can leave the player with a slightly blind wedge to a slender green.
Number 17 is another fun, short par 4 that allows an aggressive player to drive the green. There is a pond short right of the green that the golfer must avoid. There is plenty of room to the left of the green but playing safely over there will leave a pitch shot back towards the pond. If you choose to layup off the tee, the best play is to get as close to the fairway bunkers on the left as you can because you will have a wide-open angle to the green and any pin location.
Least Favorite Golf Holes at Rebsamen
The par 3 14th is about a forgettable hole as you could draw up. A mid-iron to a relatively flat green with no hazards, bunkers, or difficult obstacles. This is one of my least favorite holes not because it is difficult or unfair, but simply because it is such a boring hole.
Green Fees
Monday through Friday: $23 walking $35 green fee w/ cart
Saturday and Sunday: $29 walking $41 green fee w/ cart
Twilight (7 days a week): $14 walking $26 green fee w/ cart
Senior rate Monday through Friday: $15 walking $27 green fee w/ cart
Senior rate Saturday and Sunday: $20 walking $32 green fee w/ cart