Fayetteville, Arkansas
Overview
Stonebridge Meadows Golf Club is the best public golf course in northwest Arkansas. The golf course is located on a beautiful piece of land in the southeastern part of Fayetteville, Arkansas. The course has a good variety of land movement while remaining walkable due to the routing. The front nine feels secluded and like a getaway to nature, while the back nine, particularly holes 12-16, ventures into housing developments.
There are five sets of tees that range from 5200 to 7200 yards for the golfer to choose from. The fairways are Bermuda grass while the greens are bentgrass, which can be stressed in the heat of Arkansas summers. The landing areas off the tees are fairly open and playable except for the par 4 fifth which can be claustrophobic if the golfer is struggling off the tee.
Stonebridge Meadows ranks as one of Natural State Golf’s best public courses in Arkansas.
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Favorite Golf Holes at Stonebridge Meadows
The par 3 13th has an undulating green that can cause problems if the golfer misses on the wrong side of the green or off the green. The slope in the middle of the green has a dramatic impact on the difficulty of the hole depending on the location of the pin. A pin position on the left side of the green allows for shots to the right of the pin to funnel down toward the hole, while a pin position towards the back right of the green causes the same shot to funnel away from the hole.
The short par 4 4th is plenty wide but requires precise wedge play on the approach shot to the elevated green. The difficulty of the approach shot is increased because the shot will likely be hit from an uneven lie. The green has significant undulation that requires the player to consider where a proper greenside miss will be depending on the location of the pin.
Least Favorite Golf Hole at Stonebridge Meadows
Number 2 would probably be the most boring hole on the course by itself, but instead, you almost get to play it twice. Number two is a straightaway par 5 that does not require much strategy or thinking from the golfer. If you hit a long and straight drive, you can put your second shot up near the green.
If you can’t reach the green there are no obstacles to keep you from advancing your second shot as far down the fairway as possible. Number 11 runs parallel to number 2 and is about 50 yards shorter. The different lengths of the holes and the tee shot on 11 being a little closer to the tree line on the left are the main differences between the two holes, with these two holes being the least interesting on the course.
Practice Facilities
Stonebridge Meadows Golf Club has a driving range, chipping green, and a putting green. The driving range has plenty of space and grass to keep the hitting area fresh and well maintained. There are mats on the back of the range for use in the wintertime, which is unfortunate.
The chipping green is relatively small but does offer a chance to practice bunker play and plenty of room around it to practice longer pitch shots.
The main problem with the practice facilities at Stonebridge Meadows is the separation of the putting green from the driving range and the chipping green. The driving range and chipping green are located down near the 18th green while the putting green is close to the pro shop and the number 1 tee.
Greens Fees
Monday-Thursday before 1pm: $45 after 1pm: $40 Twilight/9 holes: $30
Friday/Sunday before 1pm: $60 after 1pm: $50 Twilight/9 holes: $35
Saturday before 1pm: $65 after 1pm: $50 Twilight/9 holes: $35