Isabella, Hot Springs Village, AR

Total yards: 4,969 from front tees, 7,061 from back tees

Isabella is the 7th course within the gated community of Hot Springs Village (not counting Diamante). The 8th course, Granada, is under construction.

The 8 courses are owned by the Property Owners Association and funded by the collection of green fees and surcharges on green fees. Green fees are set by the POA's elected Board of Directors.

The courses now receive over 65,000 rounds of play per year, with the exception of Coronado, which is a shorter executive type course. This puts the HSV courses in the top 5% of course usage in the United States.

Course Condition

Everyone says that the Isabella golf course is one of the best in the state. It certainly is one of the most beautiful.

All of the major work on the course was completed by Labor Day, 1999, and the course was allowed to mature for a year before being opened. This maturing period will pay off in the long run with more deeply rooted grass on the greens and fairways resistant to being torn up.

Most golf courses do not have the luxury of this essential maturing period because people are clamoring to be able to play the course and because investors in the course want to start getting some income.

We played on some courses in Shreveport which began construction the same time as Isabella and which opened in the Fall of 1999 and they are a mess -- already torn up and many bare, muddy spots.

Practice Facilities

The driving range is probably the best in the Village. It has greens to aim at, complete with bunkers, so practice is a lot more like playing on the course.

The practice green is large and has a stunning view overlooking the first hole.

A chipping green with two bunkers is across the cart path from the putting green.

The club house has great views in all directions, including overlooking the driving range, the 1st and 18th holes and more.

Hole-By-Hole

The first hole is a par-5. It sets the tone for Isabella: there are no blind shots to greens. On most holes, you can see the green from the tee.

Tee: Fairway: Green:



The fairways are wide, but landing areas on most holes are protected by bunkers.

Tee: Fairway: Green:



Three runs alongside DeSoto, so if you are prone to duck hook, check the traffic first.

Tee: Fairway: Green:



Four is a gimme - a short part 3 with no trouble around it.

Tee: Green:



Five is a par 5 with a dogleg left. The dogleg is protected by trees at the corner, and the green is protected by bunkers.

Tee: Green:



Six is challenging, with trouble on the left, and bunkers on the right.

Tee: Fairway: Green:



Isabella is the only course in the Village with holes adjoining a lake. Hole seven introduces the golfer to Lake Isabella.

Tee: Green:



Eight is a beautiful par-3 which brings the lake even more into play.

Tee: Green:



Nine is 384 yards from the white tees, but plays longer uphill.

Tee: Fairway:





Green: Fairway:



While waiting to hit your approach shot on 11, you can look past an island in the water to the left and across Lake Isabella.

Tee: Fairway: Green:





Green:





Tee: Fairway: Green:



Fourteen is a moderate length par 4 -- one of the few holes with no bunkers.

Tee: Green:



Fifteen is the signature hole. It is a short par four - only 334 yards from the back tees. Just ignore the water you have to carry!

Tee: Fairway: Green: From behind the green:



Sixteen is a long par five: 454 from the front tees, 586 from the back - and uphill.

Tee: Fairway: Green:



On this 164-yard par three, you have to clear the water to reach a shallow green.

Tee: Green:



It will be hard to keep your mind on the game while enjoying the beautiful view the entire length of the 18th.

Fairway Green: From behind the green:

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Life in Hot Springs Village