Big Sugar Golf Club Located in Pea Ridge, AR, this 18 hole golf course designed by Jerry Slack, lays on 165 acres of rolling hills, and valleys. Little Sugar Creek winds its way through the course as well, with its presence on quite a few holes. This is a very affordable and fun course, with lots of elevation changes, great views, and very fun greens. Growing up about 7 minutes down the road on 100 acres of land, I feel as though Im playing golf in my backyard every time I get a chance to come here. A few small changes in maintenance practices and a couple of tweaks on a few holes could take this golf course to a completely new level in my opinion. If you are in the area, this is definitely a must visit.
Hole 1 Par 5 612 Yards The course greets you with a very long par 5, requiring 3 solid shots to hit this green in regulation. Stay up the right side for the best angle in for your approach. Smaller green is protected by a bunker on the right hand side.
Tee shot
Approach from right
Layup
Short of green
Hole 2 Par 4 402 Yards - Sharp dogleg right, which requires a very accurate tee shot to a small landing area. Anything offline will lead to an awkward lie, or OB. A short tee shot will have a blind shot into the green, requiring a very strong fade. The elevated green is protected by a creek on the left hand side.
Tee shot
Landing area
Landing area left and closer
Looking back from behind green
Hole 3 Par 3 252 Yards - Very long and demanding Par 3, with a slightly uphill tee shot to a green protected by a lone bunker on the left side. A pin tucked behind this bunker is a very tough location.
Tee shot
Closeup
Green from behind
Hole 4 Par 5 509 Yards - A good opportunity for birdie appears on this relatively short par 5. A lone tree on the left hand side of the fairway could hinder your second shot, and force a layup. This 3 tiered green is slightly downhill and protected by a sharp hill on the right hand side.
Tee shot
Landing area
Longer layup from the left side just the tip of the flag stick is viewable
Closeup from layup area
Side view of green
Hole 5 Par 3 185 Yards - Straight forward par 3 across a ravine, hitting into a two tiered green with a false front and small bunker on the right hand side.
Tee Shot
Behind green
Hole 6 Par 4 463 Yards A beautiful view from the tee to a very generous landing area. Favor the left side for the best angle into this green. A creek runs short of the green and will catch any mishit approach shots.
Tee shot
Right side of landing area
Hole 7 Par4 428 Yards Small fairway landing area with a big tree on the left hand side, and large mounds on the right.
Tee shot
Landing area
Behind green looking back
Hole 8 Par 4 319 Yards Driveable par 4, with bunkers on both sides of the green. A straight drive can run up and onto this fairly flat green.
Tee shot
Hole 9 Par 4 499 Yards Straight away drive, favoring the right side for the best angle into this green, protected by a bunker on the left hand side.
Tee shot
Right fairway
Hole 10 Par 4 492 Yards Drive across a creek to a right to left gently sloping fairway. Approach to this green is across another creek.
Tee shot
Approach
Hole 11 Par 5 507 Yards Sharp dogleg left par 5. A drive hit just to the right of the large Oak will leave you about 220 yards to the green. Longer hitters can try to carry the waste bunkers left of the tree, leaving a mid iron into this green. Elevated green is protected by a creek in front and right, and bunker short and left.
Tee shot
Landing area right of tree in fairway
View of green from before the creek
Hole 12 Par 4 465 Yards Very challenging hole, requiring two excellent golf shots. A drive aimed towards the 200 yard pole is the best approach. Trying to cut the corner has too much risk, either with the creek, woods, or bending cart path. Green is slightly elevated, but sloping front to back, inviting the long iron approach this golf hole demands.
Tee shot
Green from right side
Hole 13 Par 3 150 Yards An elevated tee shot to a long and narrow green, protected by a creek short and left, and a severe hillside right.
Tee shot
Hole 14 Par 4 360 yards Drives to the center of the fairway will be rewarded with a level lie and around 145 yards to the pin. A drive pushed to the right will be much longer, and have a severe uphill lie. Longer hitters can challenge the left fairway bunkers, and be left with a short wedge into this green. Green is protected by bunkers left, and a sharp drop off long.
Tee shot
Long approach
Green
Close-up of green
Hole 15 Par 4 403 Yards A very sharp dogleg to the right, with a sloping hillside landing area. Hitting to the right of the bunkers will be rewarded with a ball that runs down the hill, leaving a wedge into the uphill green. Shorter hitters can stay to the left of the bunkers and have a level lie, and look at this green. Green slopes from back left to front right, with bunkers left.
Tee shot
Long approach
Closer approach
Green from behind
Hole 16 Par 3 170 Yards Tee shot must carry a large ravine to a contoured green, protected by a bunker short and right. A pin in the middle tongue can make for a difficult putt if your tee shot does not find this small area.
Tee shot
Hole 17 Par 4 440 Yards A drive to the left side of the fairway will allow an unobstructed view to this green, elevated across valley. Any drive pushed right will have a large tree in their path, or too far right, and will be in the reservoir. A large bunker protects this green on the front, left hand side.
Tee shot
Approach
Green
Hole 18 Par 5 513 Yards A nice par 5 to end your round, with a nice view from the tee box to the fairway below. A drive in the left-center of this narrow fairway will have a chance to go for the green in two. However, the green is protected by a pond on the front right, with plenty of room to bailout/layup to the left. A great way to finish your round!
Tee shot
Tee shot close-up
Fairway
Farther up from left rough
Looking back up the fairway
Green from behind
