Over the last decade, disc golf has rapidly grown in popularity both for recreation and as a highly competitive pro sport. NW Arkansas is home to some great disc golf courses, some often hosting nationally sanctioned PDGA tournaments. Whether you’re an aspiring pro or completely new to the sport, here’s a guide to some of the NWA’s best disc golf courses from north to south. 

Best Scenery: Branchwood Park in Bella Vista 

📍222 Glasgow Rd, Bella Vista, AR

Photo courtesy of Bella Vista POA

Branchwood takes the cake on most scenic disc golf course around NW Arkansas. With 18 holes along the beautiful Branchwood Nature Trail, this course was built on an old ball golf course and has some fun holes over the rolling greens. It’s especially beautiful in the spring time. 

• 18 holes
• DISCatcher Pro Targets
• Concrete Tees

Best For Variety: Twin Creek in Rogers

📍2300 S Dixieland Rd, Rogers, AR

Photo courtesy of The City of Rogers

Located next to Rogers High School, Twin Creek is a long, moderately difficult course with a good amount of variety for mixed skill levels. There’s been construction in and around the course the last few years that has made the layout a bit confusing, but it received improved signage and new tees in the spring of 2022 that has helped a lot! 

• 18 holes
• Veteran & Monkey Trap Targets
• Concrete, Grass Tees

Overall Nicest: J. Beast in Springdale 

📍2003 Fleming Dr, Springdale, AR 

Photo courtesy of Dynamic Discs NWA

A crowd favorite for the area, J. Beast is a fantastic 18-hole course with consistently well-kept grass, long fairways, and a few challengers through the woods. There’s a great Dynamic Discs shop on the property and a 9-hole junior course next door. There's currently a new 18-hole course being planned for the park property that is sure to be another top course in NWA.

• 18 holes
• DISCatcher Pro Targets
• Concrete Tees 

Most Classic: North Shore in Springdale

📍1153 Lake Fayetteville Rd, Springdale, AR

Photo courtesy of Fayetteville Parks & Recreation

One of the oldest courses in NWA, North Shore offers a great mix of open and wooded holes around beautiful Lake Fayetteville. The pins alternate seasonally, providing a little bit of variety. The grass is maintained less frequently and can get a little tall in the summer and the fields can be pretty swampy for a few days after a rain, but everyone ought to play it. It feels like the area’s O.G. course. 

• 18 holes
• DISCatcher Pro Targets
• Concrete Tees 

Most Infuriating: Waxhaws in Fayetteville 

📍855 S Block Ave, Fayetteville, AR

Photo courtesy of Fayetteville Parks & Recreation

Folks either love it or absolutely hate it, but you’ve got to appreciate a challenge. Waxhaws at Walker Park is probably the most tightly wooded course in NWA with hardly any open fairways. So if you’re not accurate, you’ll be kicking off trees all day, and it can stay fairly muddy for a while after it rains because it is so shaded. Almost guaranteed to get you heated, this is still a must-play course and can be really fun with the right group. 

• 18 holes 
• Titan Pro-24 Targets 
• Concrete Tees

Best Challenge: Creekside in Farmington

📍54 N Hunter St, Farmington, AR 

Photo courtesy of City of Farmington

One of the more challenging courses, Creekside has a few holes with some serious distance, though there’s an alternate layout with shorter tees. This course has well-kept open fairways and a few densely wooded challenges. This course brings a consistent challenge for seasoned players, but is still fun and accessible for newcomers! 

• 18 holes
• Veteran Targets
• Concrete Tees