
Mountain Ranch Course
Mountain Ranch Golf Club
Public: #1989
Public: #1763
Public: #4


About this course
Mountain Ranch Golf Club sits in the Ozark Mountain community of Fairfield Bay in north-central Arkansas, overlooking Greers Ferry Lake. Ed Ault designed the course in the mid-1970s as part of a planned residential and resort development. The layout takes advantage of the region's rolling, forested terrain, with elevation changes and wooded corridors defining the character of play. Fairfield Bay was conceived as a retirement and vacation destination, and Mountain Ranch serves as one of two courses in the community, offering a more rugged counterpoint to its companion layout. The routing moves through hardwood forests and across hillsides, with fairways carved from the natural landscape. Ault's design emphasizes strategic shot placement over length, as players navigate doglegs, elevation shifts, and greens that often sit on plateaus or in natural bowls. The course measures around 6,400 yards from the back tees, making it accessible to a range of skill levels while still presenting challenges in club selection and course management. Water comes into play on several holes, and the tree-lined fairways demand accuracy off the tee. The club operates as a semi-private facility, welcoming both members and public play. It reflects the character of Ozark Mountain golf—unpretentious, scenic, and integrated into the natural topography. The setting provides views of the surrounding hills and lake, and the course remains a central amenity for the Fairfield Bay community and visitors exploring the region's recreational offerings.
Quick facts
- Location
- Fairfield Bay, AR, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1982
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- Ed Ault
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 6,780 yards
- Difficulty
- 78.3/144
- Course Vaults score
- 6.6
Getting there
Mountain Ranch Golf Club sits nestled in the rolling Ozark foothills of central Arkansas, most easily reached via Little Rock National Airport (LIT), roughly ninety minutes to the south, or Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF) in Missouri, approximately an hour to the north - both gateways offering straightforward rental car access to this serene retreat. The drive from either hub carries you through the quiet, forested landscape of the Arkansas interior, where divided highways gradually yield to country roads that wind through dense timber and past small lakes, the terrain gradually ascending as you approach Fairfield Bay. The final miles unfold along scenic byways that thread through the heart of the Ozark National Forest, a landscape of deep greens and natural water features that sets the tone for the club's own integration with the surrounding wilderness. Your arrival at Mountain Ranch Golf Club marks the transition from the broader region into a private sanctuary where championship design meets the authentic character of the American heartland.

FAQ
Common questions about Mountain Ranch
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Mountain Ranch has a Course Vaults score of 6.6 out of 10 based on 17 logged golfers.
Mountain Ranch was designed by Ed Ault.
Yes. Mountain Ranch is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Mountain Ranch is 72.
Mountain Ranch plays 6,780 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Mountain Ranch is 144.



