The Hills Region
The foothills of the Appalachians reach into Mississippi and create the highest elevations in the state in The Hills Region. The rolling countryside creates on-course challenges, and the beautiful vistas provide a scenic backdrop for each round of golf. The region is located in the northeastern part of the state, and the golf is as unique as the topography.
The most northern of Mississippi counties, DeSoto County boasts four championship golf courses, which together create an affordable golf vacation with lots of variety. The city of Olive Branch is the home to three of these courses, beginning with Cherokee Valley. The 18-hole course is a challenge for all skill levels, boasting 11 lakes, 78 bunkers and offering wide landing areas and forgiving roughs. The course features wide Zoysia fairways, large Bentgrass greens and spectacular views, and has a state-of-the-art practice and training facility. Plantation Golf Club, the 18-hole sister course to Cherokee Valley, also features wide, plush Zoysia fairways and oversized, well-kept Bentgrass greens. Plus, strategically-placed mounds and 35 acres of water frame the layout, providing a challenging and beautiful tract.
Wedgewood Golf Club, also located in Olive Branch, was built for those who genuinely love the game of golf. Wedgewood Golf Club is an 18-hole championship layout situated on rolling, scenic terrain and featuring Bentgrass greens and challenging water hazards on ten holes. Rounding out the DeSoto County golf selections is North Creek Golf Club in Southaven. This 18-hole course plays on Bentgrass greens and “Mississippi Choice” Bermuda fairways, the first in the state to offer this hybrid grass. Grassy mounds, large undulating greens and strategic dogleg fairways create a challenge. The most unique feature of the course is the signature double green on holes 13 and 15, with a cart path tunnel running beneath.
A short distance southeast of DeSoto County sits the challenging Kirkwood National Golf Club. This beautiful course displays dramatic changes in elevation and wooded valleys, with numerous creeks and lakes running throughout. Lush Bermuda grass fairways and rough line each heavily-wooded hole, and gorgeous Champions Bermuda greens await your approach. Cottages are available at Kirkwood National Golf Club, offering first class accommodations on the golf course. They feature four-bedroom cottages with common living room, dining room and kitchen areas and they’re the perfect place to stay to experience great golf and the quaint town of Holly Springs.
Located in scenic John W. Kyle State Park in Sardis, a bit south of DeSoto County just off Interstate 55, is Mallard Pointe. Designed by renowned architect Bob Cupp, the course offers lots of drama, like very elevated tee shots to narrow fairways. And pinpoint precision is required to reach many of the well-protected greens. At Mallard Pointe great care was taken to utilize the natural terrain to create spectacular holes in harmony with the Mississippi countryside. The course is a par-72 and plays slightly over 7,000 yards from the back tees. A 9-hole walking course complements the full-length course. Golf villas designed with all the comforts of home are just steps from the golf course.
Located conveniently off Interstate 55 in Grenada is The Dogwoods Golf Course at Hugh White State Park. The course was designed by Gary Roger Baird and was named the 5th “best new affordable course” in the country by Golf Digest when it opened. Thirty-foot tall dogwoods are abundant throughout the property, which overlooks Grenada Lake. Everything about the Dogwoods is large. The course can play as long as 7,300 yards from the back tees; the greens are huge, some as large as 10,000 square feet; and the fairways have landing areas up to 80 yards wide. The signature hole here is undoubtedly the par-5, 9th hole. Perched high above the fairway and overlooking the lake, the tee shot is a real beauty. It’s a dogleg left with the green protected by bunkers in the front and trees to the left. Cabins at the state park, plus conveniently located hotels make Grenada a perfect place to stay and play.
Located near Tupelo is Big Oaks Golf Club. Its 18 holes were designed to preserve and enhance the natural beauty of the rolling Mississippi hillside. Big Oaks offers wide Bermuda fairways and large Bentgrass greens that are definitely on the fast side. Also available at Big Oaks is an excellent practice facility that features numerous target greens, bunkers, a dedicated chipping green and an oversized putting green. Nearby Natchez Trace Golf Club is an 18-hole course boasting Bentgrass greens and hilly, narrow fairways.
The Hills Region of Mississippi boasts some of the state’s most scenic and challenging golf courses. It’s also a great value destination for golf groups. The moderate climate, the existence of many top-quality golf courses and its close proximity to the Midwest make The Hills Region an attractive golfing destination.