Oaklawn is an unusual place to find a golf simulator, and that is most of the appeal. The Topgolf Swing Suite sits at Mainline Sports Bar inside a thoroughbred racetrack and casino resort that has run in Hot Springs since 1904. You can play a virtual round in a climate-controlled bay while live racing happens on the other side of the building. That is not a combination you get many other places in Arkansas, and it makes for a good story on the drive home.
The bay handles the full Topgolf simulator lineup. That means virtual courses, the target game that made Topgolf a household name, and the multi-sport games that keep a non-golfing group involved. Mainline Sports Bar surrounds it with screens, which makes it a natural fit on a big race day or a football Saturday. Booking runs through the Mainline Sports Bar page on the Oaklawn site, so it is worth checking there rather than calling the main resort line.
The racing history is the thing worth understanding about this venue. Oaklawn is one of the most respected proving grounds on the road to the Kentucky Derby. Secretariat and American Pharoah both ran here. More than 2,000 thoroughbreds compete across a racing season. Even if you have no interest in wagering, the grandstand and the paddock are worth a walk on a race day, and the ground really does shake when the field comes past.
Outside the racing, the resort has grown into a full destination. There is a hotel with trackside suites and the Astral Spa. The gaming floor runs around the clock and is smoke-free, which is less common than you might think in this category. The Oaklawn Event Center is a newly built 1,500-seat arena that brings in national music and comedy acts, and it is the main entertainment venue in Hot Springs. Dining runs from casual to fine, with several restaurants and bars spread across the property.
Practical details are easy here. The resort sits at 2705 Central Ave, on the main road through Hot Springs, and the reservations line is (800) 625-5296. Parking is unusually flexible, with free lots, free street parking, paid lots, paid street parking, and valet all available. That makes arriving on a busy race day much less painful than it could be. Free Wi-Fi runs throughout the property. There is a pool, a fitness center, and a business center on site. The entrance, parking, restrooms, and seating are all wheelchair accessible, and live performances run regularly through the year.
Oaklawn holds 4.2 stars across more than 11,400 Google reviews, which is a big enough sample to trust. Reviewers consistently mention the friendly staff, the comfortable beds, and how clean the place is. Because the resort runs around the clock and the Swing Suite is tied to a bar rather than a standalone golf business, the hours for the bay itself move with the venue. Call ahead if you are planning around a specific tee time. Hot Springs National Park and the historic Bathhouse Row are both a short drive away, so a golf-and-hot-springs weekend is a realistic plan for a group.
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