What do you get when you mix golf and bourbon? For most players, it’s a forgettable score, but in Kentucky, it’s a winning combination for tourists! Here, you can mix the golf courses at several Kentucky State Parks with nearby members of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and create memorable results.
The Kentucky State Parks have a lot to offer golfers with challenging and scenic golf courses all over the state. Many offer lodging and several are within easy driving distance of each other. The Kentucky State Parks website has made it easy for you to plan your next round of golf at one of these facilities or even book a cabin and make it a buddies or couples golf trip. They have separated the parks into three regions, East, Central, and West.
The Central region is home to four fantastic golf courses, Dale Hollow in Burkesville, My Old Kentucky Home in Bardstown, Barren River Lake in Lucas, and Lincoln Homestead in Springfield. While Dale Hollow seems to grab most of the spotlight, the other three are definite considerations when putting together a multi-round trip.
My Old Kentucky
If you’re going to indulge in such an excursion why not start at the top? My Old Kentucky Home State Park is located in Bardstown, KY which is considered by many to be the heart of the Bourbon Trail. The golf course underwent a complete reconstruction and redesign several years ago, and the results are quite impressive. In 2008-09, My Old Kentucky Home Golf Course was recognized by Golf Digest, receiving four stars as a “Best Places to Play.” The scenery, playability, and challenge make it well worth a visit.
Senior golfers seem to favor My Old Kentucky Home because from Tee 3, the course plays 5,008 yards with a slope of 109. From the back tees, it plays 6,413 yards with a course rating of 71.2 and a slope of 129. Move up to Tee 2 and the yardage drops significantly but the slope remains relatively high (5,749/122).
According to Andrew Wolfe from the Kentucky Department of Parks, they are nearing completion of the Better Billy Bunkering project that the Parks Department started several years ago. The Bentgrass greens are in incredible condition, they are well-undulated and roll true.
The front nine at My Old Kentucky Home Golf Course is a perfect blend of bomb it off the tee, target golf, and finesse shots. Several holes are wide open off the tee, but as you get closer to the green, the fairways narrow, putting an emphasis on accuracy.
The back nine is amazing; especially the par 3, 14th and par 3 16th holes. From the back tees, they play 171 and 210 yards, respectively. Don’t let the length intimidate you, each hole plays straight downhill, making it considerably shorter. Par is still a great score on either one.
Now for the good news: There are several large and small distilleries within a 25-minute drive of My Old Kentucky Home Golf Club including Heaven Hill, Barton, Jim Beam, Makers Mark, Bardstown Distilling Company, Lux Row, Preservation, and Willet. Hit a big slice on the 5th hole and you’re in the parking lot of Heaven Hill!
My Old Kentucky Home offers bourbon tastings throughout the year. The 1792 Guided Bourbon Tasting includes 4 of Barton Distilleries’ finest selections from the 1792 lineup. Other tasting experiences can be found at the park in a beautiful and historical setting. The nearby Volstead Bourbon Lounge and the famous Talbot Tavern are wonderful places to sample several select bourbons, all in one location.
Lincoln Homestead
Lincoln Homestead Golf Course may be slightly off the beaten path but it’s still only 30 minutes away from My Old Kentucky Home. The course was designed by world-renowned architect Perry Maxwell and his son, J. Press Maxwell. As you make your way around the course you’ll encounter rolling fairways with modest elevation changes, beautiful lakes, an abundance of wildlife, and terrific views. The small, Bentgrass greens are incredible with subtle undulations and roll smooth and true.
There are five par 3 holes on this par 71 golf course and are all challenging. The 5th hole plays 195 yards from Tee #2 and is all carry over a grassy valley. Number 8 is a carbon copy of the 5th, although it plays about 35 yards shorter. The back nine starts with another par 3 that plays 205 yards and at 204 yards, the 14th hole is a mirror image, that plays in the opposite direction. It’s dead straight so pick the right club and swing away.
A couple of holes had alternate greens, which was an interesting twist. No matter your skill level, the course is fun and challenging, and with extremely affordable – some might say downright cheap – greens fees Monday – Friday it’s one of the best golf bargains around!
Bourbon enthusiasts will find several famous distilleries near the golf course: Four Roses, Wild Turkey, and Buffalo Trace, the oldest continuously operating distillery in America. Lincoln Homestead is an ideal stopping point between the Frankfort/Lawrenceburg area and Bardstown, KY.
With two State Park golf courses within an easy drive of each other, they make for a great weekend getaway with the guys, gals, or significant others. Although neither Lincoln Homestead nor My Old Kentucky Home State Parks offer accommodations (other than campsites), there are a myriad of hotel options, VRBOs, and quaint bed and breakfasts.
Barren River
Even though Barren River Lake State Resort Park in Lucas, KY is a water lovers’ paradise, the golf course offers a great challenge in a relaxing setting. The course winds its way around forests and rolling hills and through valleys near the shore of Barren River Lake. Although the course doesn’t have nearly the elevation changes you’ll find at My Old Kentucky Home, it more than makes up for in sloping fairways. Holes 3 – 8 offer fantastic views of the lake and the back nine is carved out of the surrounding forest. Head Golf Professional Cody Goodwin refers to the first three holes as qualifying holes, preparing him to take on his favorite hole, the par 5, 4th. At 464 yards from the back tees, it’s a short par 5 by today’s standards. The fairway slopes severely from right to left so a good drive down the right side will leave the best angle into the green and the chance to play the same ball again. It becomes a moot point if you can carry your tee shot 260 yards. The green sits about 30 feet above the lowest point of the fairway with a huge mound just to the left, which can wreak havoc should you hit it on your approach shot. Double bogeys are more common than birdies on this “short” par 5!
After your round, take a tour of the Dueling Grounds Distillery in nearby Franklin, KY. Car enthusiasts can make the short drive to Bowling Green, KY, and visit the Corvette Museum. There’s always Mammoth Cave National Park, the world’s longest cave system.
Barren River Lake State Park offers both lodge rooms and cottages that are perfect for foursomes and smaller groups. There is also a full-service bar and restaurant in the main lodge building making it a great place to stay, play golf, enjoy the lake, and commune with nature!
For more information on these or any other Kentucky State Park golf facility, visit their website at www.parks.ky.gov/golf.