10100 West State Rd 56,
French Lick, Indiana 47432
Office
+1 (888) 936 9360 (toll free)Pro shop
+1 (812) 936 9300Fax
+1 (812) 936 2100Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Alex Whiteman, PGAThe Course:
18 holes. Open parkland. Undulating terrain - several slopes to climb.
Surroundings:
Woodland (on the edge of Hoosier Natl Forest) and open countryside.
Designer:
Original design by Donald Ross (1917), revamped by Lee Schmidt (2006). Located 2.2 mi NE of the Ross course is the resort's original course (Valley Links), an 18-hole layout designed by Tom Bendelow (1907) and later revamped into a 9-hole layout (by Lee Schmidt, 2006) when ground was given up to build the casino.
The four French Lick Resort golf courses, and their location from the French Lick Springs Hotel are: Valley Links (9-holes, par-36, 1900 yds from back tees, onsite); Donald Ross course (18-hole, par-70, 7030 yds, 2.2 mi SW); Pete Dye course (18-hole, par-72, 8102 yds, 2 mi NW); Sultan's Run GC (18-holes, par-72, 6859 yds, 24 mi SW).
38.527882
-86.647089
2 mi SW of French Lick / 60 mi NW of Louisville, KY.
French Lick (Ross)
The Donald Ross Course at French Lick: Two iconic hotels and four golf courses (including the revered Pete Dye and Donald Ross courses) all contribute to the fabled French Lick Resort. At the resort's centre, the French Lick Springs Hotel is an American classic. Just over a mile to the north you'll find the European styled West Baden Springs Hotel, with its extraordinary atrium.
Located just two miles southwest of the French Lick Springs Hotel you'll find the resort's Donald Ross course (originally called the Hill course). This well-rated and always popular layout gets away to an excellent start, with the elevated first tee providing an inviting view over much of the front-nine. A mosaic of undulating fairways, striped grassy rough, a light scattering of mature trees and open fescued terrain is all laid out before you. A similar view greets you at the start of the back-nine loop.
This relatively compact and always undulating layout is home to generally good-width fairways, although some tee shots will feel a bit tighter, especially on the back-nine. Stylish bunker defences increase in severity as you approach the often elevated greens.
With the folding elevation changes come a number of blind tee and approach shots. There's also one or two intimidating ravines to be crossed, not least in front of the par-3 6th green and at the long par-3 13th.
Dating back to 1917, this classic course was designed by legendary architect Donald Ross. In 2006, in collaboration with the Donald Ross Society, the layout underwent a $5 million restoration. During this time, 80 of Ross’s trademark flat-bottomed, deep gnarly-faced bunkers were put in place, 35 of them original to Ross's design. Also restored and expanded were the severely undulating greens, typically square or rectangular in shape.
Stay&Play at French Lick: luxury accommodation is available 2 mi from the course in the resort's West Baden Springs and French Lick Springs hotels (see Where2Stay section below).
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.
Must book in advance.
Credit cards accepted. Contact club for full details, discounts, Stay&Play packages, etc. [Last updated: 2020].
Walking only with permission of Pro Shop staff. Golf carts are fitted with GPS.
Excellent
The Ross Course was originally known as the Hill Course. Seven years after it was designed by Donald James Ross in 1917, the course hosted the 1924 PGA Championship, won by Walter Hagen. The course has hosted LPGA Championships and Senior PGA events in the years since (see our Tournaments section >by Venue >French Lick).
The local town of French Lick was originally a French trading post, built near a spring and salt lick. A mineral or salt lick is a natural mineral deposit that is sought out by animals, providing them with essential mineral nutrients.
Ross course:
Indiana: 6th best course in Indiana (Golf Digest, 2023/24).
8670 W State Rd 56, French Lick, Indiana 47432.
+1 (812) 936 9300
Visit websiteOriginally established in 1845, with the original east wing built in 1901, the French Lick Springs Hotel has attracted guests from around the world to experience the "miracle waters" of its nearby sulfur springs. Now this classic hotel has been restored, and offers over 440 guest rooms and suites. From the distinctive mosaic and marble flooring to a 109,000 square foot Conference & Events Center, this hotel has something everyone can enjoy.
French Lick (Valley Links)
French Lick (Ross course, 2.2 mi); French Link (Dye course, 2 mi).
French Lick (Sultan's Run course, 24 mi)
8538 W Baden Ave, West Baden Springs, IN 47469.
+1 (812) 936 9300
Visit websiteThe fabulous West Baden Springs Hotel is anything but ordinary. This National Historic Landmark was built in 1902, and boasts a domed atrium spanning 200 feet. The 243 luxury guest rooms rise in six tiers around the dome, and balcony rooms provide a panoramic view of the atrium. In 2006 the West Baden Springs Hotel and French Lick Springs Hotel united under the umbrella of French Lick Resort.
No
French Lick (Ross course, 3 mi); French Link (Dye course, 1.5 mi).
French Lick (Sultan's Run course, 24 mi)
The Masters: The 88th Masters Tournament at Augusta National sees LIV golfer Jon Rahm defend his title against the world’s best. Pressing hard will be world No.1 and 2022 champion Scottie Scheffler and world No.2 Rory McIlroy (April 11-14).
Chevron Championship: the women’s major championship season gets underway for the second year at its new Carlton Woods home outside Houston, Texas. World No.2 Lilia Vu defends (April 18-21).
Nelly Korda: records a perfect start to 2024 with four wins out of her last four appearances on the LPGA Tour, a feat last achieved by Lorena Ochoa in 2008. Korda's win at the T-Mobile Match Play brought up her 12th LPGA Tour victory.
Scottie Scheffler: narrowly missed out on matching Nelly Korda’s three-in-three, when he placed second at the Houston Open. This followed back-to-back wins at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players. Like Korda, he remains comfortably ahead in the official world golf rankings.
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.
Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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