Trips

SCRATCHED

May 2026
Valhalla and bourbon country. · Vol. 01

The Ultimate
Kentucky Golf Trip.

Kentucky golf orbits Louisville's Valhalla (1996/2000/2014 PGA Championships, 2008 Ryder Cup). Out east, French Lick's Donald Ross course is technically over the Indiana line but practical to pair. Big Springs and Standard Country Club give Louisville a deep classical bench beyond the major-host headliner.

Valhalla Golf Club, Kentucky

Above · Valhalla Golf Club

Route I of III · Louisville

The Valhalla Trip

Valhalla + Louisville CC + Big Springs

Duration3 days
Total drive15 mi
Tariff$$$

Approx. $2,400 / person, 3 days. Valhalla is sponsored-play; Big Springs is members. 1996/2000/2014 PGA host.

© Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics · OSM12 mi5 mi1Valhalla2Louisville Country Club3Big Springs
  1. Valhalla Golf Club
    Day
    1
    Valhalla Golf Club
    Day 1 · Valhalla

    Fly into SDF. Jack Nicklaus 1986. Three PGAs and the 2008 Ryder Cup.

  2. Louisville Country Club
    Day
    2
    Louisville Country Club
    Day 2 · Louisville Country Club

    Donald Ross 1908.

  3. Big Spring Country Club
    Day
    3
    Big Spring Country Club
    Day 3 · Big Springs

    Donald Ross design with Pete Dye renovation.

Route II of III · Central KY

The Bourbon Country Loop

Boone Valley + Greenbrier + Maker's Mark

Duration3 days
Total drive130 mi
Tariff$$

Approx. $1,600 / person, 3 days. Public-resort throughout. Pair with distillery tours.

© Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics · OSM60 mi70 mi1Boone Valley2Kearney Hill3Cherokee Hills
  1. Boone Links Golf Course
    Day
    1
    Day 1 · Boone Valley

    Fly into SDF or LEX. RTJ Sr. design near Frankfort.

  2. Kearney Hill Golf Links
    Day
    2
    Kearney Hill Golf Links
    Day 2 · Kearney Hill

    Lexington. Pete Dye / Perry Dye 1989. Public-access.

  3. Greenbrier Country Club
    Day
    3
    Day 3 · Cherokee Hills

    The Lexington-area members tour. Houchens Industries layouts.

Route III of III · Southern Indiana/KY border

The Indiana Crossover

French Lick + Persimmon Ridge + Wild Turkey

Duration3 days
Total drive110 mi
Tariff$$$

Approx. $2,200 / person, 3 days. Day 1 crosses into IN for the French Lick spa resort.

© Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics · OSM60 mi50 mi1French Lick Pete Dye2Persimmon Ridge3Wild Turkey at General Butl…
  1. Heritage Hill Golf Course
    Day
    1
    Heritage Hill Golf Course
    Day 1 · French Lick Pete Dye

    Drive 90 minutes north to French Lick, IN. Pete Dye 2009.

  2. Persimmon Ridge Golf Club
    Day
    2
    Persimmon Ridge Golf Club
    Day 2 · Persimmon Ridge

    Louisville. Arthur Hills 1989. Walking-only members club.

  3. General Burnside State Park Golf Course
    Day
    3
    Day 3 · Wild Turkey at General Butler

    Carrollton. State park golf course on the Ohio River.

Aim for these

The bucket-list courses in Kentucky

Tour stops, host courses, the ones golfers fly across the country to play.

One tier below

Premier picks

Top-100-in-the-state regulars. The clubs you've heard of but maybe not played.

Who designed it

Architects with the most work in Kentucky

  • Jack Nicklaus1 course
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