Golf amid the beauty of the nation’s finest state parks.
Kentucky is famed for bluegrass, #kentuckybourbon, beautiful mountains and thoroughbreds. Spurred by a renewed focus from the State Park system, golf has become a large part of Kentucky’s recreational reputation. Many of the Kentucky State Parks, situated in every region of the state, offer exciting championship play among the pastoral beauty of the countryside.
Each course boasts an outstanding golf experience for players of all ages. Four courses, which were the last to open, Grayson Lake, Pine Mountain, Dale Hollow and Yatesville Lake, all received national awards from Golf Digest as a “Best New Affordable Public Course” when they opened. And that’s the level of quality you can expect from all of the state park courses.
If you love to travel to play golf, the Kentucky State Parks flexible golf packages allow you to choose your length of stay, type of lodging, and golf options. Select on-site lodge rooms with full-service restaurants or two and three bedroom cottages. With 13 state park golf courses, there is sure to be something for everyone. Plus, other recreational opportunities, such as boating, fishing, and incredible scenic beauty are available. Kentucky offers 17 state resort parks, more than any other state. This wealth of resort parks has given rise to their reputation as “the nation’s finest” state park system. Kentucky’s resort parks were developed to bring unexpected comfort, dining, and recreational opportunities in the midst of unspoiled nature. Six of the resort parks offer 18-hole courses. They are Barren River, Kentucky Dam Village, Lake Barkley, Pennyrile Forest, Dale Hollow Lake, and Pine Mountain. The golf resorts are family friendly with courses that are easy enough for junior golfers but well-conditioned and challenging enough for adults; great dining experiences; and close proximity to charming cities or towns.
If you’re both a golf and bourbon aficionado, plan your trip to Bardstown, the heart of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Stay at a local hotel or bed & breakfast and play two of the state park golf courses, just 30 minutes from each other, Lincoln Homestead and My Old Kentucky Home. There are several distilleries within a 25-minute drive of Bardstown. They include Willet, Barton, Jim Beam, Makers Mark, Bardstown Distilling and Preservation. Most notably, the Heaven Hill Distillery is just a chip shot away from My Old Kentucky Home golf course. Tastings can be arranged at many of these distilleries. The Kentucky State Parks resorts and golf courses are the perfect spot for a golf vacation. For rates, more details and to book your getaway, visit parks.ky.gov/golf. . Go online to www.parks.ky.gov/golf for rates, more details and to book your getaway.
View the Kentucky State Park Golf Package Brochure here:
