Sultan\'s Run Golf Course

Guest (cart included), played on Monday, May 2023 at 12:00 PM

Sultan’s Run is a premium daily fee golf course with a well-known history and an ultra-bright future. The golf course is built on hallowed ground which was once the home of the famous horse Supreme Sultan, a chestnut American Saddlebred horse that has sired multiple champion offspring in nearly every division of horse showing competition. He is highly honored at the golf course; not only is every hole named after a world champion that he sired, but the Sultan’s Run logo also features the silhouette of an American Saddlebred.

Over the years, this incredible golf course has received some tremendous accolades and in 2022 and 2023Sultan's Run Golf Club received national recognition when it was ranked by NBC Universal/Golf Pass as #21 in Course Layout, #23 in Staff Friendliness, #24 in Off-Course Amenities, and #44 on the Golfers’ Choice Top-50 US Courses. And, if you read the reviews on such sites as GolfNow.com, GolfLinks.com, and ForeTees.com, you’ll see comments from golfers around the globe who at one time or another have made the trip to Jasper, Indiana. This year, they will host the 2023 Senior LPGA Championship from June 29 – July 1. If you ever had doubts that this is a premium golf course, I think this proves their case!

A few years after opening its doors in 1992, Sultan’s Run underwent an extensive remodeling project at the hands of renowned architect Tim Liddy who feels that this was one of the best pieces of property he’s had the privilege to work on. He’s particularly fond of the 18th hole, with the breathtaking waterfall behind the green. Number 18 has been dubbed the “most dramatic signature hole in the State of Indiana.”

This 18-hole, championship layout plays 6,859 from the back tees with a course rating of 73.5 and a slope of 143. Move up two sets of tees to the Silver Tees and the yardage drops to 5,842 with a course rating of 68.8 and a relatively high slope of 129. These tees will provide a good challenge and still let you leave with a little dignity.

For the past decade, the maintenance staff at Sultan’s Run have upgraded the course in one way or another each year. From an entirely new bunkering system to reconstructed greens to a complete reworking of several holes, Golf Course Superintendent Brett Popp and his staff continue to make the course more enjoyable than the last time you played it.

As you make your way around the course, you’ll find Zoysia tees and fairways that lead to finely manicured Bentgrass greens. The course sits on 300 acres of beautiful rolling hills in Southern Indiana and offers some impressive views from several holes. The rolling hills create significant elevation changes.; you’ll see them on just about every hole. If the elevation changes don’t get you, the water might. It comes into play on at least 10 holes, more if you spray it.

As far as the holes go, Number 18 is in a class all by itself. What stood out to me was the par 3’s. They are all mid-length and get more eye appealing as you go. Number Two plays 137 yards from the Silver Tees, significantly downhill, over water into a green that is protected by two deep bunkers, one front left and one front right.

The 5th hole is another spectacular 137-yard hole that plays downhill into an oddly angled green with a significant false front. The difference between a front and back placement can be as much as two clubs. Miss the green and you’d better have a good sand game; five bunkers surround the green.

Number 12 continues the streak of stunning par 3s. From the Silver Tees, it plays 145 yards slightly downhill into an angled green like on Number 5. Unlike the 5th hole, the green is surrounded by Lake Candledance (named after the most famous mare sired by Supreme Sultan) instead of sand, so it’s not as easy to retrieve that new Pro V1! A large bunker guards the front left corner of the green. If you’re going to miss the green, miss to the right!

When it comes to par 3s, Sultan’s Run saves the best for last. Number 16 plays 134 yards and incorporates all of the features of the first three. It also plays slightly downhill into a large green surrounded by sand and water. The sloped green only adds to the intrigue.

Sultan’s Run is just a short drive from French Lick Resort and is considered a “sister course.” The two facilities often share guests, affording them the opportunity to experience three premium golf courses. To meet the needs of golf travelers, Sultan’s Run has partnered with several local hotels to offer stay-and-play packages. When you call to book your hotel stay, simply mention the golf package and they will make your tees for you.

Big plans are on the horizon for stay-and-play. Plans include the construction of boutique lodging in the form of a hotel and boutique lodges and cottages. All rooms regardless of location will have a view overlooking holes 13, 15, and 16 on the golf course.

According to co-owner and General Manager Chris Tretter, his former business partner Steve Braun has always been a vision of turning Sultan’s Run into a “mini resort,” something that both golfers and the local community can enjoy. “About 70 percent of Sultan’s Run’s business comes from out of town,” says Tretter, “Which is great for the county’s tourism business.”

In Tretter’s words, Sultan’s Run is “Transitioning from a golf course to a golf resort with boutique lodging. Several TopGolf Swing Suites and “The Stable” – a nine-hole pitch and putt course, all in the master plan.” The entertainment facility will feature several simulators where patrons can virtually participate in a variety of sports. They can play a round of golf, throw and hit baseballs, toss footballs, kick soccer balls, play carnival games, and even throw dodgeballs at zombies. This 9,000-square-foot addition will be family-friendly and open to the public. Food and beverages will be served on-site.

Changes are in the works for the restaurant side, too. Currently, the kitchen is maxed out due to the lack of available space, so they can only accommodate small events, and end up having to turn away business. To rectify this situation, plans include quadrupling the size of the kitchen and nearly doubling the size of the banquet center. That will allow Executive Chef Phil Barth to do what he does best – show his creativity. Since coming on board five years ago, he has revamped the entire 19th-hole menu and has big plans for the new space. Anything you order off the menus is delicious.

If you’re a golfer and are anywhere near the Jasper Indiana area, you owe it to yourself to play a round of golf at Sultan’s Run. To book your next round, give them a call at (812) 482-1009 or visit them online

Guest (cart included), played on Sunday, July 2020 at 12:00 PM

be able to give you some playing tips, after all, he does hold the course record at 62 Dubois County in Indiana is home to several large businesses: Best Home Furnishings in Ferdinand, Farbest Foods in Huntingburg, and Kimball Electronics and Jasper Engines in Jasper. It is also home to one of the state’s top-ranked golf courses, Sultan’s Run, a true golfing masterpiece.

Since the course opened in 1992, Sultan’s Run has received its fair share of accolades including Indiana Golf Course of the year by INGCOA in 2015 and the #6 Course to Play in Indiana by Golfweek, Magazine in 2019. They have also hosted some prestigious golf events including the 2016 Indiana PGA Senior Open, Web.Com Tour Qualifiers, Golfweek Midwest Junior Classic. Golf Digest has awarded Sultan’s Run 4 1/2 stars. My question to Golf Digest is “Why not 5?”

No sooner did the course open, then it underwent an extensive remodeling project in 1996. Under the guidance of world-renowned architect Pete Dye disciple Tim Liddy, all 18 holes were reworked in some way or another. Zoysia fairways were planted, bunkers were added or taken away from some holes and reimagined on others. Greens were reconstructed and some holes were given a total makeover. In the end, Sultan’s Run emerged as the masterpiece you see today and is a world-class golf facility that will have golfers of all calibers talking about it long after they leave the course.

The length at Sultan’s Run may not scare anyone away, however, the slope tells a much different story. The back (Black) Tees play 6,859 yards with a course rating of 73.5 and a slope of 143. The average slope in the US is around 120, (155 is the highest) so you get the idea it’s not going to be a walk in the park. Move up to the Gold Tees and the yardage drops to 6,429 but the slope only drops to 138. Two other tee boxes play to yardages of 5,762 (Silver) and 4,911 (Green). The worst-case scenario is you move up a set of tees and still have a great time!

This tremendous parkland layout sits nestled in the heart of Southern Indiana and stretches across 224+ rolling acres of hardwood forests, water hazards, and wildlife. As you make your way around the course, you’ll play along rolling hills and tree-lined valleys, around three lakes and a myriad of streams, and encounter wonderful and well-maintained bunkering. What you won’t see at Sultan’s Run are houses and that’s not likely to change anytime soon; it’s just you, mother nature, and that little white ball! This is truly one of Indiana’s most scenic layouts.

Stepping to the first tee, the slope and rolling terrain is evident and when you step up to the second tee you get a sense of the elevation changes. At 326 yards (Gold Tees), the 7th is a great risk/reward opportunity and you don’t have to be a gorilla off the tee. A well-struck drive over the fairway bunker on the left that catches the downhill slope of the fairway can easily get you on the green in the right conditions.

Up until you reach the 15th hole, water hasn’t been much of a factor. The wet stuff figures predominantly into the last four holes and can easily break up a great round. Number 15 is a 375-yard par 4 with a large lake on the left off the tee and a creek running down the right. Pull your tee shot left and you may get lucky and end up in the bunker instead of the water. If that happens, you’ll have a long approach shot over water. An accurate tee shot between the waterways will leave a short pitch shot into a long narrow green.

Number 16 is a 175-yard par 3 that plays downhill from an elevated tee box into a green surrounded by sand and water. The green is large with a lot of undulation so finding the green off the tee doesn’t guarantee a good score.

Number 17 is a modest 383-yard dogleg left par 4 with a creek meandering down the left side. If you favor the right side off the tee and avoid the fairway bunker, you’ll have a great angle into the green. The approach shot plays uphill so consider an extra club. The green slopes slightly from back to front and is protected on the right side by bunkers.

Number 18 is by far the most memorable hole on the golf course and is dubbed Supreme Sultan, the course’s namesake! It’s a 412-yard par 4 dogleg right with a huge picturesque waterfall behind the green. A good drive that flies the fairway bunkers on the right will set up a memorable short iron approach shot into an elevated green that slopes left to right towards the water. Anything right of the green will likely roll down the hill into the water. After the last putt is stroked, grab your smartphone and your playing partners and take a picture with the waterfall in the background to create a lasting memory of your visit.

According to Course Superintendent Brett Popp, the variety of grasses used on the course can sometimes be a challenge to keep in peak condition. The Zoysia tees, fairways, and green collars are fairly easy to maintain because the grass is very hardy and can handle extreme hot and cold temperatures. The Bentgrass greens are another story. Several greens are well hidden by trees which restricts airflow, causing the greens to become overheated. To combat this, several holes will see the surrounding woods thinned considerably to increase airflow, yet not detract from the existing aesthetics of the golf course.

The pro shop at Sultan’s Run offers some of the best equipment and apparel designed to complement your game. Pro Shop Manager Pat Schuler and PGA Professional Jeff Howerton have created their own Sultan’s Run apparel label with a silhouetted logo of the memorable racehorse. After your round, stop by the fully-stocked Pro Shop and browse through several name brands.

Sultan’s Run Golf Club boasts some pretty impressive practice facilities including a high-capacity driving range and putting green. General Manager Chris Tretter is heavily involved with kids golf in the area and plans on greatly expanding the practice area in the near future to include a comprehensive short game area and the creation of the Sultan’s Run Golf Academy. Sultan Run’s competent PGA staff is available for clinics and lessons and can help take your game to the next level.

I had the opportunity to play Sultan’s Run with Tretter and pick his brain about what the future holds. In addition to the new practice facilities, plans are for several cottages to be added in the not too distant future, allowing them to do stay and play packages. Beyond that, an indoor golf entertainment venue with a restaurant, a pitch-and-putt course, and a boutique hotel are all in the longer-term plans.

There’s no better way to end your visit to Sultan’s Run than a trip to the 19th Hole. Here you can unwind with your favorite beverage from Sultan Run’s fully stocked bar while looking over the 18th hole. Both the bar and grill are open daily for both breakfast and lunch. Executive Chef Phil Barth and his team of culinary experts serve up some tasty dishes and I get the feeling that if the club lets Phil loose in the kitchen, the sky’s the limit.

Sultan’s Run is a great place to host special events such as weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and corporate outings. The event center has a special view, overlooking the waterfall on the 18th hole. Once you discover how great the entire facility is at Sultan’s Run, you’ll want to consider it for your next golf outing, event, or tournament. They offer turn-key outing services include handicapping and scoring, personalized cart signs and scorecards, mulligan tickets, merchandise specials, drink tickets and so much more. Schuler, Howerton, Bart, and the entire staff of dedicated professionals know what it takes to pull off a smooth event; you’ll see that the first time you sit down with them to start the planning process. Jeff Howerton may even.

$31 (cart included), played on Sunday, September 2014 at 8am

Played a couple of times just gets better.

$51 (cart included), played on Wednesday, July 2014 at 8am

Best kept secret in golf!!! Absolutely breathtakingly beautiful, fantastic condition and full of character.

$31 (cart included), played on Friday, October 2013 at 2pm

Great course to play anytime of the year but fall is awesome with the colors of the trees!! $35 is a bargain just for the Beauty of the scenery ! Then through in the golf! WOW!!

$31 (cart included), played on Tuesday, October 2013 at 10am

I played this course about three years ago and the greens were in horrible shape. But I've played it twice this year and it's in immaculate condition. Greens, fairways, everything about this course is exceptional. One of the three best I've played this year. Do yourself a favor and if you're in the area PLAY THIS COURSE. Number 18 is memorable...

Guest (cart included), played on Thursday, September 2013 at 8am

I had a very enjoyable day. Course in great condition and the staff was friendly and helpful