Off the Fringe, “Golf’s best short read.” The award winning newsletter, sent twice monthly, that provides an unconventional perspective on the golf world.
David Theoret
Louisa
2023-02-17
Guest (cart included), played on Sunday, March 2023 at 12:00 PM
There are two Kentucky State Park Golf Courses on the east side of the state that would make for a terrific weekend golf getaway for guys, gals, or couples. Eagle Ridge at Yatesville Lake State Park and Hidden Cove Golf Course at Grayson Lake State Park will provide two exciting rounds of golf for just about anyone who plays them.
Eagle Ridge, the 18-hole championship golf course at Yatesville Lake State Park in Louisa, KY, is one of the most challenging state park golf courses I have ever played. The course was designed by renowned golf course architects Arthur Hills and Steve Forrest who incorporated the rugged beauty of the region to create a one-of-a-kind golf masterpiece. The ball sits up beautifully on the well-manicured Bermuda fairways and the immaculate Bentgrass greens roll true with a lot of subtle undulations.
The tee-to-green elevation changes are significant with the 14th hole being a prime example. According to the scorecard, the hole plays 300 yards from Tee 2. When checked with a rangefinder, it plays about 250 yards, straight downhill with trees on either side. It’s drivable, even for us short knockers! Before your round, be sure to pick up a “tip sheet” in the pro shop that is filled with valuable information on how to play each hole. I’m not one to follow the crowd, but it proved to be a valuable, stroke-saving asset.
The Lodge at Greenbo Lake State Resort Park in Greenup, KY is a great place to bed down for a couple of nights. The Jesse Stuart Lodge has comfortable rooms at a reasonable rate and the Angler’s Cove restaurant has good food as well.
Both of these courses are currently undergoing bunker renovations and are in the process of switching over to “Better Billy Bunker,” the best-draining bunker system in the golf industry. It may take a while for the installation to be complete but it’s well worth the wait.
For golfers that plan on playing multiple rounds of golf over the year at the Kentucky State Parks, you may want to consider purchasing a Trail Card which gives you access to many courses across the state within the Nation’s Finest Park System. A lot of these courses have been recognized nationally by Golf Digest. The Trail Card can be purchased at any of the Kentucky State Park courses.
Would travel: 60-120 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again
Condition of Course, Price, Pace of Play, Food/ Bar facilities, Difficulty, Ambiance, Staff, Layout, No Houses on Course
Guest (cart included), played on Sunday, March 2023 at 12:00 PM
There are two Kentucky State Park Golf Courses on the east side of the state that would make for a terrific weekend golf getaway for guys, gals, or couples. Eagle Ridge at Yatesville Lake State Park and Hidden Cove Golf Course at Grayson Lake State Park will provide two exciting rounds of golf for just about anyone who plays them.
Eagle Ridge, the 18-hole championship golf course at Yatesville Lake State Park in Louisa, KY, is one of the most challenging state park golf courses I have ever played. The course was designed by renowned golf course architects Arthur Hills and Steve Forrest who incorporated the rugged beauty of the region to create a one-of-a-kind golf masterpiece. The ball sits up beautifully on the well-manicured Bermuda fairways and the immaculate Bentgrass greens roll true with a lot of subtle undulations.
The tee-to-green elevation changes are significant with the 14th hole being a prime example. According to the scorecard, the hole plays 300 yards from Tee 2. When checked with a rangefinder, it plays about 250 yards, straight downhill with trees on either side. It’s drivable, even for us short knockers! Before your round, be sure to pick up a “tip sheet” in the pro shop that is filled with valuable information on how to play each hole. I’m not one to follow the crowd, but it proved to be a valuable, stroke-saving asset.
The Lodge at Greenbo Lake State Resort Park in Greenup, KY is a great place to bed down for a couple of nights. The Jesse Stuart Lodge has comfortable rooms at a reasonable rate and the Angler’s Cove restaurant has good food as well.
Both of these courses are currently undergoing bunker renovations and are in the process of switching over to “Better Billy Bunker,” the best-draining bunker system in the golf industry. It may take a while for the installation to be complete but it’s well worth the wait.
For golfers that plan on playing multiple rounds of golf over the year at the Kentucky State Parks, you may want to consider purchasing a Trail Card which gives you access to many courses across the state within the Nation’s Finest Park System. A lot of these courses have been recognized nationally by Golf Digest. The Trail Card can be purchased at any of the Kentucky State Park courses.