Private golf clubs in Louisville

I am moving to Louisville area soon and was hoping for advice on a place to join. I'm looking for a club that takes great care of the course and has a fair price. Some of the courses I have seen online are persimmon ridge, hunting creek, glen oaks, and standard club. Anyone played any of these?

I've played Persimmon Ridge, Glen Oaks, and Standard. Of those three my personal opinion is Persimmon is the top choice. Plus, I think they've paired up with Polo Fields (which isn't bad) so you would have access to both clubs. Haven't had the honor to play Hunting Creek so I can't comment, but I think membership may be through invite only. If it's in the budget, I don't think you could go wrong with Persimmon - just my two cents

Hunting Creek is quite a bit north of the other 3 you mentioned in terms of cost, and would definitely be the best conditioned.

Persimmon is one of the tougher tracks in the area, but have heard conditions can sometimes get spotty. Standard had some financial issues a while back and have since gone to a different membership model (join yearly and no clubhouse I believe). Haven't played there since they switched.

What area of town are you planning on living in?

I'm going to be living in prospect area that's why I was looking at these clubs. Are there any I missed that would be worth looking at?

Big Spring/Harmony Landing if you are looking for an upper tier country club. Big Spring is in town, but they merged with Harmony Landing which is out that way. Justin Thomas's dad is the pro at Harmony Landing, BTW. Expensive, but I love both those courses. Similar category as Hunting Creek in terms of price, last I heard.

Best deal is probably the yearly membership to Nevel Meade in Prospect. It's a semi-private, so you don't get taken care of like a country club, but you also don't have all the extra expenses that come with country club golf. T the course is fun and it's only like 2 grand for the year (cart included!), not matter how much golf you play.

Oldham County Country Club is out that way, but I was unimpressed the few times I played there.

Persimmon is still a good option, depending where you are in Prospect (closer to Anchorage is better). I know they used to have some good deals running.

If you're going to be in Prospect i'd recommend Hunting Creek or Harmony/Big Springs. I grew up at Harmony so i'm a bit biased but it is a really fun layout that doesn't beat you down, they keep the greens and the course really well conditioned too. Hunting Creek is another nice course not sure about the club atmosphere itself but i enjoyed the course. Oldham Co. CC is semi-private so if you're really wanting to play it before joining i'd recommend that route. Welcome to Louisville!

Any idea on the cost at harmony? Hunting creek looks like it's a 5k initiation plus 294/month dues. I'm in town this week so I'll try and tour both.

I don't like the set up at standard club-no clubhouse or dining. Still going to tour glen oaks and persimmon as well. Are those two courses good?

Any idea on the cost at harmony? Hunting creek looks like it's a 5k initiation plus 294/month dues. I'm in town this week so I'll try and tour both.

I don't like the set up at standard club-no clubhouse or dining. Still going to tour glen oaks and persimmon as well. Are those two courses good?

That sounds cheap for Hunting Creek, but they may be trying to attract members. Big Spring/Harmony is quite a bit more, like 3 to 5 times for initiation and double for dues depending on type of membership (Junior or Full).

Persimmon is a much better course than Glen Oaks, but I know plenty of people that don't like it due to to the fact that it can play really tough.

Valhalla?

I'm not from Louisville and have no idea on cost for either of them, but I played Persimmon Ridge and Hurstbourne in August. Both had zoysia fairways which were in good shape.

Hurstbourne was a swanky place. Would imagine it's expensive. Really good conditioning. Solid golf course, although not much elevation change. I remember it being fairly flat. No matter though...I'd be completely fine playing it regularly. There's an executive 9 hole course which would be nice to practice on.

Persimmon Ridge is one of the best layouts I've ever played, but conditioning, other than the fairways, kind of sucked. They redid the fairways with zoysia, but left all the run-ups to the greens as bent grass, and that part of each hole is awful. Maybe it was just because it was the middle of summer that they weren't cutting the bent grass as much, but it wasn't great. Or maybe they were just letting it grow in and become rough. A few of the greens looked like they had locust issues with big holes in them. Greens rolled well otherwise. Lots of interesting complexes. Arthur Hills builds difficult golf courses, and this one is no different.

But if the price/convenience was right, I'd join Persimmon Ridge. I rode when I was there, but did see a few walkers, if that's important to you. Range was good as well. It's an A+ layout with C- conditioning, but that wouldn't be a deal breaker for me. I really liked it and will definitely play it again next time I'm in the area.

Here are a few pictures of Persimmon Ridge:

I was assuming Valhalla was out of the budget and I also do not know anyone that is a member so im guessing that one is out of my league. Ill be living in Norton Commons it turns out so I don't want to venture more than 20-25 minutes for a club as well...

I'm not from Louisville and have no idea on cost for either of them, but I played Persimmon Ridge and Hurstbourne in August. Both had zoysia fairways which were in good shape.

 

Hurstbourne was a swanky place. Would imagine it's expensive. Really good conditioning. Solid golf course, although not much elevation change. I remember it being fairly flat. No matter though...I'd be completely fine playing it regularly. There's an executive 9 hole course which would be nice to practice on.

 

Persimmon Ridge is one of the best layouts I've ever played, but conditioning, other than the fairways, kind of sucked. They redid the fairways with zoysia, but left all the run-ups to the greens as bent grass, and that part of each hole is awful. Maybe it was just because it was the middle of summer that they weren't cutting the bent grass as much, but it wasn't great. Or maybe they were just letting it grow in and become rough. A few of the greens looked like they had locust issues with big holes in them. Greens rolled well otherwise. Lots of interesting complexes. Arthur Hills builds difficult golf courses, and this one is no different.

 

But if the price/convenience was right, I'd join Persimmon Ridge. I rode when I was there, but did see a few walkers, if that's important to you. Range was good as well. It's an A+ layout with C- conditioning, but that wouldn't be a deal breaker for me. I really liked it and will definitely play it again next time I'm in the area.

 

Here are a few pictures of Persimmon Ridge:

 

thank you for the advice and pictures-I'm going to tour this one for sure-I guess persimmon owns polo fields as well so maybe its worth joining there to have 2 courses to play

With the exception of Nevel Meade, every club worth a sh*t in Louisville is private.

The Big Springs/Harmony Landing double membership is probably the best one from a value standpoint, but if I still lived there, I'd absolutely join Hurstbourne. Keith Foster did an incredible renovation/restoration here, and it's now one of the finest courses in this part of the country.

:fie: Nevel Meade. I got the shanks there during a tournament and haven't been back since. Worst day of my life.

Louisville has a fantastic private golf scene. Great courses, with great conditioning. Some can be steep for the area, but in terms of national averages I think you'll find most places surprisingly cheap. I would break down the privates into tiers (I'll leave Valhalla out).

Tier 1: impeccable courses, Top-tier clubs

Audobon CC, Hurstbourne CC, Louisville CC, Lake Forrest CC, Big Springs CC (which also includes Harmony Landing which I would put in Tier 2)

Tier 2: Golf courses are still fantastic with great conditions, just a little less "posh"

Hunting Creek CC, Wildwood CC, Persimmon Ridge, Oxmoor CC, U of L GC

Tier 3: Good courses, but not on the same level as those above or lack amenities

Midland Trail GC, Woodhaven CC, South Park CC, Polo Fields GC

I've never played or been to Standard CC or GlenOaks CC so I can't put them on my list. I would t hesitate to join any of the Tier 1 or 2 clubs if the location and price work for you. They are all fantastic places. Enjoy your search! There is great golf in Louisviile. Once you join I'm sure you will get the chance to play most of these places through networking and reciprocals.