French Lick Resort

[BG5]

Gents,

 

Was hoping to get some feedback on French Lick Resort. They have 2 courses in the top 100 and I was considering driving down for the day in the spring to check out these two courses. Has anybody on this forum ever played the two and how do they compare to other courses you have played? Is it worth a 5 hour drive to play them? Should I do 36 holes on the Pete Dye course or play the Donald Ross as well? Any feedback would be very helpful.

 

Happy New Year and I hope everyone has a great 2018!!!

[Mob]

Donald Ross is worth playing, so don't skip it. I haven't played the Pete Dye, but everyone says it is worth playing at least once, even if it is alittle pricey. The views and elevation changes are supposed to be spectacular.

[mckennwa]

I believe the Dye course is an all day rate. If so, play 36 there if you can. That being said, it is also worth spending the night and playing the Ross course. It is a tremendous course and worth every penny. The Dye course’s value is a little less clear depending upon your budget.

[dlygrisse]

I’ve played the Ross, quality course and reasonably priced for a resort. I drove up to the Dye and while it looked pretty cool it I seemed way over priced. I mean we are talking a modern course in the sticks of Indiana not Pebble Beach. Give me a break.

[conorgolf22]

The Ross course is fantastic. The Dye course is very scenic, but I have not played it

[TheLarch]

For two days of golf and two nights at the resort, be prepared to spend $1,200 minimum. That's if you get a good deal. The courses are are both great, and the West Baden hotel is as good as it gets.

[Argonne69]

Yes, it's certainly worth the trip. I played the Ross course in the afternoon of the day I arrived, and two rounds on the Dye course the following day. As noted above, the Dye course has unlimited golf for the price, so it's worth a second go around. I stayed one night at the West Baden hotel. 'Excellent. It's not cheap, but you can get a package that should reduce the cost somewhat.

 

I played two rounds in Indianapolis on the trip down, and another round on the way back. 'Definitely helped break up the drive.

[zer0]

As others have said, Dye is all you can play so you gotta play 36 there. Makes no sense not to. Great course, worth playing twice.

 

Ross is a great course as well with really tough greens.

 

Honestly, Sultan's Run is no slouch either and worth playing.

 

Definitely spend the night and get your money's worth. You don't have to stay at the resort, there are cheaper options in town.

 

Also, FYI, the food at the resort is awful. Easily the worst food I've ever had at a resort setting. Not too many options in town either.

[TheLarch]

+^ on the resort food. Save some $'s and go down the road to 33 Brick Street. It's Larry Bird's restaurant. Nice sports bar, good burgers, cold beer.

[GPoppaPump]

Definitely worth the trip. Don’t pass on the ross course it’s solid. Personally, I wasn’t blown away by the Dye course. As others have said, it’s scenic, pricey for one round and if u play 36 on it, id still say it’s borderline for value compared to other courses in similar areas of America (give me the classic at Madden’s all day long in terms of value). That comment will likely chap a few people, I just wasn’t overwhelmed with it, (prob the 4th best Dye course I played this year behind Sawgrass, Pete Dye golf club, and Mystic Rock). Still worth a look at least once. Get home in 2 on 18.

[lincolnduff]

Considering playing 36 there in 2 weeks. What should I be expecting for conditions towards the end of March?

[Argonne69]

Considering playing 36 there in 2 weeks. What should I be expecting for conditions towards the end of March?

 

Blech. Playable I'm sure, but no where near ideal. Are you getting a decent sized discount?

[Frohlich]

Might as well throw my opinion into the mix.

 

1)Sultan's Run stole the show for me. Its only about 30 minutes from French Lick and played all three courses as part of a weekend package a few years ago. Loved the layout but the conditioning isn't as nice as French Lick. I wasn't expecting much going in but walked away very impressed. Just really enjoyed the layout and 18 is one of the best finishing holes I have ever played.

 

2)Dye course- you have to play it once. Challenging and memorable but not the best course I have played in Indiana. Conditioning was top notch.

 

3)Ross course - I just wasn't blown away by this course. Top notch conditioning with brutal rough the weekend we played it but the layout was pretty vanilla to me.

[mci711]

Considering playing 36 there in 2 weeks. What should I be expecting for conditions towards the end of March?

 

Blech. Playable I'm sure, but no where near ideal. Are you getting a decent sized discount?

 

Second this, what kind of deals do they run in March?

[umassgolfer]

I was out there for the Sr. PGA Championship a few years back. Didn't get to play the Dye but man it looked awesome.

 

The Ross course I did get to play twice. I really enjoyed it. More of an old-school layout (I think it dates back to 1918?). My opinion was the first 16 holes were a blast. Interesting layout and green complexes. Some really tough holes. 17 and 18 didn't do it for me in terms of a memorable finish. Maybe it's just because I never played them well. But I was glad to play the Ross a second time...a little local knowledge definitely helps out there.

 

The two courses are an interesting combo - super old-school Ross course and the big, modern Dye course that opened in 2009.

 

I stayed at the French Lick hotel. It was nice, reminded me a lot of the Carolina at Pinehurst. Didn't eat at the resort so can't speak to that.

 

If you're looking for nightlife, your options are the Casino...or...the Casino...That's awesome for some people, not so much for others.

[marmooskapaul]

Considering playing 36 there in 2 weeks. What should I be expecting for conditions towards the end of March?

 

Blech. Playable I'm sure, but no where near ideal. Are you getting a decent sized discount?

 

Second this, what kind of deals do they run in March?

 

March ...Indiana....could be beautiful....could be ice storm from hell!!!...lol.

 

Good luck!!

[lincolnduff]

Not sure on deals, I have a certificate for 36 from some auction but don’t live in the area and will be in Louisville for a conference that week so thought id Swing up and play them. Maybe I’ll wait until the fall or something.

[Argonne69]

I'd wait until the fall when conditions will be near ideal. In March you're not only looking at a good chance of cold and wet weather, but the turf will still be growing in.

[BG5]

Called today. Pete Dye course opens April 1st. No price break and only option is $350 for all day unlimited on Dye course plus forcaddie.

 

Donald Ross opens March 15 with early season price break of $75.

 

Sultans Run also looks like a great track.

 

At those prices I would wait until prime time and would rather go to Sand Valley or Bandon. But someday want to play French Lick

[Argonne69]

The Hall of Fame package is priced at $649 for a single, and includes one night in either hotel, and a day of golf at the Ross and Dye courses. If you play four rounds, the price is a bit more attractive.

[mci711]

Called today. Pete Dye course opens April 1st. No price break and only option is $350 for all day unlimited on Dye course plus forcaddie.

 

Donald Ross opens March 15 with early season price break of $75.

 

Sultans Run also looks like a great track.

 

At those prices I would wait until prime time and would rather go to Sand Valley or Bandon. But someday want to play French Lick

 

Thanks for being less lazy than me and calling! I am torn, I always go somewhere for my birthday weekend, and this year was thinking sand valley, but I am drawn to the Pete Dye Course.

[Tarantula18t]

I have played both courses quite a few times. I am not a huge fan of the Ross, but I also don't care for his courses in general, so my opinion leans that way regardless.

 

I think the Dye course is fantastic, and that alone is worth going to French Lick.

 

I did however just post something in the "For Sale" forum that may be of interest to anyone looking to get a great deal at French Lick.

[jboogie146]

I'm a little late to this topic, but wanted to give my opinion.

 

Pete Dye is an awesome course! Very scenic! I guess the cost to value ratio is dependent on your financial situation. I thought it was well worth the money. Like everyone else said, play 36. The second 18 we weren't required to take a fore caddie, so that was nice.

 

Donald Ross course was blah! It was ok, but not the greatest. Sultan's Run, about 30 minutes away is a far better option.

[mci711]

This is an old thread but thought I'd try to revive with a question. What is expected gratuity for a forecaddie? It is 30 bucks + gratuity. I have never used a forecaddie before, they aren't carrying a bag or giving reads/distances or even walking I believe, so what is a fair tip?

[Argonne69]

> @mci711 said:

> This is an old thread but thought I'd try to revive with a question. What is expected gratuity for a forecaddie? It is 30 bucks + gratuity. I have never used a forecaddie before, they aren't carrying a bag or giving reads/distances or even walking I believe, so what is a fair tip?

 

$20 to $25 per player. A little more if you don't have a foursome. A forecaddie may help with distances. 'Really depends on whether they're off looking for a lost ball. They may also help reading putts.

[mci711]

@Argonne69 thanks!

[tjblue]

I've had forecaddies at Sawgrass, Kiawah, and Harbor town and paid between 50-60 bucks a bag.

Our guys hustled their a** off and really enhanced the experience.

 

ymmv

[Argonne69]

> @tjblue said:

> I've had forecaddies at Sawgrass, Kiawah, and Harbor town and paid between 50-60 bucks a bag.

> Our guys hustled their a** off and really enhanced the experience.

>

> ymmv

 

$50 to $60 tip on top of the forecaddie fee? That's generous. I'd bust my a-- for $320+, too.

[tjblue]

For those three courses I paid between 100-150 dollars each, so being generous to an excellent hardworking forecaddie was easy!

[Argonne69]

> @tjblue said:

> For those three courses I paid between 100-150 dollars each, so being generous to an excellent hardworking forecaddie was easy!

 

Given that the regular greens fees are $480, $400, and $280, I can see that.