Tell me about French Lick, Indiana

[exgolfpro]

My wife and I are looking at a quick trip over to French Lick, Indiana in the early fall. It has been almost 40 years since I have been there. Which of the two hotels is better/nicer? (if there is a difference). Should get a chance to play both of the resort courses, but is there any other courses in the area that I should consider? Also looking for restaurant info, if there is anywhere worth going.

[zer0]

The West Baden hotel is nicer, more fancier. THe other hotel has the casino and more nightlife so I guess that would be the deciding factor. That said, even if you stay at West Baden, the other hotel is 2 minutes away so its not like you can't take advantage of the activities there.

 

Sultan's Run is loosely connected to the resort in some fashion and is a nice course. Its in Jasper, about 35 minutes away from French Lick.

 

Can't help you on food only to say that all the food we had at the restaurants at the resort was average at best. I would look elsewhere for meals.

[ruascott]

As stated, West Baden is a bit nicer, and much more unique. I'd stay there if you want a more quiet, low key experience. The FL hotel has the casino and a lot more going on in general.

 

 

[chrisbellaire]

Was just there two weeks ago. West Baden is much, much nicer, stunning architecture, will go back again. But as said above, a bit more going on at French Lick.

 

Fine dining: 1875 Steakhouse at FL and Sinclair's at WB are outstanding, but a bit pricey. Casual/family dining at either hotel is nothing to write home about, and there is nothing of note off property that I could find.

 

Golf: Sultan's was in excellent shape and a nice track, great value at $65. Donald Ross was outstanding. Only drove around the Pete Dye course, but couldn't justify the nearly $400 price tag. Would not bother with the Valley course.

[exgolfpro]

Was just there two weeks ago. West Baden is much, much nicer, stunning architecture, will go back again. But as said above, a bit more going on at French Lick.

 

Fine dining: 1875 Steakhouse at FL and Sinclair's at WB are outstanding, but a bit pricey. Casual/family dining at either hotel is nothing to write home about, and there is nothing of note off property that I could find.

 

Golf: Sultan's was in excellent shape and a nice track, great value at $65. Donald Ross was outstanding. Only drove around the Pete Dye course, but couldn't justify the nearly $400 price tag. Would not bother with the Valley course.

 

Thanks for the info. Just what I was looking for. Thanks to all who responded.

[mckennwa]

I played the Ross course last week. Truly a tremendous facility and worth the price.

[TUGolfer06]

I played the Ross course last week. Truly a tremendous facility and worth the price.

 

I considered playing the Ross course two weeks ago when I was in Cincinnati but couldn't pull it off logistically. Right now that's my #1 bucket list course. I might go out the last week of August and play there as well as another course. Perhaps the Warren (ND), Kempen (Purdue) or Brickyard Crossings.

[Dill Pickleson]

The great Larry Bird is from French Lick.

[Frohlich]

It's funny how different folks walk away with different impressions. I know the Ross course gets great reviews but it just didn't do much for me. We played it twice two years ago on a "guys" weekend golf trip. I actually prefered Sultan's Run as I thought the layout was much nicer than the Ross course. The Ross course was in perfect condition and in better shape than Sultan's Run but I enjoyed the layout at Sultan's Run much more. I thought the Ross course was on the boring side. If it didn't get the national reviews of being a top 100 type of course it wouldn't have stood out much to me outside of being in great shape from a conditioning standpoint.

[TheLarch]

Stay at the West Baden hotel, and make sure you get an Interior room. Best view by far.

[zer0]

ONe thing you need to keep in mind that my group didn't know about till after the weekend.....all rounds at the Pete Dye course are for an all day rate. You can replay the $350 course for FREE as long as you pay for the forecaddie!

 

So if you are playing Pete Dye, get an early tee time so you have time to give it another spin in the afternoon.

[Argonne69]

ONe thing you need to keep in mind that my group didn't know about till after the weekend.....all rounds at the Pete Dye course are for an all day rate. You can replay the $350 course for FREE as long as you pay for the forecaddie!

 

So if you are playing Pete Dye, get an early tee time so you have time to give it another spin in the afternoon.

 

Right. You'll hate Pete Dye in the morning, and you'll despise him in the afternoon.

 

I was there on an unlimited golf package, so two rounds at the Ross course were also an option, although my schedule didn't allow for it.

[zer0]

Just found out FL is aerating the Pete Dye course on August 24. Called the clubhouse and was told that is their fall aeration. I guess people in Indiana don't know how to read a f*****g calendar. Who the F in the midwest aerates in the summer???? Looks like I'm cancelling my trip there 2 days later.

 

Yet another reason to hate Pete Dye (well not really, but I'm blaming him anyway)

[games]

I was on a due diligence team valuing the property pre- and post-renovation. Actually got to speak with Pete Dye. Interesting guy, but always in "sales" mode relating everything back to the course he was in the process of building.

 

Little known fact: Until the building of the Astrodome, the West Baden Hotel was the world's largest free-span, fully-enclosed dome. It really is a stunning building!

[markjinc]

Heading to French Lick August 4,5,6. We were there 2 years ago and for the money, it's a trip that can't be beat. The Pete Dye is incredible and The Donald Ross is just fun to play. We stop at Wolf Run halfway there from Chicago and although it's private, it's relatively easy to get on if your pro calls ahead.

[Argonne69]

Stay at the West Baden hotel, and make sure you get an Interior room. Best view by far.

 

Yeah, the hotel is sweet.

 

 

The Dye course is no slouch, either.

 

[ruascott]

Heading to French Lick August 4,5,6. We were there 2 years ago and for the money, it's a trip that can't be beat. The Pete Dye is incredible and The Donald Ross is just fun to play. We stop at Wolf Run halfway there from Chicago and although it's private, it's relatively easy to get on if your pro calls ahead.

 

Sadly, looks like the last year for Wolf. Good you are getting that in.

[djf82]

Really? Wolf run is closing? That is very disappointing. Great golf course, quite a challenge.

[markjinc]

Just finished up playing Wolf Run, The Pete Dye twice and The Donald Ross. I'll say that Wolf Run has thrown in the towel and they don't take care of it like they used to. Course was beat. The Pete Dye was immaculate as usual. Hard, but immaculate. The Donald Ross was a huge disappointment. If you look up the term "goat track" you'll see a picture of The Donsld Ross. The fairway was grown out like rough, there were weeds everywhere, including some of the greens and for what it cost to play, $120, it was a joke. Needless to say, we won't be going back. Without the Pete Dye, that destination is a joke. My opinion.

[Argonne69]

Wow, that's shocking. When I played the Ross it was in very nice shape, although it'll never get the same attention as Dye. Pity.

[Frohlich]

Very surprised about the Ross course as well. It was immaculate when I played it on two separate occasions and as good as shape as the Dye course. I don't love the layout at Ross (find it a little boring) but the conditioning was as good as I have seen on a public course. I actually really enjoy Sultan's Run and just really enjoy that layout. It is about 25 minute drive from French Lick but well worth it to me. The conditioning isn't on par with the Ross or Dye course but the layout is top notch.

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Really? Wolf run is closing? That is very disappointing. Great golf course, quite a challenge.

 

Rumor has it that it will be public for 1 year, then sold off for housing development.

[TUGolfer06]

Has anyone else played the Ross course recently? I'm still considering going out at the end of the month. However if the Ross course is in anything less than great shape I'll go elsewhere.

[Cwing]

Not all that close but Victoria National out towards Evansville is fantastic if you get out that way. Call ahead as it may be tough to get on as it us private.

[markjinc]

Has anyone else played the Ross course recently? I'm still considering going out at the end of the month. However if the Ross course is in anything less than great shape I'll go elsewhere.

The Ross course is in worse shape than any public muni course I've ever played in Chicago-land. It's White Pines 2.0. Consider yourself warned.

[mckennwa]

Can anyone else confirm that the Ross course is indeed losing its conditioning? When I was there it was in fantastic shape (I was there the day after the Indiana Open).

[zer0]

Has anyone else played the Ross course recently? I'm still considering going out at the end of the month. However if the Ross course is in anything less than great shape I'll go elsewhere.

 

 

If you are planning to also play Pete Dye, do NOT go at the end of the month. For some reason the idiots there have decided to aerate and top dress the greens on 8/24. Greens will be unplayable for 2 weeks.

[zer0]

Has anyone else played the Ross course recently? I'm still considering going out at the end of the month. However if the Ross course is in anything less than great shape I'll go elsewhere.

The Ross course is in worse shape than any public muni course I've ever played in Chicago-land. It's White Pines 2.0. Consider yourself warned.

 

That's a pretty bold statement. I was there a year ago and the course was in immaculate condition. To go from that to White Pines 2.0 would almost require an act of god similar to what hit the Greenbriar.

 

Did you take any pics?

[games]

There are three courses on the site.

I wonder if the poor conditions were actually on the 9-hole Valley Links course.

Just have a hard time believing they would let conditioning of the Ross course go...

[zer0]

There are three courses on the site.

I wonder if the poor conditions were actually on the 9-hole Valley Links course.

Just have a hard time believing they would let conditioning of the Ross course go...

 

The poster who posted that the course was in bad shape has been around for a while, I doubt he would mix up the 18 Ross course and the 9 hole walking family course on site.