KENTUCKY BOURBON GOLF TRAIL

[bajahp]

Hi Thinking of doing a trip along THE KENTUCKY BOURBON GOLF TRAIL...any suggestion in terms of courses, places to stay and best time to go...targeting end of mid Sept to early Oct...thanks

 

[jpthreesticks]

Following along for this as well!

[jjthomp2]

That's a great time of year to visit. Just an FYI fall sept/oct is bourbon release month but people will start lining up a day in advanced to get a bottle of something rare. If that's your cup of tea go for it. If not my favorite tours are Woodford Reserve prettiest piece of property IMO, Willett most up close and personal, and Buffalo Trace just because i love blantons ha. Not sure where your home base will be but if you're staying in Louisville check out Nevel Meade golf course (links style) is a fun layout. Lexington i'd go and play the UK courses. I don't think the new hotels will be open in downtown lex by fall but their 21c is pretty awesome. The new Omni in Louisville is incredible. Hope that's a good start for you

[9stick]

> @jjthomp2 said:

> That's a great time of year to visit. Just an FYI fall sept/oct is bourbon release month but people will start lining up a day in advanced to get a bottle of something rare. If that's your cup of tea go for it. If not my favorite tours are Woodford Reserve prettiest piece of property IMO, Willett most up close and personal, and Buffalo Trace just because i love blantons ha. Not sure where your home base will be but if you're staying in Louisville check out Nevel Meade golf course (links style) is a fun layout. Lexington i'd go and play the UK courses. I don't think the new hotels will be open in downtown lex by fall but their 21c is pretty awesome. The new Omni in Louisville is incredible. Hope that's a good start for you

 

I second this. Great time to visit but if you are doing bourbon tours it will be pretty crowded. Also the Big Blue Course at The University Club is a great track. I've played it several times and it has some really great holes and adopts the rolling hill terrain that the area is known for. I would also say that

[Hilltopper413]

I’ll add on to the comments about a great time of year to visit Kentucky. Something I haven’t seen mentioned: if your trip coincides with Keeneland being open, GO! It’s quite the sight to behold in the fall. Think of it as a dressed up version of a tailgate for horse racing. Co-eds and sundresses are a great combo.

Back to golf. It depends on where you will be setting up home base and what distilleries you will visit. Most will base out of Louisville or Lexington. If in Louisville, cross the bridge into southern Indiana for some good public tracks. Chariot Run is fantastic. Covered Bridge and Champions Point are also good choices. Another that doesn’t get enough talk is Old Capitol. It is a FUN golf course with great greens. Others in Louisville area to consider would be Nevel Meade and Heritage Hill. Louisville has a TON of great private clubs. If you are a member somewhere or have a connection, a phone call will never hurt.

If out of Lexington, I would suggest Kearney Hill, UK Club (Big Blue), Cherry Blossom, and Griffin Gate. Again, some great private options if you can swing it.

[smashdn]

People who have never been may not know, but Churchill Downs is old and dumpy and surrounded by old urban area. Keeneland on the other hand is what you kind of expect when you think "sport of kings." It is clean and nice and classy. Much easier to get around while you are there and overall a better atmosphere than CD. If you have never been to a horse race, make Keeneland your first to go to and you will be spoiled.

 

I can't help you much on the golf options as I have only done UK Club for publics and the others have all been as a guest at private tracks.

[Hilltopper413]

Agree with above. Keeneland is far superior to Churchill in every way.

[eRod v1.0]

> @Hilltopper413 said:

> I’ll add on to the comments about a great time of year to visit Kentucky. Something I haven’t seen mentioned: if your trip coincides with Keeneland being open, GO! It’s quite the sight to behold in the fall. Think of it as a dressed up version of a tailgate for horse racing. Co-eds and sundresses are a great combo.

> Back to golf. It depends on where you will be setting up home base and what distilleries you will visit. Most will base out of Louisville or Lexington. If in Louisville, cross the bridge into southern Indiana for some good public tracks. Chariot Run is fantastic. Covered Bridge and Champions Point are also good choices. Another that doesn’t get enough talk is Old Capitol. It is a FUN golf course with great greens. Others in Louisville area to consider would be Nevel Meade and Heritage Hill. Louisville has a TON of great private clubs. If you are a member somewhere or have a connection, a phone call will never hurt.

> If out of Lexington, I would suggest Kearney Hill, UK Club (Big Blue), Cherry Blossom, and Griffin Gate. Again, some great private options if you can swing it.

 

Not OP but thanks for the info. I'm in Louisville for 2 weeks and will try to play some of those courses you listed. Unfortunately, rain is in the forecast most of the week!

[Malvern]

All, will be at the back end of an extensive Scotland/USA golf tour in early Oct, the boys are ditching me in Pittsburgh and I have 4-5 days to get down to Dallas for my flight back downunder. I love horse racing more than golf, logistically is Keeneland worth the stop? Cost is a minor irritant but not a big problem.

[smashdn]

> @Malvern said:

> All, will be at the back end of an extensive Scotland/USA golf tour in early Oct, the boys are ditching me in Pittsburgh and I have 4-5 days to get down to Dallas for my flight back downunder. I love horse racing more than golf, logistically is Keeneland worth the stop? Cost is a minor irritant but not a big problem.

 

Every Wednesday through Sunday in October they are racing. I'd say go if it works logistically. You can fly in and out of Cincinnati/Northern KY (CVG) or Louisville (SDF). Not sure if there are directs from there to Dallas though. The airport there in Lexington (Blue Grass) (LEX) is right across the highway from Keeneland. Can't speak to what goes in and out of there though.

 

If I liked horse racing more than golf I'd do it. You would be right in the heart of thoroughbred country and the historic and high dollar racing farms. Beautiful country if you can rent a car and drive around during that time of year. Plus bourbon. Don't forget bourbon.

[jjthomp2]

> @Malvern said:

> All, will be at the back end of an extensive Scotland/USA golf tour in early Oct, the boys are ditching me in Pittsburgh and I have 4-5 days to get down to Dallas for my flight back downunder. I love horse racing more than golf, logistically is Keeneland worth the stop? Cost is a minor irritant but not a big problem.

 

I know we have two direct flights out of Louisville to Dallas you can take american to DFW or Southwest to Love. Not sure about Lex but think it's safe to say they have at least 1 non stop to dallas as that's a major hub for American

[fredmg]

Moving to Lexington at the end of July. Looking forward to playing some courses and a visit to Keeneland!

[DavePelz4]

The Hill House in Loretto is owned by friends of mine. They'll treat you very well!

[Myherobobhope]

If you are in Louisville and want to play hunting creek (private course, it’s not Valhalla) pm me. I’ll happily host.

 

Kentucky state parks have a number of courses I haven’t played. Two are very close to the bourbon trail... I haven’t seen any course that is a must play, though I’m interested in the courses up at French lick, about an hour away from Louisville and in the middle of nowhere Indiana.

[Hilltopper413]

> @Myherobobhope said:

> If you are in Louisville and want to play hunting creek (private course, it’s not Valhalla) pm me. I’ll happily host.

>

> Kentucky state parks have a number of courses I haven’t played. Two are very close to the bourbon trail... I haven’t seen any course that is a must play, though I’m interested in the courses up at French lick, about an hour away from Louisville and in the middle of nowhere Indiana.

 

^ This is a great offer. Hunting Creek is a very well-conditioned track.

 

Both courses at French Lick are more than worth the trip.

[Myherobobhope]

> @Hilltopper413 said:

> > @Myherobobhope said:

> > If you are in Louisville and want to play hunting creek (private course, it’s not Valhalla) pm me. I’ll happily host.

> >

> > Kentucky state parks have a number of courses I haven’t played. Two are very close to the bourbon trail... I haven’t seen any course that is a must play, though I’m interested in the courses up at French lick, about an hour away from Louisville and in the middle of nowhere Indiana.

>

> ^ This is a great offer. Hunting Creek is a very well-conditioned track.

>

> Both courses at French Lick are more than worth the trip.

 

I actually played 18 today with some guys who are at a Troon course in MO. They loved the course....

 

I'm happy to host any GolfWRX at Hunting Creek. Just PM me. You have to pay for your round! I might buy the beer.

[jjthomp2]

> @Myherobobhope said:

> > @Hilltopper413 said:

> > > @Myherobobhope said:

> > > If you are in Louisville and want to play hunting creek (private course, it’s not Valhalla) pm me. I’ll happily host.

> > >

> > > Kentucky state parks have a number of courses I haven’t played. Two are very close to the bourbon trail... I haven’t seen any course that is a must play, though I’m interested in the courses up at French lick, about an hour away from Louisville and in the middle of nowhere Indiana.

> >

> > ^ This is a great offer. Hunting Creek is a very well-conditioned track.

> >

> > Both courses at French Lick are more than worth the trip.

>

> I actually played 18 today with some guys who are at a Troon course in MO. They loved the course....

>

> I'm happy to host any GolfWRX at Hunting Creek. Just PM me. You have to pay for your round! I might buy the beer.

 

Very kind of you. As a Louisvillian i can vouch that Hunting Creek is a fun track. If you're coming through town it's a great choice!

[Myherobobhope]

> @jjthomp2 said:

> > @Myherobobhope said:

> > > @Hilltopper413 said:

> > > > @Myherobobhope said:

> > > > If you are in Louisville and want to play hunting creek (private course, it’s not Valhalla) pm me. I’ll happily host.

> > > >

> > > > Kentucky state parks have a number of courses I haven’t played. Two are very close to the bourbon trail... I haven’t seen any course that is a must play, though I’m interested in the courses up at French lick, about an hour away from Louisville and in the middle of nowhere Indiana.

> > >

> > > ^ This is a great offer. Hunting Creek is a very well-conditioned track.

> > >

> > > Both courses at French Lick are more than worth the trip.

> >

> > I actually played 18 today with some guys who are at a Troon course in MO. They loved the course....

> >

> > I'm happy to host any GolfWRX at Hunting Creek. Just PM me. You have to pay for your round! I might buy the beer.

>

> Very kind of you. As a Louisvillian i can vouch that Hunting Creek is a fun track. If you're coming through town it's a great choice!

 

Give me a shout if you ever want to play it again... I like to think myself good company.