Golfweek has published its annual list of state-by-state best golf course rankings, and some familiar names made the grade in Kentucky.
As you might expect, Louisville’s famed Valhalla Golf Club, set to host the 2024 PGA Championship, topped the state’s list of private courses and was ranked No. 65 among the best modern courses (built in 1960 or later) in the US
Lassing Pointe Golf Course in Union was again named the Bluegrass State’s top public-access course, and Prospect’s Nevel Meade Golf Course returned to the rankings to represent the best of the Louisville area.
Kentucky’s public-access list was made up entirely of modern courses, but a couple of classic courses built before 1960 made the private course list, including Louisville’s Audubon Golf Course.
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Here are the lists:
Golfweek’s top five public-access Kentucky golf courses for 2023
5. Heritage Hill, Shepherdsville
Website: hhgolfclub.com
Address: 1040 Valley View Drive
Telephone number: (502) 531-0606
Opened: 2006
Course architect: Doug Beach
What you need to know: Beach is a former Jack Nicklaus design associate. Built on the former Valley View Farms and home to three bald eagles, its par-4, 466-yard 12th hole’s seemingly endless fairway makes for one of the course’s premier challenges.
4. Cherry Blossom, Georgetown
Website: cherryblossomgolf.com
Address: 150 Clubhouse Drive
Telephone number: (502) 570-9849
Opened: 2001
Course architect: Clyde Johnston
What you need to know: The club’s website describes the par-4, 439-yard no. 18 as its “most memorable” hole with tee-to-green water on the right side. Most of the greens are relatively flat, so if you can overcome the difficult first half of the hole layouts, you can shoot low.
3. Nevel Meade, Prospect
Website: nevelmeade.com
Address: 3123 Newell Meade Drive
Telephone number: (502) 228-9522
Opened: 1990
Course architect: Steve Smyers
What you need to know: Greater Louisville’s lone public-access entry on this list is patterned based on the links of old in Scotland. Its par-3, 175-yard third hole is one of the most difficult short frames in the state with a careful drive needed to avoid the dangers of a sloping green and two nearby sand traps.
2. Kearney Hill, Lexington
Website: lexingtonky.gov/kearney-hill-golf-links
Address: 3403 Kearney Road
Telephone number: (859) 253-1981
Opened: 1989
Course architects: Pete and PB Dye
What you need to know: Another Scottish-links style course, there’s a beachful of sand throughout this course’s layout. The famous father-son Dye architect duo was also involved in Indiana’s Crooked Stick Golf Club, which ranked No. 2 on the state’s list of private courses.
1. Lassing Pointe, Union
Website: boonecountygolf.com/lassing-pointe
Address: 2266 Double Eagle Drive
Telephone number: (859) 643-8638
Opened: 1994
Course architect: Dr. Michael Hurdzan Design Group
What you need to know: Near the Ohio border and just minutes from the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, this course’s par-3, 187-yard 14th hole needs your full attention with a swallowing lake to drive over. The picturesque water features and wooded areas give the bang-for-the-buck course its chart-topping status.
Golfweek’s top five private Kentucky golf courses for 2023
5. Audubon, Louisville
Website: auduboncc.org
Address: 3265 Robin Road
Telephone number: (502) 636-1331
Opened: 1908
Course architect: Thomas Bendelow
What you need to know: Played by celebrities from Bing Crosby to Paul Hornung over the years, the boutique golf course saw recent updates from local architect Spencer Holt. A signature 400-yard, par-3 no. 17 is supplemented by a pond and a bunker on the right side of the green.
4. Hurstbourne, Louisville
Website: hurstbournecc.com/Golf
Address: 9000 Hurstbourne Club Lane
Telephone number: (502) 425-0094
Opened: 1966
Course architect: Steve Shafer
What you need to know: The course’s par-4, 480-yard No. 2 routinely makes the hardest hole lists thanks to not one but two lakes. The slightly winding layout presents many ways to approach each hole.
3. Olde Stone, Bowling Green
Website: hurstbournecc.com/Golf
Address: 950 Village Way
Telephone number: (270) 393-4653
Opened: 2006
Course architect: Jim Scott
What you need to know: Known for its use of natural limestone, Western Kentucky’s hallmark course works with its land in a fashion unlike most courses. The 356-yard, par-4 sixth hole, entitled “Oxbow,” has a green like “an elevated castle” surrounded by a moat.
2. Idle Hour, Lexington
Website: idlehourky.com
Address: 1815 Richmond Road
Telephone number: (859) 266-1121
Opened: 1924
Course architect: Donald Ross
What you need to know: Lexington’s top private course on this list, this club and its course rank among the most exclusive in the state. Teeing off on the 463-yard, lengthy par-4 No. 3 can scare you early into your round with multiple bunkers and water features close by.
1. Valhalla, Louisville
Website: valhallagolfclub.com
Address: 15503 Shelbyville Road
Telephone number: (502) 245-4475
Opened: 1986
Course architect: Jack Nicklaus
What you need to know: What more can be said about the site of next year’s PGA Championship? The most prestigious and grueling Nicklaus design there is has been host to major victories by Kenny Perry, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, all in playoff holes.
For the complete list of public courses, check out the rest of Golfweek’s state-by-state rankings. For the private course list, click here.
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Reach reporter Caleb Wiegandt at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @CalebWiegandt.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Best Kentucky golf courses: Golfweek’s 2023 public, private rankings