What's good to play when in KY for the PGA this year?

[Jay Flemma]

Old Silo, Camargo...anything else good that's within 3 hours of Valhalla?

[Scott Warren]

Do you promise if someone invites you to their club you'll remember their name this time?

[Cory Lewis]

I really enjoyed Big Spring and Hurstbourne in Louisville.

[Jay Flemma]

As usual Scott, you get the story horribly wrong.  It's a good thing for us you're not a doctor

Cory, what did you like about the architecture of those two courses?

[Matthew Sander]

French Lick Resort - Ross and Dye

[Mac Plumart]

I've played Olde Stone and I liked it a lot.

Camargo is world-class.

[Mac Plumart]

Do you promise if someone invites you to their club you'll remember their name this time?

Elaborate, please.

[Jason Thurman]

Idle Hour is a must if you can get on. It's comfortably in my personal top 10.

Old Silo is pretty good. A great public value with a few excellent holes and a lot of good ones. The 7th is a very good modern redan, and 13 is one of the best holes in the state even if it's really a par 4. It's a haul from Louisville, but would make a good 36 hole day with Idle Hour. Kentucky is full of good value on the public side, especially near Lexington, though there aren't any really great public courses. The private side has just a couple of great courses but a lot of outstanding clubs.

[Nigel Islam]

French Lick Resort - Ross and Dye

Definitely the Ross. The Dye is a hassle as they want you to stay in the resort. Never played it, but Louisville CC was originally a Travis that L&M did some work on.  I think Audabon was originally a L&M too, but again I have not played it.

[Jay Flemma]

Do you promise if someone invites you to their club you'll remember their name this time?

Elaborate, please.

There's nothing to elaborate.  I saw Neil Regan's foursome at the same time I was at Winged Foot with another group and went over to say hi.  Neil introduced me to Gene, his son and someone else, whose name I forgot.  I wrote that in another thread, to wit:  

"The only thing better than seeing Neil Regan at Winged Foot, was meeting Gene Greco and his son.  Look me up the next time you come back, an I'll take you out to play.  The fourth member of that group, please forgive me for forgetting your name.  I meet so many people covering tournaments that every so often a name escapes me, but it was a total bonus to covering the Anderson to run into you guys at the tournament."

Scott took that as an opportunity to twist my own words to insinuate something untrue and disparaging.  From half a world away no less.  It's a non-story.

Thanks everybody for the ideas.  I've made my decision and every can read about it during PGA week:) Thanks so much, you guys are a wealth of great info.

[Lester George]

Kincaid Lake, 9 holes.  If you go I want a full report!

Lester

[Donovan Childers]

3 hours away is lots of area to cover you have Victoria National about 2 hours, Olde stone about 90 mins.
In the Louisville area Big Spring, or Persimmon Ridge.
The best public in the Louisville area is Chariot Run, that course will play hard and fast with greens that run 12 plus. It's easily the best conditioned public In the Ky. southern In. area. Valhalla's current superintendent is from Chariot Run.

[Dean Stokes]

I had the good fortune of playing Idle Hour last week, for the second time, and it is a must play. I cannot believe this course doesn't get more attention here unless not many of the "treehouse" have played/heard of it.
It is a Donald Ross layout that has been renovated (don't know who by), but they did a great job. The back tees would be a handful for anybody, we played one up, and the bunkering/green complexes and layout are wonderful. Add the fact that it is one of the best conditioned and set up golf courses I have played make it well worth a visit. I have lots of photos but no idea how to post on here.
Ps. We played Valhalla the day before and I enjoyed that as well - what a massive piece of land! Much more elevation changes than I thought having watched tournaments there.

[Adam Warren]

Do you promise if someone invites you to their club you'll remember their name this time?

Elaborate, please.

There's nothing to elaborate.  I saw Neil Regan's foursome at the same time I was at Winged Foot with another group and went over to say hi.  Neil introduced me to Gene, his son and someone else, whose name I forgot.  I wrote that in another thread, to wit:  

"The only thing better than seeing Neil Regan at Winged Foot, was meeting Gene Greco and his son.  Look me up the next time you come back, an I'll take you out to play.  The fourth member of that group, please forgive me for forgetting your name.  I meet so many people covering tournaments that every so often a name escapes me, but it was a total bonus to covering the Anderson to run into you guys at the tournament."

Scott took that as an opportunity to twist my own words to insinuate something untrue and disparaging.  From half a world away no less.  It's a non-story.

Thanks everybody for the ideas.  I've made my decision and every can read about it during PGA week:) Thanks so much, you guys are a wealth of great info.

Not going to tell us? Private or public?

[Philip Caccamise]

If you are in Lexington I'd be happy to take you out to my club, Spring Valley. Solid track. Someday I'll do a photo tour of it.

I know I'm spoiled coming from NYC but there isn't a lot in KY within 75 miles of Valhalla that's worth seeing. I like Big Spring as mentioned by someone else. Haven't played Olde Stone yet but everybody here raves about it, but that's a good 125 miles from Louisville.

[Jay Flemma]

I'm grateful to all of you for your thoughts, offers, and ideas.  It's what makes this place a true convocation of intellects.  Please remember I'm first and foremost covering the PGA, but as part of that covering golf in the area as a long sidebar article.  I routinely only play early Thursday, early Saturday, and the Monday after the tournament, sometimes on the host venue.  I wish I could explore all 20 places you guys had for ideas, but I can only do two...maybe three while also covering the golf tournament as well.

They will be returning to Valhalla again son though, and some of your ideas were excellent ones I'll be glad to explore more thoroughly either then, or in a separate trip.  Seems like a big article on Kentucky golf would really be fascinating!  People need to be made aware of exactly how many terrific courses the state has!

[Adam Warren]

I have heard nice things about SV but never knew anyone that was a member there.  Played basically everywhere in Lexington area except SV, Idle Hour, Keene Run, and Greenbrier (though have had opportunity and didn't work out).

Big Spring to my understanding suffered greatly from winter kill but have heard they are doing lots of work.  Could be great by PGA time.

Hurstbourne is very nice though not a gem design wise.  Better than most in Louisville.

LCC I hear is a wonderful Travis.  If you can get access I say go for it but is not easy to access from my understanding. 

Persimmon is a nice Art Hills, though some do the greens border on goofy.

Olde Stone is supposed to be great.

My club is about 45 minutes from Valhalla if you like elevation change, hard and fast, quick greens, tough par 3s, and opportunities to score with an odd finishing hole. LOL

[Pete Garvey]

I had the good fortune of playing Idle Hour last week, for the second time, and it is a must play. I cannot believe this course doesn't get more attention here unless not many of the "treehouse" have played/heard of it.
It is a Donald Ross layout that has been renovated (don't know who by), but they did a great job. The back tees would be a handful for anybody, we played one up, and the bunkering/green complexes and layout are wonderful. Add the fact that it is one of the best conditioned and set up golf courses I have played make it well worth a visit. I have lots of photos but no idea how to post on here.
Ps. We played Valhalla the day before and I enjoyed that as well - what a massive piece of land! Much more elevation changes than I thought having watched tournaments there.

Dean, thanks for the nice comments.  Idle Hour is a gem but, as their professional, I'm biased.    The restoration was done by Ron Prichard and he did a great job and makes frequent visits making sure we are keeping "The Only Ross in Kentucky" up to Ross' standard.

[Philip Caccamise]

I had the good fortune of playing Idle Hour last week, for the second time, and it is a must play. I cannot believe this course doesn't get more attention here unless not many of the "treehouse" have played/heard of it.
It is a Donald Ross layout that has been renovated (don't know who by), but they did a great job. The back tees would be a handful for anybody, we played one up, and the bunkering/green complexes and layout are wonderful. Add the fact that it is one of the best conditioned and set up golf courses I have played make it well worth a visit. I have lots of photos but no idea how to post on here.
Ps. We played Valhalla the day before and I enjoyed that as well - what a massive piece of land! Much more elevation changes than I thought having watched tournaments there.

Dean, thanks for the nice comments.  Idle Hour is a gem but, as their professional, I'm biased.    The restoration was done by Ron Prichard and he did a great job and makes frequent visits making sure we are keeping "The Only Ross in Kentucky" up to Ross' standard.

Best course in KY. But nobody outside of here needs to know that 

[Philip Caccamise]

I have heard nice things about SV but never knew anyone that was a member there.  Played basically everywhere in Lexington area except SV, Idle Hour, Keene Run, and Greenbrier (though have had opportunity and didn't work out).

Big Spring to my understanding suffered greatly from winter kill but have heard they are doing lots of work.  Could be great by PGA time.

Hurstbourne is very nice though not a gem design wise.  Better than most in Louisville.

LCC I hear is a wonderful Travis.  If you can get access I say go for it but is not easy to access from my understanding. 

Persimmon is a nice Art Hills, though some do the greens border on goofy.

Olde Stone is supposed to be great.

My club is about 45 minutes from Valhalla if you like elevation change, hard and fast, quick greens, tough par 3s, and opportunities to score with an odd finishing hole. LOL

Pretty much every course with Bermuda seems to be struggling. We have an event at Bardstown on Saturday and it is in BAD shape and normally they do a pretty good job there. The fairways just didn't come back.

BTW Keith Foster did the renovation work at SV and it was excellent work, as expected. Lots of deep grass faced bunkers.

[Pete Blaisdell]

    It's a given that Camargo is as good as anything on the planet.

    Idle Hour and Lexington CC are worth the trip.

    Persimmon Ridge is quirky but I enjoyed it very much and the members I played with were great guys . When I played it you could buy cold Budweiser from a vending machine at the turn for a buck a can.

    One situation sticks with me when I played Persimmon. I've played over a 1000 courses around the world in 59 years and I've never seen this before or since. There's a par 3 there that is pretty average but I recall asking one of the members where the back tee was and he smiled and pointed in the opposite direction (180 degrees ) to a spot up on a ridge. It looked like one would have to drive about 1/4 mile from where we played the middle tee to get there. Never seen that before. Has anyone had a sililar situation at another track. Very odd.

   I would also recommend Kearney Hills (APL -1997-Tim Clark defeated Ryuji Imada). Fun course, nice people --Great cheeseburgers --You might like it!!

[Nigel Islam]

   It's a given that Camargo is as good as anything on the planet.

    Idle Hour and Lexington CC are worth the trip.

    Persimmon Ridge is quirky but I enjoyed it very much and the members I played with were great guys . When I played it you could buy cold Budweiser from a vending machine at the turn for a buck a can.

    One situation sticks with me when I played Persimmon. I've played over a 1000 courses around the world in 59 years and I've never seen this before or since. There's a par 3 there that is pretty average but I recall asking one of the members where the back tee was and he smiled and pointed in the opposite direction (180 degrees ) to a spot up on a ridge. It looked like one would have to drive about 1/4 mile from where we played the middle tee to get there. Never seen that before. Has anyone had a sililar situation at another track. Very odd.

   I would also recommend Kearney Hills (APL -1997-Tim Clark defeated Ryuji Imada). Fun course, nice people --Great cheeseburgers --You might like it!!

I will second Kearney as a fun course. Love the IU bunker!

[Adam Warren]

Third on Kearney.  They have gone cheap on the bunkers in recent years but it is still a treat.

[Donovan Childers]

Kearney is actually in the best shape in years, they don't keep the green speed up like they did in the old days though. I would say the greens run more around an 8.5 to 9 range now. They have also been paying more attention to the bunkers, they still don't put great sand in them, but they are showing signs of maintaining them. So you should be able to play some sort of decent shot if you get into one.

[Matt Frey, PGA]

If you can get on Camargo in Cincinnati, that is a must play. Furthermore, Maketewah (also in Cincinnati) is a great Ross design. Plus, they just built a brand new practice facility a couple of years ago...one of the best in the Midwest!

Idle Hour in Lexington is also a great golf course, but very private as well.

Old Silo is very fun, but course conditions vary, at least they did while I was attending EKU (2006-2010). Lassing Pointe in Northern Kentucky is also a fun public course to play.

There are many great courses in Louisville, but I would imagine most will be very busy that week.

Matt Frey, PGA