The best golf courses in Kentucky, USA

Valhalla Golf Club, designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened in 1986, stands as Kentucky’s premier championship golf venue. Host to multiple major events including PGA Championships and the Ryder Cup, it features rolling terrain, gorgeous bentgrass greens, and a world-class layout set across 500 acres. Renowned for its formidable challenge and exceptional conditioning, Valhalla embodies elite American golf.

The Club at Olde Stone is a private 18-hole course in Bowling Green, Kentucky, masterfully designed by Arthur Hills. The course offers a scenic blend of rolling hills, flatlands, native grasses, and significant elevation changes, with a reputation for championship conditioning and challenging play. Renowned for hosting prestigious tournaments, its Zoysia fairways and Bentgrass greens are notable for their quality.

Louisville Country Club, established in 1925, is a classic design by noted architect Walter Travis. Nestled in rolling Kentucky terrain, it features Zoysia fairways, challenging greens, and a strategic layout that rewards thoughtful play. Renovations have maintained its heritage while subtly updating playability. The course is known for its peaceful setting and private, traditional club atmosphere.

Champion Trace, designed by renowned architect Arthur Hills and opened in 1987, is one of Kentucky's premier private courses. Regular host of the Barbasol Championship, the layout offers a tournament-caliber challenge with rolling bluegrass fairways, strategic bunkering, and smooth bentgrass greens. Its blend of championship pedigree, scenic holes, and excellent amenities makes it a revered destination among private clubs.

Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park Golf Course, designed by Brian Ault and opened in 2003, is one of Kentucky’s top public courses. With significant elevation changes, dramatic rock outcroppings, and panoramic mountain vistas, it’s known for both its challenge and natural beauty. The 18-hole layout features bentgrass tees, zoysia fairways, and large, undulating bentgrass greens.

Persimmon Ridge Golf Club, designed by Arthur Hills and Drew Rogers in 1988, is renowned for its challenging layout, natural setting, and strategic use of elevation changes. Stretching over 7,100 yards, this private club blends wooded areas, creeks, lakes, and dramatic contours, offering a memorable experience for golfers of all skill levels. Recognized for outstanding design and tough playability.

Hurstbourne Country Club’s Championship course, spread over 243 acres, is recognized among the top courses in Kentucky and was designed by Charles Adams. The layout is traditional and challenging, featuring tree-lined fairways, strategic bunkering, and a highly regarded maintenance standard. The club is a coveted host for major events, including Kentucky’s annual PGA Tour stop.

University of Louisville Golf Club, designed by Spencer Holt and opened in 2001, is a private, championship-level course known for its challenging layout, excellent bentgrass surfaces, and top-tier practice facilities. Serving as home to the University of Louisville golf teams, it has hosted prominent state and NCAA tournaments, attracting skilled golfers from across the region.

Heritage Hill Golf Club, designed by former Jack Nicklaus associate Doug Beach, is an 18-hole public course in Shepherdsville, Kentucky. Opened in 2007 and recognized by Golf Digest as a Top 10 New Course in America, it features bentgrass greens, zoysia tees and fairways, five tee boxes, and a scenic, challenging parkland layout accessible to all skill levels.

Park Mammoth Golf Club, originally opened in 1964 and redesigned in recent years, offers a scenic and challenging par-70 layout just over 6,200 yards. This public course weaves through rolling hills with significant elevation changes. Renowned for fast greens and thick Bermuda rough, it attracts golfers of all skill levels and features a modern clubhouse.

Idle Hour Country Club is a private, 18-hole parkland course in Lexington, Kentucky, designed by legendary architect Donald Ross in 1924 and later renovated by Bob Lohmann. The course features Bentgrass fairways and greens, mature tree-lined corridors, and a reputation for challenging yet accessible play for all skill levels. Its well-kept grounds and upscale practice amenities make it a premier destination in the region.

Boone's Trace National Golf Club, designed by David Pfaff in 1999, features 18 holes surrounded by high bluffs along the Kentucky River. Known for its Bentgrass fairways and greens, the course delivers scenic views, strategic challenges, and an enjoyable layout suitable for various skill levels. The club is recognized as one of Central Kentucky’s most affordable and well-maintained courses.

Lassing Pointe Golf Course in Union, Kentucky, is a Dr. Michael Hurdzan design revered as the state's best public course. Sculpted out of rolling terrain and mature woods, its playable yet strategic layout draws all skill levels. The course’s seclusion, creative hole variety, and strong conditioning ensure it remains a standout value for area golfers.

Old Silo Golf Club in Mount Sterling, Kentucky, is an 18-hole public course designed by the renowned Graham Marsh in 2000. The course, set amid rolling hills and open farmland, features a creative mix of open and tree-lined holes, subtle elevation changes, and expansive bentgrass greens. Once ranked among Kentucky's best daily-fee facilities, it became a destination for both locals and traveling golfers.