Horse racing and basketball may be the sports that first come to mind when one thinks of Kentucky, but with some 180 golf courses scattered across the state, the commonwealth has become a duffer's paradise. For those who collect trivia, here's one for you - Kentucky is home to the nation's oldest golf course in continuous play - the Middlesboro Country Club, whose members have been teeing off since 1889.

But you don't have to be a country clubber to enjoy good golf in the commonwealth. Some 180 public courses are located across the state. The Kentucky Parks Golf Trail offers 13 championship 18-hole courses. Six of these make up the Signature Series, offering the ultimate in exciting, challenging play. Spanning each region of the state, they are Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park and Mineral Mound State Park in western Kentucky; Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park in south-central Kentucky; Wasioto Winds at Pine Mountain State Resort Park in the southeastern part of the state, and Eagle Ridge at Yatesville Lake State Park and Hidden Cove at Grayson Lake State Park, both in northeastern Kentucky.



In addition, four of these courses - Dale Hollow, Pine Mountain, Yatesville Lake and Grayson Lake - have received national recognition from Golf Digest Magazine, which named them among "the Best New Affordable Public Courses."
To enhance your golf experience, check out the State Park System's "Tees and Zees" package, which offers lodging and meals in one of the State Resort Park Lodges, in addition to preferred tee times, all for one price.

Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park. Nestled in the lake country of western Kentucky, this 3 diamond resort offers lodging, camping, boating, dining, and 1700 acres of breathtaking recreational opportunities. The golf course is a championship style par 72 designed by notable course architect Perry Maxwell. Maxwell is also responsible for such designs as Southern Hills C.C. in Tulsa, OK (site of the 2007 PGA Championship) and Colonial C.C. in Fort Worth, TX (home to golf legend Ben Hogan). Four sets of tees accommodate players of all capabilities.

Barren River Lake State Resort Park is a water-lovers paradise surrounded by forested, rolling hills. The resort is located near Kentucky’s famous cave area, which includes Mammoth Cave National Park, the longest cave system in the world! The course at Barren River Lake State Resort Park offers a challenging test of golf in a relaxing setting. The course winds around hills and through valleys near the shore of Barren River lake. The layout will test your course management skills. Accurate shots to well chosen positions are a must. This is a course that you can't play just once. But when you've finished #18, enjoy a fine dinner at the lodge, and partake in the many other amenities of the park.

Wasioto Winds (pronounced Wah-see-OH-tuh, means Valley of the Deer) was rated fourth among Best New Affordable Public Golf Courses in January 2003 issue of Golf Digest. The ten million dollar Michael Hurdzan-designed golf course is "a difficult course but friendly to the high handicapper." Visitors will be captivated by the natural beauty of the course. It occupies an undulating valley criss-crossed by a meandering stream and guarded by majestic mountains. Native rhododendrons and hemlocks ornament the course and make the natural surroundings part of the golfer’s experience. Unlike many Kentucky courses, Wasioto Winds remains green virtually year round, because of the extensive use of an upscale, cool-weather turf called L-93 Bent Grass. This eighteen-hole course includes five par 3 holes and five par 5s. True to its links nature, the course is relatively flat, with water coming into play from three lakes, a creek and several wetlands areas. Six arching bridges span the water throughout the course. Other course features include wide car paths, a practice range, two practice putting greens, and an indoor-use training center.

Dale Hollow has bent grass tees leading to zoysia fairways and large, undulating bent grass greens. The 61 bunkers are framed by zoysia. Most of the holes have moderate to severe elevation changes. Other course features include numerous rock outcroppings, small caves, springs, gorges, two ponds, and mountain views. Bring your camera, this is one of the most scenic courses in the country. Five sets of tees accommodate every level of player. In the Spring of 2007, a new Clubhouse and Practice Range were opened. The Range features three large zoysia tees, two target greens, and a practice fairway bunker. Also available are two practice greens. The course and practice facility were designed by nationally acclaimed architect Brian Ault and opened for play in 2003. Golf Digest magazine ranks Dale Hollow as the 8th best course in Kentucky. Website Golf Kentucky Links ranks Dale Hollow as the 3rd best public course in Kentucky.

Hidden Cove Golf Course at Grayson Lake State Park located in Olive Hill, Kentucky, is a Signature Series course you will not want to miss. Rated #4 by Golf Digest in 2005, your foursome will get the feeling that you have the golf course to yourselves. Gently rolling bent grass fairways nestle their way through tall trees and around scenic Grayson Lake. Some of the largest white sand bunkers found any where help to challenge golfers as they play to large undulating bent grass greens. The back tees at 7155 yards will challenge the most serious of players while the other sets of tees allow for playability and enjoyment for golfers of all ages and ability.

Eagle Ridge Golf Course at Yatesville Lake State Park is located in the scenic eastern Kentucky foothills near Louisa, Kentucky. Architects Arthur Hills/Steve Forrest design highlights the rugged beauty of the region in creating a golfing masterpiece. With 4-5 sets of tees on each hole, manicured fairways and immaculate greens, Eagle Ridge Golf Course offers opportunities for golfers of all skill levels. Eagle Ridge Golf Course received a Golf Digest Magazine Award as the " #3 Most Affordable New Public Golf Course" nationally in 2005. You will not only be treated to a wonderful, challenging test of golf but you will be able to enjoy an abundant array of wildlife, dramatic tee to green elevation changes and scenic views which will leave you awestruck.