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4.3
218 Reviews (218)
5 Stars
68
4 Stars
98
3 Stars
34
2 Stars
11
1 Stars
7
Conditions
4.1
Value
4.3
Layout
4.5
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
3.6
Amenities
4.0
89.3%
Recommend this course
180 out of 218 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
10 Reviews (10)
5 Stars
5
4 Stars
4
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.7
Layout
4.6
Pace
3.3
Amenities
3.9
StaffFriendliness
4.7
100.0%
Recommend this course
10 out of 10 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
16 Reviews (16)
5 Stars
9
4 Stars
5
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.6
Layout
4.6
Pace
3.5
Amenities
4.0
StaffFriendliness
4.5
93.8%
Recommend this course
15 out of 16 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Consistently friendly staff and well-maintained conditions make Kenton a reliable choice for golfers seeking a quality round. The open course layout delivers strong value for money that keeps players coming back.

About

Holes 18
Type Public/Municipal
Par 71
Length 5966 yards
Slope 115
Rating 68.2
Book a Tee Time at
The Pioneer Golf Course - Kenton County Golf
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Course Details

Year Built 1968
Golf Season Year round
Architect Taylor Boyd

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes
Dress code Proper golf attire.

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top Courses in Kentucky (2016 #20)
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Reviews

4.3
218 Reviews (218)
Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

play the parking lot....

course is in TERRIBLE condition. They spent $300,000 to redo the parking lot and $ 0 on the fairways and greens. But if you want to lose a ball, the rough is the place. Not 'amatuer' friendly at all. USED TO BE.....

Play is slow because you spend too much time looking for your ball two steps from the fairway.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Green's in bad shape

The greens on the pioneer were in very bad shape. Two greens(10-11) had at most 1/4 of green with any grass. Irrigation system was broke for a long period of time allowing the greens to burn up. Course wasted to much money on new parking lot. Fix course first (mainly the greens) and then worry about the amenities.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Really going down hill

My wife and I used to have a season pass for Kenton Co, but ever since the new management crew took over a couple of years ago, things have been on a steady decline. All 3 of the courses are suffering from patchy fairways and burned out greens. There are a handful of holes on Pioneer that hardly have any grass on the entire green. That never used to be the case up there. They have spent a lot of time and money on revamping the parking lot that essentially did nothing but eliminate 50-60 parking spaces and force everyone to park out in the boonies. That's money that would have been much better spent on maintaining the course or upgrading their treacherous cart paths. All of the employees are very polite and super friendly and the snack bar was very well run, but overall they are neglecting what this is all about...the golf course. At this rate, the county government will get what they really want and that's to sell it off for condo development. What a shame

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Played On
Reviews 41
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Losing Greens

Parts of the greens are burning out and going away on a decent number of the holes. Ask if you are going to be playing there in July what the conditions are. Rest of the course in good shape.

Father's Day is not a day to play this course if you want a decent pace of play. Popular spot since it is the easiest of their 3 courses.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Layout Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Fair
Pace Fair
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 16
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Forget the parking lot, invest in the greens

I booked this for a threesome. We wanted to play a course near to us. Figure to try this one out. Staff is awesome. The bar and concessions are very good with daily specials from the bar. I have played The Willows and Fox Run in the past.

Pulling in you see they paved over the parking lot and and lined it properly. They marked the cat path clearly when in the parking lot.

Front nine was pretty good and challenging. Then at the 10th green it all went downhill. Tenth green was 95% burnt down to dirt. In fact a guy was watering it as we were playing. We were shocked because it was so early in the season since its not even summer yet. 3 more holes were like this. TRULY disappointed. Maybe they should go to check Shawnee Lookout to see how greens are SUPPOSED to be?

You're better off going to Devou or Boone Links if you want to play a decent round.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

More dollars needed for course

The greens could use a little attention and the cart paths look and feel like they were in a war zone(very bad shape). Should have put the money they spent on parking lot and clubhouse into the course itself.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Greens in poor condition

Have played this course a few times over the years. Always enjoyed it being a bogey golfer it gave you a chance at scoring. When playing this time the tee boxes were like concrete could not get a tee into the ground. Greens on the front 9 were ok but the back nine were terrible. Looks like they airated some and killed all the grass. Will not be playing pioneer this summer again may try Willows and hope for better conditions.

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Wet weather
Used cart

pioneer, Kenton

It was an okay day, the front nine is in better shape than the back nine. there was a couple of hole where the greens were already burnt up.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Chuck1951

The course is good condition greens in good shape and some ter boxes are closed for renovation.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 19
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
3.0
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Heading in the wrong direction

The course was in better shape when we played here a few weeks ago; Tee boxes, fairways and cart paths need some major work. greens were in good shape. we got the 4:24 tee time on golfnow - unfortunately that was the first tee time after an elderly weekly group, so we played very slow the first 9 holes, then had to rush to pass a walking 2-some after we made the turn. don't pay more than $15 to play this course.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Response from on 11/16/2016:
Hi Kris1100918, Thank you for your review and rating of our golf course. We are sorry to know you didn't think the conditions were as pleasant as your last experience but we will continue to work on improving. We hope to see you back again soon!
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great Course

Loved the course just don't be late for tee time

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
9893d355-d0fa-56d6-8470-263e6262ca0d
Commented on 07/20/2016

u069324222,

Thank for the great 5-Star review! We agree, in the game of golf being punctual is everything!

Best regards,

The Pioneer Management

Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Pioneer Review

Upon arriving the staff was friendly and accommodating. The course was in good shape and the greens rolled well. We rode and had a pace of play of 3.75 hrs. I would recommend the course. There are 3 18 hole golf courses here so you can find one that will satify your needs.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
9893d355-d0fa-56d6-8470-263e6262ca0d
Commented on 07/20/2016

Golfgirl50,

Thank you for the great 4-Star review! We are glad you recognized the quality of our staff. We appreciate you recommending us and hope to see you again--bring your family & friends!

Best regards,

The Pioneer Management

Played On
Reviews 24
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Nice course for high handicaps

In great shape, greens smooth, good for short hitters like me.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Fairly Easy
9893d355-d0fa-56d6-8470-263e6262ca0d
Commented on 07/20/2016

jcscar54,

Thank you for the wonderful 5-Star review! We hope to see you out again soon!

Best regards,

The Pioneer Management

Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Course in in great shape!!

Beautiful course. All the greens are in immaculate condition. Just pay attention to the nuances of the green when putting. Had a great time. All of the staff are very friendly and the grass cutters were very considerate of us when playing through.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Maybe next time

I would have been happier and rated higher but I was stuck behind a 5 some where 4 children were learning the game. I was on a 2 some and would have preferred to play through. Since they weren't allowing it, we played very slow and it was not as much fun. Easy course and not a lot of hazards to worry about. Will be back again.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Good bang for your buck

If you're looking to play a 5 star course, try Augusta National. If you want to play a nice local course, that's not too challenging play The Pioneer. Yeah, the pace was a little slow, and the guy at the front counter wasn't the best. But the Starter was a great guy and the course was in good condition.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Average

Course was average. Played the front nine. Thank you

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
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