French Lick Resort

The French Lick courses have a strong reputation. This course could not have missed the lofty expectations any more than it did. It looks nice from the clubhouse, but when you get on the course you'll find conditions that are not worthy of the lofty price tag. Many of the fairways/rough and even a couple greens have large dead//mud patches, and it's not just from where water would lay. It screams of poor maintenance. For the price they charge, and the amount of play they get it's nothing short of a complete joke to maintain it like that.

Then there is the pace of play. Sure, it was a Saturday afternoon, but we were 2-3 groups deep on the last 10-12 tees. Made for a 5-hour death march. While the cart girl came around for them to make more money with $7 beers, there was never a ranger to do anything about the pace of play. The layout of the course allowed us to see who was holding things up, and nothing was ever done about it. At a resort course like this, that is inexcusable.

The course itself is what you'd expect from Ross, with domed/sloped greens that were almost carnival-like if you miss in the wrong spot. Lots of rolling hills and elevation change, and very long par 3's. Very thick rough awaited if you sprayed your shots as well. So it has some interesting potential. But right now, in this shape and with this management there are far better places/resorts to go to (such as Chariot Run).

I really enjoyed Sultans Run. The course has a challenging mix of elevation change, thick rough, and tricky greens. It's visually intimidating and pleasing at the same time. The 18th green with a waterfall behind it and clubhouse overlooking it was beautiful.

As for playing it, you have to pick the right club off the tee, as we found ourselves in the wrong spot hitting driver on multiple occasions. The greens were fairly large and rolled true. So why 4.5 stars? They clearly must've had a rough season and spent a lot of money on sod recently to make repairs. There were still spots in need of work too. In some cases, you had to seek relief from it, but once it fills in I'm sure it'll be pristine again.

Bottom line, if you're in/around French Lick or this part of the state or are looking for a good group destination than you can't go wrong with Sultans Run. Highly recommend playing it and I'll be back again.

Each round reveals additional subtle features. Played early morning- greens held good shots and putts a bit easier to pace. Very nice treat when in French Lick area.

In town for business and was able to sneak out in the afternoon. Great condition, great layout. Only thing missing is some directional 150 markers off the tees for first timers.

Another great course at French Lick Resort! This Donald Ross course is the perfect compliment to the Pete Dye course. Another firm test of golf with undulating greens. Make sure you miss in the right spots or else you are going to be in for a long day, like me... The course was in great shape and the staff could not have been better. We had lunch and dinner at the clubhouse on different days and both meals were great. So much history on this course as they recently reached their centennial anniversary. Highly recommend playing this course! If you put the ball in the right position, there are birdies to be had. I left plenty out there!

This round ranks top 10 all time for me. This was such a surreal experience. All of the contour changes and sites were amazing. It was pretty windy when we played, and the course is already hard as it is. The caddie that we had (Kyle Head) was second to none. Super knowledgeable about everything, had it not been for him, I could have shot a terrible round. The course was in MINT condition. As you can see by some of the photos, it is beautiful. The staff across the board was great. The food was amazing, highly recommend the filet for dinner! This is definitely a bucket list course and can't wait to come back!

The Donald Ross course at French Lick resort has been one of my favorites in in recent and distant memory. We were fortunate to play the course as part of the Golf Advisor Getaway to French Lick Resort.

The layout is classic Ross and is in fantastic condition. Having lived in Florida for a while now, this design reminded me of some of my favorite New England tracks.

There is plenty of width off the tee, but there are some occasions where the blind shots appeared to result in a fairway hit, but only to reveal you’re on the wrong side of the rough line. This is absolutely fine in my book, precision is rewarded in many cases with an extra 25-30 yds of roll into position ‘A’. The greens were huge and were slow in the early morning (compared to the Dye), but as the some dried the dew, they started rolling at the intended pace.

This is a Par 70 and only has two Par 5s, which a very demanding. The Par 3s are super tough, 3/4 were in the 175-205 range from the white tees, a true test. The 4s were a great assortment of long and short with many elevated tee shots and more elevated greens.

This was not only a course I enjoyed playing once, but am positive this is a course would continue to reveal its nuance the more and more you play it. In fact, if it wasn’t so far from my home, I’d be in line for a membership.

Had an opportunity to play the Dye Course at French Lick Resort as part of a recent Golf Advisor Getaway to the south central Indiana classic.

The Dye course was designed to be intimidating from start to finish. The course is set atop a large hill above the resort and the views are spectacular. The course tips out at over 8,000 yds (we didn't play it anywhere near that far back) and includes visually intimidating and extremely tight tee shots, approach shots that require precision and greens that are undulating and and quick.

Each foursome is assigned a forecaddie and they are very useful. Randy helped us pick lines and more importantly, know the right place to miss. The Dye Course is a bear if you are out of position, but manageable if you keep it on correct sides of the trouble.

Overall, this is a stunner of a property and a perfect foil to the classic 1917 French Lick - Donald Ross Course only a few miles up the road.

Fun holes, great variety. Biggest thing is knowing which side of fairway you can afford to miss on. One side will be lost ball in tall weeds, other side is playable. Different every hole.

Also par 3s are too long, I moved up 1-2 boxes on par 3s and they were much more playable. Par 3 greens are not built for 200-230 shots.

Must play if you are a Ross fan. Staff is fantastic

Played 9 here today and was impressed. It was a fun little nine hole course in very good condition. Very good range and short game practice area. The staff was great - extremely friendly and helpful. The course was a little crowded to play as a single but several groups let me play through. The course has multiple tees that would be great for young kids.

This is the 26th Ross designed course that I have played, and it is one of the very best. The course was in great condition. The first 3 par 3 holes are tough - playing one to two clubs more than the distance. Run up alleys were cut tight and a short shot may roll back quite a bit. This course is 100 years old and still kicking butt. Don't miss a chance to play it.

Played 36 (thought about 54, but the heat was a little much after 36) in about 6-7 hours. Swallow your pride and play from the right tees. Played from the bronze and it was testing. Very few even lies, tons of elevation changes in the greens (you hit the wrong side and it's a two putt at best), and semi-blind shots abound here. But this is an old school golf course which I couldn't say enough great things about. Only a couple forced carries, but most of the fairways have a hill in them which you need to clear in order to have a <200 yard approach into. The par 3s are tough. 3 of the 4 are 210-230. And from the tips, depending on where the flag is on one of them, you might be hitting it 240. The 670 par 5 on the back is fun, too.. For $120 with free replays, this is a great way to spend a day. If you've got the extra cash, I'd get a forecaddie as having one would have helped a lot on a few shots the first time round. Facilities are great, the guys who were there could not have been nicer-- if you're around her,e go play it.

I can't believe this course hasn't been reviewed in years. Love the layout, love the course conditions, staff is very friendly. I don't understand the price hike. Could have used a marshal on the back nine. Our 3some was cruising along until we got bogged down by a foursome which backed up 5 holes behind us. You paid $59 for the round what's another $3 in a lost ball in the weeds, drop and move on.

They treat you like a king from the moment you pull up. Forecaddies pair with you on the practice facility, cleaning you clubs, which I've never seen at a public facility. Course is spectacular, the views are breathtaking. The clubhouse is small but has everything you need and the food was great. Overall a memorable destination.

The last time I was in French Lick, just prior to the Dye Course opening, a Hurricane blew through, wrecking havoc on this part of the Midwest just prior to the Valhalla Ryder Cup. So I suppose I was due for some idyllic weather this time around. That's just what we got, and our first-off tee time on the Dye Course in late-April blessed us with an incredible morning sunrise.

Well known as one of resort golf's toughest rounds, the Dye Course was really about as "gettable" of conditions as we'll ever get (I'm told it can blow up here - but we had no wind). And despite a few swing gags (Dye's always had my number off the tee) I was able to finish my round pretty strong - enough to leave with a few good memories of my game and not just good photos. Frankly, this is a distracting place to play because so many greens and tees have incredible backdrops. The course actually reminds me of Castle Stuart in that regard, so many green sites have infinity backdrops or incredible vantage points. We could have played in under 3 hours if it weren't for all of our picture-taking.

I don't love some of Pete Dye's stuff just because I prefer the shaping of holes to be a little more mellow. (I know, if he woke up one day with my career he'd jump out a window). But you can't argue with the course he managed to build on this elevated and severe site. He's always been a genius in terms of golf course construction, and this one's up there with any other in the Midwest. It's certainly fitting that a Dye design will be on some of Indiana's highest ground. The Hoosier-born genius certainly deserves a lofty place in this state and this game for many years to come.

Pinehurst may be the mecca of Donald Ross designs you can play, but French Lick shouldn't be too far behind. The Ross course, celebrating 100 years in 2017, holds its own as one of the architect's most interesting (and challenging) you can play. It hosted the 1924 PGA Championship, and good players are still in for a challenge no matter which tee box they play.

I have to admit, I actually vividly remember more holes of the Ross than the French Lick Dye course. I think it's a testament to how unique each hole looks off the tee box and how distinctive each green is. It's true that most of the greens are elevated, so this isn't a course poorer players are going to do well on. But what Ross managed to do with this pretty severe piece of land (for the Golden Era) is pretty remarkable. I just love the shaping and the roll to the fairways.

If you're a fan of the classics, this course has to be on your radar if you're around Louisville or Indianapolis.

Course played amazing and the views were absolutely breathtaking. Can't wait to come back

Indiana golf's favorite son Pete Dye in the home of Larry legend. Set on the highest point in the state it's a match made in heaven. That said I just liked the more traditional layout of the Ross. When I play courses I ask myself if I'd play it every day. This would be a tough loop. But I'm glad I saw it as it's clearly the most spectacular setting in this part of the Midwest.