French Lick Resort - The Donald Ross Course

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.

Having golfed in Florida for the past few years, I had forgotten what havoc undulation plays on your golf game. The greens are fast and sloped, so if you are going to miss, try and stay below the hole if you want to shoot a good score. This is a great test of golf and I would highly recommend checking this course out!

Having only played not even 2 full years of golf, this is one of the better courses I've ever played. Tee boxes are great, fairways are nice, and greens are TOUGH. Some of these greens are mind boggling and will leave you in complete frustration with their speed and undulations. Overall, a very fun, but challenging round of golf.

4.5 stars, not quite perfect but better than average 4 stars (at least that seems to be avg on this site). Really old school layout that is still tough as nails. Good fun if you want a challenge. This resort is for serious golfers.

I am a fan of classic design so the Ross was more my speed. Blends in with the history of this wonderful resort.

This magnificently restored course had me wondering: How in the world did they play this course back in the day with hickory shafts and inferior golf balls. It's hard enough with modern equipment. Which makes you realize how these great Donald Ross designs have withstood the test of time -- especially with modern agronomics. Simply put, if you come to French Lick to play the Pete Dye Course and don't play the Ross, you've cheated yourself. A very different test, the Ross Course is also difficult, primarily because of the greens. But the hills, with the uphill and downhill approaches, also contributes to its difficulty as well as length.

While the Pete Dye course is probably considered the "bucket list" course at French Lick, the Donald Ross course is far more economical to play and is a fantastic track.

My BIL and I played mid-week in the heat of the afternoon to catch the twilight rates. The course was not very busy and had mostly two-somes playing. The pro shop and clubhouse staff were very friendly and helpful. After our tee off on #1, we had a very smooth round around the gorgeous, well manicured course.

The par 70 course from the Bronze tees at about 6500 yards is very challenging with plenty to consider off the tee and very challenging greens to hit your approaches into and putt on. The slope, slant, and tiers on a number of the greens make them the biggest challenge on the course. The par 3's are probably one of the toughest set I've ever seen. Their length combined with the green complexes make them a very stern test.

The heather/fescue grass frames just about every hole beautifully while providing very penal results to the very errant shots. We both lost a few balls to the long grass.

Even after a week removed from my round, I still am replaying a number of holes and viewing the scenery in my head. The variety of holes still allows me to remember them distinctly, which is usually a good sign of a well-designed course. There are many recognizable Donald Ross features on the course.

I'm very glad I got to play here and will always remember the round. I'd highly recommend a visit to this course if you're ever in the area.

What a wonderful golf course. Donny did it again. I played at Pinehurst a few years back, and saw a lot of similarities around the greens.

The greens were in great shape, and the holes offered a great challenge.

The staff is UNBELIEVABLE. They are amazing, and exemplify how every golf staff should be. Can't wait to be back.

Thanks,

NWB

The course was in perfect shape, you'd have to look really hard to find a blemish. One thing to note is how challenging the green complexes can be. Make sure you play the correct tees and miss your approach shots in the right spots or it will be a tough day with the flat stick. I highly recommend playing both courses if you have the change, you won't regret it!

Played this course for the first time, and enjoyed a perfect day, other than a few poor swings. Course conditions were very good, though a little soft from recent rain. Lots of elevation changes, and uneven lies. Bermuda fairways over seeded in September had grown in nicely, leaving excellent lies on lush green grass. Great breakfast omelet before the round. Pro shop staff was friendly.

I grew up in this part of Indiana, and I have played it before and after the remodel. It's always been an amazing course but after the remodel and the casino opened in the area the course gained some national recognition. For an amazing experience and walk through history check out the French Lick resort and surrounding areas! And yes these pictures are of the actual course after the remodel.

Course was in excellent condition. Our foursome had a wonderful time.

It's amazing to think that this course was designed in an era of clubs with Hickory shafts. Expect long carries, uneven lies from the hilly terrain and challenging greens. The greens offer quite a challenge because of the slope, which is often the only way for the green to shed water after a rain. It's a fun and affordable championship golf course.