8670 IN-56, French Lick, Indiana 47432, US
(812) 936-9300
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About French Lick Resort

The French Lick Resort is one of golf’s most historic, and esteemed, resorts. It embraces the natural beauty of the Hoosier National Forest in southern Indiana. Guests will have a tough decision choosing where to stay among the 757 guest rooms and suites of The French Lick Springs Hotel (listed on the National Register of Historic Places), the West Baden Springs Hotel (a National Historic Landmark) or the newer Valley Tower (opened in 2019). There are 45 holes of golf, a Callaway Fitting Studio, two spas, a casino, horseback riding, kids’ activities and endless meeting space. The Pete Dye course, host of numerous tournaments, ranks among the most scenic and demanding courses in the country. The classic Donald Ross course provides a nice complement. Beyond the game, there’s seven dining options; an activities center with tennis, pickleball and basketball courts; a bowling alley; arcade; fitness center and outdoor/indoor pools.

Facts

Price Range$$$, $$$$
Property Class★★★★★
Acres3000
Year Opened1845
Number of Units500+

Amenities

RestaurantsFine, Bar, Casual, Buffet
Room TypesRoom, Suite
PoolIndoor
TennisYes
Fitness CenterYes
Practice FacilityYes
Golf School/AcademyYes
CasinoYes
Banquet SpaceYes
SpaYes

Services

Kids ProgramYes
Room ServiceYes
ConciergeYes

Rules

Is the resort pet friendly?Yes
Is resort stay required for a tee time?No

Golf courses at French Lick Resort

Reviews

4.8
176 Reviews (176)

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 25
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

A good day on the links!

I like the course layout, it had a number of risk-reward holes and also required you to pay attention to hitting shots right to left and left to right. The course in general was in great condition, my only (slight) issue might be the greens. The grain definitely came into play and the swing in speed on into and with the grain was a substantial difference. While they rolled very true, I can’t help but wishing they would have been cut a bit tighter so that into the grain putts would have been a bit speedier.

Overall, a very good experience and I definitely recommend this course!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Previously Played

They ruined a Donald Ross gem

I recently returned from a French Lick golf weekend. I’m sad to report that the Ross Course has gone down hill under the leadership of head PGA pro Rob Koontz. What used to be a first class golf course and experience is now a 5 hour round with deteriorating course conditions and a rude management team.

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
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Commented on 05/25/2021

We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us. Thank you for the 4 stars! We aim for a 5-star experience, so we always welcome feedback for improvement. Thank you for playing Sultan's Run Golf Course.

Played On
Reviews 311
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Birmingham Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

I suspect there are players who visit the French Lick Resort and have to choose between playing either the Dye course or the Ross course. And I suspect many of these players select the Ross because of two factors: first, Pete Dye’s reputation for building hard golf courses scares the faint of heart, with his proliferation of bunkers and other hazards. And secondly, because of the price tag. The Ross comes in more than $200 less expensive than the Dye.

Little do these folks know they are about to get punched in the face. Dye may have been diabolical. Ross is an absolute savage.

At first blush, the course looks serene. It is a par 70. The cross bunkers aren’t intimidating. And the greens are of ample size. But, about those greens…

Ross confounds players with these complexes. It is a hackneyed phrase when describing Golden Age courses, but pronounced slope from back to front makes leaving approach shots below the hole of paramount importance. Sometimes even being short of the green is better than being on the floor in the wrong spot. That said, many holes feature shaved banks that will allow underclubbed irons to roll well back down into the fairway. The course demands imagination and creativity. Additionally, subtle slope around the cups seem to repel putts in every direction. Frustration can really mount if you come here planning to shoot a number.

The Ross course plays 3-4 shots harder than the Dye and you should anticipate playing an additional 300 yards from what the scorecard says.

I cannot recall ever playing a tougher collection of par 3s. They are meant to be difficult. Embrace the challenge. Two played well over 210 yards uphill, and today they were into the fan. You should add an additional 10-20 yards for all of the par 3s except No. 16, which was merely a wedge but a back left pin funneled approaches back to the front of the green.

And speaking of funneling, I would pay good money if somehow a Tour event could be reprised here. Though the 1924 PGA Championship was staged here, it just doesn’t have the pedigree for a modern golf tournament, but I would relish the opportunity to witness Tour pros cry about how “unfair” the eighth green is. While milling around before teeing off I heard several older gentlemen bantering with each other about how many times they have 4-putted the eighth green over the years. After playing it, now I understand. The pin today was back left and cut merely three paces off the fringe. The green is 32 yards deep. Approaches worked their way back to the front of the green, setting up 85- to 90-foot putts up the menacing incline. Four-putts are the norm and I have no doubt there are plenty of 10s carded there.

Having said all that, I loved it. French Lick benefits greatly from having two polar opposite courses, from an architectural and strategic standpoint. You will do yourself a disservice if you play just one and not the other.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 311
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Birmingham Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
Perfect weather
Used cart

Thinking about how to navigate a course Pete Dye has dug out of the dirt can cause a sleepless night. Especially when you drive out and survey the property on the afternoon of arrival to the French Lick Resort.

The fairways appear to be mere ribbons. The rough looks juicy enough to swallow a golf ball, and for that matter a 9-iron. Bunkers litter the property like the acne-pockmarked face of a 15-year-old boy. Slopes are harsh. Greens are small. Confidence is waning.

It is reported that upon visiting the extremely difficult site of the present golf course, Dye said he couldn’t build a track on it. He changed his mind, however, and moved 2.5 million cubic yards of dirt to create the fingers of land that the holes are draped on. The course basically wraps around the site and flows down from the mansion and pro shop that sits atop the property like a Christmas tree topper. The views from the second highest point in Indiana are dramatic and the wind usually blows. The genius in the routing is that it changes direction every three or four holes, so you will get varying winds that can help or hurt.

Dye is up to his usual antics, attempting to intimidate you with trouble that appears to be in play, but may actually not be. His uses all shapes and sizes of bunkers, including the “volcano” bunkers that are a signature.

That said, after playing 36 holes here today, I found the course’s bark to be much worse than its bite. The fairways are pinched, and the greens are small, but the Bluegrass rough allows stray drives to sit up nicely, allowing for recovery. The trade off is some nasty flyers. This may be a product of the early playing season. I have heard that in the summer the conditions can harshen.

You can make the experience as harrowing as you like by moving way back on the tee box, but I am not a sadist. The Gold tees tip out at 8,100 yards and possess a course rating of, wait for it... 80.0. Insane. It’s not an run-of-the-mill golf course, so the average player will probably struggle in stretches here. Don’t let that deter you, however, from playing it if you are a mid-to-high handicapper.

Finally, the $350 greens fee is steep, and you will be required to hire a forecaddie ($40+tip/pp), but the Dye Course goes above and beyond with the tee gift. Most high-end courses gladly give you a bag tag with your name engraved on it, and here is no exception. However, in addition, following your round you will receive a valuables pouch with a small bottle of local whiskey, a cigar, cutter, matches and shot glass. That, friends, is the proper way to say “thanks for playing here.”

Conditions Excellent
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 311
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Birmingham Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
First Time Playing
Wet weather
Used cart

Though it is a stepsister course to the French Lick Resort some 30 miles away, Sultan’s Run is no shrinking violet.

Rolling farmland provides fantastic shot values and demands a variety of thoughtful clubbing throughout.

Small greens with a ton of movement constantly seduce 3-putts with the slightest indecision.

There is a uniqueness to the sands in these traps. Coarser than most, but had no issue with how it played.

The three-hole stretch between 14-16 is my favorite part of the course, though there aren’t any filler holes.

The club touts the top signature hole in the state of Indiana. With the stunning waterfall that cascades behind the 18th green, they have a legitimate seat at the table of that debate.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/05/2021

Thank you for your kind words! We're glad your experience at Sultan's Run stood out among most.

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Wow!

I had seen this course in a magazine a couple of years ago. This year my buddy and I drove 7 hours to play it and we were not disappointed. The course layout is spectacular. I love the elevation changes. The last hole is the most beautiful golf hole I have ever played. We plan to go back.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/05/2021

Thank you for the amazing review. We're happy you found Sultan's Run Golf Course to be well worth the drive! And yes, we have the most dramatic signature 18th hole in Indiana according to Visit Indiana Golf Guide!

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 04/19/2021

Hello and thank you for your 5-star rating! We're delighted you enjoyed your round. Please book another round with us soon, and thanks for choosing Sultan's Run Golf Course!

Played On
Reviews 34
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

AWESOME

Course is dynamite. Staff is the friendliest and the food is really good!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 07/12/2021

We are so pleased that you enjoyed your time at Sultan's Run Golf Course. We look forward to seeing you on the course soon for another 5-star experience!

Default User Avatar
Anonymous
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/10/2021

Hello and thank you for your 5-star rating! We're delighted you enjoyed your round. Please book another round with us soon, and thanks for choosing Sultan's Run Golf Course!

Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/10/2021

Thank you for the stellar 5-star rating and for choosing Sultan's Run Golf Course!

Played On
Reviews 54
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

A Southern Indiana Must Play

I played the Sultan’s Run Golf Club with a friend on 11/07/20. This is an absolutely stunning golf course. When we played it, the grass in the fairways and rough were dormant which was a very cool contrast the green, greens. This course has some elevation changes and you rarely see, another hole except for the one that you are playing. The course offers 4 sets of tees and plays long. The course offers a variety of different holes from downhill par 3’s to uphill par 4’s to downhill dogleg par 5’s. You should take one more club than you normally would hit. The greens were firm and extremely fast. I later found out that they rolled the greens for three straight days, before we played. My advice, when hitting your approach shots is to aim for the middle of the green. I short sided myself all day, which made for a difficult and rare up and down. One of my favorite holes would have to be #12. It’s extreme downhill par 3 with water and sand in play. The second shot into #18 is also amazing. There is a very nice restaurant / bar area and they do serve breakfast. The entire staff was very friendly and helpful. I purchased a yardage book, which was helpful, since this was our first time playing the course. The course tore me up that day and I can’t wait to make a trip down there and play it again. I would highly recommend playing this course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 02/12/2021

We are so pleased that you enjoyed your time at Sultan's Run Golf Course. We look forward to seeing you on the course soon for another 5-star experience!

Played On
Reviews 43
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Beautiful

First time playing here when the grass was dormant and the leaves were turned, beautiful. Excellent shape. Staff awesome as always. The greens here are always true but usually on the slower side, not this time. Took a bit to adjust. Always a joy to play. Great spot to close out my season.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 02/12/2021

We appreciate the stellar rating! Come back again soon to Sultan's Run Golf Course!

Played On
Reviews 15
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 12/21/2020

Thank you for sharing your positive experience!

Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Sultans run is my favorite public course In Indiana!!!

From the moment you pull in and see 2 holes as your driving down to the first interaction in the clubhouse then throughout the round it is a wonderful experience!!!

Make sure to get the potato salad!!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 02/12/2021

What an amazing review! We hope to see you again soon here at Sultan's Run Golf Course.

Played On
Reviews 33
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

A "Must Play" list golf course

From the time I was greeted by the club pro I felt like they genuinely wanted me to play their course. The staff saw an earlier tee time and paired me with a twosome that proved to be a blast all day long. The course was simply beautiful in the Fall colors and well managed. Fairways were very generous and the greens had some contour and were fun to putt on. Next trip to this area, Sultan's Run will be at the top of my "must play" list!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 02/23/2021

We're happy to learn your enjoyed your golfing experience at Sultan's Run Golf Club from the moment you stepped into the club! We're pleased you consider us a "must-play."

Played On
Reviews 16
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

aerated greens

Course in great shape . Only that the greens had been aerated. If I knew ahead of time I would not had played.I have seen some course web sites put that on there site . I believe you should get a break on price.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Fall golf ought to be better

A busy Saturday in early October should warrant a golf refreshment cart. Also there should be a discount and an apology for freshly aerated greens. But all in all it is a nice course and the fall foliage was outstanding.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 10/12/2020

Mr. Lindberg,
Thank you for the feedback. We’re sorry the greens aerification caught you off guard. We had our schedule posted to social media and on our website. We also informed customers of our plans when they called in to book tee times. Since you booked on-line, we missed the opportunity to inform you. We are sorry. We hope you come back and see us. We have big improvements coming this off-season that will make your experience even more positive.

Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Default User Avatar
Commented on 10/01/2020

We are so pleased that you enjoyed your time at Sultan's Run Golf Course. We look forward to seeing you on the course soon for another 5-star experience!

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