These are the top golf courses you can play in Southwestern Indiana
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Southwestern Indiana boasts some of the top golf courses in the state. From Evansville to French Lick to Vincennes, there is no shortage of quality layouts.
Some are rated better than others. Some are only accessible to the lucky few. But if you're looking for a fun day on the links, you have options.
Here are the top golf courses you can play in Southwest Indiana, starting with public courses.
Pete Dye Course at French Lick
This is the best, and toughest, public golf course in Southwest Indiana. Named after its designer – Pete Dye was one of the most well-known course designers in the world before his death in 2020 – it's ranked the 51st-best public course in the country by Golfweek.
As part of the French Lick Resort in Orange County, the Dye Course opened in 2009 to critical acclaim. Built on the second-highest point of land in the state, the course is known for its slopping terrain and narrow fairways. It's also a robust 8,102 yards from the professional tees.
The Pete Dye Course hosted the Senior PGA Championship in 2015 with champion Colin Montgomerie calling it "one of the iconic courses" in America. It also hosted the last four Senior LPGA Championships.
Green fees with cart: $350
Donald Ross Course
Built in 1917, this 7,000-yard layout gives the French Lick Resort two of the top public courses in the Midwest. It was ranked the No. 2 public course in the state by Golfweek.
Designed by renowned architect Donald Ross, the Ross Course features 80 trademark bunkers with deep faces along with severely undulated greens. Thirty-five of the bunkers are original to the course since it was constructed over a century ago.
It was the site of the 1927 PGA Championship won by Walter Hagen. The course received a $5 million restoration in 2007.
Green fees with cart: $125
Sultan's Run Golf Club
This track has been one of the top public courses in Indiana since it opened in 1992. Its designer, Tim Liddy, was a disciple of the legendary Pete Dye.
Located in Jasper on over 300 acres, the course is challenging for all skill levels with the back tees stretching nearly 6,900 yards. The tees and fairways are zoysia grass with Bermuda rough and bent grass putting surface. It is the host of the Southern Indiana Athletic Conference meet and the Jasper sectional.
The course also offers beautiful sights including its signature 18th hole.
Green fees with cart: depends on age and time, $50-80
Country Oaks Golf Club
Located on U.S. 50 just west of Montgomery, this nearly 7,000-yard layout can contend with most public courses in the area.
It is challenging with tight fairways and several penalty areas but also offers the potential for low scores – if you keep the ball straight. It annually hosts the IHSAA boys and girls regional championship. It's worth the trip for a good cost.
Green fees with cart: $37-42
Cambridge Golf Course
Another Tim Liddy design located a few miles north of Evansville. But it stands out among other good public courses in the area for its layout.
A challenging 7,200 yards, it is a Scottish-style links course with long fescue rough for those who really miss the fairway. The layout also features nine in-play lakes and multiple pot bunkers.
There is a risk/reward design philosophy that places a premium on accurate tee shots.
Green fees with cart: $40-45
Here are other public choices for those interested in a solid day of golf: Helfrich Hills (Evansville), Christmas Lake (Santa Claus), Fendrich (Evansville), Cypress Hills (Vincennes), Buffalo Trace (Jasper).
A list of the top golf courses in Southwest Indiana would be incomplete if it only focused on public layouts. Some of the best tracks in the area, and the state, are within driving distance of Evansville.
Of course, the catch is you must be a member of each of these courses or know someone who is in order to play as a guest.
Victoria National Golf Club
Ranked the 47th best modern course in the country by Golfweek, this is a bucket list course if you ever get the chance.
Built atop an abandoned strip mine northwest of Newburgh, this Tom Fazio design is arguably the most challenging course in Indiana. Built in 1998, it is the host of the Korn Terry Tour Championship. The final stretch on the back nine is considered among the toughest closing holes on Tour.
Rolling Hills Country Club
Also located in Newburgh, this is the toughest of the four annual courses in the Evansville Men's City Tournament. It features a challenging 6,700-yard layout and even tougher greens. You better come ready to play.
Evansville Country Club
This 6,100-yard layout on the north side of Evansville is deceptively tough. A tight front nine requires strong play before a more open back nine gives the potential for lower scores. The course annually hosts the final round of the Men's City Tournament.
Multiple holes with undergo a renovation this fall following the completion of the City Tournament.
Oak Meadow Country Club
Located in McCutchanville on the north side, this is another premier course near Evansville. The championship tees stretch over 6,800 yards with tree-lined fairways and fast greens.
Follow Courier & Press sports reporter Kyle Sokeland on Twitter @kylesokeland.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: These are the top golf courses you can play in Southwestern Indiana
