Grayson Lake Golf Course, Olive Hill, KY

There are two Kentucky State Park Golf Courses on the east side of the state that would make for a terrific weekend golf getaway for guys, gals, or couples. Eagle Ridge at Yatesville Lake State Park and Hidden Cove Golf Course at Grayson Lake State Park will provide two exciting rounds of golf for just about anyone who plays them.

My advice is to play your first round at Hidden Cove. It’s located in Olive Hill, KY, and has won numerous awards over the year including a rating of #4 Best New Affordable Public Courses by Golf Digest in 2004 and a 6th place in KY ranking by the same magazine in 2006. The course offers some good elevation changes and generous Bermuda grass fairways. The Bentgrass greens are incredible and are surrounded by challenging bunkers.

Number 8 is the course’s #1 handicap hole. It’s a 394-yard par 4 that plays nearly completely uphill. A good drive will still leave a long approach shot into a small, well-undulated green with very little trouble around it. A par on this hole is something to be celebrated!

The Lodge at Greenbo Lake State Resort Park in Greenup, KY is a great place to bed down for a couple of nights. The Jesse Stuart Lodge has comfortable rooms at a reasonable rate and the Angler’s Cove restaurant has good food as well.

Both of these courses are currently undergoing bunker renovations and are in the process of switching over to “Better Billy Bunker,” the best-draining bunker system in the golf industry. It may take a while for the installation to be complete but it’s well worth the wait.

For golfers that plan on playing multiple rounds of golf over the year at the Kentucky State Parks, you may want to consider purchasing a Trail Card which gives you access to many courses across the state within the Nation’s Finest Park System. A lot of these courses have been recognized nationally by Golf Digest. The Trail Card can be purchased at any of the Kentucky State Park courses.

Interesting course with lots of bunkers and good design. Conditions were only fair and bunkers were under-maintained. Good price and not too much play, so you can get around quickly. Off the beaten-track and good value.