The Cullan At Mineral Mound State Park, Eddyville, KY

Golfers in the Commonwealth of Kentucky need to look no further than their state park system when looking for challenging and affordable golf opportunities. There are three state parks in the southwestern part of the state that could be packaged together as part of a Kentucky State Parks golf outing. Each of these parks has a bevy of lodging and dining options as well as plenty of things to do for the entire family.

Ask anyone familiar with the golf courses at the Kentucky State Parks and they will tell you that the best is a toss-up between Kentucky Dam Village and Dale Hollow. As a first time player of the Kentucky State Park golf courses, I submit that Mineral Mound be added to the mix.

The Mineral Mound Golf Course is located within Mineral Mound State Park. Several holes play along the shores of Lake Barkley in Lyon County, Kentucky. Mineral Mound is named after the mansion of Willis B. Machen, which formerly stood on the property. The course opened in 2003 and was designed by Dr. Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry and in 2009, Mineral Mound was ranked by Golf Digest Magazine #5 as the "Best Courses You Can Play."

At 6,521 yards from the back tees, the length is not going to overpower anyone, however, a course rating of 72.7 and a slope of 130 are telltale signs that the course is no pushover. Tee 2 at 5,964 yards and a slope of 125 will give most golfers all they can handle. Mineral Mound Golf Course may be best played without a driver. Park Manager, Chris Cary, agrees: “Long off the tee can get you in a lot of trouble; you need to leave it in the bag on many of the holes.” Elevation changes and beautiful vistas are as commonplace as the deer you will see during your round. Stand on the green and look back up the fairway you just played; odds are you’ll see a deer or two! Views of Lake Barkley dot the landscape as you make your way around the front side, giving way to beautifully forested holes on the back.

Number 13 is truly a memorable hole, a 3-shot par 5 that I would name “Uphill Climb.” The hole plays 510 yards and starts from an elevated tee box and goes up from there with a narrow landing area. Things don’t get any easier on your layup shot and BTW you still can’t see the green.

This is just one of the thirteen golf courses that are part of the Kentucky State Parks. They are all beautiful, well maintained, and staffed by friendly, knowledgeable staff. Most offer overnight accommodations as well as restaurants that serve great food in abundant portions.

Great design beautiful course sitting on Lake Barkley and the course was in great shape for January. My Handicap is a 5 I shot 80 and the 4 fairways I missed cost me at least 5 shots.

This is a challenging, scenic golf course. My group loved the course and will return. My only negative is that I feel they need more water stations on the course. I do feel that they could speed up the average playing time by placing more readily findable yardage marks in addition to the white and red stakes. Great overal experience.

Great course! Stay in the fairways the rough is very unforgiving. The scenery is great. The design is fantastic. I really like this course.