Kentucky Dam Village State Park Golf Course, Gilbertsville, 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.

The Kentucky Dam Village Golf Course was designed by Perry Maxwell whose other designs include Southern Hills C.C. in Tulsa, OK, and Colonial C.C. in Fort Worth, TX - home to golf legend Ben Hogan. KDV is full of rolling hills, lush fairways, and well-undulated greens. There are several blind tee shots and a couple of blind approaches if you’re not in the proper position for such a shot. All 18 greens are elevated – some requiring at least one extra club.

There are several memorable holes at KDV but none more so than the stretch from Number 7 to 10. Seven is a 130-yard par 3 over the only water on the course. The hole plays significantly downhill and is easily the most photographed on the course. Number 8 is a short 447-yard par 5 with a blind tee shot and a green that can be reached in two with back-to-back good shots. Number 9 is a 287-yard risk/reward par 4 with a very large tree on the right side that needs to be carried if you’re going for the green. The hole is best played with a hybrid or long iron short of the trap on the left and then an uphill pitch shot into the green. Number 10 is probably the most challenging hole on the golf course. It’s the longest par 4 on the course, playing 436 yards from an elevated tee box. A good drive will still require a long second shot uphill into an elevated green. Par is a good score here.

Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park offers several lodging opportunities. You can stay in the 72-room Village Inn Lodge or one of 61 cottages. For larger groups, there’s the 14-room Village Green Inn, located next to the golf course. This 3-diamond resort also offers camping, boating, dining, and 1700 acres of breathtaking recreational opportunities.

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.

Really enjoyed this golf course. Nice wide landing areas on most holes. Well maintained bunkers and fairways. Nice risk/reward Par 5s. Greens were a bit slow, probably to keep them from burning in the July heat. I will return and highly recommend this course.

Very enjoyable to play. Good example of Maxwell's work. Very well maintained. Extremely good value at $40. I will definitely play more rounds here.