Yatesville Golf Course, Louisa, 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.

Eagle Ridge, the 18-hole championship golf course at Yatesville Lake State Park in Louisa, KY, is one of the most challenging state park golf courses I have ever played. The course was designed by renowned golf course architects Arthur Hills and Steve Forrest who incorporated the rugged beauty of the region to create a one-of-a-kind golf masterpiece. The ball sits up beautifully on the well-manicured Bermuda fairways and the immaculate Bentgrass greens roll true with a lot of subtle undulations.

The tee-to-green elevation changes are significant with the 14th hole being a prime example. According to the scorecard, the hole plays 300 yards from Tee 2. When checked with a rangefinder, it plays about 250 yards, straight downhill with trees on either side. It’s drivable, even for us short knockers! Before your round, be sure to pick up a “tip sheet” in the pro shop that is filled with valuable information on how to play each hole. I’m not one to follow the crowd, but it proved to be a valuable, stroke-saving asset.

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.

I'll give this course 3.5 stars for a lack of upkeep, much of the staff must be volunteers in exchange for free play. I have played the course several times, it's a difficult course at best. Every lie know to mankind is possible, bunkers were fairly kept. Someone must think they are trying to be PGA only from the looks of the rough, deep and thick. It's priced too high to be a state park course, nice club house, driving range is okay and a practice green. Staff has always been friendly but I know really good golfers that have lost a dozen or more balls on this course in one round. Several blind tee shots, huge change in elevations, plenty of wildlife and scenic views. CHALLENGING? Yes!YES! Large greens that are mowed way too short, certain times of year bare spots are extremely common. They try to make it into a difficult course from every aspect or it sure appears that way. Be very careful with your cart or you might end up being hauled off the local hospital.

Hilly course with lots of forced carries. Good conditions except the bunkers tend to get washed out. Interesting course but make sure to play the right tees or you can lose balls in the ravines.

Awesome course. If you are a "player", you will love this course. Tee boxes are great, fairways are great, greens are nice and smooth. Some beautiful elevated shots on this course. Make sure that if you are a first time player here to get one of the cheat sheets at the clubhouse. One of the best if not the best courses I've ever played. I will be back again and often.

I have played such courses as the TPC at Sawgrass in Florida, Pinehurst #2 in North Carolina, and Arcadia Bluffs in Michigan just to name a few not including a slew of Jack Nickalus, Arnald Palmer, Donald Ross, and Pete Dye Courses around the country. This course is at least in the top three most unique golf experiences I have ever had. It is a must play for any golfer who loves the thrill of the dramatic.