Best Public Golf Courses in Louisville, Kentucky

Updated February 2024 to update booking information.

When you think about top golf destinations in the country, Louisville probably isn’t at the top of your list.  Instead, when you think of Kentucky, words like “derby” and “bourbon” are what immediately come to mind.

I’m here to tell you that there is absolutely some remarkable golf to be found in Louisville.  I’ve played a few courses, but the town’s residents are really nuts about their golf.  So much so, that they more or less demanded that I write an article highlighting the best tracks in their fair city.  I obliged, so long as they agreed to help me out.  It didn’t take much convincing by either side.

Let’s dive right in.

1

Chariot Run Golf Club

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Chariot Run Golf Club, located just across the state line in Indiana, offers golfers a big, modern design with bent grass greens known for their exceptional quality. The equestrian-themed 18-hole course at Chariot Run Golf Club, located at Horseshoe Southern Indiana, is highly recommended by golfers for its breathtaking beauty and challenging layout.

Its wide-open, treeless nature makes it susceptible to wind, adding an extra layer of complexity to the game. Golfers consider Chariot Run Golf Club one of the most underrated courses in the country and highly recommend it for its spectacular beauty and challenging layout. The course is known for its lush fairways, and its proximity to Louisville makes it a popular choice for golfers in the area.

With its PGA-level design and picturesque setting, Chariot Run Golf Club is a standout among public golf courses. If you’re looking for a challenging yet enjoyable round of golf, Chariot Run’s hill golf course should definitely be on your list of must-plays.

2

Fuzzy Zoeller’s Covered Bridge Golf Club

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Just over the state line in Sellersburg, Indiana, Fuzzy Zoellers Covered Bridge Golf Club offers a modern design with Zoysia fairways, making it a popular choice for golfers looking for a challenging yet enjoyable round of golf.

This golf course, designed by Fuzzy Zoeller himself, is located in Southern Indiana and is known for its fair and demanding holes. The Zoysia fairways provide a great playing surface, allowing golfers to enjoy their game without being penalized for mistakes. The course also features a scenic covered bridge, adding to its charm.

Fuzzy Zoellers Covered Bridge Golf Club has garnered a loyal following among locals and visitors alike, with positive reviews praising the well-maintained fairways and greens. The club’s reputation for offering a challenging yet rewarding golfing experience makes it a recommended destination for those seeking public courses in the area.

If you’re in the vicinity, this well-maintained and picturesque course is certainly worth a visit, especially for golfers looking to test their skills in a beautiful setting.

3

GlenOaks Country Club

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GlenOaks Country Club in Louisville, Kentucky offers an exciting and constantly improving golfing experience, making it a highly recommended destination for golf enthusiasts in the area. The club has undergone significant improvements, transforming its previously decaying state into a popular choice among local golfers. Its challenging course design and picturesque views contribute to its positive reputation, solidifying its status as one of the best golf courses in the Louisville area.

Despite its increasing popularity, securing a tee time might be challenging due to its high demand among golfers. However, the efforts put into revitalizing the course haven’t gone unnoticed, generating excitement and drawing in golf enthusiasts eager to experience its well-maintained grass fairways and beautiful surroundings.

GlenOaks Country Club stands out as a top choice for those seeking a rewarding and challenging golfing experience. With its continuous improvements and growing appeal, it’s a must-visit for anyone looking to explore the best that the Louisville golfing scene has to offer.

4

New Albany Golf Course

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Nestled in the Louisville area, New Albany Golf Course offers great value and an enjoyable experience for golfers of all levels. While the greens and fairways may not be flawless, the overall experience and reasonable pricing more than compensate. The course has garnered a loyal following of golfers who appreciate the pure enjoyment of the game here. It’s known for its welcoming atmosphere and provides opportunities for everyone to play, making it a popular choice for both locals and visitors.

The rolling hills and picturesque scenery add to the charm of this Kentucky golf course. While it may not have the prestige of Valhalla Golf Club, which hosted the PGA Championship, it offers a more relaxed and accessible environment for golf enthusiasts. New Albany Golf Course provides a great option for those seeking a less intimidating and more affordable round of golf.

Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just starting out, New Albany Golf Course offers a pleasant and approachable setting to enjoy a day on the green.

5

Quail Chase Golf Club

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Looking for a premier golf club with picturesque views and unique course characteristics in the Louisville area? Quail Chase Golf Club, designed by renowned architect David Pfaff, is a top choice for golf enthusiasts.

Situated in Louisville, Kentucky, this public golf course is maintained to the highest standards and offers 27 holes, each with its own distinct features.

Here’s why Quail Chase Golf Club stands out:

  1. Renowned Design: The club’s modern design by David Pfaff, known for his work in Carmel, California, sets it apart as one of the premier facilities in the Louisville area.
  2. Scenic Setting: The club provides a peaceful setting with stunning views, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a visually captivating golfing experience.
  3. Unique Course Characteristics: Highly recommended is playing all three nines if time permits due to the distinct features of each course, offering golfers a diverse and rewarding experience.

Quail Chase Golf Club isn’t only highly regarded among local golfers but also considered one of the most underrated courses in the country. It’s a must-visit for those seeking a golfing experience that combines natural beauty with exceptional course design.

6

Seneca Golf Course

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Quail Chase Golf Club, known for its renowned design and unique course characteristics, is just the beginning of the exceptional public golf offerings in Louisville, Kentucky.

Now, let’s turn our attention to the challenging and picturesque Seneca Golf Course. Seneca Golf Course is a part of Louisville Parks and Recreation’s public golf courses. It presents golfers with a well-maintained 18-hole layout set in a scenic and picturesque environment.

The course’s mature trees and rolling terrain provide a challenging yet enjoyable experience for players of all levels. Seneca Golf Course is celebrated for its accessibility to the general public, offering a quality golfing experience at affordable rates. Situated in the East End of Louisville, this course has earned a reputation for its welcoming atmosphere.

The bent grass greens add to the allure of the course, enhancing the challenge and beauty of each hole. If you’re seeking a golfing experience that combines both difficulty and charm, Seneca Golf Course stands as an excellent choice among the public golf courses in Louisville, Kentucky.

7

Charlie Vettiner Golf Course

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Located in the East End of Louisville, Kentucky, Charlie Vettiner Golf Course offers golfers a picturesque and challenging experience with its rolling hills, bent grass greens, and zoysia fairways. If you’re seeking a top-notch golfing experience in Louisville, Vettiner Golf Course won’t disappoint.

Here’s what you can expect:

  1. Scenic Rolling Terrain: The course’s undulating landscape provides a visually stunning backdrop for your game, adding an extra layer of challenge and beauty to your golfing experience.
  2. High-Quality Grass: With its bent grass greens and zoysia fairways, Vettiner Golf Course boasts excellent playing surfaces that are sure to impress even the most discerning golfers.
  3. Golfer Ratings: Rated as the 7th most challenging course in the area, this course is a favorite among golfers who appreciate a good test of their skills.

Situated in the East End of Louisville, Charlie Vettiner Golf Course is a gem that’s worth exploring. Whether you’re a local or visiting from out of town, this course promises a fulfilling round of golf in Jefferson County Country.

8

Persimmon Ridge Golf Club

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Nestled in a serene and picturesque setting, Persimmon Ridge Golf Club offers golfers a unique and enjoyable experience with its well-maintained fairways and greens. This public golf course in Louisville, Kentucky, is renowned for its challenging layout and stunning views. The course is thoughtfully designed to provide a peaceful and exceptional playing experience, making it a top choice for golfers seeking a memorable round.

Persimmon Ridge Golf Club is highly recommended for its exceptional conditions and beautiful surroundings. The well-kept fairways and greens add to the allure of this club, providing golfers with an opportunity to test their skills in a stunning natural environment. The club’s attention to detail and commitment to providing a top-tier golfing experience make it a must-visit for those in the Louisville area.

Golfers looking for a public golf course that combines natural beauty with a challenging layout will find Persimmon Ridge Golf Club to be a delightful choice. Whether you’re a local resident or visiting Kentucky, this club offers a memorable and rewarding round of golf.

9

Elk Run Golf Club

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As you explore the vibrant golfing scene in the Louisville area, your next stop leads you to Elk Run Golf Club, a semi-private course in Jeffersonville, Indiana, offering a captivating blend of tree-lined fairways and well-kept greens. This golf course provides a good test of golfing skills and has received positive reviews from players. With a rating of 3.7059, Elk Run Golf Club is a must-visit for golf enthusiasts in the region.

Here are some key highlights of Elk Run Golf Club:

  1. Challenging Layout: Elk Run Golf Club offers a challenging yet enjoyable layout, with tree-lined fairways and well-maintained greens that provide an excellent setting for a round of golf.
  2. Scenic Views: The course’s picturesque setting, with its natural beauty and meticulously designed holes, offers golfers a memorable and visually stunning experience.
  3. Positive Reputation: Elk Run Golf Club has garnered praise for its overall course conditions, friendly staff, and the satisfying level of challenge it presents to golfers.

Elk Run Golf Club is a standout destination among the top golf courses in the Louisville area, alongside Persimmon Ridge Golf Club, Nevel Meade Golf Course, and Quail Chase Golf Course.

10

Sleepy Hollow Golf Course

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All the way back in 1966, a number of Louisville locals were together at a party and spent the evening sipping famous Kentucky Mash.  As usual, the world’s problems were solved, except one toward the end of the evening: the courses in the city proper were just too damn crowded. 

I’m told these fine fellows slept in that morning, but renewed their interest in the last conversation of the previous night soon after they woke up.  One thing led to another and James A. McWilliams, owner of a large tract of land in Oldham Country, was the founder of what soon became Sleepy Hollow Golf Course.

The course is touted as one of the best nine-hole courses in the entire state to this day.  Even though folks travel from all around to play here, everyone is treated like family.  It’s been that way since the beginning and certainly isn’t going to change any time soon.

The layout?  Straight forward.  Condition? More than suitable for anyone.  The experience?  Golf as it should be in a place where you’d least expect.

Conclusion

When I think of Kentucky, I think of a few things: whiskey, thoroughbreds, and bluegrass.  The state is certainly known for all of the above, but there’s oh so much more to experience.

Yes, golf is part of the story here too.  Especially in Louisville.  All you have to do is ask our readers who so generously contributed to this article.  While you might find many of them in a pew on Sunday morning, you can bet your bottom dollar they’re on first tee early the same afternoon.  My kindest thanks to you all.

If you’d like to share more about your experience with public golf in Louisville, please share with the rest of in the comments below.

Paul Liberatore
Paul Liberatore

As the Founder of Golfers Authority Paul Liberatore Esq. has spent the last 7+ years writing about the best golf equipment or instruction from the top golf instructors in the world. He has been a contributing writer for Sports Illustrated Golf and GolfWRX. After graduating with honors from Purdue University, he realized that he had a passion for the golf business and the law. When he's not practicing law, or creating golf content on YouTube, he can be found on his syndicated Behind the Golf Brand podcast both on Apple and Spotify talking with the most prolific leaders in the golf industry. 

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