The Donald Ross Course at French Lick

Hole-by-Hole Description

Welcome

Learn more about a particular hole and receive tips from our Director of Golf Operations, Dave Harner, a PGA Professional with 24 years of experience. Dave has been a PGA Class A member since 1991 and was honored as the 1994 and 2004 PGA Merchandiser of the Year for outstanding golf shop operations and sales.

Hole 1

Medal Tees: 422
Ross Tees: 401
Regular Tees: 394
Forward Tees: 373
Par: 4/5
The key here is to hit the tee shot to the left center of the fairway to allow a better angle to the green and avoid the huge greenside bunkers.

Hole 2

Medal Tees: 419
Ross Tees: 379
Regular Tees: 350
Forward Tees: 271
Par: 4
The best play is to the left center of the fairway, but you will need to carry the bunkers at the top of the first hill. There is plenty of room for the shorter hitter to play the right side.

Hole 3

Medal Tees: 424
Ross Tees: 404
Regular Tees: 364
Forward Tees: 286
Par: 4
From the tee, it appears that if you miss the two bunkers on the left, the tee shot will be fine. However, be aware that a sinister third bunker is lurking about 100 yards from the green on the left. Try to keep the approach on the short side of the pin to allow for an uphill putt.

Hole 4

Medal Tees: 240
Ross Tees: 194
Regular Tees: 166
Forward Tees: 92
Par: 3
This is the first of three long par 3's that make up this great Donald Ross track. No matter which tee you select, the tee shot must carry the entire yardage to the green. The facing bunkers are approximately 15 yards from the front edge of the green.

Hole 5

Medal Tees: 476
Ross Tees: 461
Regular Tees: 421
Forward Tees: 348
Par: 4
A left-center tee shot is preferred, but watch the fairway cross bunker 150 yards from the green. If you go right, be sure to carry the approach bunker that looms at about 15 yards from the front of the green.

Hole 6

Medal Tees: 249
Ross Tees: 210
Regular Tees: 184
Forward Tees: 127
Par: 3
As you turn back to the south, this hilltop-to-hilltop par 3 requires both distance and accuracy. You must carry the full yardage to the green because no ball bounces on to this green. The green has two distinct terraces, front and back, with bunkers left-front and -back and all along the right side of the green.

Hole 7

Medal Tees: 538
Ross Tees: 513
Regular Tees: 487
Forward Tees: 394
Par: 5
This par 5 with a slight dogleg left is a definite birdie possibility, provided you miss all the hazards along the way. The tee shot should be positioned right-center of the fairway. The long hitter will have no problem getting his second shot over the fairway bunkers at the top of the ridge near the 150-yard mark. However, the shorter hitter will be faced with a decision on his second shot: carry the bunkers or lay up for a long approach.

Hole 8

Medal Tees: 383
Ross Tees: 368
Regular Tees: 305
Forward Tees: 280
Par: 4
Long the most talked-about hole on The Donald Ross Course at French Lick, hole 8 offers various turns along the way, the first being a 90-degree dogleg left. The ideal play is with the club that will get your tee shot to the 150-yard marker. Beware the bunker on the inside of the dogleg, a Donald Ross trademark. As you approach the green, you will notice the most severe slope on the course, with 7 feet of fall from the back of the green to the front. Keep the ball below the pin to avoid multiple putts.

Hole 9

Medal Tees: 366
Ross Tees: 358
Regular Tees: 342
Forward Tees: 314
Par: 4
The best tee shot avoids the bunker on the left at the entry road, yet stays in the fairway. There isn't much advantage to a tee shot across the road, which is only 110 yards from the center of the green. Lay upshort and have a level lie with an uphill approach to the green.

Hole 10

Medal Tees: 383
Ross Tees: 374
Regular Tees: 363
Forward Tees: 312
Par: 4
Your tee shot should be aimed at the right side of the green, avoiding the fairway bunker on the left at 150 yards from the green. The approach plays uphill, so use enough club.

Hole 11

Medal Tees: 367
Ross Tees: 345
Regular Tees: 308
Forward Tees: 242
Par: 4
The lake is mostly a visual and only a 200-yard carry from even the back tees. This, the shortest par 4 on the course, demands accuracy, otherwise the bunkers will consume a poorly placed tee shot. Watch the front left pin placement, as this is definitely the most difficult spot.

Hole 12

Medal Tees: 435
Ross Tees: 430
Regular Tees: 368
Forward Tees: 323
Par: 4
The 12th parallels the 5th, so aim at the right edge of the fairway and let it fly on this open driving hole. Distance far outweighs accuracy as a long tee shot will get you within iron range.

Hole 13

Medal Tees: 252
Ross Tees: 228
Regular Tees: 204
Forward Tees: 164
Par: 3
This is the longest par 3 on the course; don't be embarrassed to hit fairway wood or even a driver from the back tee. Carrying the large, crater-like bunkers in the approach is a must. The top of the bunker is about 60 yards from the green edge. There is also a hidden bunker on the right side of the approach, followed up by a roller-coaster green sure to test the best short grass player.

Hole 14

Medal Tees: 452
Ross Tees: 409
Regular Tees: 377
Forward Tees: 333
Par: 4
The large bunkers in the face of the hill should be bisected with the tee shot. The top of the hill is 200 yards from the green. Over the hill to the right are three fairway bunkers that start at about 140 yards from the green and run to the approach. The left side of the fairway is preferred.

Hole 15

Medal Tees: 665
Ross Tees: 530
Regular Tees: 485
Forward Tees: 433
Par: 5
There is no question that five is the par on this monster. A 200-yard carry across the lake from the back tee, left center of the fairway, is best from wherever you play. Bunkers are in the left slope all the way up the fairway, so play to the center and you won't be disappointed. This hole was the site of an amazing double eagle in 1984 by golf professional Dave Dunfee of Lake Placid, Florida. A marker notes the spot where the second shot was fired.

Hole 16

Medal Tees: 151
Ross Tees: 133
Regular Tees: 119
Forward Tees: 106
Par: 3
Do not underestimate this great par 3. Though it is the shortest hole on the course, it exemplifies Donald Ross architecture in its purest form. No fewer than six deep-faced bunkers await any shot that misses this uniquely shaped green. Being on the right quadrant is premium, and being short of the hole will make life much easier when it comes to putting.

Hole 17

Medal Tees: 379
Ross Tees: 362
Regular Tees: 349
Forward Tees: 315
Par: 4
The last northbound hole, the 17th is the most severe of all the greens with a left-to-right drop of 6 feet in the middle tier. Down the middle leaves a mid-to-short iron to the green.

Hole 18

Medal Tees: 420
Ross Tees: 418
Regular Tees: 394
Forward Tees: 337
Par: 4/5
Heralded by many golf writers as one of Donald Ross' finest finishing holes, the 18th requires a stout carry to the top of the ravine, which is still some 200 yards from the green. Green and approach bunkers fill the right side, so stay left and plan to carry the full yardage to the pin. Fairway bunkers also sprinkle the left-side rough near the crest of the first hill.