Lincoln Homestead State Park Golf Course

Golf, Bourbon, and the Kentucky State Parks

What do you get when you mix golf and bourbon? For most players, it’s a forgettable score, but in Kentucky, it’s a winning combination for tourists! Here, you can mix the golf courses at several Kentucky State Parks with nearby members of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and create memorable results.

The Kentucky State Parks have a lot to offer golfers with challenging and scenic golf courses all over the state. Many offer lodging and several are within easy driving distance of each other. The Kentucky State Parks website has made it easy for you to plan your next round of golf at one of these facilities or even book a cabin and make it a buddies or couples golf trip. They have separated the parks into three regions, East, Central, and West.

The Central region is home to four fantastic golf courses, Dale Hollow in Burkesville, My Old Kentucky Home in Bardstown, Barren River Lake in Lucas, and Lincoln Homestead in Springfield. While Dale Hollow seems to grab most of the spotlight, the other three are definite considerations when putting together a multi-round trip.

Lincoln Homestead Golf Course may be slightly off the beaten path but it’s still only 30 minutes away from another State Park Golf Course, My Old Kentucky Home. The course was designed by world-renowned architect Perry Maxwell and his son, J. Press Maxwell. As you make your way around the course you’ll encounter rolling fairways with modest elevation changes, beautiful lakes, an abundance of wildlife, and terrific views. The small, Bentgrass greens are incredible with subtle undulations and roll smooth and true.

There are five par 3 holes on this par 71 golf course and are all challenging. The 5th hole plays 195 yards from Tee #2 and is all carry over a grassy valley. Number 8 is a carbon copy of the 5th, although it plays about 35 yards shorter. The back nine starts with another par 3 that plays 205 yards and at 204 yards, the 14th hole is a mirror image, that plays in the opposite direction. It’s dead straight so pick the right club and swing away.

A couple of holes had alternate greens, which was an interesting twist. No matter your skill level, the course is fun and challenging, and with extremely affordable – some might say downright cheap - greens fees Monday – Friday it’s one of the best golf bargains around!

Bourbon enthusiasts will find several famous distilleries near the golf course: Four Roses, Wild Turkey, and Buffalo Trace, the oldest continuously operating distillery in America. Lincoln Homestead is an ideal stopping point between the Frankfort/Lawrenceburg area and Bardstown, KY.

With two State Park golf courses within an easy drive of each other, they make for a great weekend getaway with the guys, gals, or significant others. Although neither Lincoln Homestead nor My Old Kentucky Home State Parks offer accommodations (other than campsites), there are a myriad of hotel options, VRBOs, and quaint bed and breakfasts.

Course conditions were poor, but greens were in good shape, rolled great. Fun little course though if you looking for nothing specatular.