French Lick in southern Indiana has long been a favorite for discerning travelers. In addition to the two fabulous championship golf courses, the Pete Dye and the Donald Ross, it boasts a historic nine-hole course – the Valley Links – that’s perfect for the entire family, or just a quick round to satisfy that golf itch.
The Valley Links Course
The Valley Links’ roots stretch back to 1907, when it was designed by the premier golf architect of the time, Tom Bendelow. It sits near the casino and is a very walkable nine-hole, par-36 course. Bendelow, was affectionately called “The Johnny Appleseed of American Golf.” In 1895, he built the first public golf course in New York City and is credited with designing more than 600 courses in his lifetime.
The Valley Links course provides golfers of all ages and skill levels, an enjoyable, as well as, challenging round of golf. French Lick partnered with U.S. Kids Golf to renovate and develop the course for the entire family, but it is especially designed for children and beginners.
For those golfers needing to slip away from the gaming tables for a short practice session, the driving range and practice area are also located along the Valley Links course.
The Donald Ross Course
Set on the rolling hills that dominate the southern Indiana landscape, the Donald Ross Course opened for play in 1917 and incorporates several of Ross’ classic design features. The topography allowed Ross to perch greens atop hills, which created uphill approach shots to greens with false fronts. His devilish undulations on the greens always make the dreaded three-putt the rule, rather than the exception and four putts are never out of the equation.
To add to the challenge, 80 bunkers with flat bottoms and steep faces litter the property. The bunkers surrounding the greens are deep and require a deft touch to extricate one’s ball with any hope to salvage par.
The 1924 PGA Championship, won by Walter Hagen, was held on the Donald Ross Course at French Lick. The 1959 and 1960 LPGA Championships were also held there.
Since 2017, the Donald Ross Course hosted the EPSON Tour’s (formerly the Symetra Tour) Donald Ross Classic, which features the talented young women professional golfers trying to make their way to the LPGA Tour.
The Ross Course is annually rated the No. 2 public-access golf course in Indiana by GolfWeek.
After your round, sit and enjoy a cold beverage and a tasty sandwich in Hagen’s Clubhouse Restaurant. If the weather cooperates, the best seats can be found on the veranda with unobstructed views of the first and tenth tees, as well as, the ninth and 18th greens.
The Pete Dye Course
When the leadership at the French Lick Resort first asked Pete Dye to design a golf course atop the second highest peak in Indiana, he was not keen on the idea. But after more consideration, plus a few scratches on a cocktail napkin, Dye came up with a routing that created one of the most challenging and beautiful golf courses in the world. 
Using the steep terrain, he built several elevated tees that allow majestic views, as well as, provide every golfer an advantage with the driver. From the back tees at the 11th hole, golfers can see for more than 40 miles in every direction, but the fairway seems to be a small oasis far away in the distance. Every golfer, despite his or her handicap, must take the steep drive up the cart path to check out this amazing site and send at least one drive soaring into the great blue yonder.
Be sure to appreciate the ‘volcano bunkers’ that reside in the right rough along the second fairway. To our knowledge, you will not see this unique design feature at any other golf course in the world.
The Pete Dye Course has hosted several big tournaments: the 2010 PGA Professional National Championship, as well as, the 2015 Senior PGA Championship, won by Colin Montgomerie.
Alice Dye hosted an annual charity event on the Dye Course at French Lick. The resort held a Legend’s Tour event for senior women professionals, every year beginning in 2013. In 2017, The Senior LPGA Championship became the first major tournament for senior women.
Don’t forget to visit the Mount Aerie Mansion before you head back down the hill. Formerly the Taggert Family Mansion, it sits at the very top of the mountain and provides breathtaking views as you savor your favorite sandwich.
There is a statue of Pete Dye near the mansion and the inscription is pure Pete Dye,
“The ardent golfer would play Mount Everest if somebody would put a flagstick on top.”
The French Lick Charity Classic
Beginning in 2022, the EPSON Tour’s Donald Ross Classic will be renamed the French Lick Charity Championship and will be contested on the Pete Dye Course. Proceeds from the event will benefit Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis, a longtime favorite of the French Lick Resort.
With the average purse on the EPSON Tour being $200,000, French Lick has made a three-year commitment to offer a total purse of $335,000, with $50,000 going to the winner.
The champion of the 2022 French Lick Charity Classic will be well on her way to the LPGA Tour in 2023.
Dining
Dining at the French Lick Resort is yet another one of the outstanding features of the resort. They take their food service very seriously. Both the 1895 Steakhouse in the French Lick Springs Hotel and Sinclair’s in the West Baden Springs Hotel serve only the finest cuts and dishes to please the most discerning diner.
If you are looking for a more casual dining experience, French Lick has several options. The Power Plant Bar & Grill, The Grand Collonade and Pluto’s Pizzeria are all located in the French Lick Springs Hotel.
Ballard’s in the Atrium at the West Baden Springs Hotel allows diners to take in the beauty of the eight-story domed lobby, while enjoying a delicious repast.
Spas at French Lick
Both the French Lick Springs Hotel and the West Baden Springs Hotel offer luxuriously appointed spas to help calm and soothe your tired muscles. Professional massage, facials, body wraps, scrubs, manicures and pedicures are all available inside the soothing spa atmosphere.
Casino
The casino at French Lick has every game of chance imaginable.
With more than 700 slot machines in the spacious French Lick Casino, jackpot hunters are sure to find something they will like. In addition, French Lick is constantly updating its games with progressives and interactive games with bonus potential.
Choose from more than 25 table games on the casino floor. Blackjack, craps, roulette and other popular games are all available. Plus, French Lick’s experienced dealers are glad to help the inexperienced player.
The newly renovated Sportsbook Lounge with wall-to-wall television screens and comfortable club chairs in the French Lick Casino provide real time viewing, plus allows players to place wagers on all their favorites, as well as the underdogs, while enjoying their favorite food or adult beverage.
It’s the perfect place to kick back and still enjoy all the action.
New Rooms
While the French Lick Springs Hotel and West Baden Springs Hotel embrace their distinguished history, the resort just completed the Valley Tower that added 71 new rooms adjacent to the Casino. They are comfortable, beautifully appointed and the rooms can be connected to accommodate families and various groups.
