Barren River Lake State Park Golf Course

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.

Even though Barren River Lake State Resort Park in Lucas, KY is a water lovers' paradise, the golf course offers a great challenge in a relaxing setting. The course winds its way around forests and rolling hills and through valleys near the shore of Barren River Lake. Although the course doesn’t have nearly the elevation changes you’ll find at My Old Kentucky Home, it more than makes up for in sloping fairways. Holes 3 – 8 offer fantastic views of the lake and the back nine is carved out of the surrounding forest. Head Golf Professional Cody Goodwin refers to the first three holes as qualifying holes, preparing him to take on his favorite hole, the par 5, 4th. At 464 yards from the back tees, it’s a short par 5 by today’s standards. The fairway slopes severely from right to left so a good drive down the right side will leave the best angle into the green and the chance to play the same ball again. It becomes a moot point if you can carry your tee shot 260 yards. The green sits about 30 feet above the lowest point of the fairway with a huge mound just to the left, which can wreak havoc should you hit it on your approach shot. Double bogeys are more common than birdies on this “short” par 5!

After your round, take a tour of the Dueling Grounds Distillery in nearby Franklin, KY. Car enthusiasts can make the short drive to Bowling Green, KY, and visit the Corvette Museum. There’s always Mammoth Cave National Park, the world’s longest cave system.


Barren River Lake State Park offers both lodge rooms and cottages that are perfect for foursomes and smaller groups. There is also a full-service bar and restaurant in the main lodge building making it a great place to stay, play golf, enjoy the lake, and commune with nature!