French Lick, IN
Two legends and a domed palace — Dye and Ross golf above Indiana's springs country.
French Lick pairs two eras of golf royalty on one property. The Pete Dye Course rides a hilltop with forty-mile views and has hosted senior major golf; the Donald Ross Course below it hosted the 1924 PGA Championship and still plays with Golden Age teeth. The resort itself is half the show — the restored West Baden Springs Hotel and its vast domed atrium is one of America's great architectural spaces, and the casino, bowling alley and bourbon bars fill the evenings. A nine-hole valley course and a quality public round in nearby Jasper complete the rotation.
| Course | Designer | Notes | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pete Dye Course | Pete Dye | The hilltop spectacular with forty-mile views — a senior-major host and the trip's premium round. | resort |
| Donald Ross Course | Donald Ross | Host of the 1924 PGA Championship — restored Golden Age golf with real teeth. | resort |
| Valley Links | — | The walkable nine in the valley — perfect for an arrival-evening loop. | resort |
| Sultan's Run | — | A scenic, well-kept public round in nearby Jasper — the away day. | public |
The resort
The domed wonder — a restored grand hotel whose atrium has stunned visitors for a century. French Lick Springs Hotel next door adds the casino.
◆ The private house
A lodge home in the Hoosier hills or on Patoka Lake, twenty-odd minutes out — big porch, fire pit and room for the whole crew between casino runs.
4-6 BR · sleeps 8-12 · ~$400–$1,200/nt
AM Travel morning — into the valley by early afternoon.
PM Check in under the dome, Valley Links evening nine, dinner and a casino lap.
AM The 1924 PGA host — Golden Age greens, modern humility.
PM Pool or bowling alley; bourbon bar after dinner.
AM The Jasper away round.
PM Spa, shooting sports or dome-side cards; steakhouse dinner.
AM The hilltop showpiece for the team match — wind and views for forty miles.
PM Trophy dinner under the dome; cigars on the veranda.
AM A last valley loop or a grand-hotel breakfast, then the trip home.
A Pete Dye hilltop spectacular and a Donald Ross course with major-championship history, anchored by the jaw-dropping domed atrium of West Baden Springs. Golf pedigree, casino nights and grand-hotel theater in one valley.
Stay-and-play packages bundle both championship courses; the Dye Course carries a premium fee, so schedule it as the centerpiece. Book a night's dinner under the West Baden dome — it makes the trip.