French Lick Golf Trip Planning Guide
French Lick Resort has hosted everyone from Al Capone to FDR, and the golf matches the history. Pete Dye's hilltop masterpiece and the restored Donald Ross course deliver championship caliber, while the casino, spa, and proximity to bourbon country fill every off-course hour.
Quick Facts
Spring, Summer, Fall
SDF (90 min drive)
$55–$349
$300/night
2 of 3
~$343/person
Sample 3-Day Itinerary
Here's a realistic 3-day itinerary for a group golf trip to French Lick. Every venue below is real and pulled from our curated database — no filler.
Day 1
Pete Dye Course at French Lick — mountain, $199–$349 · 4.8★
Pete Dye's mountaintop opus — 300-foot elevation changes and panoramic Hoosier National Forest views
1875 - The Steakhouse — steakhouse, $$$$
The resort's flagship — dry-aged steaks, tableside Caesar, and an excellent bourbon list
West Baden Casino Bar — casino bar · Open late
Cocktails and gambling under the historic dome — the most dramatic bar setting in the Midwest
Day 2
Donald Ross Course at French Lick — parkland, $129–$229 · 4.6★
Fully restored 1917 Donald Ross classic — hosted the 1924 PGA Championship (Walter Hagen won)
French Lick Casino — 2-4 hours, $0–$200/pp
Full casino with table games, slots, and poker — right inside the resort
Hagen's Club House — casual, $$
Clubhouse dining at the Donald Ross Course — great for post-round burgers and beers
Lobby Bar at French Lick Springs — cocktail
Classic cocktails in a grand historic lobby — bourbon flights are the move
Day 3
Sultan's Run Golf Club — parkland, $55–$89 · 4.2★
Tim Liddy design through rolling hills and creeks — top public course in Indiana
French Lick Winery — 1-2 hours, $10–$25/pp
Award-winning wines from Indiana grapes — tasting room on a hilltop with great views
33 Brick Street — upscale, $$$
New American in a converted brick building — seasonal menus and craft cocktails
Power Plant Bar & Grill — sports bar · Open late
Casual bar near the casino floor — watch games and play some hands
Course-by-Course Guide
French Lick has 3 courses worth playing, including 1 bucket-list tier layout. 2 are walkable if you want to save on cart fees.
Where to Stay
French Lick has 2 group-friendly lodging options in our database, starting at $300/night for the whole house. Several options include hot tubs — a non-negotiable for most groups.
$400–$1000 /night
French Lick Resort — West Baden Springs or French Lick Springs Hotel
$300–$700 /night
Patoka Lake and surrounding Hoosier National Forest
Group Dining Guide
4 restaurants vetted for group golf trips. Several can handle large parties without a reservation headache.
1875 - The Steakhouse
$$$$The resort's flagship — dry-aged steaks, tableside Caesar, and an excellent bourbon list
Hagen's Club House
$$Clubhouse dining at the Donald Ross Course — great for post-round burgers and beers
33 Brick Street
$$$New American in a converted brick building — seasonal menus and craft cocktails
West Baden Springs Dining Room
$$$$Fine dining under West Baden's legendary 200-foot atrium dome — unforgettable setting
Nightlife
3 bars curated for groups. 2 stay open past midnight.
West Baden Casino Bar
Late nightCocktails and gambling under the historic dome — the most dramatic bar setting in the Midwest
Lobby Bar at French Lick Springs
Classic cocktails in a grand historic lobby — bourbon flights are the move
Power Plant Bar & Grill
Late nightCasual bar near the casino floor — watch games and play some hands
Activities Beyond Golf
5 off-course activities for rest days or afternoons.
French Lick Casino
Full casino with table games, slots, and poker — right inside the resort
French Lick Winery
Award-winning wines from Indiana grapes — tasting room on a hilltop with great views
Patoka Lake Fishing
8,800-acre reservoir stocked with bass, walleye, and catfish — boat rentals available
West Baden Springs Spa
Full-service spa in the historic West Baden Springs Hotel — mineral baths, massages, sauna
Kentucky Bourbon Trail Day Trip
Maker's Mark, Jim Beam, and others are 90 min south — combine with a rest day
Getting There
Fly into Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) — it's a 90-minute drive to French Lick. For groups of 8+, consider booking a shuttle or party bus from the airport (local providers include French Lick Resort Transportation and Hoosier Hills Limo). Renting two SUVs usually works for groups of 4-8.