5/23/10 - This week's featured course was the Bardstown Country Club's Maywood course. The Bardstown Country Club also has another 18 holes called Woodlawn Springs equaling 36 holes of semi-private country club waiting for you to enjoy. It was finally a warm 90 degree day and a good break from the rain. This Classic Kentucky Valley course sits just South of Louisville in Bardstown, KY right off of the Bluegrass Parkway. It has a nice clubhouse with good practice facilities that includes a full size range and practice green. We paid the weekend rate at $45 that included cart. We thought this price was fair. We didn't have GPS on the carts as the website indicated however I'm not sure if that was because of the carts were new or that feature has been removed from this facility.
The course has 5 sets of tees available playing from 4600 yards to over 7200 yards. It starts out very tough playing the #3 handicap hole. It's a long par 4 sitting at 440 from the black (back) tees. The next hole is just as long sitting at 439 yards. Then you step onto the 3rd hole, which is the #1 handicap hole. It's a 667 par 5 from the blacks and 594 from the blues. If you can survive these 3 starting holes, you have a good chance at shooting a good score although there are many other challenges ahead.
The back nine shifts from the Classic Kentucky Valley course to a links style with subtle rolling hills and a little more open. Wait until you hit the signature hole on the course, #16. It is a 207 yard par-3 from the back tees with a 60 to 70 foot drop. The entire right side of the green is protected by water and the entire left side is protected by out of bounds. You really need to be prepared for this hole and know where to hit the ball. Eighteen gives you a chance to make up a shot on the back side. It's a 515 yard par-5 that is reachable in two shots.
The fairways are marked with stakes and yardage markers that line the middle of the fairway. They have the classic blue (200), white (150), and red (100) to the center of the green. The 150's are marked with a tall white and green stake helping guide you to the middle of the fairways and frankly at some points helps you understand where to hit some "blind" shots off the tee.
You really need to bring your good course management skills to this facility to shoot a good score. The Amateur Golf Tour has an event out there next weekend. It should be a good time. We'd rate this a 8-8.5 out of 10. Play golf Kentucky!
Feel free to book your tee time or visit their website at, http://www.bardstowncountryclub.com/Maywood.asp or visit their Facebook fan page.