Having seen so many schematic layouts of actual courses, I felt like I could fit a challenging 18 holes into the hills, hollows and hayfields of this great state. The first step was to take a map of Kentucky and identify water hazards such as the Ohio, Kentucky, Cumberland, Green, Big Sandy and Licking Rivers. Next I added the casual water of Lake Cumberland, Dale Hollow Lake, Green River Lake and so on. The course would not be complete without some significant terrain of the Land Between the Lakes coming into play. Put in the rugged hills of eastern Kentucky as obstacles, mix in some sand traps, cap it off with a signature hole and all you need are fairways, roughs and tightly-tucked greens for the course to be ready.
Goldenrods mark the tee boxes.
The decision off the tee is whether to carry the river leaving a short iron shot to the green, or to lay up and take a longer approach shot. The Kentucky River is an obstacle, as is the Rolling Fork if a shot to the green carries long. Trees at the end of the fairway are a great background to aim your drive. It is an eagle possibility for the long hitter. There will be plenty of bogeys here.