I spent a week in French Lick Indiana playing a couple other golf courses (Ross and Dye), and a number of my golf friends suggested I play Sultan’s Run in Jasper. This group has never pointed me in the wrong direction, so I called the day before and was able to get a morning tee time the next day as a single.
I played Sultan’s Run on a Thursday morning in May, and 18 holes with a cart, a bottle of water and a small bucket of range balls totaled $47. So far, so good.
The course opens with a reasonable par 4, with some well-placed bunkers down the left side. The pin was tucked behind one, and I ended up hitting a bit long. Luckily there was room to play, so I chipped close and made my up and down for an opening par.
Two is a downhill par 3 over water. The green is on the large size, so if in doubt, a little long here is OK too, especially considering the bunkers in the front.
The third is only 304 from the Gold tees (which I played, totaling 6,429), meaning it’s almost reachable. The smart play is an iron, leaving a wedge to the green (which is elevated, so a bit tough to see from the fairway.) Of course, I’m not the smartest player, so I took driver, but got a pretty good poke and ended up with only a short chip. Unfortunately, I 3-jacked for a bogey. If I play here again, I’d definitely change clubs on the tee shot.
The 5th is a 159 yard par three to a thin but wide green, with lots of bunkering in the front. The bunkers also seem to be magnets, as it plays a bit downhill, so don’t be afraid to take an extra club. I pulled out my Flip camera and took a minute-long video of this hole, not because it’s the most scenic, but for the sounds. There is an abundance of wildlife on this hole, with a swampy area to the right of the green. Have a listen for yourself; be sure to turn your speakers up for this:
The 7th is another short (326 yard) par 4. The smart play is, well… you know what the smart play is. It doglegs slightly to the left to an elevated green, but is pretty open, so I went with driver. I even hit the slight draw, and had about 70 yards left to the flag. The wedge wasn’t sharp enough and it left me with 2 putts, but as a 12-15 handicap, I’ll never complain about a par.
The tee shot on 9 is wonderful, and one of the things I like most about golf. It’s uphill, reasonably blind, with a carry over water. Great, challenging drive, and I absolutely love it.
After hitting your tee shot, you need to navigate your way to the raised fairway. It made for an interesting journey, so again, I pulled out the Flip, and made a quick video. A cart really comes in handy on this hole, as you’ll see.
The 10th is a great, long par 5. Although it measures 544, it’s still reachable (with two near-perfect shots) because it’s all downhill. Beware of the bunker behind the green that you can’t see; it’s a tough up and down from there.
The twelfth is probably my favorite hole on the course, mainly because I birdied it! It measures 191 from the Golds, and I took a 6-iron and hit it pin-high to the right just off the green. Normally, I hit a 6 iron about 170-175, so this downhill hole plays at least 1.5 clubs less. I was able to putt, and drained about a 15 footer; nothing like a birdie to get your mojo pumping!
The one thing I noticed with the back 9 is as the holes progress, they seem to get stronger, and more visually impressive. The front was great, but the back is where the real aesthetic value kicks in.
Fourteen is a great example of that. The tee shot looks innocuous enough; keep it a little right of the bunker, and you should be fine. The approach is again, impressively downhill. Here’s a shot:
This was totally unexpected, and really made me stop and think what a great track this really is. (For the record, I hit it long, chipped on and 2-putted for a bogey, but I was so taken with the beauty of the course, it was painless.)
The fifteenth is long and straight, with water up the entire left side. Luckily there’s a long, thin bunker between the water and fairway the entire length of the hole. There’s also a single tree behind the green that may come into play, depending on how far you hit the tee shot. Here’s a view from behind the green.
The 16th (named Talent Contest) is another strong par 3 (175 from Gold). The tees are elevated, and the green is well guarded with sand. The water is more of a visual problem, and shouldn’t come into play, although it may force you to hug the right side of the green (like I did.) Really a beautiful, well thought par 3.
The 17th is an uphill par 4 that looks a lot longer than it is (at least to me.) It measures only 383 from the Gold tees, but standing on the tee, looks much longer. Even though the approach is uphill, consider a 3-wood off the tee; it may keep you out of trouble. Here’s a view looking back from green to tee.
Finally, eighteen is truly a pleasure to play, especially the first time you play it. The tee shot is downhill, and it’s obvious it doglegs sharply to the right. There’s plenty of room to land, so let it fly.
Your approach is one of the most picturesque on the course, with the clubhouse on the left, the green on the right, and a waterfall behind the green. You can start hearing the rushing water when your cart stops for the approach. Absolutely wonderful finishing hole; not only great for the visual senses, but for the auditory ones as well.
There’s one final walk down the stairs to the green for your last putt(s) of the day. Take a look around once you’re on the green; it’s really a beautiful spot.
For the price, playing this course would easily cost you double (or triple) in most areas of the country. Plenty of length, lots of elevation change, and a finishing hole that’s second to none. If you ever visit the French Lick area, Sultan’s Run in Jasper is only about a half-hour away. If you have time then be sure to play it, and let me know what you think in the comments below. I can’t imagine that you’d be disappointed.
Popularity: 11% [?]
No related posts.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
On behalf of the Jasper (Indiana) Chamber of Commerce, I thank you for the great commentary about Sultan’s Run in Jasper. We are very proud of this course and appreciate that you liked it , too – and that you are spreading the word!
Hello Dan – To echo Nancy Eckerle’s comments above, on behalf of the Dubois County (IN) Visitors Center & Tourism Commission, we thank you for visiting Jasper and Dubois County and for your positive comments about Sultan’s Run. I am glad you enjoyed yourself and the course. We look forward to welcoming you back to the southern Indiana area again!
@Nancy Eckerle – It was my pleasure; the course truly exceeded expectations.
Played 8/7/09- Outstanding condition. New golf carts and clean facilities
I have played several times over the past 4 years and today was the best condition I have seen.
Not to mention the town of Jasper with several dining and hotel options. Stay and play
Sultan’s Run Golf Course phone number is published wrong everywhere. People consistently call my house (SOMETIMES 4-5 CALLS/DAY) number for a tee-time. I have called and talked with the manager several times, nothing has changed. This has gone on for a period of 2 yrs. At first, I just looked up the number for the people- now I have asked them to go back from where they have this number listed to let them know that the number is incorrect. SULTAN’S RUN GOLF COURSE NUMBER IS—482-1009.
played9/15/09 I have played alot of golf courses all over the US, to me Sutan’s Run is the most picturequest 18 holes I have ever played. The course was in great shape, the price is fabulous, and the personnell were friendly and professional. What a great day! This is a best kept secret, everyone who enjoys beauty and a challenging setup make it a must to play.
I played Sultan’s Run in July of this year (2009) when returning from a wedding in Virginia. My tee time was 7:30 am and it was a bit foggy that morning. I was the first person out that morining and boy was it a blast. The fog made it interesting for the first couple of holes. I couldn’t see the green on number 2, so I drove my cart down the hill to see where it, and the flag were. The course was spectacular in every way. Even though I played from the Gold tees (over 6400 yds.) it didn’t seem that long, as many holes were downhill. The greens were perfect, the course was outstanding, and the scenery was some of the finest I’ve ever seen on any golf course, and I’ve played a ton of them. Having said that, I’d return (and I will) in a heartbeat. This was one of my all time favorite courses, and one of my favorite rounds I’ve played, even when playing alone. Thanks to a great and very professional staff for making this a day to remember.
I have played sultans run loved it without a doubt and also got a chance to play the Ross course it was very tough, I also worked as a caddie at the Dye course I would recomend all of them coming to visit the area.
played this course yesterday 10/21 and the day before
had alot of fun! Great course. came from Louisville to
French Lick, played with my 2 golfing friends. we all enjoyed
this course!
Went through your top-notch review before we came from Evansville and played in late July 2010, after dropping off 4 teens at nearby Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari. It really is a beautiful, tough but fair, and so very entertaining layout. Greens were a little worn in spots, no doubt from lots of play, but everything else was in first-rate shape. Love the videos in your evaluation of it. Might try Cambridge outside Evansville (another Liddy designed course) and its 250 bunkers sometime. Or anywhere else close. Call ahead & I’ll rustle up a couple more media types and join you. FYI grew up in Homewood, IL caddied at Ravisloe 3-years, and after checking out your review went back home to play it in September. Absolutely a tremendous course..!!
I have played here 3 times in the past and agree with your comments. The terrain and elevation changes are great and it makes all the holes much better then what it would be without the hills. There are plenty of favorite holes on the course especially #18 as well as all the par 3′s. I am reading all hese comments an ready to play except for two things and one happens to be snow flurries. Love teh course in my top 30 of my 409 played to date.