By The Golfin’Guy, David Theoret
Dubois County in southern Indiana is home to one of the state’s top-ranked golf courses, Sultan’s Run, a true golfing masterpiece.
Since the course opened in 1992, Sultan’s Run has received its fair share of accolades including Indiana Golf Course of the Year and the No 6 Course to Play in Indiana by Golfweek, Magazine in 2019. They have also hosted some very prestigious golf events including the 2016 Indiana PGA Senior Open, Korn Ferry Tour Qualifiers, and the Golfweek Midwest Junior Classic. Golf Digest has awarded Sultan’s Run 4 1/2 stars. 
The course underwent an extensive remodeling project in 1996. Under the guidance of world-renowned architect Pete Dye disciple Tim Liddy, all 18 holes were reworked in some way or another. Zoysia fairways were planted, bunkers were added or taken away and reimagined on others. Greens were reconstructed and some holes were given a total makeover. In the end, Sultan’s Run emerged as the masterpiece you see today, a world-class golf facility that will have golfers of all calibers talking about it long after they leave the course.
The back (Black) Tees play 6,859 yards with a course rating of 73.5 and a slope of 143. Move up to the Gold Tees and the yardage drops to 6,429 but the slope only drops to 138. Two other tee boxes play to yardages of 5,762 (Silver) and 4,911 (Green). Even if you move up a set of tees, you are guaranteed to have a great round.
As you make your way around the course, you’ll play along rolling hills and tree-lined valleys, around three lakes and a myriad of streams, and encounter wonderful and well-maintained bunkering. What you won’t see at Sultan’s Run are houses and that’s not likely to change anytime soon; it’s just you, mother nature, and that little white ball! This is truly one of Indiana’s most scenic layouts.
Stepping to the first tee, the slope and rolling terrain is evident and when you step up to the second tee you get a sense of the elevation changes. At 326 yards (Gold Tees), the 7th is a great risk/reward opportunity and you don’t have to be a gorilla off the tee. A well-struck drive over the fairway bunker on the left that catches the downhill slope of the fairway can easily get you on the green in the right conditions.
Up until you reach the 15th hole, water hasn’t been much of a factor. The final four holes are definitely challenging and can easily break up a great round.
Number 18 is the most memorable hole on the course and is dubbed Supreme Sultan, the course’s namesake! It’s a 412-yard par 4 dogleg right with a huge picturesque waterfall behind the green. After the last putt is stroked, grab your smartphone and playing partners for a group picture with the waterfall in the background.
The pro shop at Sultan’s Run offers some of the best equipment and apparel designed to complement your game. Pro Shop Manager Pat Schuler and PGA Professional Jeff Howerton have created their own Sultan’s Run apparel label with a silhouetted logo of the memorable racehorse.
Sultan’s Run Golf Club boasts some pretty impressive practice facilities including a high-capacity driving range and putting green. General Manager Chris Tretter is heavily involved with kids golf in the area and plans on greatly expanding the practice area in the near future to include a comprehensive short game area and the creation of the Sultan’s Run Golf Academy. Sultan Run’s competent PGA staff is available for clinics and lessons and can help take your game to the next level.
There’s no better way to end your visit to Sultan’s Run than a trip to the 19th Hole. Here you can unwind with your favorite beverage from Sultan Run’s fully stocked bar while looking over the 18th hole. Both the bar and grill are open daily for both breakfast and lunch. Executive Chef Phil Barth and his team of culinary experts serve up some tasty dishes to satisfy any appetite.
The event center has a special view, overlooking the waterfall on the 18th hole, which makes Sultan’s Run is a great place to host special events
To book your next golfing adventure visit them online at www.sultansrun.com.
