Northern Kentucky Golf Club, Butler, Kentucky
Photo and Story: Stephen Reckers | SJRGOLF.com
Northern Kentucky Golf Club | Hole 1 | Par 4
Nestled in the rolling hills of Pendleton County you will find the 6,522 yard, par 72, Northern Kentucky Golf Club (NKYCG). The once private club has made the transition to a semi-private course over the last half decade but the country club feel still applies.
Not only are you greeted with a one of kind golf course and in-ground pool area, the staff is friendly and willing to go above and beyond to make sure your visit is a comfortable one. This culture is fostered by the club's Head PGA Professional, Steve Cunningham. Steve has been a PGA Assistant and Head Pro for the better part of 10 years and welcomes the everyday challenge of running one of Northern Kentucky's hidden gems.
"One of my favorite course moments was 2018's Club Championship when we had a 3 hole play-off and Lane Weaver won by a stroke on the last hole. We had a crowd following the match the whole way" - Steve Cunningham
They layout of NKYGC is unique. The front and the back 9 are almost like playing 2 different courses. On the front, the par 5 2nd hole provides a challenge in the beginning of your round. From the tips, this hole is a deep 613 yards and the flag is barely visible from the tee. Along with the length of the hole, the OB tree lined right side and small creek in front an of an elevated green, the longest of hitters would have little chance to get there in 2. Keep the ego in the bag and play this hole smart and you could be rewarded with an early round birdie.
Hole 2 | 613 Yards | Par 5 | Tee Box
Hole 2 | 613 Yards | Par 5 | Approach
Hole 2 | 613 Yards | Par 5 | Green
Unlike hole 2, the 501 yard, par 5, 6th hole is reachable in 2 with a well struck tee shot and similar fairway wood. Your tee shot should stay in the middle to left side of the fairway, avoiding a bunker that's around 250 yards out on the right side. The green is guarded by bunker flanked on the front left side along with tree's on either side, commanding that your second shot be on the mark. Get to the green in 2 here and you have a chance to circle the 3 twice on your scorecard.
Hole 6 | 501 Yards | Par 5 | Approach
If you took our advice and played it smart on the par 5's on the front you may have some room for error on the more difficult back 9. There are a couple holes that have blind tee shots and require some control in holes 12 and 13. If you're fortunate enough to put the ball where you want on these holes you will be able to avoid or lessen the effect of the below the feet approach shots and continue your low scoring round.
Hole 12 | 357 Yards | Par 4 | Tee
Hole 13 | 409 Yards | Par 4 | Tee
Hole 12 | 357 Yards | Par 4 | Approach
Hole 13 | 409 Yards | Par 4 | Approach
Every course has that "iconic" hole. Augusta has the par 3, "Golden Bell", TPC Sawgrass has the par 3, 17th, "Island Green" and the Northern Kentucky Golf Club has #11. This hole is intimidating right when you approach the tee box. Playing at 201 yards from the back, water lines the entire left side and sloping hills line the right; you have to hit the narrow green here to avoid extra strokes. If you're going to miss, miss long.
Hole 11 | 201 Yards | Par 3 | Tee
While the 11th hole may be the more intimidating of the 2 par 3's on the back, the 15th hole still has some edge to it. This par 3 comes in at 125 yards and while the short distance is somewhat comforting, the water on the left and behind the green are not. Missing left and/or long here ensures that you will be putting another ball on the tee and saying, "it was the clubs fault". Missing right should be ok, but you will still have some thick rough to deal with. Although, none of this mattered to Mr. Carol Houchen, a 91 year old, original member who in early 2018 sunk his tee shot for his first ever hole-in-one. Hate to be the one to follow that.
Hole 15 | 125 Yards | Par 3 | Tee
While NKYGC is currently trying to restore their greens back to their in-famous glass-like form, the course offers players of all types both a challenging and enjoyable round in a beautiful setting. Each hole offers something different and the unique layout of both the front and back 9 gives the feeling that you are getting more than one course with each round making the Northern Kentucky Golf Course well worth the drive.
Rates and General Info
18 Holes With Cart
Monday – Friday & Weekends After Noon - $35 per person
Saturday – Sunday Mornings - $39 per person
Senior Rate 50+ (Monday – Friday), and Weekends After Noon - $27 per person
18 Holes Walking
Monday – Friday & Weekends After Noon - $22 per person
Saturday – Sunday Mornings - $25 per person
9 Holes Riding
Monday – Friday & Weekends After Noon - $22 per person
Saturday – Sunday Mornings - $25 per person
9 Holes Walking
Monday – Friday & Weekends After Noon - $15 per person
Saturday – Sunday Mornings - $18 per person
Junior Walking Rates (Under Age 18)
18 Holes Monday – Friday & Weekends After Noon - $12 per person
9 Holes Monday – Friday & Weekends After Noon - $7 per person
If Juniors are not causing an extra golf cart to be taken, they are welcome to ride Free with a Paying Adult
Spectator Carts
9 Holes - $10 per cart
18 Holes - $18 per cart
Winter Riding Rates (November – March)
18 Holes - $25 per person
9 Holes - $19 per person
Senior Peak Season Walking Rates / Winter Walking Rates
18 Holes - $19 per person
9 Holes - $13 per person
