
Cherokee Course
Cherokee Golf Course



About this course
Cherokee Golf Course is a testament to Louisville's golfing heritage, a place where generations of local players have honed their skills. Situated near Seneca Park, this mature parkland layout, designed by Walter Travis in the early 20th century, presents a classic golfing experience. Travis, a prominent figure of the Golden Age, crafted a course that subtly uses the rolling Kentucky terrain. Cherokee favors a strategic approach, with tree-lined fairways that reward thoughtful shot placement over sheer power. While not overly long by modern standards, the course features subtle doglegs and strategically placed bunkers that demand careful consideration from tee to green. Known for its tight lies and emphasis on approach play, Cherokee offers a fair but challenging test for golfers of all abilities. Cherokee's membership reflects its strong ties to the local community, with a welcoming atmosphere that prioritizes camaraderie and a love of the game. The club's informal setting and focus on accessible golf have made it a beloved fixture of Louisville's golfing scene for over a century.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in KY
Quick facts
- Location
- Louisville, KY, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1904
- Holes
- 9
- Designer(s)
- Tom Bendelow, Larry Packard
- Par
- 35
- Length
- 2,803 yards
- Difficulty
- 36.4/122
- Course Vaults score
- 4.8
Getting there
The journey to Cherokee Golf Course begins at Louisville International Airport (SDF), a straightforward thirty-minute drive south through the rolling bluegrass landscape that defines Kentucky's character. From downtown Louisville, the route traces quiet suburban roads deeper into the pastoral terrain surrounding the course, where the urban sprawl gradually yields to tree-lined fairways and the gentle topography that has made this corner of Jefferson County a sanctuary for serious golfers since 1895. Private aviation options at Bowman Field (LOU), nestled just west of the city center, offer a more intimate arrival for those seeking to bypass commercial terminals entirely. The final approach to Cherokee Golf Course unfolds through a leafy, established neighborhood where the club's understated entrance and mature grounds announce themselves with the quiet confidence of a course that has weathered more than a century of Kentucky seasons.

FAQ
Common questions about Cherokee
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Cherokee has a Course Vaults score of 4.8 out of 10 based on 15 logged golfers.
Cherokee was designed by Tom Bendelow and Larry Packard.
Yes. Cherokee is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Cherokee is 35.
Cherokee plays 2,803 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Cherokee is 122.



