It once bore the name of one of the most exclusive golf courses in the country.And, some great golfers, including two-time major champion John Daly, played there when the course was a regular stop on the Ben Hogan Tour.Heartland Golf Club, once called Pine Valley, is a popular spot for local golfers, what with the scenic 18-hole course and nice restaurant.Golf enthusiasts and others will be pleased to know that construction is underway on the premises for a Topgolf type of driving range, restaurant and drinks venue. It should open in the spring.Heartland has bermuda fairways, a good grass for both the open areas where there is plenty of sunlight as well as the tree lined fairways that make it difficult for some grasses to grow.Heartland has several tee boxes for any caliber of player. They range from 4,985 yards from the red markers but go to 6,660 yards from the tips. You might play it a yard shorter or longer to get away from those triple 6s.They have reversed the routing in recent years.Groups of trees throughout the course make it a requirement to keep the ball in play.The opening hole is an inviting one, measuring only 275 from the front but still only 321 from the back tee box. A generously wide fairway makes the hole to make one try to do what Daly accomplished. He drove it just short of the green. If you can avoid the out of bounds on the entrance road, it is possible to start your round with a birdie.What you get to next when you cross over the road is quite different.The second hole is rated the second toughest on the golf course.A player will stand on the tee and, if ready for a real challenge, can play one of the longest holes in Kentucky.At 622 yards with a double dogleg, this par-five is a good one. However, for most of us, the distance is a bit shorter, ranging from 494 yards to 528. However, there are trees along both sides of the fairway to catch those wayward shots and require a punch shot to get back to the in play.The second par five, hole seven, is more user friendly, with the longest tee being 470 yards. There is a slight dogleg on this hole.Both par threes are only 165 yards from the back tee, but close to 100 yards from the front. One is the ninth hole, which like the par three finishing hole, requires an accurate tee shot to clear the water that guards the green.The most difficult hole is on the back nine.It is the 14th that can play from 300-479 yards. It is necessary to hit the fairway and also be far enough to get to the dogleg to open up the shot to the green. A shot hit long of the green will find water.There is another long par five on the back. It is the 17th hole, making a birdie difficult. The hole measures up to 563 yards. Trees line the left side of the hole, tempting a golfer to take a short cut to get to the green.Heartland has attractive Stay and Play packages, but also accepts public play.Weekday rates are $35 during the week and $30 for seniors and members of the military. They increase by five dollars on the weekend. These prices include cart rental.
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