Representative image Photo: Stuart Logan · CC BY-SA 2.0
Idle Hour Country Club
Lexington, Kentucky, United States
18 Holes · Private club — no published green fee; play is by member invitation · Parkland
— About
About Idle Hour Country Club
Idle Hour Country Club is a private 18-hole parkland course in Lexington, Kentucky, on Richmond Road. Donald Ross laid it out in the 1920s, and tree-lined fairways define the layout, which runs to roughly 7,000 yards from the back tees.
- Ron Prichard restored the course in 2004, returning it toward Ross's original design.
- The club has hosted the Kentucky Amateur Championship.
- In July 2024 it hosted the Southern Amateur, with 156 players from 14 countries.
- The back tees carry a course rating of 73.8.
History of Idle Hour Country Club
Ross laid the course out in 1924, and it remains the only Ross design in Kentucky. Ron Prichard's restoration in 2004 worked to bring back Ross's original design. The course has hosted the Kentucky Amateur Championship, and in 2024 it staged the Southern Amateur.
When to play Idle Hour Country Club
Idle Hour is private, so the practical answer is whenever a member invites you. The Southern Amateur was played there in July 2024. Lexington's golf season runs from spring through early autumn, and your host can advise on current course conditions.
Playing Idle Hour Country Club: tips
Idle Hour is private, with no public tee-time booking and no published green fee; a round means playing as the guest of a member. The club is at 1815 Richmond Road in Lexington. Ask your host about dress code, caddie and cart availability and arrival times, since the club publishes no visitor guidance.
Visit Idle Hour Country Club
1815 Richmond Road, Lexington, KY 40502
Lexington, Kentucky, United States
— FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Idle Hour Country Club
Where is Idle Hour Country Club?
The club is at 1815 Richmond Road in Lexington, Kentucky, and can be reached on 859-266-1121.
Who won the 2024 Southern Amateur at Idle Hour?
Wenyi Ding of Arizona State won at 18 under par, 262, after a closing 64. He became the first amateur from China to win the title.
How many courses did Donald Ross design in Kentucky?
Just one. Idle Hour is the only course in the state credited to him.