There is no better time to dust off the golf clubs and hit the links. Lake Charles has several high-quality golf courses that can provide a terrific experience for golfers of all ages. Our Lake Charles golf course review series, features courses that deliver the goods for players searching for a fantastic golfing experience around the popular travel destination.
What makes me qualified to review courses? I am a golf enthusiast. Golf has always been my passion, ever since I was a kid. I fell in love with helping others improve their game. As a golf expert, my advice has been published in several publications including Golf Tips Magazine, FORE Magazine, GolfMagic, and USGolfTV. Get more tips and info at https://www.golfinfluence.com.
Golf Course #1: The National Golf Club
In nearby Westlake, The National Golf Club stands tall as one of the most beautiful golf courses in the region. Golfers from all over the south enjoy coming to The National for its open layout and challenging design.
Measuring over 7,000 yards from their professional tees, The National can play long for some amateurs, but that shouldn’t deter you from writing this course on your list. With 14 lakes and 65 bunkers, the course is an absolute pleasure to play from tee to green on each of the impressive 18 holes.
What I tell golfers looking to play The National is that you should arrive early and enjoy the first-rate practice facilities. The club has over an acre of hitting areas, two enormous chipping greens with sand bunkers, and a jaw-dropping 12,000 square foot green that gives you a complete putting practice experience.
My favorite hole on The National is the 5th hole, a par-3 that is worthy of a postcard. With water running along the left side of the hole to an elevated green, golfers will have to bring their accuracy to scramble for par.
Known for its beauty and solid play, The National Golf Club is a gem worthy of the short drive to Westlake.
Golf Course #2: Contraband Bayou Golf
The L’auberge Casino Resort features the second course on our list, the remarkable Contraband Bayou Golf Club. Golfers looking for a full day will be treated like royalty at the club with access to stay and play packages at the resort that offers green fees as well as gaming and fine dining.
The Contraband Bayou is a highly rated layout that regularly ranks in the top five courses in Louisiana. The course is known for well-kept grounds that feature carpet-like fairways and smooth greens.
Even during the warmest months, the golf course looks as fresh and trimmed as it would on a cool spring day, providing an exceptional golfing experience.
After a recent revamp, the course plays better than ever as golfers have all the information they need on each shot with interactive GPS touchscreens in the carts.
You’ll never find yourself lacking for excellent service at the Contraband as the staff does a terrific job of providing access to food and drink while on the course.
If you are looking for a premium casino experience with some championship golf on the side, then the L’auberge Casino Resort featuring the Contraband Bayou is going to take great care of you and your party.
Golf Course #3: Country Club at the Golden Nugget
Another exceptional golf course attached to a premium casino resort is the Country Club at the Golden Nugget. Named the #2 course in Louisiana in 2018 by Golfweek Magazine, the Country Club features one of the most enjoyable golfing layouts in the state highlighted by the club’s immaculate fairways and greens, impeccable for drivers of all types.
If you decide to head over to the Country Club, then you’ll be treated to world-class golf, extraordinary dining, and an extensive pro shop that boasts the variety of clothing and high-quality equipment you’d expect at a five-star golf resort.
At the course, the golfer can expect a layout that uses sand, water, and a spot of strategy to provide a remarkably fun and dynamic day on the links.
Even if you aren’t a guest at the hotel, the Country Club is available to the drive-up golfer for a reasonable rate that won’t gouge you, leaving you plenty of money to take in a slot machine or two. After your round, you can visit the famous Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse or have a drink at the Rush Lounge.
With amenities you’d expect at a first-rate golf-casino resort in Vegas, the Country Club at the Golden Nugget can provide the foundation for making some terrific memories in Lake Charles.
Golf Course #4: Gray Plantation
Surrounded by a beautiful array of pine trees, lakes and marsh, the Gray Plantation course is an absolute must-play if you love the great game of golf. With very affordable green fees, Gray Plantation will delight you without draining your wallet.
Finding itself on several best-of lists from national media outlets such as Golf Digest, Gray Plantation utilizes the natural terrain to craft a challenging layout. When the golfer hits the course at Gray Plantation, they can expect to play polished grounds that incorporates over 60 acres of lakes, fairways lined with pines and a lot of sand, with over 90 bunkers.
For the traveling golfer, the club has a high-quality driving range, putting green and capable teaching staff available if you need a quick lesson to get your swing back into shape.
A great tip for playing Gray Plantation is playing around dusk as the course treats you to some gorgeous sunsets that work to enhance the jaw-dropping landscape as you complete your round - perfect to test out your latest training aids.
Once the golf is over, you can dine at one of the two restaurants on the grounds or take a dip in a pool at the Sports Club’s aquatic complex.
With a wide array of activities that will engage not only golfers but their families, Gray Plantation is a great stop on a trip to Lake Charles.
Golf Course #5: Frasch Park Golf Course
If you are looking for a relaxing day on the links without wearing a hole in your wallet, then the Frasch Park Golf Course is a terrific place to spend an afternoon. The well maintained par-71 course has excellent practice facilities that will help you get warmed up for your round.
If you intend to get out and play a quick 18 in the Lake Charles area, you’ll be best served to make the 10-minute drive down I-10 to Sulphur, home to Frasch Park. You’ll soon discover that what is great about this course is how relaxed you’ll find yourself during the round. Once you hit the first tee, you’ll notice how charming the layout is with large fairways and greens that don’t penalize your wayward shots.
Another great aspect of Frasch Park is that the course isn’t too long, making it ideal for high-handicappers. Measuring just under 6,000 yards at the intermediate tees, Frasch Park is a perfect getaway course for the golfer looking to focus on hitting them straight without too much distraction. Most of the par-4s play in the mid-300 yard range, which is great if you have a rangefinder, making them potentially drivable from the tee box for the big hitters in your group.
Affordable and well worth your time, Frasch Park offers a delightful alternative to the expensive courses around the area.
Golf Course #6: Mallard Cove Golf Course
Another club that provides an exceptional experience for a low green fee is the Mallard Cove Golf Course. With water on 12 of the 18 holes and over 25 of the biggest bunkers you’ll ever see on a course, Mallard Cove has set itself apart from other surrounding courses by offering top-tier golf for a great value.
Always well maintained, Mallard Cove stays busy year-round, so it would be wise to make sure there’s a tee time a few days in advance if you’re looking to play the course.
The layout at Mallard Cove isn’t too demanding, rewarding the golfer who sticks to the fairways and keeps it close on the greens. Several holes offer risk versus reward shots that could create terrific scoring opportunities or sink your final score.
If you are adventurous, the professional tees do stretch out to almost 7,000 yards, while the mid-level tees are around 6,500 yards in length.
If there is one tip I can give you before playing Mallard Cove, it is to take a few minutes to practice putting before your round as these greens are slick but a blast to play, especially once you are ready for their speed.
Comfortable and accommodating, Mallard Cove is an outstanding option for terrific golf in the Lake Charles area.
