Brutish Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort offers Indiana golfers a stern test

FRENCH LICK, Ind. -- According to basically every American golf publication, the Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort was the best new course of 2009.

More than 2 million cubic yards of earth were moved in the creation of the golf course, which hurdles and dips across a landscape that, according to Dye, "was as severe as I've ever worked." The result is an eponymous 8,102-yard brute with a rating and slope of 80.0/148 from the tips.

Golfers who find themselves in the newly resurgent French Lick area will need to pony up some serious cash for the pleasure of being thrashed around by the course that is arguably Dye's most difficult track (greens fees run as high as $275). But the design, challenge, and views are so marvelous that the splurge is recommended for all devoted golf fans.

Evans Scholars caddies are required, but are worth every penny (and a good cause).

Pete Dye Course - French Lick Resort

This spot behind the clubhouse at French Lick Resort's Dye Course may be one of the best in the Midwest for a post-round drink.

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French Lick Resort - Dye golf course - hole 4

The par-3 fourth at French Lick Resort's Pete Dye Course plays 251 yards from the tips.

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French Lick Resort - Dye golf course - hole 6

The 513-yard sixth on French Lick Resort's Dye Course presents players with an approach down to a green that perches above a dastardly abyss.

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French Lick Resort - Dye golf course - hole 8

The eighth tees on French Lick Resort's Pete Dye Course are situated on top of a windswept hilltop.

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French Lick Resort - Dye golf course - hole 11

From the new hilltop tees on the 11th hole of French Lick Resort's Dye Course, you can see all of French Lick and all the way to Evansville.

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French Lick Resort - Dye golf course - greens

Many of the greens on French Lick Resort's Pete Dye Course appear to drop off the edge of the world from out in the fairway.

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French Lick Resort - Pete Dye statue

A life-sized statue of Pete Dye greets golfers at the only course in the world named after him.

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