The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Trip to Victoria National
Discover Indiana’s Top Golf Trip Destination—A Fun, Fierce Challenge at a Top 100 Course
Victoria National | Newburgh, Indiana
Challenging, captivating, and completely unforgettable—Victoria National is a course that invites every golfer to fall deeper in love with the game. Each hole delivers more than just a test of skill; it offers a moment of connection with the land, history, and pure golf experience.
Victoria National is a revelation carved from the most unlikely of origins. What was once the abandoned Victoria strip mine operated by Peabody Coal Company has been transformed into one of America's most celebrated golf destinations. It's the intriguing beauty of a course and land converging into one, where you can feel the past impact the present and shape the future.
Located in Newburgh, Indiana, just north of the Kentucky border, Victoria National reflects a blend of Midwestern culture and Southern charm. Its unique setting makes it both geographically convenient and undeniably memorable for travelers from all over the country.
Ranked the #1 private course in Indiana and consistently named one of America’s top 100 golf destinations, Victoria National is more than a round of golf—it’s a complete destination. With luxury lodging, custom culinary experiences, and everything you need onsite, planning your golf trip couldn’t be easier.
Here’s the ultimate guide to planning a trip to Victoria National.
Making the Most of Your Trip to Victoria National
Centrally located in the heart of the country, Victoria National is an easy journey—and an unforgettable destination—for golf groups coming from coast to coast. Whether you’re planning a buddy trip with lifelong friends, a family getaway, or a private tournament for clients and colleagues, this is the kind of place where memories are made and traditions are born.
Victoria National can accommodate groups of all sizes, including intimate foursomes to full-scale corporate outings. With a relaxed pace of play and a setting designed for connection, it’s especially well-suited for business entertainment, where meaningful conversations unfold as naturally as the round itself.
From booking to departure, concierge-level service takes the stress out of trip planning. Need a sprinter van from the airport? Consider it handled. Want curated welcome gifts waiting in your cottage? Done. Every detail is thoughtfully taken care of, so you can focus on what matters most: enjoying the game and the people you're with.
With thoughtful touches like custom-branded merchandise, personalized scorecards, and curated cottage gifting, every trip is uniquely designed around your group.
About the Course at Victoria National
Originally built in 1998 and acquired by Dormie Network in 2018, Victoria National spans 418 acres of dramatic terrain and holds more than 500 million gallons of water. The course features bentgrass from tee to green. Measuring up to 7,209 yards, this 18-hole layout boasts a course rating of 77 and a slope of 148.
Course architect Tom Fazio follows the natural corridors left behind by the land’s mining past—fairways weave between overgrown spoil mounds and skirt more than 40 acres of lagoons that formed when the shovels struck the water table decades ago. The result is a layout that feels wild but intentional, dramatic yet playable.
The course itself is the kind of place that stuns you into silence before the golf snaps you back to attention. Water comes into play on every hole, demanding your full attention. Victoria National doesn’t play modest for anyone, but it rewards boldness. It’s one of America’s most challenging courses. The crown jewel of Victoria National's challenge lies in its final five holes, known collectively as "The Gauntlet." These five holes represent some of the most difficult and spectacular finishing holes found anywhere in golf.
Maintaining a course of this caliber and complexity is no small task. With its unique topography and deep freshwater lakes, and a climate that swings from cold winters to hot, humid summers, the property demands year-round, expert-level attention. Director of Agronomy Mike Nowicki oversees everything from seasonal turf needs to the preservation of the site’s natural beauty. The result is a playing surface that’s as consistent as it is challenging, no matter the season.
About the Facilities and Lodging at Victoria National
The lodging and clubhouse at Victoria National reflect the rugged industrial heritage of Southern Indiana while offering every modern luxury. Designed to provide both privacy and connection, the cottages are steps from the practice area and clubhouse, ensuring your trip is effortless from start to finish.
Upon entering the clubhouse, guests are welcomed by a custom wooden Vino Club wine display and expansive windows offering panoramic course views. A variety of meeting and dining spaces make the venue versatile. To the right, you’ll find a spacious conference area and the Dormie Room—a full-service bar with seating for 32. To the left, the more intimate Bridges Room seats up to 16 guests, perfect for smaller gatherings. Outside, a large patio and deck provide open-air space for groups of up to 45.
When it comes to lodging, guests can choose between two cottage styles: Dormie or Premier. The property includes 68 beds across 10 Dormie Cottages and 5 Premier Cottages, two of which feature attached wings with four bedrooms (each with two queen beds). Each cottage has luxury amenities, such as a wet bar, fireplace, common area, and private master suites. These thoughtfully designed accommodations strike the perfect balance between privacy and togetherness—ideal for socializing, unwinding, or hosting casual meetings after the round.
Just steps from the cottages, the practice facilities include two putting greens and a full driving range—making it easy to warm up, wind down, or squeeze in a few extra swings.
About the Unique Cuisine at Victoria National
At Victoria National, the cuisine is every bit as memorable as the golf. Executive Chef Stanley Trice III "Trey" describes the culinary experience as "smoky, savory, and communal". The menus are casually elegant, unpretentious, and deeply rooted in the flavors of the region, with a special focus on barbecue and smoked meats that showcase Midwest and Southern influences.
Meals are designed to be shared together, whether it’s a casual evening on the clubhouse deck or a lively dinner in the dining room. Prefer a more relaxed option? Opt for a custom chef-prepared dinner delivered straight to your cottage for a cozy, laid-back night in. Looking for an elevated experience? Host an intimate dinner in the Bridges Room for an upscale ambiance.
Pair your meal with a selection from Victoria National’s extensive bourbon library, featuring over 200 bottles. The curated cocktail menu and wine list ensure that no matter your preference, there’s something to savor.
For something quick between rounds, Café Vic, located just off the golf shop, offers a convenient grab-and-go selection of drinks, snacks, and light bites throughout the day. And don’t forget to swing by the Comfort Station, affectionately known as the Turtle Shack, a pit stop for snacks and refreshment refills while out on the course.
What People Say About the Experience at Victoria National
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from the golfers who’ve experienced Victoria National and know firsthand why it’s a true bucket-list destination.
Jake Peacock, Head Golf Professional shares that one of his favorite holes on the course is par 4 hole #2. “After a somewhat benign visual appearance to the opening hole, when you come around from the 1st green to the 2nd tee, Victoria National slaps you in the face with an extremely intimidating and demanding 2nd tee shot at what looks like a scorable short par 4. That being said, if you can find the fairway on hole #2, you're left with a short iron or wedge that now makes you feel like you have a great chance for birdie. You'll want to capitalize on that wedge shot because you're not likely going to get another good look over the next four holes!“
Check out which holes are voted the most intimidating.
Golf photographer Evan Schiller says, “Tom Fazio worked miracles at Victoria National Golf Club when he carved the golf course out of an old strip mine. It's both beautiful and difficult but it won't disappoint...The Dormie Network hit a home run when they acquired this course.”
Beautiful Golf Courses shares, “The Fazio designed Victoria National, a Dormie Network property, is one of the BEST golf experiences we’ve had. UNREAL course, impeccable service, world class accommodations, in an unreal setting. Definitely a spot we are getting back to, no question!”
GolfTrip declares, “If you can find your way onto Victoria National - drop everything and go. There’s 1 word to describe the Dormie Network - ELITE.”
Parker Golf Photography reflects, “Not much I can say about Dormie Network and Victoria National in Newburgh, Indiana. The course was amazing and the staff were incredible. We had a couple great days there where we could photograph and play as much as we wanted, and we did. Had a lot of laughs and the 12 hour drive, one way, in a rented Prius was worth it.”
Victoria National's credentials speak for themselves. The club continues to earn national praise and industry recognition, including:
#1 Best Private Course in Indiana (Golf Digest and Golfweek, 2025)
#60 Best Course in America (Golf Digest, 2025)
#53 Best Modern Course in the U.S. (Golf Digest, 2025)
#17 America’s Most Challenging Golf Courses (Golf Digest, 2025)
Best new private course (Golf Digest, 1999)
And while you can rank a course, you can’t rank an experience that’s second to none. The myriad of well-thought-out details that Victoria National offers will keep you coming back for more.
Ready to Experience Victoria National?
Now you have the ultimate guide—everything you need to know about planning a trip to GrayBull Club in Maxwell, Nebraska. Members of Dormie Network can check cottage availability (Members Area login required) to see if your preferred dates are available, then contact any concierge to book.
