Indianapolis Golf Trip Options

[Gdane]

My Lansing golf trip thread was very informative so I was hoping to get some input on the Indy option. Full disclosure: French Lick isn't in the budget. Generally my group will go on a Thursday-Sunday trip of 18-36-18 during the summer and we're looking at some options right now for next year. I noticed you can package a number of courses through the Hamilton County website and I was hoping for some input. Their options are:

 

Bear Slide

Brickyard Crossing

The Fort

Plum Creek

Prairie View

Purgatory

River Glen

Windwood

 

From what I've seen I think the uniqueness of Brickyard Crossing and the reputation of Purgatory make those must plays on this list. We're not too worried about the courses being far apart as we will probably it one on the way into Indy from Chicago and can make due the last day. However, it'd be nice to pair two that are close to each other for the 36 hole day.

 

Thanks guys

[bwrichmond]

Pretty good list so far. In my opinion, River Glen and Windwood aren't as good as the others on your list.

 

Since you're coming from/returning to Chicago, I'd add the Purdue courses (Ackerman and Kampen) to your list. I haven't played Ackerman since the redesign finished earlier this year, but it's been getting some good reviews. Kampen is always good.

 

I'd also put Trophy Club in Lebanon on your list. That's just a bit NW of Indianapolis and would make a great opening or closing course on your way into/ out of Indy.

 

For your 36 day, Prairie View and Plum Creek are very near each other, and neither is farm from Purgatory or Bear Slide.

 

I think you'd have an awfully good trip if you did Brickyard Thursday, Purgatory then Prairie View or Plum Creek Friday, then Trophy Club or Kampen on the way back Saturday.

[exgolfpro]

My Lansing golf trip thread was very informative so I was hoping to get some input on the Indy option. Full disclosure: French Lick isn't in the budget. Generally my group will go on a Thursday-Sunday trip of 18-36-18 during the summer and we're looking at some options right now for next year. I noticed you can package a number of courses through the Hamilton County website and I was hoping for some input. Their options are:

 

Bear Slide

Brickyard Crossing

The Fort

Plum Creek

Prairie View

Purgatory

River Glen

Windwood

 

From what I've seen I think the uniqueness of Brickyard Crossing and the reputation of Purgatory make those must plays on this list. We're not too worried about the courses being far apart as we will probably it one on the way into Indy from Chicago and can make due the last day. However, it'd be nice to pair two that are close to each other for the 36 hole day.

 

Thanks guys

 

Just got back 2 weeks ago from a little trip to Indy. We played 72 holes over 3 days (also went to BMW Champ). Here is what we played....Fri: The Fort (am), Prairie View (pm). Sat: The Trophy Club (am) them BMW Champ (pm). Sunday: Brickyard (am) then headed out of town. Of those 4, I would place The Trophy Club #1 and Brickyard #2. The Fort and Prairie View, were both fun and similar to each other in appearance and enjoyment. If I had to pick one over the other, I would put The Fort #3 and Prairie View #4...but those 2 are so close, you could easily reverse them. The Fort probably had the worst greens. They were not really bad, but some were thin due to lack of air circulation.

[bcawley01]

I went on a trip to Indy in July, played Purgatory, The Fort, Woodland CC, and Kampen. Really enjoyed all of them but I think Purgatory is a must play. Kampen and Ackerman-Allen are a really nice 36 hole day but coming from Chicago I think it would make more sense to play one of the two on the way there or back. I would skip The Fort, its a solid course but the pace was slow and there are a few bland holes. I've heard good things about Bear Slide an Trophy Club. Brickyard is a little pricey but if that's not an issue, its a pretty nice course.

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

I just played both purdue courses a few weeks ago and they are great. These are the Indy must plays:

 

Brickyard (pm rate is cheaper) I love this golf course.

The Fort

Trophy Club

Prairie View

Heartland Crossing

Bearslide

 

You simply cannot go wrong with any of these courses. Indy is a great city for public golf for sure. We drive up there from Cincy all the time!

[Indy Golfer]

If you can find a way, I would try to hit Rock Hollow in Peru, awesome track.

[DrOldSchool]

All good comments here. Play Trophy Club or Rock Hollow on the way in and out. You won't get better value on your list than those two courses. Trophy Club was in fantastic shape for this time of year when I played it on Tuesday.

 

Combining Purgatory and Bear Slide in one day is possible. They are 15 min apart on country roads. Though playing both in one day will be a grind as they can be pretty tough, especially if the wind is blowing. Both are on the discount websites too. Those are my favorite courses close to where I live, along with Prairie View.

 

I'm not a fan of Plum Creek as it always plays slow and River Glen is ok but well overpriced and not in the league of any of the others on your list.

[ruascott]

Bear Slide is great. As is Trophy.

 

Brickyard is a must play if you're doing an Indy golf trip.