Circle City Chili Dipper- Indy Golf Thread

[HoosierHacker89]

I'd be interested in getting out at some point over the next month if possible. Weather has been decent, but daylight runs out fast. 

[HoosierHacker89]

Anyone played yet this year? I played 18 at west chase a month ago and 9 at the par 3 orchard so far. I don't expect 2024 to be a heavy golf year. 

[Bob Cat]

Been playing all winter.  AZ in Jan and our course has been opening on 50deg plus days all winter.  Playing here tomorrow and maybe here this afternoon if the wind dies down.

 

Golly my wedge play SUKS.

[HoosierHacker89]

Lets set a date for bluff creek. Make sure they don't have any outings and make sure we can be there. My summer schedule is filling up already. 

[Bob Cat]

Tues through Thurs are best for me.  If I remember right there was a couple of folks waiting on school to let out?

May's wide open for me right now.

 

For context, here's where we're going:  https://www.bluffcreekgolf.com/

 

And here's why we're going to support them:  https://www.wthr.com/article/news/crime/bluff-creek-golf-course-offering-reward-for-information-about-weekend-vandalism-bargersville-greenwood-indiana-johnson-county/531-a0d6e238-f6bd-4331-9919-b0ae2fdc6c3e

 

Would love to get a couple foursomes involved.

[Indy_Sly]

Played legends today. In decent shape but greens were crazy slow and a lot of areas around the green were heavy on bare spots and lacking on actual grass. Not thrilled for the increased greens fees of $66. Has everything around town gotten more expensive this year or am I off base?

[Fryro]

Hello Indianapolis golfwrxers! I apologize if this is the wrong thread for this question, but was hoping y’all might have some advice for me. My wife and I are heading up to Indianapolis from North Carolina for her best friend’s 30th in mid June. I’m planning on playing three rounds while we’re up there but would love some advice from locals about best routing. I’m trying to stay below $300 in greens fees and will mostly likely be playing alone (although my buddy Sean may join for one round). Driving up and staying around Fountain Square so I don’t mind heading a bit out to the suburbs if that’s where the best courses are. My question is thus: at $210, would y’all recommend Brickyard then something like Eagle Creek and Sarah Shank? Or would y’all recommend staying right around the $100 fee range and playing the Fort, Bear Slide, and Purgatory? Or some other routing entirely? Thanks in advance! 

[mckennwa]

Tough question. You’ll likely enjoy the combo of Purgatory, Bear Slide and the Fort more, but you’ll unlikely ever tell people about them. Playing the Brickyard, with 4 holes inside the Speedway, is something you’ll tell people about and they’ll enjoy hearing. It’s very unique. 
 

I always tell people that the Brickyard is worth it for the first time you play it, but never again. It’s expensive as a tourist trap, and where it is,  not because it’s an incredible course or in incredible condition. It used to be $120, and then Penske bought it and jacked it up. It is nice, just not that nice. 

 

Any chance you can play the Brickyard and then twilight at Purgatory, Bear Slide or the Fort and then some other cheaper muni for your last round?

 

indy golf is not terribly expensive compared to other areas, and you can get a much nicer course for $20-$30 extra over a muni. 

Edited August 12, 2024 by mckennwa

[Bob Cat]

Agree wholeheartedly with Mckennwa and emphasize the Brickyard.  Do it and you'll have ZERO regrets.

IF you need a quick round near Fountain Square, hit Pleasant Run.  It's a very well run muni only 15 mins ENE of Fountain Square.

Jockamo's has GREAT pizza just down the road from Pleasant Run GC.

 

Shapiro's Deli is 5 mins to the WNW of Fountain Square.  A special old Indianapolis gem.

 

Suggested meal pairings:

Brickyard - Big Woods (Quaff On Brewery)

The Fort - Wolfies on Geist Reservoir (outdoor seating on the water)

Purgatory and/or Bear Slide - Boathouse Kitchen and Swan Dive (outdoor seating on Morse Reservoir)

 

Welcome, in advance, to Indiana!

 

 

 

 

[StudentGolfer4]

A lot of different opinions on the Brickyard so I’ll go ahead and weigh in. 
 

It’s the best public course in the Indianapolis area hands down. Put it away from the speedway, get rid of the holes in the track, and it’s still the best. Really good Pete Dye layout. 14-18 are great finishing holes. Conditioning will always be the best in the area and the 20 minute tee time intervals are great.
 

With that being said, I would most likely skip it if it means having to play 2 other munis. Nothing wrong with shank or eagle creek or pleasant run but I think you can do better and stay around $300

 

My recommendation is Prarie View (2nd best public IMO), The Fort, Bear Slide, or Purgatory, and then play your last round at Pleasant Run, Sarah Shank or Buffer Park. My personal choice for $300 or less, I’m playing Prairie View, The Fort, and Pleasant Run.

 

Bear Slide and Purgatory will be the furthest drives (40-45 minutes). PV is a tad closer than Bear Slide and Purgatory but only 5-10 minutes. It’s just a better course. 
 

I’m not sure what days of the week or time of day you are playing but it’s also possible to play Brickyard, one of the others and pleasant run or shank for just a bit over $300. Peak rates at Shank and The Run are like 40-42. Bucks. Prairie View is the most expensive of the other courses listed but check rates at the others before you make your final decision. 
 

Since you’re in town for a Bday I’m guessing you have no real input on food and drink locations but let us know if you need help. A lot of longtime locals on this topic. 

Edited May 29, 2024 by StudentGolfer4

[Bob Cat]

You'd be disappointed in Sarah Shank so I'd suggest striking it from your list of options.

[DrOldSchool]

Jumping in here... I have to go with McKennwa on this one and say play Brickyard just because it is so unique, especially when you are playing inside the track. The others top tier courses are all good, but you will tell people about the Brickyard as its just hard to believe how big it is once you go under the tunnel to get inside.

 

From there if twilight is not an option, check GolfNow for hot deals. Fort, Bear Slide, Purgatory, Prairie View are all on there. But hot deals at PV are running 100+ and Bear Slide are 80+ on the weekend. 

 

Consider Trophy Club as it's easy to get to off I-65 and a little less expensive than the other big boys listed above. Another solid course that is lower priced is Royal Hylands, which is off I-70 about 35-45 min east of Indy. Playing Eagle Creek is a solid step down from those, and Shank would be several steps. 

 

Happy to help if you need further advice.

[Bob Cat]

^100%

[HoosierHacker89]

Sarah Shank is a fun course, but nothing I'd ever travel for. Plain Jane track without anything remarkable to mention. Good pricing and well maintenance are the real selling points. 5-6 hour rounds on the weekend are fairly common

[Fryro]

Thanks everyone for the feedback! It's been super interesting and helpful in terms of planning. My idea as of now is to follow @mckennwa 's suggestion and do the Brickyard, the Fort and then probably a twilight round wherever I can find a good rate or deal on GolfNow. Very possible that the budget gets flexed to $400 just to accommodate all of the different options. 

[StudentGolfer4]

Sounds like a good plan. I love the Brickyard but don’t want you to end up with 2 courses that are just ok. Brickyard plus 1 other good one and then a lesser course sounds like a winner. 
 

One that hasn’t been mentioned and is kind of under the Radar would be Buffer Park. It’s south west of the city a tad but still close to where you are staying. Only a 9 hole course but layout and condition wise I think it’s much better than shank, eagle creek, pleasant run, and other similar courses. If you’re calling to book be sure to specify you want to play 18. 

[golfortennis]

In case the other thread gets bypassed.... is it a thing in Indy that Private clubs are closed on Mondays?

[Bob Cat]

17 hours ago, golfortennis said:

In case the other thread gets bypassed.... is it a thing in Indy that Private clubs are closed on Mondays?

 

Yes. Maintenance. I thought it was common all across the US... but I'm not IN the industry.

[StudentGolfer4]

Depends on the club more than anything.
 

Some are closed all day. Some are closed morning only. Some remain open.