Indy golf trip.

[Dave Saylor]

First off, I want to thank this thread for turning me onto the Purdue courses.  We played them and Coyote Crossings 2 years ago and had a blast.  This summer we are driving down from Grand Rapids Mi.  for a 3 day Indy trip.  We plan to play 36 each day at 3 different courses.  Take advantage of replay rates and eat lunch at the course, cut down on driving.  We have 8 guys ranging from 1-10 handicaps.  We are staying across the street from topgolf so please consider drive times.    What 3 would you pick?  Anything I missed?  Plum creek - so close to our hotel, looks like a lot of houses for my taste.  I'm Leaning towards, Purgatory, Brickyard, Parieview.  

 

Brickyard

Purgatory

Bearslide 

Fort

Parieview

Trophy Club - would it be worth the drive.  

 

Thank you

[Dave Saylor]

This was supposed to go in Circle City Chili Dipper- Indy Golf Thread 

My bad, I can't figure out how to move it.  

[StudentGolfer4]

Dave, that’s a solid lineup you have listed. 
 

My top public in Indy is the brickyard, hands down. To me, it’s the only one that feels like a special round. Last year they increased rates, got rid of twilight rates, and moved to cart path only whenever there was a sprinkle of rain. Roger Penske wants everything perfect and that includes the course. 100% play it.  
 

Many people here enjoy purgatory but I do not. I am the type that can remember almost every home and shot I hit on a golf course. At purgatory they all run together for me. I remember a short par 4 early on. A hole with rocks left is the green that is 10 or 11. And a par 3 with a million bunkers just for the sake of bunkering. I’m not implying that it isn’t a nice course, I just don’t really enjoy it . And no it’s not a difficulty or conditioning issue. I’m a decent enough golfer and the course is usually in fine shape. 

I like Bear Slide a lot. It’s a very good and challenging layout with a good variety of holes. The back 9 is one of my favorites and the last 4 are great finishers. The one downside here is the clubhouse and facilities. If you’re playing 36 there isn’t much in the way of food besides a cold sandwhich and hot dog. That may or may bit matter but I feel it’s worth mentioning. 
 

The fort is a very good layout with topography that isn’t found at the other courses listed (minus the last couple holes at bear slide). Layout wise it’s very very good. The conditions will usually be a step below most of the courses you listed. It’s a state park and they just don’t seem to have the budget that others do. How much that matters to your group I can’t say. 
 

Prairie View is a good course. They do it right with range balls included and they have a nice pub/restaurant area in the clubhouse. This would be a nice place to play 36. It’s almost always in good shape and an enjoyable experience. 
 

Trophy club is good but I don’t put it above any of the ones listed above. Actually, I do think it’s better than purgatory. 
 

Plum Creek I would skip. Not terrible but way overpriced based on location and isn’t near the caliber of the others you have listed. 
 

I’m guessing it’s further than you want to drive but Rock Hallow is a very very good golf course. In Peru Indiana and not close to much but the layout and course are very good. Idk if budget matters but it’s usually quite a bit cheaper as well based on location.  Not much in the way of a clubhouse or eats at the course though. 
 

My golf rankings of the courses you listed are as follows. Note, I’m more about layout and less conditioning, within reason. 
1.  Brickyard

 

 

2 Rock Hallow

3a Bear slide 

3bThe Fort. (10 free rounds I would split 5-5 between Bear slide and fort.)

5 Prairie View (will be in the best condition behind the brickyard) 

6 Trophy Club

7 purgatory 

 

 

8 Plum Creek

 

If I was picking 3 off of your list for 36 at each it would be Brickyard, Prairie View, and The Fort. 
 

I don’t know what either course does at far as replay rates go but given your location it would really easy to play different courses the same day. Bear Slide followed by Purgatory then back to where you’re staying. Or brickyard followed by prairie view and back to the lodge. 

 

I don’t know how to get it on the chilly dipper page either or I would move it there for you. 

 

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

So many great public courses in and around Indy. 

 

Trophy Club

Prairie View

IU a bit away from Indy

The Fort

Brickyard Crossing

Links Heartland Crossing

 

You cannot go wrong with any of these courses! 

 

 

 

[jschwarb]

Brickyard Crossing is a must, as others have said. You'll just never play anything like the infield holes.

 

I second The Fort, the setting is great and you'll usually feel like you have the whole place to yourself.

 

Make the drive to Bloomington to play the IU course since you've got 1-10 hdcp guys. You will get a very, very good test. Then head over to Nick's on Kirkwood Avenue for the classic college bar experience.

[MountainKing]

The Trophy Club is worth a stop, maybe the best value around the Indy area. 

 

I'm probably in the minority but I didn't care for Prarieview.  The front 9 was pretty mundane, back 9 was fun.  Conditions were not great when we played it, especially considering it was the most expensive course we hit our last time down there.

 

I enjoy Purgatory a lot, but agree that a lot of the holes tend to run together.  

 

A lot of great golf in that area.