[John Kavanaugh]

I'm really enjoying all these Indiana course write ups and would like to see peoples favorites with possible links to past or present threads.

My favorites are limited to 10:

French Lick (Ross)
The Warren (C$C)
Purgatory (Kern)
Otter Creek (RTJ)
Hulman Links (?)
Cambridge (Liddy)
Quail Crossing (Doak)
Vincennes Elks front nine (Langford/Moreau)
Sultans Run (Liddy) http://tinyurl.com/4yhzj7
Country Oaks (?)

Any help in providing links to the above would be greatly appreciated.

[JWinick]

No, Pete Dye?  That's his home state.   I'd put his Purdue course (Kampden), Crooked Stick, and the Brickyards on the list.  Also, love Victoria National.

[Frank Sullivan]

The Fort, Trophy Club, French Lick Hill Course, Sultan's Run, Heartland Crossing (BEFORE the renovation), Hulman Links

Trophy Club is a BLAST to play, as is the Hill Course in French Lick.  I have not played Warren (hope to soon...huge C&C fan...I live in Tampa and just joined Sugarloaf Mountain).  I recently played Prairie View in Carmel...it is rated public #1 by Golfweek, but it would barely make my top ten. 

Hulman Links is an interesting course...it has a wonderful layout, but it is BRUTAL from the tips...a 10 handicap would have trouble breaking 90 50% of the time IMO.

Another interesting course is Rolling Meadows just outside of Bloomington...I have not played there in 8 years, however.

Purgatory is fun, although it can be tedious.

[Frank Sullivan]

No, Pete Dye?  That's his home state.   I'd put his Purdue course (Kampden), Crooked Stick, and the Brickyards on the list.  Also, love Victoria National.

Crooked Stick and Victoria National are not public.

Victoria National is incredible....best course in the state IMO...I wish it were public!!!

[John Kavanaugh]

No, Pete Dye?  That's his home state.   I'd put his Purdue course (Kampden), Crooked Stick, and the Brickyards on the list.  Also, love Victoria National.

J,

I'm only talking public courses here.  I tried to play Brickyards this spring with my son because I think it would be an interesting novelty but they do not open the course until forever.  I live in the south part of the state where I eagerly await the new Dye course at French Lick.

As far as Victoria National goes I will host anyone from this site who posts under a full name...just send me an IM.

[Jay Flemma]

I like the Fort and the Trophy Club as well. Brickyard is an architectural marvel for a different reason, but as Mike Strantz said speaking of the qualiuty of Pete's work, "Play anything by Pete Dye, because it's always a bargain."  It's a cool trick, routing a golf course in and out of a racetrack.  Pretty ingenious.

Pete's really excited about Purdue.  he keeps telling everyone to get over and see that one.

[PCCraig]

Indiana is by far one of the most underrated states for golf. During my stint playing at IU, I had the chance to play a good amount of public courses in the state. From what I can remember, my favorites were the Fort and Prairie View in Carmel.

In fact, there is a real “hidden gem” just north of Carmel (which I can’t remember the name at all) that I have played while visiting friends in the area that is a really neat place. The only distinguishing remark I can make about it is that its clubhouse is fashioned after a medieval castle. (Really.)

As for the Brickyard, I have played it and for the most part I think it is good, but ultimately a novelty. Two weekends ago I was at Purdue for a wedding and got to play the Kampen Course and Coyote Crossing. I hadn’t played the Purdue course in about 5 years and enjoyed much more this time around, it is very good considering the boring land around it. Coyote Crossing was a nice treat on my way out of town, at about half the price it was just as good at the Kampen Course IMO.

I have little experience in the southern part of the state. From reading on here, I have wanted to make a trip to French Lick for a long time. I just googled Victoria National and it looks awesome. (As does the internship program…my own dorm room?! Maybe my company will allow me to take a sabbatical.)

[Jim Colton]

I agree Indiana is underrated when it comes to quality public courses.  I've played most of the courses between Chicago and Indy listed here (plus Blackthorn and Warren in South Bend), with the exception Purgatory.  I'd also add Bear Slide and Rock Hollow to the mix.

[Chris_Clouser]

John,

I curious about Vincennes.  I haven't seen it so tell me more about it.  I'm planning on going to Hulman later this month and was wondering if it was worth going and seeing.  You can sway my opinion. 

I'll post my list later today with links to any write-ups I have posted.  Have to run an errand now.

[John Kavanaugh]

John,

I curious about Vincennes.  I haven't seen it so tell me more about it.  I'm planning on going to Hulman later this month and was wondering if it was worth going and seeing.  You can sway my opinion. 

I'll post my list later today with links to any write-ups I have posted.  Have to run an errand now.

I don't say this lightly....The front nine at Vincennes is as good or better than Lawsonia.  The ground work is better with the greens slightly lacking which in my opinion makes a draw.  Sadly, the new back nine a Vincennes is as poor an example of what architecture can be.  I joined this summer and go out most every night with my son who is learning the game...(doesn't get dark until around 10:20 because of a switch to Eastern time)...and have yet to set foot on the back nine.

[Chris_Clouser]

John,

That sounds like too much to pass up.  I will have to add it to the trip when I come over to the area.  Thanks for the info.  Now if I end up not liking it, can I send you a bill for the gasoline?   

Ok,  I have compiled my list from my travels around the state over the last year and a half.  I won't list every course, just the more significant ones.

Top 5 - no particular order

Purgatory (Kern) http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,30618.0.html
Rock Hollow (Liddy) http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,31094.0.html
Sultans Run (Liddy)(link provided by John already)
The Fort (Dye)
http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,30723.0.html
Trophy Club (Liddy) http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,30321.0.html

Group B - These I think are just a touch behind these top 5 for some reason or another (alphabetical order)
Bear Slide http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,29937.0.html
Blackthorn (Hurdzan) (none posted)
Brickyard Crossing (Dye) http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,30867.0.html
Coyote Crossing (Irwin) http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,30844.0.html
French Lick see Courses by Country section of site
Otter Creek http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,30083.0.html
Prairie View (RTJ, Jr) (none posted)
White Hawk Black & Grey (Nugent) (located in Crown Point)
Warren Course http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,29584.0.html

Others of note for whatever reason (good or bad)
Champions Pointe (Johnston) http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,35330.0.html
Covered Bridge (Johnston) http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,30455.0.html
Harrison Hills (see Courses section)
Heartland Crossing (Smyers) (none posted)
Mystic Hills (Dyes) (none posted)
Hickory Stick (Liddy) (none posted, but just saw it yesterday and loved it)
Legends of Indiana (Jim Fazio) (none posted)
Purdue (Dye) (I was thinking Eric Terhost started a thread about it, but I can't find it anywhere)



 

[Chris_Clouser]

Pat Craig,

I just saw your post.  Where was the course located?  I am trying to figure out what would be located north of Carmel that has a clubhouse like that.  Bent Tree has a really neat old farm house, but I can't picture a castle anywhere. 

Jay,

The trick wasn't putting four holes inside the track.  The trick was what Diddel did by putting 9 holes inside the track.  There was more than enough room inside for the four holes.  To be honest, I think Dye could have done something else with that space because he had a clean slate.  Nine might be the worst hole on the course.     And I don't care what anyone says, number 7 is not a Redan. 

[JLahrman]

My Indiana resume:

French Lick - played it once before the renovation and had a great time, I loved the course

Purgatory - I thought was outstanding.  I was expecting the course to be gimmicky but instead found a very very good golf course

The Fort - I liked, but not as much as some on here.  I would take Purgatory over The Fort (have played each only once though)

Coffin - Fun place, mix of good holes and a few holes that seemed to be so bad they were good

Indiana University - Quite a few good holes there, haven't played it since the renovation.

Otter Creek (the original 18) - I enjoyed this course more than many on this site seem to...

I've never played the Trophy Club, would love to try it though.

[Chris_Clouser]

JAL,

I for one like Otter Creek a lot. 

I had not heard that IU got a remodel.  I knew that Liddy did a master plan and a new practice facility.  Does anyone know if they redid the course?  I haven't been there in years.

[Jason Connor]

I love Purgatory.  But a bad day is a long day there!

Bear Slide is a fun course with great greens and it's usually in great shape.

For a simple round with kids or parents, River Glen is a nice little track, too, with a pretty covered bridge hole and some fun short par 4's.

[John Burzynski]

Indiana has lots of nice courses, few of which I guess are spectacular in the sense that they don't make Golf Digest's hot 100, but pleasing to the eye and definitely Midwestern in flavor.

Locally here in Northern Indiana, South Bend has Warren GC at Notre Dame and Blackthorn, Laporte to the west of S Bend has Beachwood GC, Mystic Hills in Culver (about an hour south of S Bend) is challenging and a nice course, and we have a host of nice 'everyday' muni's and courses which are open to the public for very reasonable prices.

Granted, many of our municipal / public courses might not make you say 'wow' but they are nice courses for a round, and most times the gree fees are $50 a person or far less.  You can walk all but the absolute best of the municipal and public courses here in South Bend for less than $20 a round even at peak, and all are pleasing to the eye and a nice challenge for golfers of all levels.

[Steve Burrows]

I would agree with Jason Conner about Bear Slide.

Additionally, I will submit Royal Hylands, about 25 minutes east of Indianapolis, in Knightstown.  It is no where near being "great," but there are a number of intriguing holes (the par 3's are pretty strong) that balance out the bad ones (#2), and some excellent contour on many of the greens that make for some interesting shots.

[PCCraig]

Chris--

The course is really not something I would can fantastic, just one of those places you stumble upon and say "hey -- that wasn't so bad!" It was in litterally a neighborhood.

I spent a lot of time at the IU facility, they were always saying they were going to re-do the course any year now. As of two years ago they had done nothing else to it, maybe even made it worse?

Thanks for posting your link Chris...very neat. Where in the state are you from?

[jg7236]

Wolf Run

http://wolfrungc.com/

[Chris_Clouser]

Pat,

Live in Noblesville.  I'll have to do some research and figure out where it was. 

John,

Wolf Run is private.  But thanks for playing.     Just teasing. 

[JLahrman]

JAL,

I for one like Otter Creek a lot. 

I had not heard that IU got a remodel.  I knew that Liddy did a master plan and a new practice facility.  Does anyone know if they redid the course?  I haven't been there in years.

Pat & Chris, maybe 'remodel' is a bit generous, but as I understand it the course was getting a bit of a facelift when they had the Big Tens there a few years ago.  Perhaps I misunderstood though?  Or maybe my sources are the same as Pat's and I made the mistake of believing them?

There are some good holes on that course, the place just needs a bit of attention.  I personally like 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, and 16.

[Andy Troeger]

My groupings (in order):

Group A:
Sultan's Run
Rock Hollow
Warren at ND
The Fort

Group B:
Blackthorn
French Lick Donald Ross (pre-restoration)
Bear Slide
Otter Creek
Mystic Hills

Group C: (other worthy options)
Beechwood
Cobblestone
Coyote Crossing
Lake James
Wildcat Creek

Normally I love Pete Dye courses, but Kampen is the one exception (out of 15) that I really didn't care for. Also I saw the Legends of Indiana mentioned at the end of Chris' "for good or bad" section, I think that course is awful. They have the IHSAA championships out there every year so I've played it a couple times and walked it a lot. It was pure mediocrity to begin with, and now they have houses on it! I would find something else to do prior to paying to play there again.

There's a lot I haven't seen, and most likely won't see now that I'm enjoying the Land of Enchantment. I do miss the depth of courses in Indiana, none of them touch Black Mesa or Paa-Ko, but all of group A would beat anything else out here except maybe Pinon Hills.

[Chris_Clouser]

John B and Andy

You both mentioned Beechwood.  I saw the place this spring, and I just wasn't that fond of it.  There were some good greens, a few nice holes, but overall I was not impressed.  The fairways were very tight and they had a ton of bunkers that were filled in.  I think at one time it was probably something special, but I wonder if Beechwood is a place that has been eclipsed by better courses coming on-line.  To be fair, if they restored some fairway widths to what Diddel probably originally had in mind and restored the deep bunkers around the course, they would probably be as good as anything except the top level courses in the Northern part of the state. 

Andy,

I put the Legends because it is a significant course in the state.  Not in my personal top 25, but it is the home of the IGA and the Indiana Golf Hall of Fame. 

[Brian Joines]

My favorite publics are pretty much along the same lines as those posted here.

My top 10 (in no particular order)

The Fort
Trophy Club
Rock Hollow
Warren
Blackthorn
Purgatory
Heartland Crossings
Brickyard
Mystic Hills
Otter Creek

Note: I have not played Sultan's Run, Kampen, French Lick or Prairie View.

I am not aware of any "renovation" done at the IU course. It's still a fun course to play and was a great bargain at $20 as a student. (Liddy's practice facility is pretty interesting though)

[Andy Troeger]

Chris,

I think we discussed this via e-mail but for the sake of the group:

Beechwood probably once was one of the best public courses in the state. It made Golf Digest's original list of 200 most difficult golf courses in the USA. It has a lot of wonderfully routed holes.

It has its issues though. The drainage is about as bad as it gets, it has way too many christmas trees, many of the fairways have been narrowed by the encroaching trees, and they keep planting more instead of getting rid of some of them. Its not as good as the best public courses in the state (or even close these days), and since the city of LaPorte has no intention of pumping money into it, it won't be improving anytime soon.

But what could be is impressive, and I consider it to be worthwhile for that alone. And I still think its good enough as is to merit the "worth playing if in the area" designation.

FWIW Chris, you're the ONLY person I've ever heard say nice things about White Hawk :-) Maybe they all played the lousy nines!

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