The Inside Swing

Best Golf Courses in Indianapolis, Indiana

Indianapolis is Pete Dye country. The legendary course architect made his home in Indiana, and his fingerprints are all over the region — from the PGA Championship venue Crooked Stick to the acclaimed Pete Dye Golf Club in French Lick. The Circle City's golf scene carries a distinctly architectural pedigree.

Our Methodology: Courses are ranked by an expert panel evaluating design quality, conditioning, challenge, aesthetics, and overall experience. Both private and public courses are considered on merit.
1

Carmel, Indiana · Pete Dye (1964) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,516 yards

Host of the 1991 PGA Championship won by John Daly and the 2012 BMW Championship, Crooked Stick is Pete Dye's longtime home club and one of his most personal designs. The layout through rolling central Indiana terrain features Dye's bold shaping, strategic water hazards, and railroad-tie bulkheads.

1991 PGA Championship and 2012 BMW Championship hostPete Dye's personal home clubBold Dye shaping through rolling Indiana terrain
Green Fee: Members Only Rating: 4.8/5
2

Bridgeport, Indiana · Pete Dye (2003) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,349 yards

Built on a former coal mine, Pete Dye Golf Club is one of the architect's most ambitious and dramatic designs. The reclaimed terrain features 100-foot elevation changes, dramatic ravines, and bold shaping that transforms industrial wasteland into one of the most visually striking courses in America.

Built on reclaimed coal mine terrain100-foot elevation changes and dramatic ravinesAmong Pete Dye's most ambitious designs
Green Fee: Members Only Rating: 4.6/5
3

Indianapolis, Indiana · Pete Dye (1997) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,148 yards

A Pete Dye public design at Fort Harrison State Park, The Fort offers championship golf through a historic military property. The layout winds through mature hardwoods on the former Army garrison with strategic water hazards, bold bunkering, and Dye's trademark visual challenge at accessible pricing.

Pete Dye public course at Fort Harrison State ParkHistoric military property settingChampionship golf at accessible pricing
Green Fee: $50–$90 Rating: 4.3/5
4

Zionsville, Indiana · Steve Burns (1992) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,905 yards

A Steve Burns design north of Indianapolis in Zionsville, Wolf Run offers semi-private access to a challenging layout through wooded ravines and natural creek corridors. The course features well-defended greens, strategic water hazards, and mature hardwood forest that creates an intimate, parkland atmosphere.

Wooded ravine and creek corridor routingSemi-private access north of IndianapolisIntimate parkland atmosphere in Zionsville
Green Fee: $45–$80 Rating: 4.2/5
5

Newburgh, Indiana · Tom Fazio (1998) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,209 yards

A Tom Fazio design in southern Indiana, Victoria National is consistently ranked as the best course in the state. The stunning layout winds through ravines, ridges, and hardwood forest along a former Ohio River flood plain with bold Fazio shaping and tournament-quality conditioning.

Consistently ranked #1 course in IndianaTom Fazio design through dramatic ravinesFormer Ohio River flood plain terrain
Green Fee: Members Only Rating: 4.7/5
6

Indianapolis, Indiana · Pete Dye (1993) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,981 yards

A Pete Dye design where four holes play inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval, Brickyard Crossing is one of the most unique public courses in America. The layout combines the famous racing venue setting with Dye's strategic design through White River wetlands and mature Indiana hardwoods.

Four holes inside the Indianapolis Motor SpeedwayPete Dye design at America's most famous racetrackUnique combination of golf and motorsports heritage
Green Fee: $50–$95 Rating: 4.2/5
7

Carmel, Indiana · Robert Trent Jones Jr. (1997) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,067 yards

A Robert Trent Jones Jr. design in Carmel, Prairie View offers championship-caliber public golf through rolling central Indiana terrain. The layout features prairie grasses, strategic wetland hazards, and RTJ Jr.'s bold bunkering style on a property that provides a surprisingly varied topographic experience.

Robert Trent Jones Jr. championship designRolling prairie and wetland terrainChampionship golf at public pricing in Carmel
Green Fee: $35–$65 Rating: 4.1/5
8

West Lafayette, Indiana · Pete Dye (1997) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,432 yards

A Pete Dye design at Purdue University, the Kampen Course is one of the most challenging college courses in America. The 7,432-yard layout through rolling terrain features Dye's signature railroad ties, dramatic bunkering, and challenging forced carries that provide a stern test for even elite players.

Pete Dye championship design at Purdue University7,432-yard stern test for elite playersAmong America's toughest university courses
Green Fee: $40–$75 Rating: 4.3/5
9

French Lick, Indiana · Pete Dye (2009) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 8,102 yards

Perched atop a ridge in southern Indiana, the Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort is one of the most ambitious resort courses in America. The 8,102-yard monster features dramatic 200-foot elevation changes, exposed limestone cliffs, and panoramic Hoosier National Forest views from nearly every hole.

8,102 yards — one of the longest courses in America200-foot elevation changes atop a southern Indiana ridgePanoramic Hoosier National Forest views
Green Fee: $150–$275 Rating: 4.7/5
10

French Lick, Indiana · Donald Ross (restored by Lee Schmidt & Brian Curley) (1917) · 18 holes · Par 70 · 6,706 yards

Originally designed by Donald Ross in 1917 and beautifully restored in 2006, this classic layout hosted the 1924 PGA Championship. The rolling terrain, crowned greens, and strategic bunkering showcase Ross at his strategic best in a historic resort setting.

Host of the 1924 PGA ChampionshipDonald Ross design beautifully restored in 2006Historic resort golf dating to 1917
Green Fee: $75–$150 Rating: 4.4/5
11

Noblesville, Indiana · Ron Kern (1999) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,072 yards

A Ron Kern design in Noblesville north of Indianapolis, Purgatory winds through wetlands, prairie grasses, and mature hardwood forest. The public course offers a challenging and varied 18-hole experience with strong conditioning and one of the most interesting routings in the Indianapolis metro area.

Varied routing through wetlands and prairieStrong public course north of IndianapolisChallenging 7,072-yard championship layout
Green Fee: $55–$95 Rating: 4.2/5
12

Indianapolis, Indiana · William H. Diddel (1924) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,800 yards

One of Indianapolis's most respected private clubs, Broadmoor was designed by noted Indiana architect William Diddel in 1924. The mature parkland layout features tree-lined fairways, subtle green complexes, and a classic Midwestern character that has been carefully preserved through multiple sensitive renovations.

William Diddel classic 1924 designOne of Indianapolis's most respected private clubsClassic Midwestern parkland character
Green Fee: Members Only Rating: 4.4/5

Public Courses in Indianapolis

Looking for courses you can play without a membership? See our complete guide to public courses in Indianapolis .

Overview

The Indianapolis golf scene benefits enormously from Indiana's connection to Pete Dye, one of the most influential course architects in history. Crooked Stick Golf Club, site of John Daly's improbable 1991 PGA Championship victory, is the crown jewel. The public side features solid options like The Fort Golf Resort and Brickyard Crossing (with four holes inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway). French Lick Resort, 90 minutes south, adds two world-class Pete Dye and Donald Ross courses.

Best Time to Play

April through October, with May through June and September through October being ideal. Indiana summers are warm and occasionally humid. The region's four-season climate produces beautiful spring blooms and vibrant fall foliage on the tree-lined courses.

Travel Tips & Getting There

Indianapolis International Airport (IND) is a highly-rated, easy-to-navigate airport just 15 minutes from downtown. French Lick Resort is a 90-minute drive south and worth the trip for its two world-class courses. Downtown Indy offers excellent dining and the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Nearest Airport: Indianapolis International Airport (IND)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best golf course in Indianapolis?
Crooked Stick Golf Club, a Pete Dye masterpiece, is widely regarded as the best course in Indiana. It hosted the 1991 and 2016 PGA Championships and the 2012 BMW Championship. It is a private club not open to public play.
Is Brickyard Crossing worth playing?
Yes, Brickyard Crossing is a unique Pete Dye design with four holes that play inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval. It's a memorable experience for both golf and motorsports fans and offers public access.
Should I include French Lick on an Indianapolis golf trip?
Absolutely. French Lick Resort (90 minutes south) features the Pete Dye Course, ranked among the best public courses in America, and a restored Donald Ross course. The historic resort setting adds to the experience.

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