Indianapolis golf ( or a similar distance from me)

[Bburch4]

Question for all, I wasn’t real sure where to put this, my son is active duty military and has leave coming up in a few weeks mid March. Here in Michigan it will be hit or miss if golf is an option. 
 

Went to Indy a couple weeks ago for a day trip and noticed how much warmer and how much less snow was on the ground than where I’m at about 3 hours away. 
 

My question is are there any courses that anyone could recommend either in Indy or a similar distance from me who will be open, weather permitting of course. This is his last leave before deployment our first as a family and was wanting to do something special as he enjoys the game and we haven’t been able to play together in almost a year. His leave is going to be between a year and fifteen months so was hoping to hit the course and play at least 54 holes when he’s home if not more. 
 

Thanks again in advance, everyone is so helpful with questions I’ve had on this site and I’m hoping for the same on this one.

 

Mods if this isn’t in the right forum please feel free to move it to the appropriate section. 

[mci711]

I live in Chicago and spend a lot of time in Indy with my wife's family. Super underrated for golf. In the immediate Indianapolis area you have The Fort, The Brickyard (course routes through the Indy 500 raceway), Trophy Club, Bear Slide and Pergatory. Those are the top public courses in my opinion. If you broaden your territory you add some great course. If you drive further south you have French Lick - Pete Dye Course and Ross Course - 2 of the best in the state public or private. The the Pfau Course at the University of Indiana looks great - haven't played it yet and also Sultan's Run in the area. You can go north of Indy and play the Perdue Courses and Harrison Hills as well. A lot of good options. 

[Bburch4]

Does everyone there stay open year round weather permitting? Where I’m at only one course will allow play if no snow. Everyone else has a hard shut down date and it doesn’t matter what the weather does they won’t open. 

[mci711]

43 minutes ago, Bburch4 said:

Does everyone there stay open year round weather permitting? Where I’m at only one course will allow play if no snow. Everyone else has a hard shut down date and it doesn’t matter what the weather does they won’t open. 

Not positive, but I'd imagine they will be opening very soon if they did shut down. 

[DrOldSchool]

It’s very hit and miss in terms of who stays open year round in the indy area. Several courses have already emailed saying they will not reopen yet this weekend despite the temperature, too wet. The further south you go towards Louisville the better odds of staying open. But there are a few courses here that do try to make a go of it all winter, just not any of the big names. 

[Bburch4]

Awesome thanks for the help. I really do appreciate the help. We are looking at the 19th-21st of March hoping that’s a good sign of being able to get out. Walking won’t bother us either golf is golf after the Michigan winter. 

[DrOldSchool]

By late March most places will be open or that date you mentioned will be right around their open date. would expect the brickyard to be last or close to it among those reopening.

 

Among the big names bear slide should be open then along with trophy club. Maybe purgatory though if it’s wet the next few weeks they may hold out. Hit me up as it gets closer and I can let you know. 

[Bburch4]

Awesome thank you so much. Having someone in the area will definitely help as we get closer. I am still amazed how much of a difference in weather the 230 miles made. 

[Symphonize]

Just a heads up. March 19-22 is the first weekend of the NCAA basketball tournament, which is all being hosted in Indianapolis this year due to Covid (plus a few games in West Lafayette and Bloomington). The Indianapolis area will be very busy that weekend. Maybe not golf, but everything else will probably be busy. 

[Bburch4]

I hadn’t even thought of that, seeing my boy has blinded me on that one for sure. Wow new decision to be made on location because I think you’re right that while golf may be ok, anything else will be extremely busy. 

[Bburch4]

How are the two Fuzzy courses that are closer to Louisville? 

[DrOldSchool]

While the above poster is correct, if you stay in the suburbs to golf and eat and such, you'll probably never hit too much of a crowd. Downtown Indy will be a different story. But the city is so sprawled out, you could be out here in Hamilton County and never know the difference. 

 

I have not played Champions Pointe but others like it. Covered Bridge is good but not great. Solid second tier course. Chariot Run is the course to play if you're going down that close to Louisville. Nevel Meade on the KY side is worth a go as well. 

[mci711]

While the NCAA tournament will boost some activity it will be a fraction of what it usually is, even downtown. But I think it is pretty safe to assume if you are North or West of the city (where the courses are) then you'll be fine. 

[Bburch4]

Thanks. We are knocking around the idea of Louisville. The tough part is we have 3 golfers and my wife, who doesn’t golf, is going as well. So I’m trying to find an area where golf is good and she can find things to do as well, hobby shops and things. 

[Bburch4]

We are going the Louisville route. Going to play Chariot Run, already booked actually, and waiting for times to open up at Nevel Meade and going to play there as well. Depending on pace of play and weather may try and get another 9 in after Chariot. Thanks for all the help and suggestions. 

[DrOldSchool]

Old Capital is about 15 minutes from Chariot Run. It's decent, older design. Worth a go if you want something different and close by. 

[Bburch4]

Thanks will definitely look into that after Chariot