Purgatory

jstan · June 17, 2008

Am I in for a treat?

Hello everyone, I will be playing purgatory golf course, outside of indy, later this week and would like to know what kind of experience I'm in for. I expect it to be tough, but in good shape, etc... Would like to know any general thoughts about the course that you might have...thanks!

Rabidpenguin45 · June 18, 2008

Hello everyone, I will be playing purgatory golf course, outside of indy, later this week and would like to know what kind of experience I'm in for. I expect it to be tough, but in good shape, etc... Would like to know any general thoughts about the course that you might have...thanks!

I've played purgatory before, and your in for quite an "unforgetable" experience. With 6 sets of tee's, it can be an extremely challanging course. It is in very good shape, with a great practice range\short range green to get you prepared for your round. There is a lot of undulation, hills, slopes, and THICK THICK grass. It reminds me of british open golf, its very fast when it hasnt rained in a while, so you can expect long tee shots. The greens are harder to putt on then most local muni's in the area around purgatory, so if not careful, 3 putts arent out of reach. I guess my main advice would be not to get either intimidated, or the feeling of "safety". I felt that the front was easier then the back, so if you get through the front 9 without too many problems, the back may change that on you. However, the front has more water surrounding the greens, but the back has a 740 some yard par 5 from the red tees... Other then that, good luck and hope you have a great time on purgatory. :clapping:

*Edit*-There are a lot of bunkers. Some holes are completely lined with bunkers on a side of a narrow fairway, choose wisely*

ramylson · June 19, 2008

You might want to IM Bend of the River GC, as he recently played here as well. I thought that he did a mini-review, but I wasn't able to pull anything up through the search. But, I know that he has some pictures of the course as well so you'll really know of what you're getting yourself into.

jstan · June 22, 2008

Well it was great! Sorry, no pics but definately deserves another play. First style of course I have played liked that and I enjoyed it.

The day I played the USGA was there hosting a qualifier for the national pub links so the starter handed us their pin sheet and said have fun and be patient because the greens/holes were "tricked" up as the USGA wanted for the qualifier. There were a few holes where a GREAT, not good, shot was required to be remotely close.

The bunkering was tremendous and had been well taken care of. This is a course where a second play thru would help more than most because of several blind shots due to the huge mounds and bunkering that interfere with sight lines to your landing areas from off the tee.

BDLz · June 22, 2008

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...............................what did you shoot?

jstan · June 22, 2008

86 with a quadruple bogey on their famous 17th hole...I played more like a 76 to be honest but whenever I missed a shot it was in a greenside bunker and that's where the problems start. We have seriously NO sand with which to practice or even play from where I live!!! Ok, there are a few, but they're just where a dump truck dumped sand box sand out and they called it a bunker with grass.

Even with that brutal round I held my own with some of those guys, although someone did shoot a 68. The next day I shot par with an OB, albeit on easier course, although I couldn't get the ball to the hole of course,LOL!!

BEND OF THE RIVER GC · July 8, 2008

Yes, I did walk 18 here in the middle of May, $50. It was soaking wet and somewhat rainy so I left the camera in the car. Imagine that, NO PICS!. Great golf course, nice clubhouse and we pretty much had the course to ourselves. MOST DEFINITELY worth playing here. There were a ton of bunkers, but I only found a few during the course of play. I'll go back in the fall and play it again...Super long if you play from the back tees. Longest, non mountain course in the USA as the scorecard says...

carrotheadman · September 4, 2008

Just played Purgatory this past weekend. What a treat! Very well kept with bent grass greens and fairways. Awesome facilities....great range, putting green, and wedge range. This is the type of course you wish were near you. It will make you a better player! Go play Purgatory. Well worth every cent.