10 Best Golf Courses in Indiana – Rated By Real Players

Indiana offers more than 275 golf courses to play in the State.

Whether the golfer is a low or high handicap, there are tracks here that will suit everybody, and good package deals are often on offer.

Deciding on the 10 best golf courses in Indiana is a matter of debate, but the courses selected will satisfy all.

This task has been eased with a collaboration with TheGrint, our favorite mobile app that helps golfers track their handicap and stats. They have collected golf course reviews from millions of real golf rounds from real golfers.

Best Golf Courses in Indiana

Ranking in order 1 to 10

  1. French Lick Resort | Pete Dye Course
  2. The Hawthorns Golf and Country Club
  3. Sandy Pines Golf Course | Sandy Pines
  4. The Warren Golf Course at Notre Dame
  5. Brickyard Crossing Golf Club
  6. Chariot Run Golf Course
  7. Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex | Kampen
  8. Sultans Run Golf Club | Sultans Run
  9. Glendarin Hills Golf Club
  10. Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex | Ackerman-Allen Course

1. French Lick Resort | Pete Dye Course

french-lick-resort-pete-dye-course

  • Site Link
  • Location: West Baden Springs, Indiana.
  • Par: 72
  • Length: 7,405 meters from the Tips and 4,708 meters off the Front.

PLAYER RATING

Overall Rating: 99.1
Fun Rating: 99.4
Shape Rating: 98.8

6 tee options available.

Signature Hole – No nominated signature hole but many holes could claim the title. The 600-meter Par 5 18th is a high risk and reward hole that plays to a heavily sloped fairway from right to left.

Avoid the bunkers and make par to complete a terrific course.

This golf course is very highly rated and has hosted several senior tournament events.

The course is designed into the hilltops of the Hoosier National Forest and the narrow fairways, volcano, pot, and church pew bunkers will test your bunker play to the limit.

Undulating, quick greens complete the scene for a challenging round.

2. The Hawthorns Golf and Country Club

the-hawthorns-golf-club

  • Site Link
  • Location: Fishers, Indiana.
  • Par: 72
  • Length: 6,514 meters off the Tips and 5,117 off the Front.

PLAYER RATING

Overall Rating: 96
Fun Rating: 96
Shape Rating: 96

5 tee options available.

Signature Hole – The 293-meter par 4 14th is the signature hole and requires accuracy off the tee to avoid the 3 fairway bunkers.

Water down the right side that wraps around the back of the green, will demand a precise approach shot.

A flat track with plenty of water hazards that run along the fairways can be intimidating if the driver is not under control off the tee.

Distance control on the approach shots is required to avoid the strategically placed bunkers and wetlands.

Play from the tee that suits your game and makes the experience a challenge and enjoyable.

3. Sandy Pines Golf Course | Sandy Pines

sandy-pines-golf-course

  • Site Link
  • Location: De Motte, Indiana.
  • Par: 72
  • Length: 6,151 meters off the Tips and 4,537 meters off the Front.

PLAYER RATING

Overall Rating: 95.8
Fun Rating: 97.3
Shape Rating: 94.3

4 tee options available.

Signature Hole – The 505-meter par 5 2nd is a fantastic hole and is my choice of the signature hole. The tee shot requires accuracy and carry over a large fairway bunker. The hole then tightens with a dogleg left that requires the approach shot to carry a dam in front of the green which has bunker surrounds.

Sandy Pines is not too long for the average player, and the variety of holes will call on all the clubs in your bag.

Plenty of water and trees so hit the “big dog” straight and keep the ball in play.

The greens are superb.

4. The Warren Golf Course at Notre Dame

the-warren-golf-course-at-notre-dam

  • Site Link
  • Location: Notre Dame, Indiana.
  • Par: 71
  • Length: 6,417 meters off the Tips and 4,846 meters off the Front.

PLAYER RATING

Overall Rating: 95
Fun Rating: 96
Shape Rating: 94.1

4 tee options available.

Signature Hole – The shortest par 4 16th is the signature hole at 315 meters.

A creek meanders across the fairway which has bunkers down the left side.

Select the correct club off the tee to leave the ideal distance for your 2nd shot.

Now the fun begins as the approach is played to a 2-tiered green.

The course is nestled in woodlands and is designed for enjoyment and a relaxed round of golf.

The generous fairways are protected by long grass and trees, and the bunkering is not overdone.

The course hosted the  2019 US Open Senior Championship and was well received by the players.

5. Brickyard Crossing Golf Club

brickyard-crossing-golf-club

  • Site Link
  • Location: Indianapolis, Indiana.
  • Par: 72
  • Length: 6,563 meters off the Tips and 4,605 off the Front.

PLAYER RATING

Overall Rating: 94.8
Fun Rating: 95.9
Shape Rating: 93.7

5 tee options available.

Signature Hole – The 424-meter par 4 8th is the signature hole and is inside the race track.

A slight steady dogleg to the left from tee to green which is flanked by water on the left

throughout the hole.

Fairly tight for the driver, but it is the top-ranked stroke on the course.

4 holes are situated inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and have to be a fantastic experience, especially if you are a racing fan.

The layout is not flat as would be expected and has water hazards, plenty of fairway, and greenside bunkers to add to the challenge.

Some terrific holes await those who play here.

6. Chariot Run Golf Course

chariot-run-golf-course

  • Site Link
  • Location: Laconia, Indiana.
  • Par: 72
  • Length: 6,623 meters off the Tips and 4,527 meters off the Front.

PLAYER RATING

Overall Rating: 94.3
Fun Rating: 94.4
Shape Rating: 94.2

5 tee options available.

Signature Hole – The 487-meter par 5 18th is the signature hole and offers a birdie chance to finish the round on a high.

The awesome view off the tee invites the golfer to attack the fairway and the creek protects the right side of the hole to the green.

The flat green is protected by a bunker on the left and a pond on the right.

Sparkling lakes lay in wait for those errant shots on this fabulous links layout.

Slight undulations and plenty of bunkers keep the golfer in check and strategy will be rewarded.

A serious challenge for the scratch golfer off the tips, but alternate sets of tees make it playable and enjoyable for all skill levels.

7. Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex | Kampen Course

brick-boilmaker-golf-complex-kampen-course

  • Site Link
  • Location: West Lafayette, Indiana.
  • Par: 72
  • Length: 6,825 meters off the Tips and 4,805 meters off the Front.

PLAYER RATING

Overall Rating: 93.9
Fun Rating: 94.9
Shape Rating: 92.9

5 tee options available.

Signature Hole – The 496-meter par 5 6th is the signature hole and has a celery bog and water down the right side of the fairway.

Played from an elevated tee the ideal shot is a fade to keep away from the penal hazards on the right.

Bunkers and thick grass add to the challenge, so stay on the fairway.

One of the top collegiate courses and features massive bunkers and dunes on every hole.

An enjoyable but challenging course that relies on position-golf to attack the green complex from the correct angle.

The ideal layup shot is always very close to the trouble areas on the track.

8. Sultans Run Golf Club | Sultans Run

sultans-run-golf-course

  • Site Link
  • Location: Jasper, Indiana.
  • Par: 72
  • Length: 6,270 meters off the Tips and 4,489 meters off the Front.

PLAYER RATING

Overall Rating: 93.6
Fun Rating: 95.9
Shape Rating: 91.2

6 tee options available.

Signature Hole – The 392-meter par 4 18th is the signature hole and what a magnificent view to finish the round.

Played from a high tee to a spacious open fairway below, the “big dog” is the club.

The uphill approach requires precision and distance control as a beautiful waterfall awaits those who tend to play long on approaches.

The course has generous fairways that flow into contoured greens which are tricky but not unplayable.

Positioning the tee-shot and the approach shot is rewarded throughout the layout.

Throw in a few risk and reward holes plus plenty of doglegs, protected by bunkers, and the challenge is set, without sacrificing enjoyment.

9. Glendarin Hills Golf Club

glendarin-hills-golf-club

  • Site Link
  • Location: Angola, Indiana.
  • Par: 72
  • Length: 6,449 meters off the Tips and 5,373 meters off the Front.

PLAYER RATING

Overall Rating: 93.6
Fun Rating: 93.4
Shape Rating: 93.7

4 tee options available.

Signature Hole – Unable to establish which hole is the signature hole, but this course has numerous candidates. Water is prevalent, but the 4 par 5s all over 500 meters long, are the long-hitters’ dream. Attack, attack and get some satisfaction out of creating birdie chances.

A very playable resort-style course with undulating fairways and some testing holes.

With the large, fast sloping greens, a shot-maker will score well here as it is important to keep the ball below the hole.

Avoiding 3 putts is a constant challenge.

10. Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex | Ackerman – Allen Course

brick-boilmaker-golf-complex-ackerman-golf

  • Site Link
  • Location: West Lafayette, Indiana.
  • Par: 72
  • Length: 6,898 meters off the Tips and 4,803 meters off the Front.

PLAYER RATING

Overall Rating: 93.3
Fun Rating: 94.5
Shape Rating: 92

5 tee options available.

Signature Hole – The 445-meter par 4 15th is the signature hole and requires a long accurate tee-shot to set the player up for par.

The long-hitter can have a go at the green or lay up to wedge distance for the approach.

Bunkers and the tough local grass protect this fairway.

This is one of 2 golf courses in the complex and is deemed to be slightly easier for most golfers.

The wide-open fairways allow for attacking golf off the tees but beware of the many large deep bunkers and the long rough.

If visiting the complex, definitely take the opportunity to play both tracks.

Other Courses Outside The Top 10

1. Bear Slide Golf Club

bear-slide-golf-club

PLAYER RATING

Overall Rating: 93.3
Fun Rating: 94.1
Shape Rating: 92.4

Very highly rated, the front 9 is a Scottish-style links, and the back 9 a more traditional layout.

Stunning elevation changes are a feature of the course.

2. Royal Hylands Golf Club

royal-highlands-golf-club

PLAYER RATING

Overall Rating: 92.7
Fun Rating: 94.6
Shape Rating: 90.8

Royal Hylands is situated in the rolling hills of Raintree Springs.

A links-style course requiring a sharp short game to conquer the testing approach shots to undulating greens

3. Coyote Crossing Golf Club

coyote-crossing-golf-club

  • Site Link
  • Location: West Lafayette, Indiana.

PLAYER RATING

Overall Rating: 92.5
Fun Rating: 93.9
Shape Rating: 91.2

A Hale Irwin designed parkland-style course that will challenge every club in your bag.

Multiple creek crossings, wetlands, and forests add to the experience.

Final Thoughts

Indiana may not have the number of courses available in other states, but it certainly does boast quality.

Some of the hidden gems are worth traveling to play and make for enjoyable golf.

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Nick is the founder of GolfSpan and an avid golfer. He's not quite a pro but has over 15 years of experience playing and coaching golfers worldwide. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience when it comes to choosing the right golf gear and finding the right setup for your game.

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