15 Best Golf Courses in Indiana

Whether you’re a more experienced golfer looking for a new challenge or a newer player wanting to gain some experience, Indiana has an abundance of beautiful, entertaining golf courses and country clubs to be enjoyed. Sprawling across the state are championship layouts designed by legendary architects like Pete Dye, Donald Ross, and Tom Bendelow, each set amid natural beauty.

Golfers can opt to try their hand at a few holes in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Track or choose to immerse themselves in the history of the state by playing at some of the best courses in college golf. No matter which course you choose, Indiana’s golf courses have unique experiences to offer that you can’t find anywhere else.

Victoria National Golf Club

The Victoria National Golf Course in Newburgh, Indiana, is ranked the best golf course in Indiana. Designed by architect Tom Fazio, this 18-hole course was built in 1998 and acquired in 2018, and it measures 7,209 yards with a rating of 77 and a slope of 148. The course’s high ranking is due to its natural beauty and to its final five-hole stretch known as "The Gauntlet." This famously difficult stretch of holes includes five of the game's most difficult.

The course itself is carved from an abandoned coal mine, covers 418 acres, and holds more than 500 million gallons of water. As the course is a highly exclusive, private club, standard public green fees are unavailable. However, non-members can book a stay-and-play package averaging around $1,000 per night, which includes lodging and golf, or they can accompany a member for all-day play (with a fee) and separate fees for lodging.

The Victoria National Golf Course includes beautiful, comfortable on-site lodging. The course is also in the process of constructing a new designer clubhouse, slated to open in 2028, with amenities including dining rooms, private meeting spaces, a cafe, an Owner’s Lounge, an outdoor deck, and locker rooms. The club is also located near three airports: the EVV Evansville Regional Airport and United Companies Air Center FBO, both 15 miles away, and the SDF Louisville International Airport, 120 miles away. Popular offsite activities include the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival in October, or a visit to the Bally's Evansville Casino & Hotel in Evansville, the Indy 500, the Kentucky Derby across the state line, and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

Crooked Stick Golf Club

The Crooked Stick Golf Club, located in Carmel, Indiana, is a beautiful luxury golf course designed to be modest yet relaxing. This course was one of Pete and Alice Dye’s first commissions, built in 1964. He designed it the year after he’d spent time in Scotland playing several traditional courses. The guiding principles of the course include a tradition of limited membership, ensuring the course can remain first-class while also encouraging fellowship amongst the club’s community. Membership is also invitation-only. Although this limits public access, it ensures that members do not need tee-time registration and can enjoy the course’s 18 holes at their own pace. It also adds to the intimate, private feel by introducing natural shrubbery and greenery to screen the courses from nearby properties, enhancing members’ privacy.

The Crooked Stick is located just 20 miles north of Indianapolis and is 35 minutes away from the Indianapolis International Airport. Although it has no on-site lodging, the course maintains relationships with nearby luxury hotels that offer access to the resort, including Hotel Carmichael, Ironworks Hotel Indy, and Renaissance Indianapolis North Hotel. The course also offers several amenities, including premium clubhouse facilities, dining, and concierge services.

French Lick Resort (Donald Ross)

The Donald Ross course at the French Lick Resort in French Lick, Indiana, is a beautiful, award-winning course designed to transport players back in time to experience golf the way it was meant to be played. The course, designed by Donald Ross and built in 1917, is one of French Lick Resort’s five courses. This par-70 course has 18 holes, an average greens fee of $125 to $175 for the season, and is open daily from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Among the features typical of a Donald Ross design, the course also features 80 deep-faced bunkers that challenge even expert players.

The French Lick Resort has three luxury on-site resorts for its guests to enjoy across its 3,200 acres. These resorts include West Baden Springs Hotel, French Lick Springs Hotel, and Valley Tower Hotel. At the Donald Ross course, specifically, the Golf Shop is located in Hagen’s Club House, where golfers can purchase the finest name-brand golf apparel and equipment. Also in Hagen’s Club House is the Hagen’s Club House Restaurant with a diverse menu including steaks, seafood, salads, and Hagen’s signature barbecue ribs. The resort is located 50 miles south of Bloomington and 50 miles north of Louisville, Kentucky, and is near the French Lick Municipal Airport and the SDF Louisville International Airport.

French Lick Resort (Pete Dye)

The next-best golf course in Indiana is also at the French Lick Resort in French Lick, Indiana. Designed by Pete Dye in 2009, the aptly named Pete Dye course is considered one of the most iconic courses in the United States. With an 80.5 rating and a 151 slope, this course sticks out from the others at the resort for its rugged, intense terrain and its beautiful 40-mile panoramic views. The green fees for this course are higher than those at the Donald Ross course, at $450 during the week and $500 on weekends. Amenities include an on-site golf shop that carries top-tier golf brands and apparel, as well as the Mansion at Pete Dye, which offers meals throughout the day, including grab-and-go options and special sunset dinners on Sundays.

Just like the Donald Ross course, the Pete Dye course has access to the French Lick Resort’s three luxury hotels and amenities. The course is 50 miles south of Bloomington and 50 miles north of Louisville, Kentucky. The closest airports are the French Lick Municipal Airport and the SDF Louisville International Airport.

Culver Academies Golf Course

The Culver Academies Golf Course is considered the best nine-hole course in the United States. Located at Culver Academies, a private school near Lake Maxinkuckee, the course is accessible only to students and faculty with a current Culver ID, alumni who obtain an official bag tag, and guests accompanied by an authorized student, alumni, or team member. The course was designed by William Langford and Theodore Moreau in 1924 and restored by Bobby Weed in 2015. On-site amenities include practice areas with driving ranges, short-game areas, and a putting green. The course also has a new, beautiful Golf House and a state-of-the-art indoor golf simulator for colder weather.

As the course is limited to those with a Culver ID, there are no green fees or memberships, and there are also no on-site lodgings. However, the area around Culver has several bed-and-breakfasts, such as The Culver Cottage and the Inn By the Lake. The closest airport to the course is the South Bend International Airport, approximately 40 miles north.

Pfau Course at Indiana University

The Pfau course at Indiana University in Bloomington is one of the most recent Big 10 courses to be built. Designed by Steve Smyers and Fuzzy Zoeller in 2020, this 18-hole course covers 7,900 yards with a 71 par and a 155 slope overall. The intense course places Indiana University among the top of the Big 10, and even among the most challenging and longest courses played by NCAA athletes. The course has top-quality practice facilities and two driving ranges that match the quality of the course itself. Although the course is located on Indiana University’s campus, it offers public access to Bloomington residents, and accessibility options are continually expanding. Green fees range from $95 on weekdays to $150 on weekends.

While there are no on-site lodgings for the Pfau course, visitors can stay at the nearby Abe Martin Lodge and Cabin while enjoying other on-site amenities. The course has a pro shop at the George L. Thomas Clubhouse, which offers several top-of-the-line apparel brands and golf equipment. They also have the Upland Brewery, where golfers can enjoy meals throughout the day at the course. The nearest airport to the course is the Indianapolis International Airport, about 50 miles north of where the course resides in Bloomington.

Warren Golf Course

The Warren Golf Course, located on the University of Notre Dame’s campus, is a beautiful course nestled into 250 acres of woodland. Designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore in 1999, the course embodies the three great loves of its designers: family, golf, and Notre Dame. This 18-hole course has hosted several high-profile competitions, ranging from collegiate to professional level. It’s open to the public, with tee time reservations and green fees varying by guest age and day of the week, starting at $20 and maxing out at $140. Because of the natural greenery around the course, it is designed to preserve wildlife habitats, encourage relaxation among its players, and remain challenging.

On-site amenities include a hospitable 1800s-style clubhouse with meals throughout the day at the Warren Grille, and golf apparel and equipment at the pro shop. Although there is no official on-site lodging for the course, the Morris Inn on Notre Dame’s campus offers a stay and play package for visitors wishing to play on the course. The nearest airport to the course is South Bend International Airport, roughly 5 miles from campus and an approximately 15-minute drive. Golfers wishing to play on this course must adhere to a semi-strict dress code: proper golf attire at all times and no metal spikes.

The Fort

The Fort Golf Resort is a Pete Dye and Tim Liddy design, built in 1997 on a redeveloped portion of the former Fort Benjamin Harrison military base. Located within Fort Harrison State Park in Indianapolis, this beautiful course is rich in both natural landscaping and history. When the base officially closed in 1991, the State of Indiana requested that a large portion of the land be converted into a state park and nature reserve, with the course serving as the premier public sporting amenity.

On-site amenities include professional staff and instructors, as well as a pro shop with professional golf attire and equipment open every day from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The course has a formal dress code requiring all golfers to wear professional golf attire and either no spikes or soft spikes on the course. Green fees fluctuate in the $60 to $70 range, and lodging offerings include the Fort Harrison State Park Inn, the Officer’s Home, and Harrison House onsite at the course. The course is located on the outskirts of Indianapolis, with the nearest airport being the Indianapolis International Airport.

Broadmoor Country Club

The Broadmoor Country Club is an early-1920s Donald Ross design that still retains the charm and aesthetic of the era in which it was built. Though this 18-hole course itself is relatively flat, the landscaping and foliage on the course were strategically designed to enhance the course’s difficulty. The Broadmoor Country Club prides itself on cultivating a private club experience rooted in golf, family, and community in the heart of Indianapolis. Sprawling across 200 acres, this private course is accessible only through membership; no green fees are listed. The club offers three membership options: the golf membership for players seeking primary access to the course, the athletic membership for those wanting access to other sports amenities and activities, and the social membership for those interested in the club's events and simpler amenities.

On-site amenities include professional staffing, swimming areas, events, dining, and a pro shop. The Golf Shop is designed to help maximize your enjoyment of the course, with trained professionals staffing both the shop and the instruction spaces. Golfers are also expected to adhere to a professional dress code, with polos and proper-length shorts and skirts required at all times on the course. There are no on-site lodging options at the course, but several hotels are within a 15 to 20 minute drive, the most recommended being the Drury Plaza Hotel Indianapolis Carmel. The nearest airport is Indianapolis International Airport.

Country Club of Indianapolis

The Country Club of Indianapolis was established in 1891 as the city's first country club and one of the first in the United States. In 1912, Tom Bendelow designed the club’s golf course, which was later refashioned by William Diddel in 1931 and again by Pete Dye in 1992. This 18-hole course is described as occasionally hilly, classically inclined, and both enjoyable and challenging for the golfers who play it. The club is private and doesn’t offer green fees to the public; it does offer a variety of membership options to choose from: the social membership, the summer social membership, the corporate membership, and the golf membership.

On-site amenities include regular social activities, dining, and athletic lessons and programs, including swimming, pickleball, and a full swing golf simulator. There is also a golf shop that offers several top brands’ golf apparel and equipment for members to purchase. While there are no onsite lodging offerings, there are several nearby hotels in the city, including the Drury Plaza Hotel and the Hampton Inn and Suites Avon Indianapolis. Out-of-state visitors can also find the nearest airport, approximately 15 miles away, at the Indianapolis International Airport.

Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex

The Kampen-Cosler Course at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex at Purdue University is widely considered one of the best courses in collegiate golf. Built in 1996, the course was originally named the North Course before being renamed the Kampen course and later co-named Kampen-Coslor in honor of Steve and Lynn Cosler and Purdue supporter Emerson Kampen. This 18-hole course is one of two at the 36-hole complex and is the only one not available to the public. The course is available to members and affiliates of Purdue University, with membership offerings varying for students, faculty, and the general public

The course offers several on-site amenities, primarily available to Purdue students and members. The amenities include a first-class golf training center, professional instructors, club fittings and repairs, and a pro shop. There are also several dining options on the course, including the 8Eleven Modern Bistro, the Boiler Up Bar, and Leaps Coffee Shop. Purdue University offers on-site lodging for the course at the Union Club Hotel, which also offers an on-site spa. The course is located on Purdue University’s campus in West Lafayette, Indiana, and the nearest commercial airport is the Indianapolis International Airport, 65 miles away.

Harrison Hills Golf Club

The Harrison Hills course at the Harrison Hills Golf and Country Club in Attica, Indiana, sits on 200 acres of beautiful land. The original course, designed by William Langford in 1924, had only nine holes. 70 years later, Tim Liddy was recruited to update the course and add nine more holes. The course features tree-lined fairways, strategically positioned bunkers, and outstanding greens. Amenities at the course include a practice range, a swimming pool, and a restaurant with various snacks and grab-and-go options.

The course offers both public day rates and membership options. Public rates for the peak season are $39 for nine holes and $65 for 18 holes. Members gain access to all on-site amenities and lessons, as well as all special events put on by the club. The club also has a dress code of proper golf attire and no metal spikes for players. The course also offers on-site lodging at The Lodge, a four-bed, two-bath home with access to the pool included, dining at the clubhouse, and stay-and-play offerings. The nearest airport is the Indianapolis International Airport, located 81 miles away from the course.

Brickyard Crossing

The Brickyard Crossing course, located in Speedway, Indiana, is one of, if not the most, unique golf courses in Indiana. Originally named Speedway Golf Course in 1929, the course started out as an 18-hole layout, with some holes outside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Track and others within. In 1993, Pete Dye converted the course into 18 holes, with holes seven through ten remaining within the oval of the track. This one-of-a-kind course offers public daily rates from $125 to $220, with annual membership fees starting at $5,500.

Because of the course’s unique location, on-site amenities are limited. However, the course does offer enjoyable dining at The Lounge restaurant, available Tuesday through Sunday for lunch, with snacks and grab-and-go options available at all times. Brickyard Crossing also has a golf academy with services available for purchase. A hands-on pre-round clinic is available for $100 per instructor, per hour, and an outing golf school is conducted concurrently during tournament play for $100 per student. The course doesn’t have any on-site lodging, but there are nearby recommended resorts, including the Courtyard by Marriott and the Speedway Legacy Inn. For visitors traveling by plane, the nearest airport is Indianapolis International Airport, 15 minutes from the course.

Prairie View Golf Course

The Prairie View Golf Course in Carmel, Indiana, is built for a more relaxed, laid-back experience compared to other country club courses. The 18-hole course prioritizes family fun for all ages and, as a result, offers several amenities for all ages. Prairie View Golf Club is the only Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed course in Indiana, and its layout is peaceful yet challenging. The front nine holes are set in open country, the back nine in more forested terrain. The daily rates are also all-inclusive, with snacks and beer available until 3:00 PM. Membership fees range from $99 in season and $49 out of season for monthly memberships, and annual memberships include a seven-day option for $4,500 and a four-day option for $3,000. Members also receive 30% off at the course restaurant.

On-site amenities include a driving range, the course itself, a kids zone, and a sports bar-style restaurant. The kids' zone features TVs, Xbox consoles, bean bags, and more to keep kids of all ages occupied. The restaurant on-site boasts a variety of sports bar food, primarily flame-fired pizza and house-smoked barbecue. Prairie View doesn’t offer any on-site lodging, but top-rated nearby options include the Prairie Guest House, Hotel Nickel Plate Fishers, and the Hyatt Place Indianapolis. The nearest airport to the course is the Indianapolis International Airport, approximately 35 miles away from the course.

The Trophy Club

The Trophy Club golf course on the outskirts of Lebanon is a beautiful course formed on 247 acres of natural beauty, routed around Prairie Creek. The tree-lined perimeter separates the course from surrounding farmland and other distractions, ensuring golfers have the privacy to enjoy and focus on their game. The course was designed in the mid 1990s by Tim Liddy and offers a mix of public and private play. Public rates range from $63 on weekdays to $77 on weekends, with carts included. Those interested in becoming members can choose from three membership tiers: gold, silver, and young professional.

The course’s on-site amenities are located within the club’s state-of-the-art clubhouse. They have a pro shop equipped with top-ranked golf apparel and equipment, staffed by golf professionals. The clubhouse is also home to Hogan Bar and Grill, the onsite restaurant, and a 100-seat pavilion for visitors to relax. The nearest airport for visitors is Indianapolis International Airport. Although there are no on-site lodging options, nearby hotels include Holiday Inn Express Lebanon, Hampton Inn Lebanon, and Baymont by Wyndham Lebanon.

Courses for All Golfers

Indiana’s top golf courses showcase the state’s remarkable diversity of landscapes, course designs, and golfing experiences. From championship venues that have hosted prestigious tournaments to scenic layouts beloved by local players, each course offers its own unique blend of challenge, beauty, and tradition. Their enduring commitment to excellence has cemented Indiana’s reputation as one of the Midwest’s premier golf destinations, attracting golfers seeking unforgettable rounds and world-class experiences.