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Indianapolis Golf Trip Planning Guide

Indianapolis is the crossroads of America and the backyard of legendary course architect Pete Dye. Fort Golf Resort is under an hour away, the public courses benefit from Indiana's flat-but-strategic terrain, and Mass Ave and Broad Ripple deliver a walkable bar scene. Plus, the Indy Motor Speedway experience adds an activity no other golf trip destination can match.

5 courses · 4 restaurants · 4 bars · 4 activities

Quick Facts

Best Time to Visit

Spring, Summer, Fall

Nearest Airport

IND (20 min drive)

Green Fees

$28–$110

Lodging From

$350/night

Walkable Courses

3 of 5

Budget Est. (8 guys, 3 nights)

~$307/person

Sample 3-Day Itinerary

Here's a realistic 3-day itinerary for a group golf trip to Indianapolis. Every venue below is real and pulled from our curated database — no filler.

Day 1

Morning — Golf

The Fort Golf Resort parkland, $69–$110 · 4.6★

Pete Dye design built on Fort Harrison — the best public course in the Indianapolis metro with championship conditioning

Dinner

St. Elmo Steak Housesteakhouse, $$$$

Indianapolis institution since 1902 — famous for the world's spiciest shrimp cocktail and prime steaks

After Dark

Sun King Brewingbrewpub

Indy's flagship craft brewery — massive downtown taproom with 20+ beers and a lively atmosphere

Day 2

Morning — Golf

Brickyard Crossing Golf Club parkland, $59–$99 · 4.6★

Pete Dye design with 4 holes inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway — one of the most unique golf experiences anywhere

Afternoon — Activity

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Tour2-3 hours, $15–$30/pp

Tour the Brickyard, kiss the bricks, and visit the Hall of Fame Museum — play Brickyard Crossing the same day for the full experience

Dinner

Milktoothfarm to-table, $

Bon Appetit-recognized brunch spot in Fletcher Place — creative dishes in a converted garage

After Dark

The Slippery Noodle Inndive · Open late

Indiana's oldest bar (1850) — live blues nightly in a beautifully worn building

Day 3

Morning — Golf

The Trophy Club parkland, $49–$79 · 4.4★

Lebanon's best public course — well-groomed with strategic bunkering and good pace of play

Afternoon — Activity

Mass Ave Bar Crawl2-3 hours, $20–$40/pp

Walk Mass Ave from Sun King to Hotel Tango to the Rathskeller — all within a few blocks

Dinner

Bru Burger Barcasual, $$

Mass Ave's upscale burger spot — house-ground patties, great beer list, and a group-friendly layout

After Dark

Hotel Tango Artisan Distillerywhiskey bar

Veteran-owned craft distillery in Fletcher Place — bourbon, whiskey, and excellent cocktails

Course-by-Course Guide

Indianapolis has 5 courses worth playing. 3 are walkable if you want to save on cart fees.

The Fort Golf Resort

Premium

Pete Dye design built on Fort Harrison — the best public course in the Indianapolis metro with championship conditioning

$69–$110parklandPar 72 · 7,148 yds4.6 (1,027)

Brickyard Crossing Golf Club

Premium

Pete Dye design with 4 holes inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway — one of the most unique golf experiences anywhere

$59–$99parklandPar 72 · 6,985 yds4.6 (1,335)

The Trophy Club

Solid

Lebanon's best public course — well-groomed with strategic bunkering and good pace of play

$49–$79parklandPar 72 · 6,716 ydsWalkable4.4 (447)

Smock Golf Course

Solid

Best Indy Parks muni — a Gary Kern design with more character than you'd expect from a city course

$28–$45parklandPar 72 · 6,696 ydsWalkable4.4 (428)

Prairie View Golf Club

Solid

Carmel's public gem — Robert Trent Jones Jr. design with rolling terrain and top-notch conditioning for the price

$42–$69parklandPar 72 · 6,862 ydsWalkable4.4 (747)

Where to Stay

Indianapolis has 2 group-friendly lodging options in our database, starting at $350/night for the whole house. Several options include hot tubs — a non-negotiable for most groups.

house

$500–$1500/night

Sleeps 1216 · Broad Ripple and Meridian-Kessler neighborhoods

full kitchenparkinghot tubgame roomfire pitgrill
house

$350–$900/night

Sleeps 1014 · Mass Ave and Fountain Square

full kitchenparkinggrillwasher/dryer

Group Dining Guide

4 restaurants vetted for group golf trips. Several can handle large parties without a reservation headache.

St. Elmo Steak House

$$$$
steakhouse

Indianapolis institution since 1902 — famous for the world's spiciest shrimp cocktail and prime steaks

$60+/personReservation needed

Milktooth

$
farm to-table

Bon Appetit-recognized brunch spot in Fletcher Place — creative dishes in a converted garage

Under $15/person

Bru Burger Bar

$$
casual

Mass Ave's upscale burger spot — house-ground patties, great beer list, and a group-friendly layout

$15-30/person

Tinker Street

$
farm to-table

Broad Ripple's best dinner — seasonal menus with a creative cocktail program and intimate vibe

Under $15/personReservation needed

Nightlife

4 bars curated for groups. 2 stay open past midnight.

Sun King Brewing

brewpub

Indy's flagship craft brewery — massive downtown taproom with 20+ beers and a lively atmosphere

The Slippery Noodle Inn

Late Night
dive

Indiana's oldest bar (1850) — live blues nightly in a beautifully worn building

Hotel Tango Artisan Distillery

whiskey bar

Veteran-owned craft distillery in Fletcher Place — bourbon, whiskey, and excellent cocktails

Kilroy's Bar & Grill

Late Night
sports bar

Broad Ripple's rowdiest sports bar — big TVs, bucket specials, and the energy of a Big Ten bar

Activities Beyond Golf

4 off-course activities for rest days or afternoons.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Tour

go karts2-3 hours$15–$30/pp

Tour the Brickyard, kiss the bricks, and visit the Hall of Fame Museum — play Brickyard Crossing the same day for the full experience

Mass Ave Bar Crawl

brewery2-3 hours$20–$40/pp

Walk Mass Ave from Sun King to Hotel Tango to the Rathskeller — all within a few blocks

Topgolf Fishers

go karts2-3 hours$30–$60/pp

Three-level driving range with climate-controlled bays — group competition before the real golf

Eagle Creek Reservoir Boating

boat rentalhalf day$30–$60/pp

Pontoon rental on Indy's largest reservoir — swimming, fishing, and a scenic escape from the city

Getting There

Fly into Indianapolis International Airport (IND) — it's a 20-minute drive to Indianapolis. For groups of 8+, consider booking a shuttle or party bus from the airport (local providers include Indy Party Bus and Circle City Limo). Renting two SUVs usually works for groups of 4-8.

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