The Fort Golf Resort (Indianapolis, IN)

The Fort is that rare combination where high quality architecture meets modestly low price. In my travels, I’ve found only three other courses who met that criteria; Pacific Grove, Rustic Canyon, and Punta Borinquen. If The Fort was a couple hundred miles north in Wisconsin, Kohler would be charging a few Benjamins, but as is, only a few Jacksons is all that’s needed. 

(The par three fifth demands a well struck shot. The view across the valley is quite spectacular, especially when you glimpse the tee boxes of the next hole and the glorious drive to come. 211/192/154) 

Before I played here, a few people told me you won’t believe it’s a Pete Dye course. There’s no split fairways, or railroad ties, or even a water hazard! Instead it’s a natural course laid out upon bold landforms that roll up n down the countryside. It has scope and scale that makes everything seem further than it actually is. There’s plenty of short grass surrounding most greens, giving golfers many different options to save par. In a way, it’s a friendlier version of Pete Dye, but the required shots are just as engaging as any course I’ve seen of his. 

(The opening hole starts off friendly enough. The right side of the fairway will gather your ball to the center, and the hillside behind the green will keep it level with the flag. However, get too greedy with the front left pin  and you’ll find yourself ten feet below in the bunker. 381/370/340)

(The short par four second is a good birdie opportunity if you can avoid being lured left. The fairway is a good thirty yards wide. A few tricky pin positions exist, but overall, every location is accessible. 323/311/293)

(The par four fourth is where the fun begins. 
It’s plays slightly downhill, but second shot has an obscured view of the green depending on pin position. A huge hill pushes out into the second halve of the fairway and hides a third of the green. It’s possible to use the down slope to aid the ball onto the green, but where it finishes is a bit of luck. A four is a terrific score. 479/438/381) 

The Fort has a very good pace to it. It’s not a test of survival but rather an examination of differing shots. There’s holes that encourage attacking and holes that demand cautious tactics. It’s not an overly difficult course, and if one plays to his strengths then realistically every hole can be parred. 

(The short par four tenth has a nifty green perched above the fairway. It’s a narrow drive but players are granted the freedom to hit any club off the tee. Find your favorite yardage and attack. 311/295/288)

(The par four fifteenth has a green that sits in a low area so only the top of the flagstick is seen from the fairway. As the picture shows, there is mostly short grass surrounding the putting surface.  Even with its long length, par should be a capable score. 471/448/413)

Indianapolis is a great city for public golf. There’s some really high end quality courses, and The Fort is recognized by many to be the best. You’ll love the challenge from six, eleven, and eighteen tee. They are terrific driving holes! In my view, any golf trip to Indianapolis must include The Fort. I give it a 7 (great)(worth driving 3-4 hours to play). 

(As you emerge from the trees, the eighteenth tee produces a wow moment! A large ravine spreads out before you, dominating the landscape. While it seems like a long carry, in reality the drive needs to challenge bunker at the turn otherwise it’ll be a long approach into the green. It is an awesome finishing hole. 474/426/390)

[This used to be Fort Benjamin Harrison US Army Post. When they decommissioned it, the state of Indiana petitioned to make it into a state park, and they acquired over 1500 acres. Pete Dye only charged $1 to do the course. The hilly topography is very unusual for central Indiana. It’s a really wonderful area to explore.]

(The view from six fairway looking back at the tee box. It’s 190 yard carry from the blue tees. In the Fall, it’s probably a glorious kaleidoscope of colors.)