See Hole 4 at The Fort Golf Resort
The 4th hole is a par-4 hole designed by Pete Dye and Tim Liddy.
When the 16th hole at The Pete Dye Course at French Lick was being built, director of golf Dave Harner suggested to the chief architect, Mr. Dye himself, that it would be a great, drivable Par 4.
“If it is drivable,” Dye replied, “then it’s not a Par 4.”
Dye promptly walked away. This was not up for discussion.
That hole would go on to become the longest Par 3 in the state, a monstrous 302 yards. After the course opened in 2009, it was quickly named America’s Best New Public Course by “Golf Digest.”
More than 16 years later, Hole 16 has landed on IndyStar’s list of the best 18 single holes of golf at public courses in Indiana, joining an elite roster that demonstrates exactly why the sport of golf is so fascinating and infuriating.
These holes are hellish and beautiful. They are daunting and serene. They are unforgiving and unforgettable.
One hole showcases a green set in a natural amphitheater. Another features a 20-foot high by 200-foot wide waterfall. There is the hole with a story to tell, the time former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice aced it using her favorite 7 wood. Then there is the hole simply nicknamed “Hell’s Half Acre.” Enough said.
The best holes, said Mike David, executive director of Indiana Golf, are demanding and aesthetically pleasing.
A signature hole is not just about the beauty of the hole, but the difficulty of it as well, said Todd Firestone, golf pro at Meridian Hills Country Club, a private course. A signature hole should create a talking point for the rest of the day.
IndyStar’s final list of the best 18 holes was compiled after months of research, talking to golf pros, golf directors and everyday golfers. Only one entry per course was allowed, and we strived to cover all geographical regions of the state.
The 18 holes, described by course pros and club websites, are listed in geographical order from north to south. All yardages are from the furthest tee box, and this list, by no means, is definitive. Every golfer, after all, has their favorite hole.
#1: Hole 14 at Warren Golf Course, South Bend: Par 3, 150 yards
The natural landscape of the University of Notre Dame campus is highlighted on Hole 14 of Warren Golf Course, which is the home course for the Fighting Irish golf team. This hole rounds out the last of the Par 3s at Warren and features a well-bunkered green with a large bunker to the left and a hidden bunker to the right.
Former Secretary of State Rice got a hole-in-one here in 2011, using a 7 wood to nail the 150-yard Par 3.
How to play it: “The green complex boasts a false front consistent with the course green structures, so a player will need to carry their shot at least three to four yards onto the surface to hold the green,” said Kyle Lynne Demeter, head golf pro at Warren. “Hole 14’s green is open in the front, allowing the golfer to run a shot up onto this green, avoiding the challenging bunker complexes that surround it.”
Opened in: 2000
Designed by: Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw
More info, book a tee time
#2: Hole 7 at Sandy Pines Golf Club in DeMotte: Par 5, 605 yards
Topping out at 605 yards, the tee box of Hole 7 at Sandy Pines Golf Club has a generous fairway that leads to the start of a waste bunker that runs the length of the fairway to the right green. The left green has a generous landing area in front of the green for a second or third shot that is protected by a small but deep bunker on the left portion of the green.
The left green slopes from right to left, while the right green is relatively flat but has some minor ups and downs.
Opened in: 1973
Designed by: William J. Spear. In 2005, the course had a major renovation and redesign by Tim Nugent.
More info, book a tee time
#3: Hole 18 at Rock Hollow Golf Club, Peru: Par 4, 427 yards
This hole is described by Rock Hollow Golf Club officials as “everything a player could ask for in a finishing hole.”
“As you view this risk and reward tee shot, you’ll be greeted with a view over Rock Hollow’s largest water feature into a narrow landing area in the fairway,” according to the club. “Standing from the tee, the appearance of water is more apparent than the fairway.”
How to play it: This long Par 4 has water down the left, so the tee shot is key. The green sits on an upslope, so it may play five to 10 yards farther.
Opened in: 1995
Designed by: Tim Liddy
More info, book a tee time
#4: Hole 14 at Kampen-Cosler Course, West Lafayette: Par 4, 385 yards
Hole 14 on the Kampen-Cosler Course is a relatively short Par 4 with water all along the hole that is situated in a celery bog, which means wildlife abounds.
How to play it: The ideal tee shot moves from right to left into the fairway along the hazard. The second shot is difficult because you must hit toward the right in order to avoid the water obstacle on the left. The approach should leave a short wedge shot onto the green that opens up from right to left. The green is guarded by boulders and hazards along the left and back sides and has an undulating collection area on the right side.
Opened in: Original course was redesigned in 1998 to the one that exists today.
Designed by: Pete Dye
More info, book a tee time
#5: Hole 15 at Harrison Hills Golf Club, Attica: Par 4, 356 yards
This hole is one of the original nine built when the course opened more than 100 years ago. The tee box curves to the right and is surrounded by trees at the beginning. A raised island green features bunkers on both sides, and if you land in those bunkers, you’ll have to hit 25 feet up to get out of them.
How to play it: This uphill, dogleg right, has been the signature hole since the course was built. A blind landing zone with out of bounds that seem to creep in from the left requires a smart tee shot. Play your tee shot to the 100-yard marker but get a good look at the pin from the tee as a blind second shot awaits to this elevated green. Two deep bunkers guard the right and left sides of this narrow green. A huge hill in the middle of the green dissects the front and back. Chose your approach yardage wisely.
Opened in: 1924
Designed by: William Langford in 1924 as a 9-hole course. In the mid-1990s, Tim Liddy added nine news holes, incorporating Langford’s style.
More info, book a tee time
#6: Hole 18 at Bear Slide Golf Club, Cicero: Par 4, 449 yards
The final hole at Bear Slide is a fairly long Par 4 that ends with a green that is set in what the club’s golf pro, Mark Wisman, describes as “a natural amphitheater.”
How to play it: “Hole 18 is a great finishing hole, which requires two accurate shots. The tee shot is a long shot with trees lining the right side of the hole,” said Wisman. “A good tee shot will leave you with a mid to long iron over a creek into the green.”
Opened in: 1989
Designed by: Dean Refram
More info, book a tee time
#7: Hole 17 at Purgatory Golf Club, Noblesville: Par 3, 173 yards
It’s been nicknamed Hell’s Half Acre, a Par 3 with an island green not surrounded by water but by bunkers.
How to play it: “Hell’s Half Acre can be visually intimidating off the tee, but keep in mind that if you fall into the sand, you still get another shot. The large green has subtle undulations located across the putting surface.”
Opened in: 2000
Designed by: Ron Kern
More info, book a tee time
#8: Hole 11 at The Trophy Club in Lebanon: Par 5, 553 yards
This uphill Par 5 features a split fairway separated by a hazard area.
“The massive, ascending elevation change from tee to green means only the longest of hitters could possibly reach the green in two,” writes David Hill on his onebeardedgolfer blog, “so this center line hazard creates an intriguing decision matrix that can, frankly, lead to paralysis by analysis, a delightfully evil result that would surely make (course designer) Mr. Liddy smile.”
How to play it: The hole runs along a little bluff and it’s heavily bunkered. While not extremely demanding off the tee, your second and third shots are crucial. Hole 11 has a double fairway, which gives you the option of going either direction.”
Opened in: 1998
Designed by: Tim Liddy
More info, book a tee time
#9: Hole 9 at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel: Par 4, 433 yards
The club describes Hole 9 at Prairie View as “one of the most intimidating tee shots the state has to offer.”
“The hole’s allure begins as soon as you drive through the gates to enter Prairie View, the beautiful ninth green is nestled by bunkers and water strategically placed to punish poor shots. As you arrive at Hole 9’s tee, you see a narrow fairway and two ponds that line the hole making for a small landing zone, adding both beauty and difficulty to the course.”
Opened in: 1997
Designed by: Robert Trent Jones, Jr.
More info, book tee time
#10: Hole 4 at The Fort Golf Resort in Lawrence: Par 4, 479 yards
“A par on this hole will feel like a birdie,” says Bill Pattison, commissioner of the men’s league at The Fort Golf Resort. Added to its difficulty — very tight and very narrow, hitting into a valley — is its beauty.
“In the fall, this hole is framed visually with the turning leaves on both sides, as well as behind the green,” Pattison said. “On the right day, it is quite the picture.”
How to play it: The hole requires a long drive off the tee in between a large mound on the right and woods on the left. The second shot into the green must avoid a large bunker on the left side and thick rough and a hill on the right side.
Opened in: 1997
Designed by: Pete Dye and Tim Liddy
More info, book a tee time
#11: Hole 7 at Brickyard Crossing, Indianapolis: Par 3, 181 yards
Hole 7 at the Brickyard Crossing is special because it is the first hole on the course that is played inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, said director of golf Rylan Porter.
He describes the hole as “a tough Par 3 featuring a volcano green with the view from the tee box showing off 360-degree views of the famed Speedway Pagoda as well as Turns 1, 2, and the backstretch of the oval.”
Depending on the time of year you play this hole, you could also hear the monstrous roar of the engines as you catch a glimpse of an IndyCar ripping through Turn 2 at 230 miles an hour.
Opened in: 1929
Designed by: Originally designed in 1924 by Bill Diddel, Pete Dye redesigned the course which debuted in 1993.
More info, book a tee time
#12: Hole 13 at Otter Creek Golf Course, Columbus: Par 3, 191 yards
This Par 3 was dubbed “Alcatraz” by course designer Robert Trent Jones who once said it was the best hole he ever designed. But Hole 13 at Otter Creek won’t be around for long. It is set to be eliminated in 2026 as part of course renovations.
“Time and mother nature have been hard on Alcatraz,” according to the course. “The creek has eroded some of the land around the hole and the tee, but it is still a challenging hole.”
How to play it: This hole requires a tee shot over Clifty Creek onto an island green with two greenside bunkers all framed by towering Sycamore trees. There is not much room for an errant tee shot here.
Opened in: 1964
Designed by: Robert Trent Jones, Sr. designed the original 18 holes. Jones’ son, Rees, designed an additional nine holes in 1995.
More info, book a tee time
#13: Hole 18 at The Pfau Course, Bloomington: Par 4, 517 yards
The final test of the day at The Pfau Course, the home of Indiana University golf, is a lengthy, 517-yard Par 4.
How to play it: From the back tee, the 18th is a dog leg right that demands a well-placed tee ball. Around the corner, as the fairway ends, golfers catch sight of a massive cluster of bunkers guarding the front of the green. The quadrilateral shaped, punch bowl style green is elevated above the fairway. While it is large, it still requires a well-struck approach, probably from the fairway in order to access any pins in the front half of the green.
Opened in: 1957
Designed by: Jim Soutar. A complete overhaul of the course opened in 2020, the new design by Steve Smyers and Fuzzy Zoeller.
More info, book a tee time
#14: Hole 16 at The Pete Dye Course at French Lick: Par 3, 302 yards
“Hole 16 is without a doubt the longest Par 3 in the state — topping out at 300+ yards with water up close to the right and a prevailing wind toward it,” says director of golf Dave Harner. “It’s the only Par 3 I have seen with fairway bunkers.”
The hole, which Harner suggested to architect Pete Dye should be a Par 4, boasts a boulder-lined lake.
Opened in: 2009
Designed by: Pete Dye
More info, book a tee time
#15: Hole 16 at Champions Pointe in Henryville: Par 5, 597 yards
“A great golf hole balances risk and reward with difficulty and visual appeal,” says Ryan Dougherty, general manager of Champions Pointe, “and Hole 16 seems to strike this balance.”
The hole features significant elevation change, which creates an exciting visual and technical challenge, forcing golfers to account for distance and puts a premium on club selection. The hole has multiple hazards that challenge players to make smart decisions off the tee and on approach shots. Players who take a more aggressive line might shorten the hole but risk more danger, while conservative shots might leave a longer approach but offer more safety.
How to play it: Placing the ball in the right center of fairway sets up your second shot perfectly. Laying up just left of the right fairway bunker is the best play for your second. Your approach is extremely uphill. Take an extra club.
Opened in: 2007
Designed by: Fuzzy Zoeller and Clyde B. Johnston.
More info, book a tee time
#16: Hole 18 at Sultan’s Run, Jasper: Par 4, 429 yards
Named Supreme Sultan, Hole 18 features a 20-foot high by 200-foot wide waterfall over a natural stone outcropping.
“Players hit their tee shot over a ravine into a generous fairway that is framed by another natural stone outcropping. The hole is a sharp dogleg right, so the green first becomes visible to players as they drive their cart up out of the ravine and turn toward the green,” said Chris Tretter, co-owner and general manager. “The sights and sounds are amazing. This hole presents tremendous views for group photographs at the end of the round.”
Opened in: 1992
Designed by: In 1996, Tim Liddy was the architect of an extensive remodeling of the course.
More info, book a tee time
#17: Hole 2 at Cambridge Golf Course in Evansville: Par 5, 537 yards
This hole sets the pace for the rest of the round, says Darrel Conner, director of golf.
How to play it: “A good tee shot will lead to a tempting second shot into the green. The second shot is the most important shot of the round. Hit a good shot, and you’re looking at birdie or eagle. Hit a poor shot and a big number might be in your future,” said Conner. “The smart play is to layup, make a par and move on.”
Opened in: 2000
Designed by: Tim Liddy
More info, book a tee time
#18: Hole 14 at Chariot Run Golf Club in Laconia: Par 4, 453 yards
Hole 14 at Chariot Run is a standout Par 4 known for its elevated tee box that offers sweeping views and a dramatic risk-reward layout, says head golf pro Aaron Knief.
The course website calls it “easily the toughest hole on the back nine.”
Two large bunkers on both the left and right side of the fairway split the landing area, forcing players to choose between aggression and caution off the tee. A downhill second shot, which is protected with a creek surrounding the green along with intimidating greenside bunkers, adds to the challenge, making precision and strategy essential.
Opened in: 2002
Designed by: Bill Bergin
More info, book a tee time
Follow IndyStar sports reporter Dana Benbow on X: @DanaBenbow. Reach her via email: dbenbow@indystar.com.
