The Complete Guide to Golf Courses and Where to Play

You’ve probably heard people say they moved to Hendricks County for the schools, the commute, or the small-town feel. But ask the golfers around here, and they’ll tell you there’s another reason this place is special: the golf.

Within a 20-minute drive you can find a legendary Pete Dye layout, a championship 7,000-yard test that has earned four stars from Golf Digest, a beloved local gem with water in play on 14 holes, a classic 9-hole course perfect for a quick weekday round, and two of the best indoor golf simulator experiences in central Indiana. That’s a lot of golf for one county.

Whether you’re a scratch player looking for a serious challenge, a weekend warrior who enjoys a relaxed 18 with friends, a new homeowner checking out the local scene, or someone thinking about moving here, this is your guide to every place to play golf in Hendricks County โ€” and who each one is best for.

The Hendricks County Golf Scene at a Glance

CourseLocationHolesParBest For
Twin Bridges Golf ClubDanville1872Serious players, tournaments
Deer Creek Golf ClubClayton1871Challenge + great value
West Chase Golf ClubBrownsburg1871Memberships, leagues, events
Oak Tree Golf CoursePlainfield1872History, Pete Dye design
Hendricks County Golf CourseDanville935Quick rounds, beginners
Pittsboro Golf CoursePittsboro936Casual, affordable, fun
X-Golf PlainfieldPlainfieldSimโ€”Year-round indoor golf
Divot Golf FactoryBrownsburgSimโ€”Simulator + unique surfaces
โ›ณTwin Bridges Golf Club 1001 Cartersburg Rd, Danville, INย  |ย 
317-745-9098

If you only play one course in Hendricks County, make it Twin Bridges. This is the flagship โ€” a full championship layout that earned a four-star rating from Golf Digest and has hosted IHSAA golf championships. Designed by Robert Lohmann in 1997 and routed beautifully along White Lick Creek, Twin Bridges is the most demanding and most rewarding course the county has to offer.

HolesParYardage (Back)SlopeCourse Rating
18727,071 yards13774.4 / 75.0

What Makes It Special

The front nine features large, receptive bentgrass greens โ€” you can be aggressive with your approach shots and attack pins. The back nine is a different animal entirely: tighter, more traditional, with rolling terrain, guarded greens, and the kind of strategic demands that make you think on every shot. The contrast between the two nines keeps the round interesting from first tee to 18th green.

At over 7,000 yards from the tips with a slope of 137, Twin Bridges genuinely tests accomplished golfers. But multiple tee options make it accessible and enjoyable for all skill levels โ€” you don’t have to be a scratch player to have a great time here.

The Community Aspect

Twin Bridges has one of the most active golf communities in central Indiana. Their men’s club plays five times a week in a variety of formats with handicaps, and the entry fee is just $10 โ€” no commitment required. It’s one of the best ways to meet other golfers in the county and play competitive, social golf on a regular basis.

After the Round

The clubhouse features a solid banquet facility, making it a popular destination for corporate outings, charity tournaments, and private events. Keep an eye on their Wednesday deals โ€” the $35 Wednesday rounds have developed something of a local legend status among Hendricks County golfers.

๐Ÿ† Best For Serious golfers looking for a championship-caliber challenge. Groups wanting a memorable round. Competitive players who want to test their game against a legitimate 74+ course rating.
โ›ณDeer Creek Golf Club 7143 S State Road 39, Clayton, IN  |  317-539-2013

Ask local golfers to name the best-kept secret in Hendricks County, and most of them will say Deer Creek. Located just off I-70 near Clayton โ€” about 10 minutes from Indianapolis International Airport โ€” this course consistently earns praise for its conditioning, layout, and value. Some reviewers call it the best course in Hendricks County, full stop.

HolesParYardage (Back)SlopeDesigner
18716,700 yards132John Hall (1991)

What Makes It Special

Water. Deer Creek doesn’t mess around with water hazards โ€” ponds and the namesake creek come into play on 14 of 18 holes. Add in several ravines and narrow, tree-lined fairways, and you have a course that demands both accuracy and course management. It’s not a bomber’s paradise. Every club in your bag will get used.

The bentgrass fairways and greens are consistently praised in player reviews, and the course offers four sets of tees to accommodate all skill levels โ€” from the back tees at 6,700 yards down to the forward tees at just over 5,000 yards.

The Value Factor

This is where Deer Creek really shines. Weekday morning rates regularly come in under $30 for 18 with a cart โ€” a remarkable deal for a course of this quality. Weekend rates are reasonable as well, making this the go-to for golfers who want a challenging, well-maintained round without a premium price tag.

Amenities

Deer Creek features a fully stocked pro shop and a first-class banquet facility with seating for 180 inside and additional capacity on a large wrap-around porch. A full kitchen makes it an excellent choice for group outings, corporate events, reunions, and tournaments.

๐Ÿ† Best For Value-conscious golfers who refuse to sacrifice quality. Players who love water challenges and creative course design. Visitors coming through on I-70 who want an accessible, high-quality round close to the highway.
โ›ณWest Chase Golf Club 4 Hollaway Blvd, Brownsburg, IN  |  westchasegolf.com

West Chase is Hendricks County’s premier membership golf experience โ€” a championship 18-hole layout in Brownsburg that has built a devoted local following through competitive membership pricing, excellent facilities, and a full calendar of leagues, events, and outings.

HolesParYardageLocationType
18716,700 yardsBrownsburgPublic / Membership

What Makes It Special

West Chase has positioned itself as the most accessible championship membership option on Indianapolis’ west side. The course itself offers a classic, enjoyable layout through the Indiana countryside โ€” wide enough to be forgiving, interesting enough to keep you engaged round after round. It’s the kind of course that rewards regular play: the more you know it, the better you score.

Membership and Community

West Chase’s membership model is one of its biggest selling points. They offer competitive pricing compared to other Indianapolis-area clubs, and member benefits include access to leagues, tournaments, the men’s club, junior golf programs, and golf instruction. If you’re new to Hendricks County and looking to build a regular golf routine and social circle around the game, West Chase is an excellent home base.

The Pavilion

The West Chase Pavilion is one of the largest banquet and event facilities on Indianapolis’ west side โ€” capable of handling large corporate conferences and private events alike. It’s a go-to venue for golf outings, weddings, and business gatherings that want a scenic, well-staffed setting.

Junior Golf

West Chase has an active junior golf program, making it particularly appealing for families with young players. If you’re moving to Brownsburg or the surrounding area and have kids with an interest in golf, West Chase provides organized programming and instruction to help them develop.

๐Ÿ† Best For Golfers looking for a membership home with community, leagues, and events. Families with junior golfers. Groups and businesses planning outings or corporate events on the west side of Indianapolis.
โ›ณOak Tree Golf Course 4710 E US-40, Plainfield, IN  |  317-839-6205

Oak Tree holds a special place in the history of Hendricks County golf. This is a Pete Dye design โ€” one of golf architecture’s most celebrated and sometimes feared names. The front nine was part of Dye’s original layout, first opened as a 9-hole course in 1962, with the back nine added to bring it to 18 holes in 1975. Playing Oak Tree means walking ground shaped by the same architect who designed TPC Sawgrass, Crooked Stick, and some of the most iconic courses in the world.

HolesParYardage (Back)SlopeDesigner
18726,479 yards124Pete Dye (1962/1975)

What Makes It Special

Classic Pete Dye elements are present throughout: tree-lined fairways, undulating greens that are genuinely difficult to read, forced carries, and subtle design touches that reward smart play over raw power. Water comes into play on five holes, and the greens โ€” particularly on the front nine โ€” feature the kind of movement that keeps even experienced players humble.

Located directly on US-40 just 10 minutes from Indianapolis International Airport, Oak Tree is exceptionally easy to find and access. It also shares a parking lot with Brew Link Brewpub, making the post-round plans easy.

Condition and Experience

Player reviews of Oak Tree are mixed โ€” some rounds are met with great conditioning and fast greens, while others have noted inconsistencies. The course is under current management working to improve the experience. At $34โ€“$45 for 18 holes, it offers the rare chance to play a legitimate Pete Dye layout at a public course price. For serious golfers, that history and design pedigree alone is worth the round.

๐Ÿ† Best For Golf history enthusiasts who want to play a Pete Dye design without private club prices. Players who enjoy classic, thoughtful layouts over modern resort-style courses. Anyone coming through Plainfield who wants a quick, affordable round near the airport.
โ›ณHendricks County Golf Course 4130 E Main St, Danville, IN

The Hendricks County Golf Course in Danville is exactly what a good 9-hole public course should be: welcoming, affordable, accessible, and genuinely fun. Opened in 1959, this is the county’s longest-operating course โ€” a local institution that has introduced countless Hendricks County residents to the game.

HolesParYardageSlopeBuilt
9353,195 yards1041959

What Makes It Special

At 3,195 yards over 9 holes, this course isn’t going to challenge a scratch player the same way Twin Bridges will. But that’s not the point. The Hendricks County Golf Course is the ideal place to introduce a new golfer to the game, squeeze in a quick round after work, work on specific parts of your game in a low-pressure setting, or simply enjoy a casual afternoon on the course without spending a lot of money.

The county course is also open to the public and genuinely welcoming to all skill levels. Beginners can learn the game here without the intimidation factor of a challenging 18-hole layout.

๐Ÿ† Best For Beginners learning the game. Experienced players who want a quick 9 holes without a time commitment. Families introducing kids to golf. Golfers who want an affordable, no-fuss local option.
โ›ณPittsboro Golf Course Pittsboro, IN

Pittsboro Golf Course is one of Hendricks County’s most charming and beloved local courses โ€” a 9-hole layout that the golf community describes as perfect for all skill levels. If you’re in the northern part of the county around Pittsboro or Lizton and looking for a relaxed, social round, this is your spot.

HolesParTypeAtmosphereVibe
936PublicRelaxedClassic local favorite

What Makes It Special

Pittsboro Golf Course has the feel of a classic American small-town golf course โ€” the kind of place where you’re likely to run into neighbors, enjoy a relaxed pace of play, and leave feeling like you had a genuinely good afternoon. It’s affordable, accessible, and a staple of the northern Hendricks County golf scene.

๐Ÿ† Best For Casual golfers who value a laid-back atmosphere over championship challenge. Residents of northern Hendricks County who want a convenient local option. Golfers looking for an affordable round with friends and neighbors.

Indoor Golf: Play Year-Round in Hendricks County

Indiana winters don’t have to mean a five-month break from golf. Hendricks County has two outstanding indoor simulator facilities that let you play famous courses, work on your game, and enjoy golf as a social experience regardless of what the weather is doing outside.

๐ŸŽฎX-Golf Plainfield The Shops at Perry Crossing, Plainfield, IN

X-Golf is the premier indoor golf experience in Hendricks County. Located in The Shops at Perry Crossing in Plainfield, this state-of-the-art facility features advanced simulators that let you play an array of world-renowned courses โ€” think Pebble Beach, Turtle Bay in Hawaii, Augusta National, and many more. The simulators are used for competitive leagues, casual rounds, birthday parties, corporate events, and year-round practice.

  • Play famous courses you’d never otherwise access
  • Ideal for winter practice and keeping your game sharp
  • Great for groups, events, and date nights
  • Located in Plainfield’s premier shopping and dining complex โ€” easy to make a full evening of it
๐ŸŽฎDivot Golf Factory Brownsburg, IN

Divot Golf Factory in Brownsburg takes the simulator experience to another level with a feature you won’t find at most indoor golf facilities: the floor actually moves. Different playing surfaces โ€” including simulated sand and rough โ€” allow you to practice from lies you’d encounter on a real course, and the dynamic floor can replicate uphill and downhill lies. For golfers who take their game seriously, Divot is one of the best practice environments available anywhere in central Indiana.

  • Simulated sand, rough, and turf surfaces to practice from
  • Dynamic floor that replicates uphill, downhill, and sidehill lies
  • One of the most technically advanced golf simulator experiences in the region
  • Great for serious practice as well as casual entertainment
โ›… Pro Tip for New Residents Many Hendricks County golfers keep memberships at one of the outdoor courses and use X-Golf or Divot through the winter months to stay sharp. By the time spring arrives, their game is ready to go while others are still shaking off the rust.

Which Course Is Right for You?

If You’re Looking For…Play Here
The biggest challenge in the countyTwin Bridges Golf Club โ€” 7,071 yards, slope 137, Golf Digest 4-star
Best value for a quality challengeDeer Creek Golf Club โ€” water on 14 holes, bentgrass, under $30 weekdays
A membership and golf communityWest Chase Golf Club โ€” leagues, junior programs, active men’s club
Historic Pete Dye design on a budgetOak Tree Golf Course โ€” classic Dye layout, $34โ€“$45 public rates
Quick 9 holes or learning the gameHendricks County Golf Course โ€” welcoming, affordable, 9 holes in Danville
Casual round in northern Hendricks CountyPittsboro Golf Course โ€” relaxed, local, perfect for all levels
Year-round golf regardless of weatherX-Golf Plainfield or Divot Golf Factory in Brownsburg
A full golf trip itineraryDay 1: Twin Bridges + Brew Link Brewpub. Day 2: Deer Creek + West Chase 9

Bonus: Disc Golf in Hendricks County

Traditional golf isn’t the only way to play in Hendricks County. The county has developed a strong disc golf community with several well-maintained courses:

  • Avon Town Hall Park Disc Golf Course โ€” one of the county’s most popular disc golf destinations
  • Washington Township Park Disc Golf Course โ€” 18 technical holes designed in partnership with the Hendricks County Parks Department. Front 9 is cart-friendly; the back 9 is a more challenging wooded experience.
  • Northwest Community Park โ€” 18-hole course in Brownsburg, featuring pond holes, an island hole, and wooded sections. Maintained by Parkside Bible Church.
  • The Master’s Disc Golf Course โ€” 9-hole course in Plainfield behind Calvary Baptist Church, with long and short pads that can be played as 18 holes.

Whether you’re a traditional golfer, a disc golfer, an indoor simulator enthusiast, or all three, Hendricks County has more golf than most people realize โ€” and all of it within easy reach of wherever you live in the county.

What This Means for Homebuyers and Homeowners

For golfers considering a move to the Indianapolis area, Hendricks County deserves a serious look. You’re close enough to the city for work and lifestyle, but you have access to multiple quality public courses โ€” including a Golf Digest four-star layout and a Pete Dye design โ€” without country club price tags. Add two excellent indoor simulator facilities, and this is legitimately one of the best golf counties in Indiana.

Several neighborhoods in Brownsburg, Plainfield, and Avon put you within a 10-minute drive of multiple courses. If proximity to golf is part of your housing wish list, mention it โ€” we can point you toward the neighborhoods that get you closest to the courses you want to play most.

Looking for a Home Near the Best Golf in Hendricks County? We know this county โ€” the neighborhoods, the communities, and yes, the golf courses. Whether you’re relocating to the area or looking to move within Hendricks County, we’d love to help you find a home that fits your life on and off the course. Give us a call and let’s talk golf and real estate. THE HAMMEL TEAM Jeanette: 317-409-9280  |  Doug: 317-903-4567 jhammel@callcarpenter.com  |  dhammel@callcarpenter.com https://jeanettehammel.callcarpenter.com

Note: Course details including yardage, par, slope ratings, and green fees are based on published course data and may change seasonally. Always verify current rates and tee time availability directly with each course before visiting.

๐Ÿก Looking for more expert tips and real estate insights?
Click here to explore all blog posts by Jeanette & Doug Hammel.

Leave a Reply

Discover more from The Hammel Team's Real Estate Blog

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading