Pete Dye
French Lick Resort - Pete Dye Course
The headline round in Indiana, with dramatic elevation changes, long views and Dye’s demanding visual strategy.
At French Lick Resort
Midwest Golf
Golf Trips in Indiana
Historic resort golf, Pete Dye architecture and easy Midwest access built for a focused Indiana golf trip.
Indiana — overview
Indiana gives golfers a tighter, easier Midwest trip than most expect: French Lick’s resort base, the dramatic Pete Dye Course, Donald Ross history and a road-trip trail of Dye designs across the state. It works especially well for groups that want serious architecture without coastal logistics or big-market pricing.
- Destinations
- 2
- Courses
- 7+
- Best months
- May through October is the core Indiana golf season, with the best mix of turf, daylight and comfortable weather. September and early October are especially strong for cooler temperatures and fall-trip pricing.
- Typical length
- 3–5 nights / 4–6 rounds
- Trips from
- $995
What makes it special
Why play golf in Indiana.
Indiana is best for golfers who care about architecture, value and logistics. French Lick Resort gives the state a true stay-and-play anchor with Pete Dye and Donald Ross courses on one property, while the Pete Dye Golf Trail lets groups add Brickyard Crossing, The Fort and Kampen for a broader road-trip itinerary. With JEL Golf Travel, Indiana becomes an easy Midwest golf escape built around secured tee times, resort lodging and a clear route between stops.
French Lick Resort is the natural anchor for an Indiana golf trip. The Pete Dye Course brings elevation, long views and modern championship design, while the Donald Ross Course adds a century-old counterpoint with smaller greens, classic angles and a very different rhythm. Valley Links gives groups a lighter nine-hole option on arrival or departure day.
The Pete Dye Golf Trail adds variety beyond the resort. Brickyard Crossing brings the novelty and history of golf routed around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, The Fort gives groups a strong public-access Dye design near Indianapolis, and Kampen at Purdue stretches the itinerary north with a collegiate championship test.
This is a practical golf region as much as a design-driven one. Groups can fly into Louisville or Indianapolis, rent a car, and build a 3–5 night route around French Lick, Indianapolis and West Lafayette depending on how much driving they want between rounds.
Resorts & destinations
Where to play in Indiana.
The Indiana destinations we plan the most — each with the courses, lodging and seasonality our concierge knows by heart.
Signature courses
The courses that define Indiana.
These are the Indiana rounds we would build around first: the resort contrast at French Lick, then the strongest Pete Dye Trail stops if the group wants a wider road trip.
Donald RossFrench Lick Resort - Donald Ross Course
A classic resort course from 1917 that gives French Lick real architectural range beyond its modern championship layout.
At French Lick Resort
Pete DyeBrickyard Crossing Golf Course
A unique Dye design tied directly to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, making it one of the state’s most memorable golf settings.
At Pete Dye Golf Trail
Plan your trip
When to go, how to get there.
- Best time to visit
- May through October is the core Indiana golf season, with the best mix of turf, daylight and comfortable weather. September and early October are especially strong for cooler temperatures and fall-trip pricing.
- Weather & climate
- Indiana has a true four-season Midwest climate, so spring can bring rain and softer conditions while summer can be warm and humid. Fall is usually the safest planning window for comfortable golf, especially for groups playing multiple rounds in a short stretch.
- Typical trip length
- 3–5 nights / 4–6 rounds
- Getting there
- Louisville Muhammad Ali International (SDF) is the most useful airport for French Lick, while Indianapolis International (IND) is best for Pete Dye Golf Trail routing around Brickyard Crossing, The Fort and the broader central Indiana corridor. A rental car is needed because the best courses are spread between resort, city and college-town stops.
- Nearest airports
- SDF (Louisville) · IND (Indianapolis) · EVV (Evansville)
- Who it's best for
- Architecture-focused buddies trips that want Pete Dye, Donald Ross and Midwest resort golf without complicated travel.
- Trip styles
- Buddies tripResortGolf architectureMidwestRoad trip
Off the course
Local culture in Indiana.
Off the course, Indiana trips are relaxed and unforced. French Lick has the feel of a classic resort town with historic hotels, casino energy, spa time and quiet post-round dinners, while Indianapolis adds restaurants, sports culture and the Brickyard Crossing connection to the speedway. The state works well for groups that want good golf, short drives and a low-maintenance evening plan.
Frequently asked
Indiana golf FAQs.
What are the best golf destinations in Indiana?
The two strongest Indiana golf trip anchors are French Lick Resort and the Pete Dye Golf Trail. French Lick gives groups resort lodging with the Pete Dye Course, Donald Ross Course and Valley Links, while the trail adds courses such as Brickyard Crossing, The Fort and Kampen.
How many days do you need for an Indiana golf trip?
Most Indiana golf trips work best as 3–5 nights with 4–6 rounds. A shorter trip can focus entirely on French Lick, while a longer trip can add Indianapolis-area Pete Dye Trail stops and Kampen at Purdue.
What is the best time of year to play golf in Indiana?
May through October is the main Indiana golf season. September and early October are often the best months because the weather is cooler, the courses are in strong shape and groups can avoid the heaviest summer humidity.
Is French Lick Resort good for a golf trip?
Yes. French Lick Resort is one of the best Midwest stay-and-play options because it combines resort lodging, historic hotels, the Pete Dye Course, the Donald Ross Course and a shorter Valley Links option on one property.
What airport should I fly into for French Lick Resort?
Louisville Muhammad Ali International (SDF) is usually the most useful airport for French Lick Resort. Indianapolis International (IND) can also work, especially if the trip includes Pete Dye Golf Trail courses near Indianapolis.
Do I need a rental car for an Indiana golf trip?
Yes, a rental car is the practical choice for most Indiana golf trips. French Lick, Indianapolis-area courses and Purdue-area golf are spread out enough that groups should plan around driving between stops.
Ready when you are
Let's plan your Indiana trip.
Share your dates, group size, and the courses you have in mind. We'll come back inside 48 hours with a tailored itinerary, real numbers and secured tee times.