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Course Report
The site of The Fort Golf Course was once a key U.S. Army post—Fort Benjamin Harrison—and is now part of a 1,700-acre Indiana State Park complex.
About
The Fort Golf Course in Indianapolis is a public Pete Dye design located on the historic Fort Benjamin Harrison property. Opened in 1997, it sits on 238 acres of rolling, forested hills, offering challenging holes and dramatic elevation changes unusual for Indiana. Frequently recognized among the state's top public courses, The Fort features Dye’s signature undulating greens and scenic views.
Caddie Tip
Play conservatively off the tee on holes demanding accuracy like the 4th, as dense woods and rolling terrain often punish offline shots. Keep approaches below the hole to avoid difficult, lightning-fast downhill putts on Dye’s challenging greens. Club selection is vital given elevation changes and swirling winds in the park’s valleys.
The Main Challenge
The greatest challenge at The Fort is the combination of tight, tree-lined fairways and undulating greens, typical of Pete Dye’s toughest designs. Elevation changes on many holes require precise club selection and control, while penal bunkering and runoffs protect the greens and demand thoughtful strategy on approaches.
The Good
Golfers love the dramatic elevation changes and scenic parkland setting, which deliver visually stunning and strategically stimulating golf. The course’s routing through Indiana hardwoods and over rolling hills creates memorable holes that engage shot-makers of all levels, with each nine delivering a variety of inventive layouts and strong finishing holes.
The Not So Good
Some golfers find the challenging greens and frequent elevation changes tough on first play, with punitive areas for errant shots often resulting in lost balls. The hilly terrain can also be tiring for walkers, and pace of play may slow at peak times. Occasional critiques target bunker conditioning and inconsistent rough.
Signature Hole:
#
4
Hole 4, a par 4 stretching to 479 yards from the back tees, is widely considered the signature challenge at The Fort. The fairway is tree-lined and notably narrow, with a slight dogleg, and demands both length and accuracy off the tee. The approach is complicated by undulations and Pete Dye–styled bunkering, making par a true achievement.
Clubhouse
Golfers can enjoy The Garrison Restaurant and Bunker Grill, a fully stocked pro shop, locker rooms, and nearby on-site lodging. The clubhouse atmosphere is lively and welcoming, supporting events and outings with modern banquet and meeting facilities in a wooded parkland setting.
Practice Facilities
The Fort features a spacious driving range, short game area, and large putting green, with golf instruction available from PGA professionals. The practice amenities are well-kept and provide golfers sufficient space to work on all aspects of their game before tackling the course.
Dress Code:
Standard
No dress code enforced. All attire is permitted.
Collared shirts not required. Clean, athletic or golf-appropriate casual wear is acceptable.
Collared shirts required. No denim, gym wear, or overly casual clothing.
Collared shirts must be tucked in; no cargo or athletic shorts. No hats indoors.
Elite club standards; jackets required indoors, no changing shoes in the parking lot, and specific attire rules based on the area of the facility.
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