You’re ready to tee it up in the Hoosier State but need the most important piece of information: which fairways are actually open for play? This guide will show you exactly how to find open courses in Indiana, highlight some of the must-play tracks that stay open year-round, and provide some coaching advice to help you play your best, no matter the season.
Unlike states further north, Indiana enjoys a climate where most golf courses can stay open all year. The real question isn't always "Are they open?" but rather, "What are the playing conditions?" The single biggest factor that will shut a course down temporarily is snow cover or, more commonly, a heavy frost. No superintendent wants golfers walking on frozen, delicate turf, which can cause significant damage.
As a coach, I tell all my students to shift their mindset for off-season golf in Indiana. Don’t expect firm, fast, mid-summer conditions in November or March. Expect softer ground, less roll, and the potential for restrictions. Here’s what "open" often means during the fringe seasons (late fall, winter, and early spring):
Embracing these realities is step one. Knowing you might have to adjust your expectations allows you to simply enjoy being outside and swinging the club.
Hunting down an open tee time doesn't have to be a complicated process. With a simple, three-step approach, you can have a tee time booked and be on your way to the first tee in minutes.
Your first and best bet is to check popular online tee time portals like GolfNow or TeeOff, as well as the course's own website. These systems are updated in real-time. If a course is accepting bookings online for that day, it’s a very strong signal that they are open for business. This is the quickest way to see availability and pricing across multiple courses in your area at once.
Never underestimate the power of a quick phone call. While online systems are good, they don’t always reflect last-minute changes due to a sudden weather turn. Calling the pro shop directly gives you the absolute, ground-truth answer. You can ask directly: “How are the conditions out there? Any frost delays? Are you cart-path only?” The person on the other end is looking out the window and can give you a perfect snapshot of the situation. This little step can save you a ton of frustration and a potentially wasted drive.
Many golf courses have stepped up their communication game and use platforms like Facebook or X (formerly Twitter) to provide daily updates. Giving a course’s Facebook page a quick look before you head out is a smart move. You’ll often find morning posts with photos showing the conditions or official announcements about frost delays and other restrictions. For example, a quick check might reveal a post saying, "Beautiful sunny day but we are on a 90-minute frost delay! First tees will be off at 10:30 a.m." That's valuable intel.
While most local courses will try to stay open, certain premium and destination courses make a point of offering outstanding conditions for as much of the year as possible. Here’s a look at some of the state's heavy hitters.
The Indianapolis area is blessed with a high density of exceptional public-access golf. These courses are well-funded, professionally staffed, and see play nearly 365 days a year.
When you talk about Indiana golf, the conversation has to include French Lick. As a world-class resort, keeping their courses open and immaculate is a top priority.
Because French Lick is an international destination, their operational standards are second to none. If it’s possible to play golf, these two courses will be ready for you.
For golfers who love architecture, exploring the Pete Dye Golf Trail is an amazing way to see the state. The trail connects seven outstanding public-access courses designed by the legendary architect. Beyond Brickyard Crossing and The Fort, you can find other gems like Mystic Hills in Culver and Kampen-Cosler Course at Purdue University. Because these are part of a promoted trail, course conditioning and accessibility are principal concerns.
So you’ve found an open course and booked a time. Excellent. Now, let’s talk about how to actually play well and enjoy yourself when conditions are less than perfect. This is where a little bit of preparation and strategy makes all the difference.
Playing in the "shoulder seasons" requires a different approach to your shots. Let go of what the ball *should* do in July and play for what it *will* do today.
Being cold and wet on a golf course is miserable. Being warm and dry is a joy. The difference is simply in your gear prep.
From the championship designs of the Pete Dye Trail to the stunning resort courses at French Lick and countless excellent public tracks in between, Indiana provides a rich and accessible golf experience. A quick online search or a simple phone call is all it takes to find an open tee and get your game on, any time of year.
Planning which course to play is the start, but having smart, on-demand advice when you're standing over the ball is what builds real confidence. That’s exactly why we developed Caddie AI. It acts as your personal caddie, helping you with everything from devising a strategy on a tough tee shot to analyzing a tricky lie, giving you the information you need to commit to your swing and play smarter.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i
Just ask a question or share a photo and Caddie gives personalized guidance for every shot - anytime, anywhere.
