The next few posts will highlight a golf trip I took to the Indianapolis area back in 2019. While certainly not known as a golf destination, I was blown away by the quality of public golf for the price. In my opinion, it is far better than around Milwaukee. The first course I’ll go into depth on is Bear Slide.
Originally a country club, but now public, Bear Slide is not your run of the mill layout. Featuring split fairways, creeks, woods, creative mounding and considerable elevation changes, Bear Slide makes each hole truly unique. A course that is the antithesis of a traditional “championship layout”, it’s features are not always apparent from the tee and the holes require thought.
Atmosphere
On the outskirts of the northern suburbs, Bear Slide sits off a couple country roads. A long drive takes you into the parking lot in the center of the property. Just to the west of the parking lot is the most interesting part of the land, and gives you a glimpse of what you have to look forward to. The property itself is also quite big, with holes spread out considerably besides the last 4.
Conditions
I played in October, however, the conditions were still very good. The fairways were quite firm as well as the greens. The greens were also very, very quick.
They market themselves as a premier golf course in Indiana and the conditions overall really did reflect that.
Design
Bear Slide is a layout that I think is more appropriate for better players. There is a bit of target golf. Holes like 11 require the player to hit a tee shot in a relatively small area to have a shot at the green. They also are very liberal in their use of native grasses on the perimeter of the course. I think it looks great, but for a lesser player, it can turn into a nightmare if searching through it constantly.
That being said, the design of Bear Slide is unique and that’s what I really like about it. Many “championship courses” have this fairness that they build into them. They have very few if any blind shots, holes are generally straight, the bunkering looks nice, but is very repetitive and the greens don’t have a lot of slope. Really, there is nothing creative, and the holes just….. blend together. While “fair,” courses like this don’t justify the price tag and are vastly overrated. The opposite is what makes Bear Slide so good. You get the great conditions and the 7000 yard challenge from the back tees, but the architect keeps you guessing and adds some quirk to the layout.
Facilities
The clubhouse is a ranch style, and is understated for the quality of the course. While I didn’t use it, the range has a large grass tee that based on the condition of the course, I will assume would be in good shape. A putting green is also located close to the first tee and a short game area sits next to the range.
I think the understated clubhouse really is great for the course as it makes a very high end layout not feel pretentious.
Value
This is the most shocking part of my entire Indianapolis area golf trip. For the quality of the layouts and conditions, the prices are incredibly good. Bear Slide was the most expensive. On a weekday in summer for an adult before 10:30, it’s only $50. Now I very rarely pay over $50 for a round of golf, and I think that is very fair. They run twilight rates, senior rates and of course spring and fall rates that are discounted too.
Now on to the hole-by-hole.
- Creative layout
- Distinct lack of houses/great atmosphere
- Unpretentious
- Finishes very strong(holes 15-18)
The Good
The Bad
- Holes 13 & 14 lackluster
- Some may find it too challenging
- Some may not like the amount of blind shots
1st Hole – Par 4
Make your way through some mounds just off the parking lot to find the first tee. It is not an easy opener however. Water on your right and a bunker on your left awaits you on the tee shot. The green is narrow with bunkers that look like bear claws behind the green. The green is flat however, so a green in regulation should result in a par.
2nd Hole – Par 4
The 2nd is very flat, however, I think the architect does a nice job of adding something of interest to the hole with large mounding on the left hand side. After hitting the wide fairway, you are left with an approach to a fairly big green. Bunkering 75 yards from the green can hide the surface however.
3rd Hole – Par 5
Another flat tee shot, but again the architect adds some flair. A centerline bunker sits out there to snatch up your tee shot. Layup short to avoid it, and you’ll be set up well for your 2nd. Depending where you are after your tee shot, your layup can be blind as mounding pushes into the fairway from the left. Your approach should then be around 100 yards to a green flanked by bunkers on your left.
4th Hole – Par 3
A nice looking, but typical par 3. The 4th is mid length with the green wrapping around the water. Shorter tees will have the player playing with the water on their right, while longer tees have you playing more over the water.
5th Hole – Par 4
The worst hole on the front 9 in my opinion the 5th is a very long par 4. Slightly uphill, the tee shot is played to a wide fairway with bunkers on the left. The approach is then played to a bunker-less green, and again slightly uphill.
6th Hole – Par 3
A mid length par 3, the 6th features a bunker and mounding 100 yards or so off the tee that hides part of the green. The green itself slopes left to right. Putts above the holes are quite slippery.
7th Hole – Par 4
An elevated tee greets you on the 7th. Notable, as the front nine is largely very flat. The landing area works left to right but is very wide. Make sure to hit the fairway, as the approach is one of the more difficult on the course. A deep bunker sits to the left of the green with natural grass around it. Severe mounding is to the right.
8th Hole – Par 5
The 8th is an average length par 5 with 2 fairway bunkers on either side of the tee shot. Avoid those, and for your 2nd aim at the 2 fairway bunkers on the right hand side. Anything just short of those will be perfect. The approach is then played to shallow green with a severe drop off with mounding in front. A cool looking approach in my opinion.
9th Hole – Par 4
A tough end to the front 9, the 9th is a par 4 that sits on the opposite of the pond as #1. Therefore the tee shot does have water in play on the right, as well as woods on the left. If you manage to hit the fairway, the approach is played to a handsome green with trees around and 2 small bunkers in front.
10th Hole – Par 4
The back 9 features considerably more elevation change and that starts on the 10th. Downhill and moving right to left, a bunker on the right is your aiming point. A draw off of the bunker will leave you with a shot to hit this long par 4 in regulation. The green is great on this hole with a large bunker on the front right and a steep wall behind as a backdrop. Admittedly, the hill behind doesn’t do anything strategically, but the amphitheater setting looks fantastic.
11th Hole – Par 4
Another hole with a great spot for a green, the 11th is a short dogleg left par 4. From the tee you are unable to see the green, and the best shots will be played at the right most fairway bunker. After your tee shot you are left with the view below. Slightly uphill with a creek running in front and mounding all around the back. The green is small and features more room left than first appears. This should be a good birdie opportunity.
12th Hole – Par 5
A strategic par 5, the 12th features a very wide fairway with no bunkers. With the 2nd, shot a decision needs to be made. You can play away from the water and to the right of the centerline bunker. This will leave you with a potentially longer approach(the fairway runs out), and potentially blind approach because of mounding.
If you decide to play towards the water you are able to hit it closer, and leave yourself with a shorter 3rd. Either way water will be present on the 3rd to this smaller green.
13th Hole – Par 4
Another wide open fairway greets you on the long par 4 13th. The left side features a huge bunker that may be in play for longer hitters on the tee shot. The bunker also stretches all the way up to the green. The green is quite shallow with the ability to run a ball up on the approach.
While I think the back 9 is very good, the 13th, I believe, is the weakest hole. The tee shot is nothing, and the shot to the green doesn’t offer much either.
Satellite Image of the Back 9
14th Hole – Par 3
Unfortunately, the 14th is another weak hole. A mid length par 3 the 14th features a green that is shaped left to right. A bunker sits on the left, but this is the holes only real defense. The collar is cut so that there is rough in front of most of the green. Looking at a satellite image of the course, I was expecting the green to have been sitting up, but it is fairly flat unfortunately.
15th Hole – Par 4
While the last 2 holes were disappointing, the last 4 at Bear Slide were the best closing stretch on the trip. The 15th is a wild looking hole. A high handicappers nightmare maybe as well.
From where the picture is taken to the landing area, a creek crosses 3 different times. The hole is short however, and a driver will leave most players 100 yards or less. The green is actually quite large for a short hole, and features short grass to the right that will feed a ball back onto the green if the turf is firm.
16th Hole – Par 3
The 16th is a downhill par 3 that again crosses a creek. The green is also fronted by a small rock wall. The green is more undulating than most and is quite wide.
17th Hole – Par 4
Take a short drive on the wooden bridge to reach the 17th tee. A sharp dogleg left is in store. Your tee shot may be less then driver to a elevated fairway. The approach shot is played uphill to a green that is sloped right to left and has a steep drop off to bunkers on its left. A small swatch of fairway with a bunker and grassy hollow can obscure the green depending on where your tee shot ends up.
18th Hole – Par 4
A very tough finisher greets you on the 18th. A downhill tee shot with trees lining both sides. The fairway does angle left to right so a fade is the best option. The approach is then played to a green across the creek with large mounding behind as seen below. A fantastic shot to finish the round.
Final Thoughts and Grade
If you are looking for the best Indianapolis has to offer, Bear Slide should absolutely be on your list to play. The amenities may not wow you, but the course really is something to see at the price they charge.