Otter Creek Golf Course

Reader Comments

7/2/03 - The entire course is in great shape. After hosting the Indiana State Amateur last week, you couldn't ask for nicer conditions. With a lack of rain recently, the fairways and greens are hard and unforgiving. The greens are rolling very true, if not quite as fast as one would anticipate. The rough is not particularly tall, but it is very difficult to navigate. Otter Creek is a great test for the advanced golfer, and a Robert Trent Jones' beauty for the rest. - Bill Mahoney

7/8/02 - This Indiana gem continues to be as well manicured as any public course in the Midwest, and probably most private courses as well. Bentgrass tees, fairways and greens all in excellent shape, though greens played a little slower than in years past (perhaps reluctant to cut them too close with recent heat and humidity). More competitive pricing, possibly because of the many upscale courses recently built in Indy, made it a real bargain. With internet coupon (see www.otcg.com), we played all day for $65 on Friday, July 5th, a day most Indy courses were charging premium weekend rates. In addition, although the course was relatively full, we didn't wait on a tee after the third hole of 36 holes played.

A real under appreciated asset is the new (East) nine. Presumably, since it's layout is so different than the original 18 (it's a links course that is more reminiscent of The Trophy Club), it gets a fraction of the play the other nines get. Consequently, its emerald greens and fairways have almost no divots or ball marks. If you plan to play more than 18, I would recommend playing this nine first. You should be able to appreciate it more if you haven't already gotten tuned in to the original 18 set up.

My only complaint of Otter Creek is the positioning of the tee markers. We played the white tees indicated on the card at less than 6000 yards, which is generally a very comfortable length for our foursome (we ranged from 15 to 25 handicappers). However, the tees were rarely placed at the yardage indicated on the card. Consequently, on most par 4's, we had only about a 10 yard advantage over the blue tees (about 6500 yards). None of the par 3's were as short as indicated on the card. You did get big advantages on the par 5's, but who really needs par 5's that average just 439 yards? The result was that although I was having a relatively solid day driving the ball, I seldom had a par 4 reachable with an iron, and many were not reachable even with a fairway wood. If your handicap parallels ours, I would recommend swallowing your pride and playing the red tees on some holes. You might find the course more playable and enjoyable that way. In fact, in some ways it might be more challenging to do so, as many of the fairway traps were unreachable for us. - Ron Beilke

6/19/02 - Otter Creek remains as one of the best public facilities around. I played Wednesday afternoon in about 3 1/2 hours. The course was beautiful. The greens where smooth and true, however maybe a little harder than you would think with all of the rain we have recently. It has great character, tall mature trees and the lack of any homes within eyesight while you are playing. My only complaint is that in the last 15 years I have yet to see an "Otter" at Otter Creek! - KP

6/5/02 - Otter Creek is the best golf course in Indiana! This course must be played a dozen times to understand the beauty in its design. I like it because it rewards shot making and courage off the tee. There are 5 sets of tees. If you are playing from the blues, the par three 6th (West 9) crosses a creek. To get to the green you must cross over a bridge leaving your clubs on the other side. Bring your driver and putter, play the yellow tees on the par five 7th. Play this course. Spend the money to do so.

6/5/02 - This is a beautiful, well maintained course that I highly recommend you play if you are in this area. It is a little pricey but well worth the extra cost. You will find all three nines are maintained equally well.

Very friendly staff. Condition of course is wonderful. Lots of sand. Challenging layout. Enjoyed a great day at Otter Creek.

Original nines are cut through wooded rolling hills with some water. "East" is more of a links course also with water. Exceptional public course in top notch condition.

One of the truly great public facilities in the midwest. Immaculate condition. Long. Demanding, though not contrived. Old style course with many stands of old hardwoods. Adequate landing areas, but need to be long off the tee for even the middle tees. Staff courteous and helpful. Good value

This is an excellent golf facility in every respect. Groomed like a very good country club course. Greens very undulating and challenging.

Owner's Comments

Otter Creek, a public golf course always in tournament condition has been rated in the top 25 public courses in the U.S. since its inception in 1964. Located in the midst of a serene countryside, Robert Trent Jones created the original 18 holes of this championship course. His design harmonizes with the gently rolling hills of southern Indiana, utilizing the existing contours of the land to ensure that each shot is a natural challenge. Robert's son, Rees Jones, was given the challenge of designing an additional 9 holes that would compliment his father's original course. Opened in June of 1995, the result is a "Links" look that is as challenging as the original design.

Otter Creek provides four tee settings daily on each of the 27 championship holes so golfers of any skill level can fully enjoy the course. Otter Creek is the kind of course Jack Nicklaus must have had in mind when he stated in Sports Illustrated that apart from playing the game a well designed golf course can be "simply a marvelous place to be, a constant source of pleasure and contentment".

Designed by Harry Weese the Otter Creek Clubhouse gives a panoramic view of the course and may be reserved for private events and golf outings. It all starts with Otter Creek...open to the public...27 championship holes strong. Choose your favorite 18 or play all 27 at a special rate.