Riverside Golf Academy

Directions: East on 38th St. from I 465 (west side) or I 65 at Lafayette Square area. Right on White River Parkway West Drive. Course is on the right.

Westbound 38th St also has an exit at White River Parkway West Drive.

From downtown, take I 65 north and exit at 30th St. Go west on 30th St. until you go over the White River bridge. Turn right immediately. The course is on the left past Riverside GC and the underpass of I 65. Street Map

	Par	Yardage	Par 3
White	27	1085	90-148
Red	27	907	73-119

Basics

Opens: 8am.

Open until 11pm during the summer - you must tee off by 9:30pm.

After Labor Day until Spring: Closing is at 9pm, 11pm weekends. You must tee off by 7:30 pm (9:30 weekends).

Tee Times: Not taken.

Directions: East on 38th St. from I 465 (west side) or I 65 at Lafayette Square area. Right on White River Parkway West Drive. Course is on the right.

Westbound 38th St also has an exit at White River Parkway West Drive.

Features

Carts: Not available

Walking: Required

Rental clubs: Available.

Practice areas: Putting Green, Chipping area, Sand area, Bunkers, Lighted driving range with heated stalls. Indoor facilities include putting green and computerized golf simulators.

Food: Snack bar with beer.

Course Details

Description: Short lighted par 3 course that is part of Indianapolis' original instructional facility. Rolling wooded terrain make it a beautiful and challenging course.

Green size: Generally full-sized greens that seem very large for a par 3 course.

Water: On 6 holes.

Sand traps: None.

Personnel

Director of Golf: Mark Nance.

Director of Instruction: Jennifer Whitmore.

Head Teaching Pro: Bob Hoffman.

Fees, Memberships, and Discounts

2004 rates	9-hole
Weekday Morning	$5.00
Weekday Afternoon	$8.00
Weekend	$9.00
Pull Carts	$1.00

Membership:

Unlimited play at Coffin, Riverside and Riverside Academy: $1000

Discount packages:

2nd 9 holes $5 anytime.

25-play pass: $125. $100 M-F mornings.

See their coupon page.

Winter Rates 2004/2005:

Par 3 course: $5

Our Comments

The first 7 holes are surrounded by towering trees. The last two involve serious water hazards on the right side.

Playing after dark presents some challenges but the atmosphere is spectacular with spotlighted greens in clearings. Don't be too far off the green or finding your ball will be difficult. Take some bug spray also.

This would be even better if the constant I-65 noise weren't in the background.

Reader Comments

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5/5/04 - This is a pretty challenging par 3 course. Laid out so that you change direction often which helps provide variety if there's any kind of wind. Lots of trees, rough and water very close to most greens. If you miss the greens by much you can add strokes quickly. Tee areas were ok, a bit rough. Greens were not quite as nice, threadbare in spots. For $5 (which I believe is their before noon price) it's a great way to tune up the short game. I'm an average length hitter (145 yd 7 iron) and 8 iron was the longest club I used. - John Nixon

7/2/99 - I took lessons from Riverside Golf Academy this past spring. They did wonders for my game. I would recommend them to anyone that wants to take lessons

RN Thompson Memberships

RN Thompson has 8 facilities in the Indianapolis area and offers a two levels of membership that is valid at all 8.

Gold: $89. You get $5 off all 18-hole green fees - $2 off Riverside par 3.

Platinum: $1750 ($650 for 2nd family member and $350 for 3rd). This includes green fees - you pay for riding carts.

Both also include special member-only tournaments, USGA handicap, a newsletter, etc.

The courses are Coffin GC, Crooked Creek GC, Ironwood GC, Hanging Tree GC, Riverside GC, Riverside Academy, Winding Ridge GC, and the Gray Eagle GC & Academy.