Imagine standing on a tee box while the ghost of a 200-mph engine scream echoes in your ears. It’s quiet now. Mostly. But you're literally standing inside the most famous oval in racing history. Most people know the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing," the milk-chugging winners, and that grueling 500-mile sprint. What they don't always realize is that there is a championship-level golf course tucked into the property. It’s called Brickyard Crossing.
It’s weird. It's awesome.
Honestly, the Indy 500 golf course shouldn't really work as a concept. Golf is about silence and bird chirps; the Brickyard is about internal combustion and smelling like spent fuel. Yet, here we are. Pete Dye, the mad scientist of golf architecture, took a standard 18-hole layout and turned it into a bucket-list destination by doing something most designers would think is insane: he put four of the holes right in the middle of the infield.
If you’ve ever wanted to shank a ball toward a grandstand that holds 250,000 people, this is your chance.
The Pete Dye Remake and the "Four Holes" Mystery
The course didn't start out as this masterpiece. It actually dates back to 1929. Back then, it was the Speedway Golf Course. It was a 27-hole facility, and it was... fine. Just fine. But by the early 90s, the Hulman-George family (who owned the track for decades) decided "fine" wasn't good enough for a venue that hosts the world's biggest single-day sporting event.
They called Pete Dye.
Dye is a legend. He’s the guy who gave us the "Island Green" at TPC Sawgrass. He lives in Indiana, so he took the job personally. He basically blew up the old layout and started over. The result? A par-72 course that is consistently ranked as one of the top public courses in the country.
But the layout is the kicker. Holes 7, 8, 9, and 10 are located entirely inside the 2.5-mile oval. To get to them, you drive your cart through a tunnel under the backstretch. It feels like you’re entering a forbidden zone. One minute you're in a lush green meadow, the next you're staring at the concrete retaining walls of Turn 4. It’s a jarring transition that makes you realize just how massive the Indianapolis Motor Speedway actually is.
The scale is hard to grasp until you're standing on the 7th tee. You look up, and the grandstands are so tall they literally blot out the horizon.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Difficulty
A lot of golfers assume the Indy 500 golf course is just a gimmick. They think the track is the only draw.
They are wrong.
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This is a serious, punishing golf course if you play from the back tees. We’re talking 7,180 yards of pure Indiana muscle. Dye used massive mounds, deep bunkers, and water hazards to make sure you aren't just looking at the scenery. The white railroad ties—a Dye signature—are everywhere.
The greens are bentgrass and fast. If the wind picks up across the flat expanse of the speedway, you’re in for a long day.
Take the 8th hole. It’s a par three inside the track. It’s not exceptionally long, but you’re hitting toward the inside of the backstretch. If you thin your shot, you might actually hear it clatter against the catch fence. The psychological pressure of playing "inside the cathedral" ruins more scorecards than the actual hazards do.
The Cinder and the Concrete: Real Course Details
What’s the grass like? It’s meticulously maintained. They use a mix of bentgrass for the greens and fairways, which gives it that premium, "country club" feel even though it’s a public-access course.
The water features are actually functional, too. They help with drainage for the massive track surface. You’ll notice a large lake that comes into play on several of the infield holes. It’s not just for show; it’s part of the engineering of the entire 500-acre complex.
And let’s talk about the vibe.
On a non-race day, it’s strangely peaceful. You might hear the distant hum of a tire test or a private track day, but mostly, it’s just you and the history. You look at the "Yard of Bricks" at the start-finish line (which you can see from parts of the course) and realize that icons like A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, and Rick Mears have bled and sweated just yards from where you're trying to save par.
It’s hallowed ground.
Can You Actually Play During the Month of May?
This is the big question. Everyone wants to play during the lead-up to the Indy 500.
Technically, yes, the course is open for much of May, but it’s the hardest tee time in the world to get. During practice sessions and qualifying, you can literally hear the Dallara chassis screaming past while you’re putting. It’s a sensory overload.
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However, during the actual race weekend, the course is basically a parking lot and a hospitality zone. You aren't going to be playing a round while the 33 cars are taking the green flag. But in the weeks leading up to it? If you have the cash—and the greens fees do spike during May—it’s the most unique atmosphere in sports.
Typically, greens fees range from $100 to $180 depending on the season and day of the week. For a course of this caliber and historical significance, that’s actually a steal compared to somewhere like Pebble Beach or TPC Sawgrass.
Practical Advice for Your Visit
If you're planning a trip to the Indy 500 golf course, don't just show up and expect to walk on.
- Book early. Like, months early if you want a weekend spot.
- Check the track schedule. If there is a high-profile tire test or an IndyCar practice, the noise level will be 10/10. Some people love it; some find it impossible to concentrate.
- Visit the Museum. The IMS Museum is right there. It’s undergoing a massive renovation recently, but it’s a mandatory stop for any sports fan.
- Bring a camera. Seriously. Taking a photo of your bag with the IMS scoring pylon in the background is the ultimate golfer's "flex."
One thing to keep in mind: the course isn't open year-round. Indiana winters are brutal. It usually opens in April and shuts down by late October or early November.
The Nuance of the Design
Some critics argue that the holes outside the track (1-6 and 11-18) are a bit standard for a Pete Dye course. They say they lack the "wow factor" of the infield holes.
I disagree.
The holes along the creek (Holes 14 and 15) are beautiful and technically demanding. Dye used the natural topography of the land outside the backstretch to create some really interesting elevation changes that you don't typically find in the flat Midwestern landscape.
The 18th hole is a fantastic finisher. It’s a long par four that brings you back toward the clubhouse with the massive grandstands looming to your left. It forces you to stay focused even when you're exhausted.
Is It Worth the Trip?
If you are a racing fan, this isn't even a debate. It’s a pilgrimage.
If you’re just a golfer who doesn't care about cars, is it still worth it?
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Yeah. It is.
The conditioning of Brickyard Crossing is top-tier. You’re playing a course designed by arguably the greatest architect of the modern era. The layout is fair but tough. And frankly, there is something inherently "cool" about the sheer audacity of the project. It represents a time when sports venues weren't just utilitarian boxes; they were places of imagination.
Making the Most of Your Round
When you finally get out there, take a second on the 7th tee. Look around. Most of the people who enter those gates never get to stand where you're standing. They stay in the stands or the Snake Pit. You're in the center of the arena.
Keep your ball low if the wind is whipping off the grandstands. The concrete acts like a giant wind tunnel, and it can do weird things to a high-lofted wedge.
Also, don't be "that person" trying to climb the fence to get onto the track. Security at IMS doesn't play around, and you’ll find yourself banned from the grounds faster than a pit stop.
Next Steps for the Traveling Golfer
If you're serious about checking this off your list, your first move should be visiting the official Brickyard Crossing website to check their dynamic pricing calendar.
Stay at a hotel in downtown Indianapolis rather than right by the track if you want better food options after your round. The ride-share over to the Speedway is easy.
Combine the trip with a visit to the Pete Dye Golf Trail. Indiana has a whole collection of his courses, including The Fort and Maple Creek. You could easily do a "Dye-namic" long weekend and see the best of what the state has to offer.
Just remember: when you're in the infield, keep your head on a swivel. You never know when the roar of an engine is going to kick in, and that’s exactly why you’re there.