Sandy Pines Golf Club

Played on my way back to Indy from Chicago. I had tried once before, but we got bumped off by traffic (making me late) and a couples' night had the front, so I didn't get to play the whole course. I was glad to get a full 18 in this time.

This place is fantastic. Both times, they've had a good crowd going (in no small part due to the restaurant being great too). The land north of Lafayette and south of Merrillville is flat, mostly cornfield and easy to drive by. This place is maybe 6 miles from the interstate, but feels a world away. As far as I can tell the community is all-in on Sandy Pines, and for good reasons; it's like a little golf island in the cornrows!

The course is a bit quirky (in a good way) and the more you play, the better you'll be at aiming your tee shots. It's not overly long, but while it may lack in some distance, it makes up for it in fun. There are several bunkers guarding the "garden spots" and the green complexes are top-notch and quick. The sand in "Sandy" is one of the primary defenses. You're going to use every club in the bag.

The tees, fairways, greens, rough and bunkers were almost all in mint condition. All are well-grassed, tees were level and the greens were legit-fast, so be prepared. There are a lot of bunkers, and naturally not all were in perfect shape (lazy people golf everywhere), but most were well-sanded and groomed.

The front opens up with an easy par 4 to get you going, then introduces you to the great Par 5 second hole: off the tee choose your line over the bunker wisely; the same for the approach down the hill if you're going for the green. The seventh is a big, brawny par 5 with two greens - a longer one to the left and another, shorter to the right. Pretty sweet.

The back nine challenges much the same as the front, offering risk/reward shots and a few more quirks. The flow between front and back is pretty seamless, even though they were built at different times. A few more classic features make it cool too: some new sod-faced bunkers, a few driveable par 4s and even a nice beach bunker on seventeen. Throw in the pine trees, and you can easily fool yourself into thinking you're much farther south.

The restaurant was hopping both times I've been here, and I've enjoyed both meals I've had. They have a few outdoor seating areas too. The staff have been great both trips. While you're waiting to tee off, see if you can bomb in one of your putts on the Matterhorn putting green (you'll see).

I wish this place was in my backyard, they'd have my money for a membership for sure. I hear they're adding some tees to beef up the length, which will kick up the difficulty if you want. It's not needed to have fun out here though. This is a top-notch place in NW Indiana (aka...The Region) so don't just zone-out and drive by the exit: make a plan to visit Sandy.