Opened in 2020, The Pfau Course at Indiana University was built on the same 265-acre east side Bloomington property previously occupied by the IU Championship Golf Course, the original Par-3 course, and the IU Cross Country Course since the 1950s. But other than its location, everything about The Pfau Course is different from its predecessor, providing golfers with a new must-see, must-experience destination golf course just minutes from the Indiana University campus.

Designed by highly-acclaimed architect Steve Smyers and two-time major winner and Hoosier native Fuzzy Zoeller, The Pfau Course at Indiana University offers a unique, world-class layout that is set in the natural beauty of southern Indiana. Smyers utilized the area’s natural topography in designing the course, while also highlighting the combination of forest, open space and forest edges that result in both amazing views and a wonderful golfing test.

Indiana University’s new home golf course is also environmentally friendly. The course is outfitted with zoysia fairways, a slow-growing dense grass that prevents weeds from penetrating the surface. Zoysia is also a warm-weather grass that is both heat and drought-tolerant, another net plus for the environment with the course’s regular maintenance.

The zoysia fairways are framed first with 8-10 yards of bluegrass rough followed by a blend of fescue, or Irish links, that is reddish/orange in color and significantly enhance the already picturesque views throughout the course. The Irish links rough is wispy and designed to allow golfers to find and play their ball from it.

Among the course’s many take away features is 147 bunkers spread out amongst the 18 championship holes. The bunkers come in a wide variety of sizes and depths, offering players with creative ways to navigate them. In addition, Smyers chose to design the bunkers with a more traditional, rugged look that features overgrown edges– or “eyebrows.” The greens, meanwhile, are bent grass, a cool-season grass well suited for southern Indiana’s spring, summer and fall climates. Like the bunkers, The Pfau Course at Indiana University’s greens come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. The average green size is 6,680 square feet, and they range in size from 4,145 square feet on No. 10 to 10,014 square feet on No. 7.

In addition to offering a supreme test for championship-caliber players, the Par-71 design is also accessible to players of all skill levels. It features six tee options, offering an 18-hole experience that ranges from 4,586 to 7,908 yards.

The golf facility also features two practice areas/driving ranges to meet the needs of a wide range of players. The Pfau Course’s practice and training area is located adjacent to the George Thomas Clubhouse, and includes a driving range, the Jeffrey L. and Jennifer R. Kittle Putting Green, the Courtney Cox Cole Practice Range, practice bunkers and short-game practice area for players intent on working on their game. Use of this area is included as part of your green fees, or is available for a daily fee.