Reviewed by: JGriffinGCA, Shoots in the 80s Summary:
Harrison Hills doesn’t get nearly the attention it deserves, which is probably just fine with those who do know about this western Indiana gem. It is comprised of 7-1/2 holes retained from the original 1924 William Langford 9-hole layout combined with 10-1/2 holes added in 1995 by Tim Liddy. The new holes generally occupy flatter land with a prairie links flavor while the original holes are routed over more rolling terrain in a traditional parkland setting. It is fair to characterize Liddy’s style as a muted version of Langford’s, so while the look and feel of the new holes is a reasonable fit with the originals, Liddy’s features are much less dramatic. The new holes are respectable, and there are even several very good holes among them (most notably the par 5 #5, the par 4 #9 – especially the green, and the par 3 #12). But let’s face it, the real reason for playing Harrison Hills is the Langford holes. All of the visually stunning Langford features are here: shockingly deep grass-faced bunkers and hollows, audacious fortress greens with bold internal contours, and massive earthen berms intruding into the line of play. It all combines to serve up the thrills one expects from a Langford course – the deceptive tee shot on #2, the gotta-see-them-to-believe-them bunkers at #15, the chocolate-drop mounds guarding #16 green, and the roller coaster fairway on #18, to highlight but a few. The only noticeable sign of the course’s age is that some of the putting surfaces have shrunk over the years, with many of the more daring hole locations near the bunkers now lost in a fairway or rough cut. Late-summer conditions were very good, if not a little too soft and green even after a recent dry spell; firm turf would delightfully enhance Langford’s contours. Good service in the charming clubhouse was provided by the friendly staff, and pace of play was brisk, no doubt aided by light volume. Simply put, Harrison Hills is an outstanding value, well worth the easy drive from Indianapolis, and a must-see for anyone interested in classic golf course architecture. Customer Service:
The very friendly staff took time to answer questions about the course's history. Similar Courses Played:
Lawsonia Links (Green Lake, WI)
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