The Hawthorns Golf & Country Club

In the words of world-renowned golf course designer, Arthur Hills, " The championship golf course at the Hawthorns Golf & Country Club ranks among my very best designs spanning a 37-year career. The course is playable for all levels of golfers and is exciting to play over and over again, which in my humble opinion is the true definition of a great members' golf course."

The Hawthorns Country Club is located in the master-planned community of Hamilton Proper in Fishers, Indiana. As you make your way down tree-lined boulevards that lead to the club, you'll find a variety of homes ranging from luxury estate golf course homes to maintenance-free communities. There are 23 unique villages within Hamilton Proper, and many properties offer serene views of the golf course and the wetlands you'll encounter as you play your way around the course.

The Arthur Hills-designed championship golf course offers golfers five sets of tees and can be played from as short as 5,616 yards up to 7,126 yards. The course winds through over 275 acres of woods and wetlands and features scenic, meticulously groomed fairways and bent grass greens. It can be as challenging as you want to make it.

The course has several memorable holes; the two I remember most are #2 and #14. The 2nd hole is a 408-yard par 4 dogleg right that pays downhill. Playing your tee shot down the left of the fairway will provide the best angle into the green, just beware of the lone fairway bunker in the landing area. A good drive will leave a long to mid-iron approach shot into a long, narrow green with a single bunker guarding the front right. It is the course's #1 handicap.

Playing a mere 279 yards from the White Tees, you probably see the 14th hole as a pushover, however, this par 4 signature hole demands accuracy from the tee; the longer the club you select, the more the bunkers near the green and water come into play. Once you get 150 yards out from the tee, the water runs up to and around this elevated green. Double bogeys are more common than birdies here.

Finishing holes are usually a challenge, and such is the case at The Hawthorns. Number 18 is a 398-yard par 4, dogleg left, with some risk/reward opportunities. A good drive can cut the dogleg, but it requires a long carry over a waste bunker and wetlands that run up to and around the green. The best play is to carry as much of the waste bunker as possible and leave yourself a long, manageable approach shot into an angled green. There's plenty of trouble, too; a lone fairway bunker on the right side of the landing area, three fairway bunkers about 40 yards short of the green that eliminate running the ball up to the pin, and another guarding the right side of the green. Par is a great way to end your round at The Hawthorns Golf & Country Club.

In addition to an 18-hole championship golf course, there's a full suite of practice facilities including a full-length grass driving range where you can hit every club in the bag, a short game area where you can practice chipping and pitching, practice putting green, and a fully equipped Golf Shop that offers the latest in logoed apparel and equipment.

We all know that the weather in Indianapolis can be fickle, especially during the winter months. The Hawthorns has a solution for wanna-be-year-round golfers that doesn't include a trip South. The Trackman golf simulator room is where you can keep your swing grooved during the winter months or hang out with friends and family and play courses you may never have the chance to in real life. You can work on things like shot trajectory and attack angle, practice approach shots and chips, or play some games on-screen. With a quick call to the Catering Director, this could become a memorable private event.

If you're a tennis player, Hawthorns has six outdoor hard tennis courts, three are lit for night play. You can sign up for open play or get involved in the Club's extensive tennis program. Various events and clinics are available for men, women, and couples. Pickleball lines have been added to several courts so that you can participate in America's fastest-growing sport. The Hawthorns' professional tennis staff offers private lessons and clinics for everybody, including juniors. The tennis courts are open daily from April - October, weather permitting.

During the summer months, The Hawthorns' heated Junior Olympic-sized pool and splash pad become a popular family gathering place, too. Kids love the diving boards and slides. The large pool deck has plenty of reclining lounge chairs, and the poolside Arbor Grill serves soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches, entrees, flatbread pizza, and more. Kids can participate in The Hawthorns' Interclub Conference Swim team and compete against other clubs in the area. Private and group swimming lessons are also available. Like most clubs, Hawthorns' pool is open daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

There's a good reason why The Hawthorns is recognized as the premier family-oriented club in Indiana. Many Club activities are geared toward younger members. Junior tennis and golf, summer camp, tots camp, Kids' Night Out, dances, and much more are included. And each year without fail, the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus show up; just not together! New activities are constantly added to keep the kids busy, socialized, and learning.

The Hawthorns provides Members, their families, and guests with superior social, recreational, and dining experiences and offers a Member-first approach to everything they do. As a Member at The Hawthorns, you'll have access to all club amenities, including the heated Junior Olympic pool, a fully equipped fitness center with cardio, weight resistance, free weight areas, childcare, the children's playground, men's and ladies' locker rooms, and six outdoor tennis courts. You will also enjoy reciprocals at all Concert Golf Partners properties nationwide.

There's no better way to see firsthand what The Hawthorns offers than to schedule a visit. While you're there, be sure to ask about the Titanium Dual Gold Membership, which entitles you to the golf course and all club amenities at The Sagamore Club, about 15 minutes away. That's two country club memberships for one low monthly payment. It's one of the best country club membership values in the US! For more information or to set up a visit, contact them at (317) 845-9100 or visit them online at www.hawthornscountryclub.com