Golf Guide: South Bend - IN

Some golfers may think that a Knute is an aquatic amphibian, and they may not be able to distinguish among Johnny Lujack, George Gipp and Paul Hornung. But then even the most football-averse Americans have heard of the University of Notre Dame, and even these pigskin apostates likely know that South Bend, Indiana is home to the Fighting Irish.

And although South Bend and Notre Dame are practically synonymous in the eyes of the nation, this city in northern Indiana certainly features more than tackles and touchdowns. Replete with nearly all of the amenities and attractions that big cities offer yet proudly displaying plenty of small-town charm, South Bend is a travel destination unto itself, and if these travelers happen to have their sticks with them, ... well, South Bend can prove to be heavenly.

Indiana National Golf Club at Swan Lake features two championship courses surrounded by a quality resort that knows how to pamper its guests. One of the world's best design teams, Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, put all of its wizardry on display at Warren Golf Course at Notre Dame, a course that has hosted all kinds of prestigious tournaments and yet still offers public greens fees for a pittance. And although Blackthorn Golf Club prides itself on quality service, this course also delivers plenty of challenges, serving up 7105 yards of oomph from the back tees and playing to a slope of 135.