Back 9 Ready to Swing into Action

Developers of a $30 million golf and entertainment venue expect to open for business on July 15. Back 9 Golf & Entertainment says the 60,000-square-foot facility on the near southwest side of downtown Indianapolis feature a three-story golf range, restaurant and a 550-person music pavilion.

In an interview with Around INdiana reporter Mary-Rachel Redman, Back 9 founder Neal Burnett said the location near the White River is about making a change in the community.

“It’s the beginning of a transformation, really, of this whole area. And expanding Indianapolis,” said Burnett. “This brings a fourth venue that we haven’t seen since the [Lucas Oil] stadium was built. So, you had Victory Field, you had the stadium, and now you have this venue.”

Back 9 says it has 75 climate-controlled golf bays. Burnett says the facility offers a place not only for golfers to practice their swing, but actually get digital feedback.

“It’s a radar-based gaming system, and it puts you in half virtual reality and half reality. So, you’ll strike the ball in reality out of these bays, they’ll fly in the field, then they’re tracked,” said Burnett, who explained it’s like watching the PGA when they apply digital golf balls on screen to track them.

Burnett says the music pavilion will feature weekly musical performances with a focus on Indianapolis-based artists. Customers will be able to ground-level seating or an outdoor balcony view.

“It’s not just golf and entertainment. This is entertainment for everybody,” said Burnett.