Why Indiana Is a Hidden Gem for Golf Trips | Josh Levitats, JEL Golf Travel

On today's show I sat down with Josh Levitats, founder and CEO of JEL Golf Travel, the only Indiana-based golf tour operator that builds golf trips and positions Indiana as a hidden-gem golf destination.

Levitats shares how he got into golf at a young age, moved from Miami to Carmel, and began informally booking group golf trips in 2019 before officially launching his company in 2023. He explains how he plans itineraries and packages that combine tee times, lodging, transportation, and off-course experiences, emphasizing that the best part of a golf trip is the post-round camaraderie.

Our conversation highlights Indiana golf draws like the Brickyard, French Lick, Purdue's Kampen-Cosler  Course, the Pete Dye golf trail, and the need to consolidate and better market Indiana's golf offerings.

If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast.

You are going to learn about:
- How JEL Golf Travel First Started
- Building Perfect Golf Destination Packages
- Hidden Gem Golf Courses in Indiana
- Bucket List Golf Trips

Thank you to our partners:
Kelley School of Business
Indy Grills

Check out these great clips from the show:
00:00 Golf Trip Philosophy
01:45 Guest Introduction: Josh Levitats, JEL Golf Travel
02:47 Moving To Indiana
03:26 Golf Origins
05:13 First Trips And Logistics
09:00 Tour Operator Explained
13:34 From Friends To Clients
15:30 Building Indiana Golf Itineraries
16:57 Indy Golf Trip Blueprint
22:35 Marketing Pete Dye Trail
24:57 Private Courses and Augusta
28:46 Indiana Golf Stories
32:48 Why Midwest Golf
33:59 Walking Golf Trip Grind
34:45 Bucket List Trip Costs
36:17 Why Use a Trip Planner
37:42 Indiana Hidden Gem Courses
39:34 High School Golf Course Debate
43:15 Southern Indiana Golf Experiences
45:08 Golf Houses and St. George
46:16 Wellness Retreat and Hot Springs
50:37 Trail Running Detour
52:08 Indy Trip Must Dos
54:13 Marketing Indiana Golf Better
56:35 Par Three Vibes
57:04 Indiana Rapid Fire
59:06 Dream Destinations and Origins
01:02:29 Hidden Gem and Hoosier Shoutouts
01:04:34 PGA vs LIV

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