Utah boasts some of the most scenic and challenging public golf courses, offering diverse landscapes from red rock deserts to lush mountain settings.
Here are the five best public golf courses in the state: Sand Hollow Resort, Coral Canyon, Wasatch Mountain, Soldier Hollow, and Black Desert Resort.
Keep reading for a detailed look at what makes each of these courses stand out.
Sand Hollow Resort Golf Course (Hurricane, UT)
Nestled in the picturesque town of Hurricane, Utah, Sand Hollow Resort Golf Course is renowned for its breathtaking scenery and challenging play.
This course is often celebrated as one of Utah's best public golf courses, thanks to its unique combination of stunning desert landscapes and top-notch design.
Overview of the Course
Sand Hollow Resort Golf Course features two distinct courses: the Championship Course and the Links Course.
Located in Southern Utah, this course offers a mesmerizing backdrop of red rock formations and sprawling desert vistas that make it a standout destination for golfers.
The Championship Course, in particular, is well-regarded for its elevated tees, dramatic desert terrain, and sweeping views of the surrounding landscape, creating a truly unforgettable golfing experience.
Features and Layout
The Championship Course at Sand Hollow is designed to challenge golfers of all skill levels.
It boasts elevated tees that offer panoramic views of the red rock cliffs and the vast desert below.
The course's layout takes full advantage of the natural terrain, with holes that wind through rock outcroppings and across expansive desert sand dunes.
This thoughtful integration of the landscape not only provides visual appeal but also adds a layer of complexity to the game, requiring strategic thinking and precision.
In addition to the Championship Course, Sand Hollow offers the Links Course, a nine-hole experience designed for a quicker round or for those looking to hone their skills.
The Links Course maintains the same stunning views and desert features as the Championship Course but is less challenging, making it ideal for beginners or those looking for a more relaxed game.
Challenges and Playing Tips
Playing at Sand Hollow can be as challenging as it is beautiful.
The wind is a significant factor here, often picking up in the afternoon and adding an extra layer of difficulty to shots.
The terrain, with its elevation changes and desert sand, demands careful club selection and thoughtful shot placement.
Golfers should be prepared for blind shots and undulating fairways that require precision and control.
To navigate these challenges effectively, consider playing with the wind rather than against it, especially on days when the gusts are strong.
Keeping your ball flight low can help maintain control.
Also, be mindful of the course’s natural hazards, such as rocky outcroppings and sand dunes, which can come into play if shots are misjudged.
Who Should Play Here?
Sand Hollow Resort Golf Course is perfect for golfers who appreciate a challenging round set against a spectacular natural backdrop.
It’s especially suitable for those who enjoy a mix of strategic play and scenic views.
Whether you're an experienced golfer looking for a new challenge or someone who simply loves the game amidst breathtaking landscapes, Sand Hollow offers an exceptional experience.
Coral Canyon Golf Course (Washington, UT)
Coral Canyon Golf Course, located in Washington, Utah, is a top-rated public course designed by the renowned Keith Foster.
Known for its beautiful desert-style layout and meticulous maintenance, this course offers a challenging yet enjoyable experience for golfers of all levels.
Overview of the Course
Situated in the heart of Southern Utah, Coral Canyon Golf Course is a favorite among both locals and visitors.
The course's design takes full advantage of the natural desert landscape, incorporating rock formations, native plants, and water features to create a visually appealing and strategically demanding layout.
With its reputation for quality and playability, Coral Canyon is a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy golf in Utah.
Course Renovations and Improvements
In 2020, Coral Canyon underwent significant renovations to improve its overall quality and player experience.
These upgrades included resurfacing the fairways and greens, enhancing the course’s drainage systems, and updating the bunkers to modern standards.
These changes have not only improved the course's aesthetics but also its playability, making it more enjoyable and challenging for golfers.
The greens are now smoother and faster, while the fairways are more consistent, allowing for better shots and more predictable play.
Unique Aspects of the Course
Coral Canyon’s unique charm lies in its integration with the natural environment.
The course’s desert-style layout is punctuated by striking rock formations, native desert vegetation, and strategically placed water hazards that add both beauty and challenge.
The course also features dramatic elevation changes, with several holes playing downhill to greens surrounded by desert sands or rocky outcrops.
This combination of natural features and thoughtful design makes Coral Canyon a distinctive and memorable golfing destination.
Playing Strategies
To play Coral Canyon effectively, golfers should focus on accuracy and control, especially when navigating the course’s tighter fairways and strategically placed hazards.
It's important to consider the desert winds, which can be unpredictable and may require adjustments in club selection and shot strategy.
Approach shots should be carefully calculated to avoid the natural rock formations and water features that guard many of the greens.
Additionally, taking advantage of the course’s practice facilities can help golfers warm up and prepare for the unique challenges they’ll face on the course.
Spending some time on the putting green, in particular, can give players a feel for the speed and breaks they’ll encounter.
Who Should Play Here?
Coral Canyon Golf Course is ideal for golfers looking for a well-maintained course with a mix of challenging holes and stunning desert scenery.
It’s perfect for those who enjoy a course that requires strategic thinking and precision, as well as for anyone who appreciates playing in a beautifully natural setting.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a casual player, Coral Canyon offers a rewarding experience for all.
Wasatch Mountain State Park Golf Course (Midway, UT)
Located in Midway, Utah, Wasatch Mountain State Park Golf Course offers golfers two unique options: the Mountain Course and the Lake Course.
Set against a stunning mountainous backdrop, this golf destination provides a scenic and varied experience for players of all skill levels.
Overview of the Courses
Wasatch Mountain State Park Golf Course is nestled in the beautiful Wasatch Mountains, offering golfers the choice between two distinct courses.
The Mountain Course is known for its dramatic elevation changes and breathtaking views, making it a favorite among those seeking a challenging and picturesque round.
In contrast, the Lake Course offers a more relaxed experience with a flatter layout, perfect for beginners or those looking for a leisurely game amidst beautiful surroundings.
The Mountain Course
The Mountain Course at Wasatch is truly one of a kind, characterized by its significant elevation changes and panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys.
Each hole offers a new vantage point, with some playing dramatically downhill and others climbing steeply uphill.
This varied terrain demands careful shot selection and precise execution, particularly when navigating the narrow fairways and strategically placed hazards.
The challenge of the Mountain Course is amplified by its length and elevation, which can add an extra dimension of difficulty, especially for those unaccustomed to playing at higher altitudes.
Golfers will need to adjust their club choices and shot strategies to account for the thinner air and its impact on ball flight.
The Lake Course
The Lake Course provides a more laid-back experience while still offering stunning views of the surrounding area.
With its flatter terrain and wider fairways, this course is more forgiving than the Mountain Course, making it a great option for beginners or those looking for a more casual round.
Despite its gentler nature, the Lake Course still features several challenging holes that require strategic thinking and careful shot placement, particularly around the water hazards that come into play on several holes.
This course is perfect for golfers who want to enjoy a relaxing day on the greens without the added challenge of significant elevation changes.
It’s also a great choice for families or groups with varying skill levels, as it provides an enjoyable experience for all.
Choosing Between the Courses
Deciding between the Mountain and Lake courses ultimately comes down to personal preference and skill level.
If you’re an experienced golfer looking for a challenging and visually stunning round, the Mountain Course is the way to go.
Its dramatic elevation changes and scenic vistas make it a memorable experience, though it requires a higher level of skill and fitness.
On the other hand, if you’re a beginner or simply want a more relaxed round, the Lake Course is an excellent choice.
It offers beautiful views and a more forgiving layout, making it accessible to golfers of all abilities.
Whichever course you choose, you’re sure to enjoy the natural beauty and well-maintained greens of Wasatch Mountain State Park Golf Course.
Soldier Hollow Golf Course (Midway, UT)
Soldier Hollow Golf Course, located near Wasatch Mountain, features two outstanding 18-hole courses: the Gold and Silver courses.
Known for their stunning mountain views and challenging designs, these courses offer a fantastic golfing experience in a serene alpine setting.
Overview of the Courses
Nestled in the heart of the Wasatch Mountains, Soldier Hollow Golf Course provides golfers with two distinct experiences.
The Gold Course is the more challenging of the two, with a reputation for hosting prestigious tournaments, including the 2012 U.S. Public Links Championship.
The Silver Course, while less demanding, still offers a well-designed and enjoyable round of golf, making it a popular choice for a more relaxed outing.
The Gold Course
The Gold Course at Soldier Hollow is renowned for its championship-level design, which includes significant elevation changes, strategic bunkering, and undulating greens.
This course is designed to test the skills of even the most seasoned golfers, with a layout that demands precise shot-making and careful course management.
The fairways on the Gold Course are generally narrower than those on the Silver Course, and the rough can be particularly challenging.
Bunkers are strategically placed throughout the course, often guarding the greens and requiring thoughtful approach shots.
The elevation changes also add to the challenge, with several holes playing significantly uphill or downhill, affecting club selection and shot strategy.
The Silver Course
In contrast, the Silver Course offers a more straightforward layout that is ideal for golfers looking for a more relaxed round.
While still featuring beautiful mountain views and well-maintained fairways and greens, the Silver Course is more forgiving, with wider fairways and less penal rough.
This makes it a great option for beginners or those who want to enjoy a leisurely game without the pressure of navigating the more challenging Gold Course.
Despite its more relaxed nature, the Silver Course still provides enough variety and challenge to keep things interesting, with several holes that require strategic thinking and precise shots, particularly around the greens.
Golfing Experience
Both courses at Soldier Hollow offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, creating a serene and picturesque setting for a round of golf.
The course conditions are consistently excellent, with well-maintained greens and fairways that provide a true roll and reliable lies.
Whether you’re playing the challenging Gold Course or the more relaxed Silver Course, you’re sure to enjoy the combination of beautiful scenery and high-quality golfing.
Who Should Play Here?
Soldier Hollow Golf Course is perfect for golfers who appreciate well-designed courses with varied difficulty levels.
The Gold Course is ideal for experienced golfers looking for a challenging round that tests all aspects of their game, while the Silver Course offers a more forgiving layout that’s perfect for beginners or those looking for a more relaxed experience.
Regardless of your skill level, Soldier Hollow provides a beautiful and enjoyable golfing experience in the heart of Utah’s mountains.
Black Desert Resort Golf Course (Ivins, UT)
Black Desert Resort Golf Course, a newer addition to Utah's golf scene, offers a unique and visually striking experience in Ivins, Utah.
Designed by the legendary Tom Weiskopf, this course is quickly gaining attention for its challenging layout and breathtaking scenery.
Overview of the Course
Located in Ivins, Utah, Black Desert Resort Golf Course is set amidst a dramatic landscape of red rocks and black lava fields, creating a stunning contrast that sets it apart from other courses in the region.
As one of the newest golf courses in Utah, Black Desert has already made a name for itself with its innovative design and challenging play.
The course is set to host Utah’s first PGA Tour event since 1963, highlighting its growing reputation as a top golfing destination.
Unique Setting and Design
The unique setting of Black Desert Resort Golf Course is one of its most distinguishing features.
The course is designed to blend seamlessly with the natural landscape, incorporating the striking red rock formations and black lava fields into its layout.
This not only creates a visually stunning backdrop for a round of golf but also adds an element of challenge, as golfers must navigate around and over these natural obstacles.
The course layout itself is designed to challenge golfers of all skill levels, with a mix of wide-open fairways, narrow approaches, and strategically placed bunkers.
The greens are large and undulating, requiring precise putting and careful approach shots.
The use of natural terrain features, such as lava fields and rocky outcrops, adds to the challenge, requiring players to think strategically about their shots and club selection.
Upcoming PGA Tour Event
Black Desert Resort Golf Course is set to host Utah’s first PGA Tour event since 1963, a testament to its quality and growing reputation.
This event will bring some of the best golfers in the world to Utah, showcasing the course’s challenging layout and stunning scenery.
For golfers looking to play where the pros play, Black Desert offers a unique opportunity to experience a course that is quickly becoming one of the top destinations in the state.
Playing Challenges and Tips
Navigating the unique layout of Black Desert can be challenging, especially for those unfamiliar with the course’s terrain.
Golfers should be prepared for a mix of open and narrow fairways, as well as the natural hazards that come into play on several holes.
Careful club selection and shot placement are key, particularly when dealing with the course’s elevation changes and undulating greens.
To play Black Desert effectively, consider taking a more conservative approach on the holes with significant natural hazards, opting for accuracy over distance.
On the greens, pay close attention to the slopes and breaks, as the undulating surfaces can make putting particularly tricky.
It’s also a good idea to spend some time on the practice green before your round to get a feel for the speed and breaks.
Who Should Play Here?
Black Desert Resort Golf Course is ideal for golfers who want a visually stunning and challenging experience.
Its unique setting and innovative design make it a must-play for those who enjoy courses that incorporate natural features and require strategic thinking.
Whether you’re a seasoned golfer looking for a new challenge or someone who appreciates playing in a beautiful and distinctive environment, Black Desert offers an unforgettable golfing experience.
Conclusion
Utah's public golf courses offer a diverse range of experiences, from challenging mountain layouts to scenic desert designs.
Whether you're looking for a course that tests your skills or one that provides breathtaking views, there's something for every golfer in the state.
Explore these top courses to find the perfect golfing adventure for you.
