Best Golf Courses in Utah

There might not be a more picturesque state in the West than Utah.  From the salt marshes of the Great Salt Lake, to red arid deserts of wonder, to alpine forests with skylines painted by the hand of God, this state is awe-inspiring. 

I’ve been fortunate enough to spend some time in Utah and have even played a little golf.  With that being said, I’ve only scratched the surface.  I know that a lot of our readers call Utah home and have played a lot of golf here.  That’s why I employed their help to come up with a list of the 10 best public courses in the Beehive State.

If you’re a fan of desert golf, you need to put the Championship Course at Sand Hollow at the top of your list.  It’s been ranked the “#1 Best Course You Can Play in Utah” every year since 2009.

The course is built into the natural terrain of rock and arroyos.  Natural vegetation abounds and the topography lends itself to dramatic elevation changes that make for some fun, albeit interesting shots.

The back nine is especially beautiful.  You just might find yourself swapping your driver for your camera as the vistas are unlike anything else. 

A one-of-a-kind golf experience you won’t soon forget.

 

Open since 2001, Hideout Golf Club is in the heart of San Juan country.

Elevation changes are prominent throughout.  Club selection is key if you want to have a putt for birdie. 

During the summer, the greens are known for being firm and fast.  In some cases, you might have to land the ball short of the green to hold it. 

What golfers love most about the Hideout is its seclusion.  When you play a round here, you feel like you have the place to yourself.

 

Formerly home to the Web.com Tour’s Utah Championship, Thanksgiving Point is a Johnny Miller design and one of his best. 

Carved out of natural desert landscape, this course is anything but short on character.  A wonderful mixture of short and long holes affords ample chance for risk and reward.

The putting surfaces are known for being some of the truest in all of Utah.  If you’re seeing the line, you can make a lot of putts.

A memorable round in a spectacular setting, don’t miss a day at Thanksgiving Point.

Coral Canyon sits at the gateway of some of the most splendid natural wonders in the world. 

Located in the southwestern part of the state, just outside of St. George, this course offers spectacular views of Bryce Canyon and Zion.  They call this “Color Country.”

Why you should absolutely bring your camera, don’t forget there’s golf to be played as well.

Coral Canyon is player friendly yet challenging if you want to tip it out. 

Expansive fairways and large greens give you plenty of room to maneuver.  Don’t veer too far off line though.  Strategically placed bunkers and desert scrub aren’t any fun to play from. 

Another memorable round of golf, I can’t wait to play Coral Canyon again.

Golf Digest says Wasatch Mountain is “One of the Best Places to Play in Utah.” 

Open since 1998, this course is the epitome of high-country mountain golf.  Even though the season is short because of the elevation, players continually rave about Wasatch Mountain.

If you get the chance to play this course in the fall, you’ll be treated to one of the most beautiful rounds in North America.  As the Aspen groves change color, they’re accented by verdant pine trees, and clear blue skies.  It needs to be seen to be believed. 

The course presents a fair challenge.  Fairly straightforward, there aren’t too many surprises.  The shot values are credible and ask that you hit it where you’re looking.

You’ll find 27 holes of spectacular golf at Stonebridge. 

Water comes into play on 20 out of the 27 holes. 

The course is also one of the longest in the area as each nine measures more than 3,500 yards from the back tees.

If you’re not a long hitter, don’t worry.  Multiple sets of tees allow the course to play significantly shorter. 

Conveniently located in the heart of Salt Lake City, this track doesn’t take long to get to and affords stunning views of the Wasatch Mountains.

 

One of the best kept secrets in Utah is Gladstan Golf Course. 

Located in the town of Payson, this course features rolling hills, excellent shot values, and breathtaking mountain views.

Gladstand is out of the way; it takes some effort to get here.  The trip is well worth it though. 

Each hole presents a unique challenge and you’ll be asked to use every club in your bag. 

This course is a great value as well.  I make it a point to get here every chance I get. 

Bruce Summerhays designed Sun Hills Golf Course which opened in 1995.

This links layout is friendly for players of all abilities.  The fairways are wide and most of the greens are open in front which allows you to run the ball up. 

If amazing views are what you’re after, you might not find anything better in Northern Utah.  Make sure to bring your camera. 

Something that often gets overlooked at Sun Hills is the service.  Everyone that plays here has nothing but good things to say about the staff and how accommodating they are.

A fun round and friendly folks.

The community of West Bountiful is charming and quaint.  So is the town’s premier golf course, Lakeside.

This parkland layout is an old school design.  Fairways are lined with weeping willows and deciduous trees.

Ample water hazards come into play so your ball striking needs to be on point. 

Come summer, the greens dry out and get lighting fast.  Like a lot of older courses, it’s essential to be below the hole.

While there’s nothing extra special about the amenities at Lakeside, you’ll have everything you need to feel comfortable. 

When you play the Ledges Golf Club, you’ll be treated to one of the most pristine courses in Utah. 

Surrounded by stunning geologic formations that date back eons, this is a round you won’t want to miss.

Designed by Matt Dye, this course has wide fairways and large, undulating greens.  Take careful note of hole locations or you could face some long putts.

When you’re finished with your round, have a meal in the Fish Rock Grille.  The menu is exquisite and you won’t leave hungry.

Conclusion

I can’t wait to spend more time in Utah.  The possibilities for outdoor recreation are endless, any time of the year. 

Golf during the warm months offers some of the best bounty to be had anywhere west of the Rockies.  Like I said, I’ve only scratched the surface when it comes to experiencing all that Utah golf has to offer.  Thankfully, our readers have plenty of local knowledge they’re willing to share. 

Thanks for reading and let us know your thoughts are in the comments below.