By Joel Zuckerman, The Vagabond Golfer
True story: We were in Utah for a late-winter ski vacation some years back. One of the guys was getting frustrated at his inability to master powder skiing, so rare on the icier slopes of the east, to which we were accustomed. He decided to take a day off and dropped the rest of us up at Alta, where it was snowing hard upon our arrival. We reveled in the foot of fresh snow that fell during the course of the day, adding to already sublime conditions. And we were surprised during our late afternoon rendezvous with our missing party, who had become the designated chauffeur, that he was also sporting an ear-to-ear grin. Asked how he had whiled away the hours while we were thigh-high in the fresh stuff, his reply made us incredulous. We thought he was pulling our leg. "I went down into the valley and rented golf clubs," he related. "It was probably 55 degrees, partly sunny, and I played 18 holes on a really nice track near the airport."
It was at that moment I realized how incredibly diverse the recreation options are in northern Utah. Greater Salt Lake City is one of the very few places on the continent where one could pull off a "ski and tee;" barrel downhill in the morning and then smack a drive on verdant green fairways in the afternoon.
The other candidates include Lake Tahoe, Whitefish, Montana, and perhaps Jackson, Wyoming. But great as that trio of destinations are, all their golf courses combined (not to mention their world-class ski hills) don't add up to what's available within a one-hour radius of downtown Salt Lake City.
The beauty of the situation is that the vast majority of the golf options, just like the ski hills, are available to anyone who wants to indulge their passion. (One notable exception is the venerable Salt Lake Country Club, one of the oldest private clubs west of the Mississippi.) There might be 50-odd public-access courses to be found in greater Salt Lake City. These are among the best:
Within the city limits, it's arguable that the best bets are Wingpointe and Stonebridge. Thanksgiving Point is a Johnny Miller design just to the south in Lehi. Valley View is in Fruit Heights, Talon's Cove can be found in Saratoga Springs and South Mountain is in Draper. Lastly, south of the city but close to Utah Lake in the city of Orem is Sleepy Ridge. Designed by up-and-coming Matt Dye, nephew of legendary Pete Dye, this is one of the better courses on the outer periphery of the state capital. But there are a dozen-or-more equally compelling courses found much closer to the city's center.
Salt Lake Area Golf Courses:
Bonneville Golf Course - public
A hilly and picturesque course which finishes with a par 3 over a large ravine and creek. more
Central Valley Golf Course - public
This course is designed to help non-golfers become golfers, intermediate golfers to become skilled players, and skilled players become even better. more
Copper Club Golf Course - private
Perfect place to play golf if you want to enjoy a quick round.
more
Cottonwood Club Golf Course - public
Rated best executive par 3 course in the state by the Salt Lake Tribune more
Country Club Golf Course - private
One of the Wests oldest Golf Clubs with views of the Wasatch mountains. more
Fore Lakes Golf Course - public
Challenging 9 hole par 3 course with an executive 9 and many lakes in play.
more
Forest Dale Golf Course - public
Historic old course re-designed with new water hazards. more
Glendale Golf Course - public
Glendale offers perfectly maintained large greens with lake and wetland lined fairways that attract an abundance of waterfowl. more
Glenmoor Golf Course - public
A challenging course with a nice layout and is well maintained. more
Hidden Valley Golf Course - public
Beautiful 18 hole valley course and scenic 9 hole mountain course.
more
Jordan River Golf Course - public
Executive par 3 course that winds around the Jordan River surrounded with of established trees. more
Meadowbrook Golf Course - public
There are six ponds, established trees and multiple sand bunkers that make each hole challenging. more
Mick Riley Golf Course - public
This course has wide fairways and lakes and is complemented by a par 3 course. more
Mountain Dell Golf Course- Lake - public
The Lake Course designed by Mike Reid has rolling fairways and dramatic tee shots over deep ravines and water. more
Mountain Dell Golf Course- Mountain - public
Challenging mountain course set in beautiful, scenic canyon overlooking reservoir. Halfway between Salt Lake City and Park City more
Mountain View Golf Course - public
Spectacular views of the Wasatch mountains. A flat course with a fair amount of water and bunkers. more
Mulligans South Golf Course - public
Two nine hole golf courses, the Ridge- and executive course and the meadow- a par 3 course. more
Murray Parkway Golf Course - public
A challenging course with wide fairways and large greens. more
Nibley Park Golf Course - public
Utah's oldest golf course. Good for beginners with plenty of hazards for the more advanced. more
Old Mill Golf Course - public
A variety of hazards and lots of hills make this a challenging course. more
Oquirrh Hills Golf Course - public
A beautiful setting for a golf course near the Great Salt Lake.
Reservations Required
Motorized Carts
Snack Bar
Driving Range
Pull Ca... more
Overlake Golf Course - public
The Links at Overlake is an Americanized links style course located two miles northwest of Tooele, Utah.
Driving Range
Motorized Carts
Sn... more
River Oaks Golf Course - public
Great course along the Jordan River bottoms. Trees and water make the course fun and challenging. more
Riverbend Golf Course - public
9 holes play on top of bluff, 9 holes play bottom of bluff along the Jordan River. Sand bunkers and water hazards result in very scenic golf course. more
Rose Park Golf Course - public
Trees frame the well manicured fairways. more
Schneiter's Pebblebrook Golf Course - public
A short course with some rolling terrain and plenty of hazards. Also miniature golf. more
South Mountain Golf Course - public
An "exclusively public" course surrounded by pristine scenery. A rugged and challenging course for even the finest golfers. more
Stansbury Park Golf Course - public
There's 22 water hazards.
Reservations Required
Motorized Carts
Snack Bar
Driving Range
Pull Carts
more
Stonebridge Golf Course - public
A Shottish Links style course designed by Johnny Miller with lots of water and sand. more
University of Utah Golf Course - public
Scenic layout on University of Utah campus.
more
West Ridge Golf Course - public
A links style course on the western side of the valley.
more
Willow Creek Golf Course - private
The site of the Utah Open has a lush rolling layout with tremendous view of mountains. more
Wingpointe Golf Course - public
Unique airport location, Arthur Hills designed, links style course. more
