Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated.”
– Arnold Palmer
Golf is the ultimate game of personal enlightenment. Every time a player picks up their club, they come face to face with their own existential inner questions: is this a game, or is this life?Anyone who has played golf more than once has pondered this question, and often the answer changes from hole to hole.
Under Park City’s sapphire summer skies resides a dozen of the world’s most beautiful links located within 20 miles of one another. Utah’s towering mountains perfectly frame manicured greens to create breathtaking panoramas, and mild summer temperatures make every day spent golfing outdoors a joy. Walking among some of creation’s most spectacular beauty, you will be hard pressed to not give way to your innate wisdom and inner peace, letting the game be as it is while basking in the blessings woven into the fabric of the sport.
Victory Ranch is a private course designed by Rees Jones, 18 holes, 7,599 yards, ratings are 133 – 74.9. “My favorite hole is without question the par 3, 17th,” said Greg Stephens, Club Manager and Director of Golf. “Looking at the green from the tee box puts a lot into perspective, from the magnificent hole in front of you to the Jordanelle Reservoir to the ski slopes at Deer Valley and the Park City ridgeline. The 17th tee may be my favorite place to stand in Utah.”
Red Ledges is a private course designed by Jack Nicklaus, 18 holes, 7,653 yards, ratings 153 – 77.2. Jon Paupore, Director of Golf at Red Ledges said, “My favorite hole is the 1st hole. It is a shorter par 4 that plays downhill. Our first tee sits 250 feet in the air overlooking Mt. Timpanogos, Deer Creek Reservoir and the entire Heber Valley. After you have taken in the scenery, you are challenged to put your tee shot into a narrow fairway with hazards looming right and left. A successful tee shot puts you in prime position to attack the pin with a short iron. This hole certainly gets you ready for the beauty that is Red Ledges.”
Promontory is a private club that owns and operates two courses: the Dye Canyon course designed by Pete Dye and offers limited public play. The Painted Valley Course was designed by Jack Nicklaus. The Dye Canyon Course is 18 holes, 7,690 yards, ratings 142 – 75.6. The Painted Valley Course is 18 holes, 8,098 yards, ratings 149 – 75.9. “When players arrive at the Jack Nicklaus Painted Valley 12th tee they are treated to the most spectacular golf views in Summit County, encompassing Deer Valley, Brown’s Canyon and an absolutely fantastic par-5 hole. The 12th hole requires three perfectly executed shots to have a chance of making a par and having a smile while riding to the next hole!” said course Pro, Tom Rogers.
Crater Springs Golf Course at the Homestead Resort is a public course designed by Bruce Summerhays, 18 holes, 7,009 yards, ratings 139 – 73.2. “Hole 16 is a wonderful short par 4,” said Chris Briscoe, Director of Golf. “With Snake Creek on the right and trees on the left, a straight drive is important. The green has two tiers, but instead of the more normal front to back the tiers are split from left to right. This makes for some very interesting approach shots and putts.”
The Jeremy Golf and Country Club is the only course in Utah designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay, 18 holes, 7,147 yards, ratings 136 – 73.7. “The 6th hole is my favorite,” said Course Pro, Jake Hanley. “It’s a classic Palmer designed hole that is shaped by the East Canyon Creek and surrounded by rolling hills. It requires a well-placed drive to allow for a good angle to the pin.”
Wasatch Mountain State Park is a public course that operates two courses: the Mountain Course, 18 holes, 6,459 yards, ratings 128 – 72; and the Lake Course, 18 holes, 6,942 yards, ratings 130 – 71.1. Bill Neff designed both. Chris Stover, Head Golf Pro, says #9 on the Lake Course is his favorite. “It is a visually intimidating 489 yard uphill par 5 from the back tees. The tee box is surrounded with trees, giving it a feel as though the player is hitting the ball out of a chute. To play this hole well requires both accuracy and distance control on all shots.”
Soldier Hollow is a public course that operates two courses: the Gold Course designed by Gene Bates, 18 holes, 7,598 yards, ratings 136 – 74.9; and the Silver Course also designed by Gene Bates, 18 holes, 7,335 yards, ratings 134 – 73.0. “All 36 holes here offer breathtaking views of the entire Heber Valley,” said Chris Newson, Head Pro for both courses. “I would have to pick #3 on the Gold and #11 on the Silver. #3 Gold is a picturesque par 5 that is a true three shot hole. #11 Silver is a straightforward par 4 with great views.”
Tuhaye is a private course owned by Talisker Corporation, designed by Mark O’Meara, 18 holes, 7,783 yards, ratings 147 – 76.9. According to Eric Hastings, Head Golf Professional, “The final four holes (#15-18) are a perfect combination of challenging but fair. The 18th is a gorgeous finishing par 5 with the slopes of Deer Valley as the backdrop. There is no better view then from the 18th green as the sun is setting, especially after sinking a short putt for birdie!”
Glenwild is a private course designed by Tom Fazio, with 18 holes, measuring 7,627 yards, and a course rating of 75.0/139 from the back tees. It’s also been rated as the best golf course in Utah by Golf Digest since 2001. General Manager Mick Wydra prefers hole #6. “It is very challenging, demanding a golfer’s best shots from the tee through the green. It’s also very scenic, with panoramic views of all three Park City ski resorts.”
Park City Municipal Golf Course is a public course designed by William Neff, 18 holes, 6,622 yards, rating 133 – 71.4. Vaughn Robinson, Course Pro, said, “My favorite hole on the golf course is #6. This is a downhill, dogleg left, 351-yard par 4 using either a long iron or fairway wood off the tee. Elevation change, swirling winds, a pond short of the green and out of bounds beyond the green keeps this relatively short hole challenging.”
The Outlaw at Hideout Canyon is a public par 30 course designed by William Neff, 9 holes, 2,800 yards, rated 116 – 31.0. Course PGA Pro Dave DeSantis likes Outlaw’s first hole the best. “Our #1 hole sits at the highest point of the property, so all the beautiful panoramic views of The Jordanelle lake, the Deer Valley ski slopes, and Mount Timpanogos are right in front of you. It is just beautiful—in fact we call it viewtiful!”
On these courses, each a spectacular example of some of the most beautiful landscape in the world, players make the ultimate choice: to wrestle with the deep meanings the game, or just relax and enjoy a really good time. Spending a few hours on the greens with friends who won’t let you forget that golf, like life, should not be taken too seriously, will send you home feeling that all is right with the world no matter what your score.
SCORE CARD
[oneforth]Glenwild
glenwild.com
435-615-9966
Crater Springs @ Homestead
homesteadresort.com
435-654-1102
The Outlaw
outlaqgc.com
435-901-4227[/oneforth] [oneforth]
Park City Municipal Golf Club
parkcity.org
435-615-5800
Park Meadows Country Club
parkcmeadowsscc.com
435-649-2460
Promontory
promontoryclub.com
435-333-4000
[/oneforth] [oneforth]
Red Ledges
redledgesclub.com
435-657-4059
Soldier Hollow / Gold &Silver
stateparks.utah.gov/golf
435-654-7442
Jeremy Golf & Country Club
thejeremy.com
435-649-2700
[/oneforth] [oneforthlast]
Tuhaye
talisker.com/tuhaye
435-333-3611
Victory Ranch
victoryranchutah.com
435-785-5020
Wasatch Mtn State Park Golf
stateparks.utah.gov/golf
435-654-0532[/oneforthlast]
