Calling all Utah Golfers!!!

[GoZagsGolf]

Moving down to Salt Lake from Spokane, WA in a couple months to finish up grad school at the U. Was wondering how the golf is down there? I've only visited Salt Lake a couple times and had an absolute blast. Summers get a little hot, but you can't beat all the hiking trails and skiing down there. Just looking to know some good courses and possibly some members to play with sometime.

[fairways4life]

One thing about golf in Utah is that it's known to be cheaper than the national average. One of the most affordable golf states as a matter of fact.

I'm pretty sure the University still has it's own course (which will be super cheap and convenient for you if you're enrolled in school there). But someone may correct me on that about whether it's still there or not.

My advice would be to purchase one of those "Tee Time Golf Passes" (at least I think that's what they're called). I know the Utah one is really good. Allows you to play many different courses for a great deal.

The only bad thing about it is the short golf season. There's a good 4-5 months of the year where it will be tough to get out. Hope you like to ski!

[GoZagsGolf]

I LOVE to ski. Almost as much as I love golf, but not quite as much. My girlfriend is a snowboard instructor, so we will have plenty of winter fun down there.

I will check out one of those passes. Sounds like I just need to try and make the most out of the short season. Thanks for the input.

[Locked]

UofU course is no longer there... they've built a bunch of new buildings so its now a short frisbee golf course:(
Other than that you are going to the state with the most golf courses per capita in the country. Golfing in Utah is phenomenal (haven't lived there for 10 years but still spend a lot of time). In the summer time be sure to play the courses up in Heber and Midway. Wasatch Mountain is a hidden gem, a muni course that Michael Jordan used to play regularly (until he purchased his glenwild membership in park city). Soldier Hollow is a great links style course that hosted a big tourney last year I think it was the US Am...
In the valley bountiful ridge is a short drive north from the UofU and has some of the best views of any golf course I've ever played, Bonneville is right by the U and is a muni course that is almost unanimously loved. If you want more challenge Thanksgiving point is about 25 minutes south of downtown right off I-15 and is a very tough course. At the U it shouldn't be too hard to find a member of the Salt Lake Country Club to take you out on that course which is one of my favorites in the state. I literally could go on and on and on... do yourself a favor though and play a TON of golf while you are in Utah. Its some of the cheapest golf you'll find on great courses.

[fairways4life]

Yeah I thought I remembered hearing something about the University course shutting down.

I'll throw Wingpointe into the mix. That's a fun track.

To echo what Locked was getting at --- within a 30-minute drive of the University campus you could probably get to 20 golf courses at least. Golf courses are very densely packed into the Salt Lake valley. You won't be disappointed with the selection there that's for sure.

The only knock I'd put on Utah golf is there isn't a real strong tournament scene compared to other states. The Utah Golf Association doesn't have a ton of tournaments (in comparison to other parts of the country) and things like the Golfweek tour and Golf channel tour don't have much of a presence there. If you like playing competitively you might find that your options are a bit more limited but if you're just looking for recreational rounds you'll be in a great spot.

[Par Fore]

I can't speak a whole lot to the golf in the Salt Lake Valley, I live in southern Utah and play most of my golf in the south. When I do head north I usually play in either the Heber/Wasatch area or the Utah County area. A few courses that you may want to try are Hobble Creek, in Springville canyon, both Soldier Hollow courses, (it was the pub-links that was held at the gold course) and both courses at Wasatch mountain. Valley View in Layton is always voted as one of the best public courses in the state. Yes, winters are cold and snowy and generally unplayable, but remember St. George is only around a 4 hour drive and Mesquite, Nevada 30 min/ past that. So, when the winters get you down and you want to golf instead of ski year around golf is a short car ride away.

[GoZagsGolf]

Thanks for the all the responses guys. I'm really excited about moving down there. The golf sounds great and the U should be a blast. Job market down there looks promising as well. A lot better than Spokane, that's for sure. I'm already used to the golf season being short since the weather up here is pretty similar. The elevation down there should add some distance to my shots so I will have to try and get used to that.

[fairways4life]

[quote name='GoZagsGolf' timestamp='1359409721' post='6316913']
Thanks for the all the responses guys. I'm really excited about moving down there. The golf sounds great and the U should be a blast. Job market down there looks promising as well. A lot better than Spokane, that's for sure. I'm already used to the golf season being short since the weather up here is pretty similar. [b]The elevation down there should add some distance to my shots so I will have to try and get used to that.[/b]
[/quote]

Haha yeah that's the fun part. It was quite a wake-up call when I left Utah and moved to sea level. I miss hitting my 8-iron 165 yards!

[The Pearl]

Not all winters are a total washout. I have played in every month. Many times, snow does not reach the valley floor for the entire winter season. The courses dry out fast and many will remain open as long as there is no snow. In many years, I have played into December and played in early March. Remember, St George and Mesquite are just a few hours drive when you need a quick fix. Sand Hollow, Coral Canyon, and the famous Wolf Creek are an easy trip.

Pick up a UGA player pass. There are 6 free rounds in there and plenty of 2 for 1 deals. If you establish a handicap, you will also get a card with plenty of discounts. Salt Lake has their own version for the local course. There are plenty of hidden gems up north. As an earlier poster mentioned, Valley View is top notch. They have hosted the state amateur there and it will give you all you can handle. Davis Park is a nice little track and out towards Antelope Island is Glen Eagle, a links type course, much like Wingpointe at the airport. Wolf Creek in Eden (Ogden Canyon) is now open to the public and the view off the 2nd green towards Pineview Resevoir is one of the best in Utah. I would also recommend a trip to Logan. Logan River is one my personal favorites and is one of the most unique courses around. Just north of Logan is Burch Creek which is more of a rolling meadows course.

I would also highly recommend you try find a way on to Hill AFB's golf course. I wonderful course with some of the best greens in the state.

If you can get out during the week, you won't have a problem getting on and Sunday's are always a good day while the local's are in church. If you do a little planning, with the discounts, most rounds you can play for about $30 with a cart. The last few years, courses have competed for your dollars.

[GoZagsGolf]

Super excited to get down there. I will definitely keep that in mind about Southern Utah as well. My friend told me he goes down there a lot to play in the Winter months, but I can't remember the courses he goes to. we have some pretty cheap golf here in Spokane as well, but nowhere near those rates. It's cheap to play and walk here because they really jack up rental cart fees (which I don't use anyways).

[duck hook]

Check out uga.org for local courses and tournament schedules.
This local course is a 27 hole Johnny Miller design with a fantastic value season pass:

http://www.golfstonebridgeutah.com/golf-course/memberships/players-pass

[BlazeOC]

There are so many good courses here in Utah. The great part, they are all affordable! Most are 40 to 50 dollars with a cart. Without a cart you're looking at 21 to 31 dollars at the most for 18.

I am investing in a push cart this year to cut down on costs and get more exercise while playing. I have played everywhere and Utah without a doubt has some of the best courses around.

[JBirdUt]

Take a trip west towards Tooele, about 30 minutes from the U. Two great and under appreciated courses, Stansbury Park and Overlake. Be sure to pack the insect repellant.