Hole-By-Hole

Looks can be deceiving; don’t let the length fool you. From the tee box there doesn’t appear to be much trouble. The real issue will be for short drivers off the tee their approach shot which will have to carry a creek and pond on this opening par five. Long hitters may even reach the water. Most golfers will have to deal with the water on their second shots. Like most of our greens on the front nine, the green here is small and pretty tough to hit. The green is guarded by sand and grass bunkers.

The newest hole on the front nine, this scenic par three is a potential birdie hole with a well placed tee shot. Your tee shot must carry a water feature. Club selection is key as anything long on the green will run off the back.

Tree lined fairways creates a need for a fairly straight drive. Longer hitters can reach the green if they can thread the needle. Club selection from the tee box is important for a chance at a good score. This uphill dogleg left requires some thought as to what club you want to hit for your second shot. Trouble waits for those outside the tree lines.

This challenging dogleg right is the hardest hole on the course. Longer hitters from the tee can carry the corner and have a wedge to get home. Average length drivers will have to shape long iron into another small green. Don’t miss this green long or left. Play for your approach to be short of middle of the green.

This hole was redesigned as dogleg left last year with new trees and a shift in the fairway. From the tee box your aiming point is the large Chinese Elm tree. Avoid the native meadow to the left and the fence line right is out of bounds. The green on this hole maybe one of the most challenging in the state; having two levels and a false front. Don’t be too aggressive with your approach as anything past the pin will cause heartache.

Another tight tee shot where aiming left will reward you with a good second shot. More trees line the fairway here. Colorado Spruce pines surround the green and provide a scenic backdrop as well as trouble for long shots. Any approach shot to the middle or left will roll to the left. Knowledge of the pin placement is important if you are looking for a birdie chance.

Don’t be left off the tee. Heavy trees left will cause trouble. Long hitters can get past the valley in the fairway. A good drive and well struck second will get you home in two. This hole provides a great view of the Stansbury mountain range in the distance.

Heading back to the clubhouse, the eighth hole is pretty straight forward but has out of bounds area to the right. Trees left define the fairway. Hit your straightest club off the tee as length of the tee shot isn’t as important as keeping it in the fairway. The small green is a challenge guarded by trees behind and bunkers in front. This was originally the starting hole in 1949.

The longest par three on the golf course also offers the smallest green on the course. The green slopes to the back and to the left. Reaching the green is not an easy task from any tee box. The prevailing wind is right to left out of the canyon. This is one of the strongest par three holes in the state.

Two well struck irons are all that is needed to score well on the first hole of the new nine. The right side is lined by a lateral hazard through the green. The small green theme is continued here and anything long or right will be trouble. The green is visually deceptive; make sure you have the correct line as you putt for birdie.

You will have to carry at least 200 yards to get over the bridge to the center of the fairway. Long hitters will be tempted to go for the green but the natural meadow runs the length of the fairway to the left and is wider than can be seen from the tee. Bite off as much as you dare and be committed to your tee shot. The tee box is nearly hundred feet above the fairway.

A view of Middle Canyon to the front of you will take demand your attention but beware of the strength of this par four. This hole will play a lot longer as it heads into the canyon wind. The uphill fairway offers a grass bunker to the right that will catch sliced shots. The green is deep and could play as much as a two club difference depending on pin placement. Par is a good score here.

This hole will play to a 185 carry. You must hit the green to have a chance any at par. There is a little room to the right but center of the green is your target. Left sand bunker protects the two tiered green. The canyon breeze will be coming from above the old railroad trestle. Don’t be long.

This downhill par five offers a split fairway but both directions are tight landing areas. Right side is out of bounds. The left is guarded by native meadow. The green can be viewed from any location on the fairway because of its elevation. Your approach shot will be the key to a good score as you close in on this mountainous green. The green is deeper than it appears.

Don’t be right or long. The canyon winds will be in your face so club selection will be determined by the strength or lack of it, of the wind. There is room to miss to the left. Go for birdie!

The longer your drive is the more receptive the green will be to your approach shot. A long drive will give you the best chance at a good score. Shorter hitters will face a risk/reward situation over the lake on their approach shots. How much of the lake are you willing to carry? Shots long and over the green will add a few extra shots to your score.

A good tee shot will place you on top of the hill in the middle of the fairway. Aim right of the clubhouse and take it deep. This is a true two-shot par five. It will take 270 yards to get to the top of the hill. This stadium hole will test your putting skills as you deal with some undulation throughout this small green.

One of the features of architect Andy Johnson’s designs is that you can always see the green from the tee box. On this finishing hole you will see your goal right out in front of you. Hit the driver as this hole plays uphill and into the wind. The green is fronted by bunkers left and right. Here is your last chance at birdie. Play well!