Discovering the Vastly Refreshing Golf Scene in St. George Utah

Golf in St. George Utah may be under the radar right now, but the question is for how long? With terrain that is out of this world, reasonable rates, terrific dining options and a number of nearby National Parks this truly is a must-visit for any golfer.

The cream of the crop is the Sand Hollow Resort’s spectacular 27-hole facility. Stunning mountain vistas and native red rocks abound in this mixture of challenge and beauty. The Championship Course designed in part by former PGA Tour player John Fought tests all of the shots in our bag and all of the marbles in your brain. The layout is as pure as the game can be with red sand in each of the bunkers, and greens that are large and exceptionally undulated. The back nine features holes that will take your breath away, and if you’re not careful your ProV1 too. The 432-yard 12^th Hole is a masterpiece of a par 4 with a rock wall on the right and a mighty cliff on the left. The long approach to a well-guarded muli-tiered green may just leave you in tears if you are above the hole. Move over to the elevated tee at number 13 and you’ll find a riveting 300-yard driveable par 4. When you find yourself on the par 3 15^th Hole you have the unique option to tee off between two enormous rock outcroppings to a green that appears to be hanging off the bluff. Make it through this stretch with the same ball and you will waltz back into the clubhouse for your favorite cold drink. The state of Utah has yet to host a major tournament on the PGA Tour, or the Ryder Cup, but believe me Sand Hollow would be an incredible arena to showcase what the world’s best could do on this brilliant design.

There is also the fun 9-hole Links Course. At almost 3700 yards from the tips this is a tamer layout than it’s big brother, but it is certainly no pushover! A unique option in playing here is to try tackling the course with a set of replica hickory golf clubs that Sand Hollow has available. The “Hick Sticks” as they are affectionately called make you focus and enjoy playing the game in the bygone era of yesteryear.

Finish your day at the modern clubhouse at Sand Hollow with one of the best views you will find anywhere, complete with a top-notch pro shop and tasty casual dining.

Photo by Joe Newman

With its impressive red rock backdrops, immaculately designed greens, and expansive views of Snow Canyon State Park, The Ledges Golf Club offers world-class golf that fits in perfect harmony with the rugged Southern Utah setting. This 7200-yard track was designed by Matt Dye, the nephew of the one and only Pete Dye. Undulation and sweeping views of the canyon are at the forefront of this dynamic layout. The greens can be slick and quick, with a diversity of tough pin positions making them a bit on the “Dye-a-Bolical” side. An interesting side note is that Utah native and Champions Tour Star Jay Don Blake likes to hone his game right here at The Ledges. Be sure to experience the 19^th Hole known as the Fish Rock Grille named after a cool rock feature on the course that resembles a fish. And yes there are indeed some great seafood items on the menu!

Acclaimed golf architect Keith Foster laid out one of the best courses in Utah at Coral Canyon Golf Course. The course begins with two par 5’s, the first being a fair and reachable one where a birdie can get your round rolling. The second hole calls for precision all the way where par is a great score. There are a number of elevated tees on this entertaining design providing breathtaking views of Bryce Canyon’s snow capped pink spires in the winter and Zion National Park’s green springtime bloom. This course is certainly one of the tops in town, and a must-play on your visit to St. George.

Photo by Dave Lockhart

There are a couple of other courses that will shock you because they are in fact Municipal facilities. Green Spring Golf Course is a wild ride up and down and around the outskirts of the nearby town of Washington. The front nine features a couple of incredible shots over the canyon at holes 5 and 6. The back nine gets a little more target oriented with a number of well-placed water features and mountainous terrain that seamlessly blends into the local landscape.

When you get to Sky Mountain Golf Course you just know you are going to have fun here. See the driving range is simply breathtaking as you hit balls towards the stunning Pine Valley Mountain Range, even a bad shot is improved by the enjoyable view. The layout is scenic, challenging and in outstanding condition. Don’t be fooled by the yardage being at a mere 6400 yards from the back tees, the undulation and subtle doglegs will definitely keep you on your toes. I’ve played numerous muni courses around the United States but I’ve never encountered any like Green Spring and Sky Mountain….simply amazing.

Photo by Joe Newman.

Getting there is more convenient than you may think thanks in part to the St. George Airport which serves major carriers United and Delta. You can also fly into Las Vegas for an easy 90-minute drive to this clean, safe and pleasant part of the country.

St. George is a bit like Scottsdale used to be. It’s not overwhelming, and certainly your dollar goes a lot farther on their ten public access golf facilities. Many major hotel chains can be found here including Clarion Hotel and Suites, and Marriott’s Towne Place Suites. Both have beautiful pools with much needed whirlpools to sooth your golfing muscles. Plenty of dining options are available as well from fine dining at The Painted Pony, to the casual varied menu at George’s, to Cliffside which sits majestically above St. George.  Be sure to get to Anasazi Steakhouse, where you can cook your steak right from your seat on a heated volcanic rock. So tasty, so hot, and so fresh for an enjoyable experience that you won’t soon forget.

Photo by Joe Newman

The ideal way to get the most out of your St. George visit is to go through the experienced folks at www.RedRockGolfTrail.com and www.StGeorgeUtahGolf.com. Both sites offer packages that include golf, accommodations, dining, area attractions, plus additional information on St. George, Zion National Park and the surrounding area.

Yes St. George is on our radar and I’m sure it will stay there for many years to come.

Cover Photo by Brian Oar