Park City, Utah...and surrounding area

[txgolfjunkie]

I'm traveling with family up to Park City at the end of this month and need some course recommendations. My sister/brother-in-law owns a condo in PC and the last time I went up to visit, he had me shelling out a large chunk of money to play some of the private courses (Promontory, etc) and I can't be doing that with the wife in tow. I've seen a couple folks from the SLC area post on this board but curious to see if anyone has found some tracks up in the mountains. 

[downlowkey]

Soldier Hollow (36 holes) is an easy drive down into the Heber Valley from PC and is a must play in my opinion. They’ve hosted some big amateur events.

Wasatch Mountain and Crater Springs are also really fun, nearby and reasonably priced.

If you don’t mind driving a little past SLC one day, Mount Ogden GC is one the quirkiest tracks I’ve ever played. The first time I played it, we immediately headed back out for another loop because it was so fun.

I’ll go through the yardage book collection and see if I can dig up a few more gems for ya.

[romeopapazulu]

I will second Soldier Hollow.

I have heard the Canyons is another quirky one.  Its built right around the ski resorts and has some pretty wild elevation changes.  Some of the holes I have seen look like they go back and forth on terraces cut into the side of the mountain.

Mountain Dell won't break the bank and is close in Parley's Canyon.  It might not be hosting the US Open soon, but is an interesting course.  Don't plan on walking unless you run a half marathon every morning.

There are quite a few great courses 30mins away in the valley.  Most will be <$50 with a cart. I have the Utah Golf Association passbook that has discounts at many places.  If you are going to play during the week, there are plenty of good deals using that.  Let me know the dates you plan to play and I can look into what is available with the book.

[txgolfjunkie]

1. I booked tee times at Soldier Hollow - Gold Course (7/1) and Crater Springs (7/3). Looks like Soldier Hollow is hosting the Utah State Am Tournament the following week. As I look outside and see the high today is 94* and the humidity is over 66%, I'll be looking forward to those early morning tee times. Leave the gold bond at home!! 

[txgolfjunkie]

I owe both of y'all a beer. The gold course at soldier hollow was stupid good. $50 for such an amazing course. Thanks for the recommendation guys.

Crater springs on tap for Friday afternoon.


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[romeopapazulu]

How was Crater springs? I haven't played there yet.

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[txgolfjunkie]

20 hours ago, romeopapazulu said:

How was Crater springs? I haven't played there yet.

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CS is a few bucks cheaper than SH and personally, I would go with either SH-Gold or Wasatch-Mountain course than CS. Crater Springs goes through neighborhoods, has holes right on top of one another and isn't in as good of shape as Soldier Hollow. The Wasatch golf course is across the street from CS and the mountain course looked fun, especially since you didn't have homes lining the fairways. CS is a great course for the money ($42 w/cart), but the views, course conditions, etc at Soldier Hollow for a few bucks more make it my go-to course in that area. The homes lining CS blocked a lot of the views and there are a TON of couples on that course. I think they have a pretty good stay and play at CS and boy do the husband/wife combos take advantage of it. It's a good course, but after playing SH, I won't return to CS. 

My dad is going back to Park City in a few weeks with some of his golfing buddies and he's taking them to Soldier Hollow - Gold Course, Wasatch - Mountain Course or Mountain Dell, and the Park City Golf Course. My dad also owes ya'll a beer for the recommendation to SH. We still talk about that course two weeks later. 

[Siamese Moose]

Some years ago (2000?) I had to attend a conference in Park City. Back then air fares would often be significantly cheaper if you stayed over a Saturday night, so my company often made me travel on Saturday to save money. This would always tick me off, as I lost a weekend day for them to save money. This time I'd finally had it, and informed my boss that the company was picking up the tab for me to play golf on Sunday. My hotel was only a few blocks from the Park City Golf Course, so I walked over hoping to get on. I got added to a local threesome, and had a great time. One of the holes has a long line of expensive condos along the right. These guys were telling me about the famous people who owned them. The last one was quite a bit larger, and they told me the name of the woman who owned it. I didn't recognize the name (and don't remember it), and they were incredulous, "How could you not know who she is?!" Sorry guys, I don't know. "She's the biggest porn star on the planet!" OK, you assumed I would know the name of a porn actress? I asked them how many of her movies they had seen, and they all said none. And they expected me to know who she was. "But everybody in Park City knows who she is. I thought the whole country knew her." As an aside, at that elevation I was a long hitter worthy of posting on the internet. Flew a 9 iron over a 190 yard par 3.

[golfingbrock]

On 7/12/2019 at 11:43 AM, txgolfjunkie said:

CS is a few bucks cheaper than SH and personally, I would go with either SH-Gold or Wasatch-Mountain course than CS. Crater Springs goes through neighborhoods, has holes right on top of one another and isn't in as good of shape as Soldier Hollow. The Wasatch golf course is across the street from CS and the mountain course looked fun, especially since you didn't have homes lining the fairways. CS is a great course for the money ($42 w/cart), but the views, course conditions, etc at Soldier Hollow for a few bucks more make it my go-to course in that area. The homes lining CS blocked a lot of the views and there are a TON of couples on that course. I think they have a pretty good stay and play at CS and boy do the husband/wife combos take advantage of it. It's a good course, but after playing SH, I won't return to CS. 

My dad is going back to Park City in a few weeks with some of his golfing buddies and he's taking them to Soldier Hollow - Gold Course, Wasatch - Mountain Course or Mountain Dell, and the Park City Golf Course. My dad also owes ya'll a beer for the recommendation to SH. We still talk about that course two weeks later. 

Glad I found this thread! I'm visiting Park City in a couple weeks.  Our AirBNB is on the edge of Park City Golf Course so will probably play 1 round there, but definitely looks like Soldier Hollow at 7700 yds from the tips will be a solid test for the Honma driver if it arrives in time.

[txgolfjunkie]

5 minutes ago, golfingbrock said:

Glad I found this thread! I'm visiting Park City in a couple weeks.  Our AirBNB is on the edge of Park City Golf Course so will probably play 1 round there, but definitely looks like Soldier Hollow at 7700 yds from the tips will be a solid test for the Honma driver if it arrives in time.

Soldier Hollow Gold ($50) and Wasatch - Mountain ($50) course would be my two recommendations. The Park City golf course is a great track and well maintained, don't get me wrong, but the two courses on the other side of the mountain are worth the drive...and they're a little cheaper. The PC course is in the valley and the views are looking up at the mountains. SH and Wasatch are on the side of the mountain and you look down over the valley. It's incredible. Here's an accurate description of the Wasatch Mountain course from their website: The first 9-holes travel 2 miles up the mountain and the back 9-hole bring players back to the clubhouse

If you do go over the mountain, take the mountain pass road option. It's got some amazing views and a road with little straightaway. Take it to the course...I wouldn't recommend taking it home after a few beers on the course. 

I'm heading back to PC in Mid-September to golf my balls at altitude. I can't wait. 

[golfingbrock]

20 minutes ago, txgolfjunkie said:

Soldier Hollow Gold ($50) and Wasatch - Mountain ($50) course would be my two recommendations. The Park City golf course is a great track and well maintained, don't get me wrong, but the two courses on the other side of the mountain are worth the drive...and they're a little cheaper. The PC course is in the valley and the views are looking up at the mountains. SH and Wasatch are on the side of the mountain and you look down over the valley. It's incredible. Here's an accurate description of the Wasatch Mountain course from their website: The first 9-holes travel 2 miles up the mountain and the back 9-hole bring players back to the clubhouse

If you do go over the mountain, take the mountain pass road option. It's got some amazing views and a road with little straightaway. Take it to the course...I wouldn't recommend taking it home after a few beers on the course. 

I'm heading back to PC in Mid-September to golf my balls at altitude. I can't wait. 

I'll probably only play 1 or the other.  Will be a family trip with wife and kids and brother's fam, so mostly biking/hiking, etc. Would you pick SH Gold or Wasatch Mountain for 1 round?

[txgolfjunkie]

31 minutes ago, golfingbrock said:

I'll probably only play 1 or the other.  Will be a family trip with wife and kids and brother's fam, so mostly biking/hiking, etc. Would you pick SH Gold or Wasatch Mountain for 1 round?

I'm going to let you decide...because some people like wide open courses, and others like tree lined challenges. Both have great views so that's a wash in this discussion. 

Soldier Hollow Gold is wide open with wild grasses in the deep rough. The conditions at SH are better than they are at Wasatch, but you can see the entire course and surrounding area on just about any hole. Big greens that usually run pretty quick. Big hitters course. 

Wasatch is like you're playing in a remote mountain course and you don't see anything but the valley down below and trees all around. It feels very remote. The course is very elevated and flat lies are hard to find at times. More target golf and conservative play off the tee since the course isn't as long. Greens run slower than at SH but there's more movement to them. If you don't want to see or hear any other people during your round, then Wasatch is perfect for you. 

I hope this helps. And if any locals have played the courses recently, please add to this discussion. 

[downlowkey]

4 hours ago, golfingbrock said:

Would you pick SH Gold or Wasatch Mountain for 1 round?

If your Honma lumber delivery arrives before your trip and you want opportunities to air it out at altitude on a big fast layout, just go ahead and book a slot Soldier Hollow and start strategizing. It’s all you want (more than I would want) at 7700, assuming the championship tees are open.

+1 on the (224/222) Empire Pass option from PC down into the Heber Valley, but not if you’re running late because @txgolfjunkie ain’t exaggerating about it being twisty. +2 for generally not mixing alcohol + driving in Utah... they don’t mess around.

SH is such a well run facility. It never disappoints. I’m tempted to make the 7 hour drive myself. Fingers crossed your new disco stick arrives in time. Have fun!