Black Desert Resort — The Complete Guide for Groups

Black Desert Resort in Ivins, Utah — just outside St. George — is the newest world-class golf course in the American Southwest and arguably the most talked-about course in the state. Designed by Tom Weiskopf and Phil Smith, opened in 2023, and already ranked #1 in Utah and #32 nationally by Golfweek, it hosted the first PGA TOUR event in Utah in over 60 years. At 7,500 yards with a par of 72, it's a bucket-list course carved through ancient black lava fields with vermilion cliffs as the backdrop.

This guide covers everything your group needs to know before playing Black Desert: what makes it extraordinary, how to book it, what the resort offers beyond golf, and how to build a multi-course St. George trip around it.

Why Black Desert Is a Once-in-a-Generation Course

Black Desert is Tom Weiskopf's final design. The World Golf Hall of Famer was diagnosed with cancer as construction began, and his longtime partner Phil Smith completed the vision. The result is a course unlike anything else in American golf — emerald fairways carved through 10,000-year-old basalt lava fields, framed by red rock cliffs under Utah's 300 days of annual sunshine.

The contrast is what hits you first. Black lava. Green fairways. Red cliffs. Blue sky. No other course on the planet has this specific geological canvas. Weiskopf designed 70+ courses worldwide, including Troon North, Loch Lomond, and TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course. He considered Black Desert among his finest work.

What the Accolades Tell You

Black Desert opened in May 2023 and collected more honors in its first two years than most courses earn in a decade. Golfweek ranked it #1 in Utah and #32 on their Top 100 Best Courses You Can Play in the U.S. Golf Digest placed it on their America's 100 Greatest Public Courses list and #96 on their Top 200 Modern Courses ranking. The PGA TOUR selected it to host the inaugural Black Desert Championship in October 2024 — the first tour event in Utah in over 60 years. The LPGA followed with their own event in 2025.

When you play Black Desert, you're walking the same fairways that PGA TOUR and LPGA professionals competed on. That's a rare opportunity at a public-access course.

Playing Black Desert Smart: What Your Group Should Know

19 Holes, Not 18

Black Desert has 19 holes. The bonus 19th hole is designed for settling bets, breaking ties, or just getting one more hole in. It's a short, fun addition that groups love — and it's unique to this course.

What's Included in Your Green Fee

Unlike most courses, Black Desert's rate includes more than just the round. Your green fee covers: GPS-equipped cart, a forecaddie for your group, food and non-alcoholic beverages at Oasis and Club 73 during your round, access to practice facilities, and a keepsake. The forecaddie is a significant perk — they'll manage your group's pace, read putts, and point out the lines you can't see from the fairway. Forecaddie gratuity is customary (recommended around $40-50 per golfer).

Tee Time Booking Windows

This is critical for trip planning. Resort guests can book tee times well in advance — sometimes months ahead. Non-resort (public) tee times are available only 30 days before your play date. If your group isn't staying at the resort, this makes Black Desert a strong "add-on" round for trips already in the area, rather than a course you can lock in six months out. We coordinate group bookings that secure access beyond the standard public window.

Play the Right Tees

At 7,500 yards from the tips, Black Desert can humble anyone. But Weiskopf designed it with wide fairways and multiple risk-reward options from every tee box. The forward tees play around 5,600 yards, and the middle tees around 6,500 — both offer the full visual experience without the punishment. The course's slope of 138 from the tips is firm but fair compared to courses like Wolf Creek (slope 154). Choose tees based on your group's average handicap, not ego.

Don't Skip the Practice Facilities

Black Desert's practice area is one of the best in the region. Trackman technology on the driving range, putting greens, and a 36-hole illuminated putting course that groups can use before or after their round. A warm-up session here is part of the experience, not just preparation.

The Standout Holes

Every hole at Black Desert has a distinctive character, but several will define your round:

Hole 1 (Par 4, ~460 yards): A slightly uphill opener with a big bunker on the right that turns the hole left-to-right. It eases you in — or catches you off guard if you're still thinking about the drive from the hotel.

Hole 2 (Par 4, ~410 yards): A 50-foot downhill tee shot to a fairway set in a stunning lava field. The green is a unique double green shared with Hole 8 — a design feature you won't find anywhere else in the region.

Hole 4 (Par 4): Downhill tee shot with lava on the right, wide fairway, and a green set against a canyon backdrop. This is the hole that shows up on every "top photos" list — and the one your group will remember when they describe the course to friends.

Hole 5 (Par 4, drivable): Long hitters can reach this green in one. But the short-game challenges around the green punish anything that isn't precise. Smart play often beats aggressive play here.

Hole 13 (Par 5): Water runs down most of the left side with lava rock hugging the right. An accurate drive is non-negotiable. The elevated green is carved into the lava like a links course cut into dunes — Weiskopf's nod to British golf.

Hole 14 (Par 4, drivable): The second drivable par 4. Two drivable par 4s on one course is a bold design choice that rewards both bombers and strategists. Your group will be talking about these two holes at dinner.

When to Play Black Desert

The Stay-and-Play Advantage

Black Desert is a full resort, not just a golf course. The stay-and-play packages combine premium accommodations with the golf experience. For groups, staying on-property has two major advantages: you get extended tee time booking windows (months in advance vs. 30 days for the public), and everything — room, golf, dining — is in one place. No rental cars needed between hotel and course.

That said, Black Desert's resort lodging commands premium pricing. For groups focused on value, we often build packages that pair a round at Black Desert with more affordable lodging nearby — Hilton Garden Inn (3 minutes away), Best Western Abbey Inn, or a vacation rental that splits the cost across your group.

Building a Trip Around Black Desert

Black Desert is the crown jewel, but St. George has 12 other courses within 30 minutes. Here's how most groups build their trip:

The 3-Day St. George Experience (2 Nights, 3 Rounds)

Day 1: Arrive, warm up at Sunbrook Golf Course (27 holes, diverse layouts, great value).
Day 2: Black Desert — the main event. Allow a full morning with practice facility time.
Day 3: Sand Hollow Championship (Utah's other top-10 course), then head home.

The 4-Day Bucket List (3 Nights, 4 Rounds)

Add Entrada at Snow Canyon — the private course we get you into — and The Ledges (dramatic clifftop golf). This is the ultimate St. George four-pack: Black Desert, Sand Hollow, Entrada, Ledges. Four nationally ranked courses in four days.

The Two-Destination Epic (4 Nights, 5+ Rounds)

Start in St. George (Black Desert + Sand Hollow), then drive 40 minutes to Mesquite for Wolf Creek (America's most dramatic canyon course) and Conestoga. This gives your group two bucket-list courses in two different landscapes — lava fields and red rock canyons. See our 4-Day Itinerary Guide for the full breakdown.

Beyond the Course: What Else to Do

St. George sits at the doorstep of three national and state parks. Between rounds, your group can hit Zion National Park (45 minutes), Snow Canyon State Park (10 minutes — right next to the course), or Sand Hollow Reservoir for kayaking and paddleboarding. The dining scene in St. George has grown significantly, with options from steakhouses to craft breweries. Check our St. George Trip Guide for detailed recommendations.

Black Desert vs. Other Top St. George Courses

Most serious golf groups play at least two of these four courses. We build custom packages that combine any of them based on your group's budget, skill level, and priorities. See our full St. George Courses Guide for all 13 courses ranked.

Frequently Asked Questions