Sand Hollow Championship Course — The Complete Guide for Groups

Sand Hollow Championship Course in Hurricane, Utah — 20 minutes from St. George — is consistently ranked as Utah's #1 public golf course and one of the most dramatic layouts in the American West. Designed by John Fought and Andy Staples, opened in 2008, it plays 7,315 yards at par 72 through red rock terrain that builds to what reviewers universally call one of the finest five-hole stretches in the country.

This guide covers everything your group needs to know before playing Sand Hollow: what makes the back nine legendary, how to play the signature cliff holes smart, where to stay, and how to build a multi-course St. George trip around it.

Why Sand Hollow Is Utah's Must-Play Public Course

Sand Hollow has appeared on Golfweek's Best Courses You Can Play list continuously since it opened, currently ranked in the top 10 in Utah. Golf Digest placed it on their America's 100 Greatest Public Courses roster, with three individual holes making their America's 100 Greatest Holes ranking — all on the back nine. It's the only course in Southern Utah with multiple holes on that list.

What separates Sand Hollow from every other desert course is the back nine. The front is a solid, well-designed desert layout — good golf through sage brush and red sand bunkers with wide fairways and large greens. But starting at Hole 11, the course transforms. Five consecutive holes play along, over, and through a 200-foot canyon rim with the Pine Valley Mountains as a backdrop. Reviewers from around the world call holes 11-15 one of the finest five-hole stretches in the western United States.

Three Courses in One Resort

Sand Hollow Resort isn't just one course. It offers three distinct golf experiences on the same property:

The Championship Course (18 holes): The main event. 7,315 yards of desert golf that builds to the cliff-top finale. This is the course that earns the rankings and the one your group is coming for.

The Links Course (9 holes): A British Isles-inspired layout with massive greens, ragged-edge bunkering, and links-style play blended with desert terrain. Reviewers consistently say this might be the most fun nine holes in the area — it's the perfect warm-up round or wind-down after the Championship layout.

The Wee Course (9-hole par 3): Short game practice disguised as a course. Family-friendly, great for groups with mixed abilities, and a relaxed way to extend your golf day without another four-hour commitment.

For group trips, we often pair the Championship round with the Links Course — 27 holes of completely different golf for less than you'd expect. Most groups play the Links first as a warm-up, then tackle the Championship the next morning.

Playing Sand Hollow Smart: What Your Group Should Know

The Front Nine vs. The Back Nine

Here's what nobody tells you: the front nine at Sand Hollow is good golf, but it's not the reason this course is famous. It's a relatively straightforward desert layout — wide fairways, well-placed bunkers, large greens, gentle terrain. Solid, enjoyable, but not jaw-dropping. If your group feels underwhelmed after 9 holes, hold on. Everything changes at the turn. The back nine is a completely different course — and it's one of the best nines in American public golf.

Bring a Camera for Holes 11-15

These five holes will slow your pace of play by 20-30 minutes — and everyone behind you will understand why. The tee shots from elevated positions along the canyon rim are unlike anything in Utah golf. Budget the extra time and don't rush this stretch. You'll regret it if you blow through here trying to stay on pace.

Wind Is Real

The town is called Hurricane, Utah. That's not a coincidence. Wind picks up in the afternoon, especially on the exposed back nine cliff holes. Morning rounds get calmer conditions. If your group has a choice, play the Championship in the morning and the Links Course in the afternoon — the Links is more sheltered and handles wind better.

Play the Right Tees

At 7,315 yards from the tips, Sand Hollow is a full-length championship test. The slope of 137 is moderate compared to Wolf Creek (154) or Entrada (140), but the elevation changes on the back nine add difficulty that the scorecard doesn't show. Most groups play the white tees (6,500 yards), which still delivers the full visual experience with more forgiveness.

The Red Sand Bunkers

Sand Hollow's bunkers use natural red sand from the surrounding terrain — it's coarser and heavier than typical white bunker sand. Expect a different feel than what you're used to. The ball tends to sit up well, but the texture can be surprising. Several holes feature fairway bunkers right in the middle of the landing zone, so GPS cart readings are your friend here.

The Standout Holes

The entire back nine is exceptional, but these holes define the Sand Hollow experience:

Hole 10 (Par 5, 565 yards): The back nine opener. A massive downhill par 5 with views across the entire Southern Utah terrain from the elevated tee. Bunkers guard the left side for anyone trying to reach in two. The fairway climbs uphill toward a semi-blind approach — a preview of the drama to come.

Hole 12 (Par 4, 445 yards): The hole that makes you pull out your phone. An elevated tee shot with the canyon rim running the entire left side and red rock outcroppings framing the right. The view from the tee box is mesmerizing. Many golfers call this the most scenic tee shot they've ever taken.

Hole 13 (Par 4, 320 yards): Drivable for long hitters, but the 100-foot cliff running the entire left side demands respect. This short par 4 is all risk-reward — the group that goes for it creates the best stories. Played as a closest-to-the-pin contest, it's the highlight of the round for many groups.

Hole 14 (Par 4, 525 yards): Yes, that's a par 4 at 525 yards. The longest par 4 on the course plays downhill with a speed slot that can chase your drive 50+ extra yards. The cliff edge runs the entire left side, and the approach plays to a green perched on the canyon rim. Bogey is a good score here.

Hole 15 — "Devil's Throat" (Par 3, 230 yards): The signature hole. Tee boxes are set into the sandstone itself, and the shot requires a carry over a deep ravine to a green nestled against the cliff edge. It's been compared to the 16th at Cypress Point — the highest praise in golf architecture. A par here is a badge of honor for the rest of the trip.

When to Play Sand Hollow

Stay-and-Play at Sand Hollow Resort

Sand Hollow Resort offers on-property vacation rentals, villas, and suites steps from the first tee. Waking up and walking to the course is a perk your group won't forget. The accommodations come equipped with kitchens, living areas, and desert views — and splitting a multi-bedroom unit among your group makes the per-person cost competitive with mid-range hotels.

For groups wanting more variety, we also pair Sand Hollow rounds with lodging options in nearby St. George — Hilton Garden Inn (20 minutes), Best Western Abbey Inn, or a vacation rental that gives your group more space and a home base for playing multiple courses.

Building a Trip Around Sand Hollow

Sand Hollow is the best-value bucket-list course in the region. Here's how groups typically build their trips:

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

Day 1: Arrive, warm up with the Sand Hollow Links Course (9 holes, relaxed, fun).
Day 2: Sand Hollow Championship — the main event. Morning tee time for calm conditions.
Day 3: Sunbrook Golf Course (27 holes, diverse layouts, great value) before heading home.

The 4-Day Best of Utah (3 Nights, 4 Rounds)

Add Black Desert Resort (Utah's #1 ranked course, 25 minutes away) and The Ledges (dramatic clifftop golf). This gives your group three of Utah's top-10 ranked courses plus the Ledges' jaw-dropping scenery.

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

Start in St. George (Sand Hollow + Entrada at Snow Canyon), then drive 40 minutes to Mesquite for Wolf Creek and Conestoga. Two bucket-list courses in two completely different landscapes. See our 4-Day Itinerary Guide for the full breakdown.

Beyond the Course: What Else to Do

Sand Hollow Resort sits adjacent to Sand Hollow State Park — a massive reservoir surrounded by red sand dunes. Between rounds, your group can kayak, paddleboard, or rent UTVs for a desert ride across the dunes. Zion National Park is 30 minutes away. Snow Canyon State Park is 20 minutes. The St. George dining and nightlife scene is a 20-minute drive. Check our St. George Trip Guide for detailed recommendations.

Sand Hollow vs. Other Top St. George Courses

Sand Hollow offers the best combination of quality and value among St. George's top courses. It costs less than Black Desert while delivering a back nine that rivals anything in the state. Most groups play Sand Hollow plus one or two other courses from this list. See our St. George Courses Guide for all 13 courses ranked.

Frequently Asked Questions