Utah punches well above its weight in golf. Between the red rock desert courses in the south and the mountain layouts near Park City and Salt Lake, the state has produced courses that compete nationally — including the host of a PGA TOUR event (Black Desert) and three courses with holes on Golf Digest's 100 Greatest Holes list (Sand Hollow). This guide ranks the 10 best golf courses in Utah that visiting groups can actually play, with a focus on courses that are public, semi-private, or accessible through stay-and-play packages.
Rankings factor in national recognition (Golf Digest, Golfweek, GolfPass), course design and conditioning, visual impact, playability for groups, and accessibility. Five of the ten are in the Mesquite/St. George corridor — which is why this region has become one of the best golf trip destinations in the western U.S.
Black Desert Resort — Utah's #1 ranked course, host of the PGA TOUR's Black Desert Championship and an LPGA event.
1. Black Desert Resort — Utah's #1 Course
Location: Ivins (St. George area) | Designer: Tom Weiskopf | Opened: 2023 | Yardage: 7,500 | Slope: 138 | Rating: 4.9★
Tom Weiskopf's final design — and arguably his greatest. Black Desert was blasted out of ancient lava fields, creating a visual contrast of green fairways against jet-black volcanic rock that's unlike anything else in American golf. The $2-billion resort hosted the PGA TOUR's first event in Utah in over 60 years (the Black Desert Championship) and followed it with an LPGA event. Golf Digest ranked it among Utah's top courses in its debut year. The course includes forecaddies, luxury resort lodging, and a level of service that matches the best in Scottsdale. Full Guide →
Group tip: Book through us and we'll pair Black Desert with 2-3 other top St. George courses for a multi-day package that's significantly cheaper than booking each course separately.
2. Sand Hollow Championship — Utah's #1 Public Course
Location: Hurricane (St. George area) | Designer: John Fought | Opened: 2008 | Yardage: 7,315 | Slope: 137 | Rating: 4.8★
Sand Hollow jumped into the national conversation the year it opened and hasn't left. The front nine is strong desert golf with well-placed bunkers, but the back nine is where Sand Hollow earns its reputation — holes 11 through 15 play along 200-foot canyon cliffs with three holes featured on Golf Digest's 100 Greatest Holes list. Hole 15, "Devil's Throat," has been compared to Cypress Point's famous 16th. The resort also includes a 9-hole Links Course and a Wee par-3 Course for groups wanting variety. Full Guide →
#2: Sand Hollow — Hole 15 'Devil's Throat' plays along a 200-foot canyon cliff. Three holes from this stretch made Golf Digest's 100 Greatest.
3. Entrada at Snow Canyon — The Private Course We Get You Into
Location: Ivins (St. George area) | Designer: David McLay Kidd (2022 redesign) | Original: Johnny Miller (1996) | Yardage: 7,065 | Slope: 127 | Rating: 4.7★
Entrada is a private club — you can't book a tee time on their website. The only public access is through a stay-and-play package at the Inn at Entrada. Golf Digest named it "Best Transformation" in 2022 after David McLay Kidd (the architect behind Bandon Dunes) completely rebuilt the course over 17 months. Every hole was redesigned: fairways widened, greens rebuilt, and a dramatic lava-field finish on holes 15-17 that rivals anything in the southwest. At slope 127, it's also the most playable top course in the state — welcoming for groups with mixed skill levels. Full Guide →
4. The Ledges Golf Club — Stay-and-Play at Snow Canyon
Location: St. George | Designer: Matt Dye | Opened: 2006 | Yardage: 7,200 | Slope: 137 | Rating: 4.6★
Matt Dye (nephew of Pete Dye) built The Ledges at the base of Snow Canyon State Park, and the back nine through the canyon terrain is one of the most scenic stretches of golf in Southern Utah. But what makes The Ledges unique is the integrated resort community — luxury villas and vacation rentals directly on the course, community pools, fitness center, pickleball, and the Fish Rock Grille overlooking the 18th green. For groups that want to walk from their villa to the first tee, The Ledges is the best stay-and-play setup in the region. Full Guide →
#3: Entrada — a private club rebuilt by the Bandon Dunes architect. Holes 15-17 through ancient lava fields are unlike anything else in Utah golf.
5. Copper Rock Golf Course — The Sleeper Pick
Location: Hurricane (St. George area) | Designer: Matt Dye | Opened: 2019 | Yardage: 7,200 | Slope: 140 | Rating: 4.6★
Copper Rock is the course visiting groups keep adding to their itineraries. Opened in 2019 near Sand Hollow, it delivers the same red rock scenery at a lower price point. At slope 140, it's actually the hardest course in St. George — testing shot-making and course management more than the flashier courses above it. The conditioning is excellent, the staff is friendly, and the value is outstanding. For groups playing 3-4 rounds in St. George, Copper Rock is the round that pleasantly surprises everyone. Course Page →
6. Thanksgiving Point Golf Club
Location: Lehi (Salt Lake area) | Designer: Johnny Miller | Yardage: 7,714 | Slope: 140
Johnny Miller's championship design is Utah's longest course at 7,714 yards. Located in the Silicon Slopes area between Salt Lake City and Provo, it offers strategic bunkering, water features, and spectacular Wasatch Mountain views. The closing stretch (holes 15-18) ranks among the state's finest finishing holes. Public and accessible, it's the top course for groups based in the Salt Lake area.
7. Soldier Hollow Golf Course (Gold)
Location: Midway (Heber Valley) | Designer: Gene Bates | Yardage: 7,598 | Slope: 131
Soldier Hollow offers 36 holes of mountain golf in the Heber Valley, about 40 minutes southeast of Salt Lake. The Gold Course hosted the 2012 U.S. Public Links Tournament and delivers a high-quality mountain experience with alpine meadows, elevation changes, and pristine conditioning. It's a Utah State Park facility, so the green fees are remarkably reasonable for the quality. For groups visiting Park City, this is an easy add.
#4: The Ledges — on-course villas, Snow Canyon views, and the best group lodging setup in Southern Utah.
8. Coral Canyon Golf Course
Location: Washington (St. George area) | Designer: Keith Foster | Yardage: 7,029 | Slope: 131 | Rating: 4.5★
Coral Canyon doesn't get the national attention of Black Desert or Sand Hollow, but locals consistently rate it among the best values in Southern Utah. The Keith Foster design weaves through sandstone canyons and arroyos with a routing that rewards smart play. At $$ pricing, it's the course that stretches your group's budget without sacrificing quality — a perfect complement to a premium round at Black Desert or Sand Hollow. Course Page →
9. Sunbrook Golf Club — 27 Holes of Variety
Location: St. George | Designer: Ted Robinson (Woodbridge/Pointe), John Harbottle (Blackrock) | Yardage: 10,240 (27 holes) | Slope: 132 | Rating: 4.3★
Sunbrook is the workhorse of St. George golf — 27 holes across three distinct nines (Woodbridge, Pointe, and Blackrock). The Blackrock nine, added in 1997 by John Harbottle, plays through lava-rock terrain that previews what Black Desert does on a grander scale. For groups wanting to play 36 holes in a day, Sunbrook is the spot. The variety of three nines means you can play different combinations on consecutive visits. Solid value at $$ pricing. Course Page →
10. Wolf Creek Golf Club — The Canyon Spectacle (Mesquite)
Location: Mesquite, NV (80 min from Vegas) | Designer: Dennis Rider | Yardage: 6,939 | Slope: 154 | Rating: 4.7★
Wolf Creek isn't technically in Utah — it's 15 minutes across the Nevada border in Mesquite. But since most groups playing St. George also play Mesquite (they're 40 minutes apart), and since Wolf Creek is one of the most visually spectacular courses in America, it earns a spot on this list. The course was carved through 250-million-year-old sandstone canyons with 200-foot elevation drops. At slope 154, it's the hardest course in the region — and the most photographed. If your group is anywhere near Southern Utah, Wolf Creek is the bucket-list round you can't skip. Full Guide →
Honorable mention: Wolf Creek — technically Nevada, but 40 minutes from St. George and too spectacular to exclude.
How Many of the Top 10 Can Your Group Play?
Six of the ten are in the St. George/Mesquite corridor, all within 40 minutes of each other. On a 4-day trip, your group can comfortably play 4-5 of them. On a 5-day trip, you could hit 6 and still have time for Zion National Park.
| Trip Length | Courses From This List | Suggested Itinerary |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Days | 3–4 courses | Black Desert + Sand Hollow + The Ledges (+ Copper Rock) |
| 4 Days | 4–5 courses | Add Entrada or Wolf Creek to the 3-day lineup |
| 5+ Days | 5–6 courses | Full St. George showcase + Mesquite (Wolf Creek + Conestoga) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best public golf course in Utah?
Black Desert Resort is the highest-ranked overall course in Utah (Golf Digest, Golfweek). Sand Hollow Championship is consistently ranked #1 among public courses specifically, with three holes on Golf Digest's 100 Greatest Holes list. Both are in the St. George area and both are public.
How many top courses are in the St. George area?
Five of our top 10 are in the St. George area: Black Desert (#1), Sand Hollow (#2), Entrada (#3), The Ledges (#4), and Copper Rock (#5). Plus Coral Canyon (#8) and Sunbrook (#9). That's 7 of the top 10 within 25 minutes of each other. Add Wolf Creek in Mesquite (40 min away) and it's 8.
Can I play Entrada if it's private?
Yes — through a stay-and-play package at the Inn at Entrada. We coordinate this as part of our group golf packages. It's the only way to access the David McLay Kidd redesign without being a member. See our Entrada guide.
Why is Wolf Creek on a Utah list?
Wolf Creek is in Mesquite, Nevada — 40 minutes from St. George across the state line. Nearly every group that plays St. George also plays Mesquite (or vice versa). Since most visitors experience them as one destination, and since Wolf Creek is one of the most spectacular courses in the western U.S., we include it. See our Mesquite vs. St. George comparison.
What about courses near Park City and Salt Lake?
Thanksgiving Point (#6) and Soldier Hollow (#7) are both excellent and accessible. However, most of Utah's premier courses near Park City (Glenwild, Victory Ranch, Promontory) are private. The St. George area has a much higher concentration of top-tier public courses, which is why it's become the state's primary golf trip destination.
What's the best time to play golf in Utah?
Southern Utah (St. George area) is year-round with 300+ days of sunshine. Peak season is February through May and October through November. Summer is hot (100°F+) but playable with early morning tee times and lower rates. Northern Utah courses (Park City, Salt Lake) are seasonal, typically April through October. See our Winter Golf Destinations Guide.
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Mike Milligan
A native of Santa Rosa, CA, Mike has been a part of the golf industry within the Reno/Lake Tahoe area and beyond for over 30 years.
