Utah's Steepest Slope

The Challenge:  Compile a list of golf holes from Utah's great public courses, numbered 1 through 18, that together would produce the longest and most difficult combination possible.

The Parameters:  1) Hole #1 must be selected by comparing the state's toughest first holes, hole #2 is selected by a comparison of the state's toughest second holes, and so on. 2) Each course can only be used once. 3) All holes are considered from the tips. 4) Par must be typical - a minimum of 3 par 3s, and 3 par 5s must be used.

The Process:  Upon reading the challenge, every avid golfer should have several holes instantly come to mind - their personal "locks." However, amassing such a list while conforming to the parameters is far more difficult than one might think. First of all, a lengthy course like Thanksgiving Point has four or five holes that are arguably the toughest respective holes in the state, but, by the parameters, only one can be used. Additionally, golf course architects think alike - almost no one makes the first or last hole their toughest, most introduce the number one handicap on holes 3 - 7, and all seem to have a tough par 3 on hole 8, and hole 16 or 17.

As a result, selecting one of the most difficult par 3s in the state (on say, hole 8 at South Mountain) not only eliminates 5 or 6 other very good eighth hole candidates, but also eliminates South Mountain from consideration on any other holes. When compiling this list, relatively small consideration has been given to the current handicapping of holes, as that process is hardly an exact science, is not calculated from the tips, and never seems to give proper "due" to the par 3s. In fact the #1 handicap hole at the most difficult course in the state (#6 at Thanksgiving Point) does not even make the list, as I consider #6 at Green Spring to be the "meaner" of the two.

Remember, the key element is the "combination" of holes, which looks entirely different than a list of just the 18 most difficult holes in the state. Enjoy the list, since pleasure is otherwise difficult to extract from this daunting compilation of holes.

1. Old Mill (Par 4):  Very rarely do you encounter a course's number one handicap on the first hole, however, architect Gene Bates has never been one to go-with-the-flow. Old Mill's highest rated overall hole begins Utah's Steepest Slope. An extremely elevated back tee has experienced more than its share of first-drive-of-the-day mulligans, as a drive to the right finds a steep, vegetated side-hill, and a drive to the left will be lost to the holes below. 463 great yards get this list started! (Honorable Mention: Gladstan Par 4)
2. Eaglewood (Par 4):  Big yardage, par 4s, and elevated tees establish the early theme. However, 455 yards do not make driver the automatic choice, as an hourglass design requires a well-placed shot with the correct club. A confident stroke with a conservative club-selection to the widest part of the fairway will result in a brutal 250-yard approach shot to a sharply left-to-right sloped green. A confident stroke with the driver will demand pinpoint accuracy as the fairway narrows to about 20 yards. And, an aggressive attempt to crush the ball through the bottleneck yields few pardons as steep sloping rough garnishes each side of the fairway. Hope that the superintendent has given you the gift of short rough. (Honorable Mention: Moab Par 4)
3. Valley View (Par 4):  Don't be fooled by the straightforward-appearing 3rd at Valley View. Layton locals have intimately found that a exceptionally elevated green causes the hole to play much longer than the posted 437 yards. Trees line the right fairway, and a strategically placed pond inhales any errant drives on the far left side. A deceitfully uneven green slopes hard from back to front. (Honorable Mention: Logan River Par 4)
4. The Ranches (Par 4):  While length is the paramount qualification on this list, it is not the only component in the calculation of difficulty. Proving this, the 435 yard fourth at The Ranches may not look intimidating on the scorecard, but is actually one of the "meanest" holes in the state. A menacing forced-carry to a left-bending fairway narrows the landing zone considerably. Finding the fairway, however, is only half of the battle, as a potentially lengthy second forced-carry is required to find a large and undulating green. Note: Sky Mountain deserves the honorable mention here based upon what may be the most difficult green in the state. (Honorable Mention: Sky Mountain Par 4)
5. Sunbrook - Woodbridge (Par 4):  Hole 5, the Woodbridge 9's namesake, could aptly be called "Beauty and the Beast." Historically, one of the state's more picturesque holes, the fifth offers great views of the valley, a wooden covered bridge, and a striking water hazard. Most golfers must lay-up short of the creek from yet another very elevated tee box. From this fairway location, pinpoint accuracy is needed to find the green while avoiding the water hazard that lies in wait along the entire right side. 441 yards on a sharp dogleg right. (Honorable Mention: Bonneville Par 4)
6. Green Spring (Par 4):  While few would argue Green Spring's 449-yard treasure at this juncture, the 6th hole was easily the most competitive hole among all 18. Green Spring's renowned, forced-carry over a spectacular ravine to a difficult green is what it took to be listed above the 255-yard par 3 at Talon's Cove and the #1 handicap holes at Thanksgiving Point, South Mountain, and Stonebridge's Sagebrush. Proximity to the end of the fairway and the edge of the ravine is essential to improving the odds of a successful approach to an intimidating green. (Honorable Mention: Talons Cove Par 3)

6th Hole at Green Spring Golf Course

6th Hole at Talons Cove Golf Course
South Mountain (Par 4):  Merciless from the first hole to the last, South Mountain may offer its most difficult hole at the 495-yard 7th. A straightaway fairway requires a blast from the tee in order to have a chance to reach the green in two. Keep to the right half, as the fairway slopes to the left-hand rough, and a series of well-placed bunkers. Playing into the prevailing head wind will require three shots to the reach the green. (Honorable Mention: Soldier Hollow - Gold Par 5)
Homestead (Par 3):  Although uncomplicated at first glance, Homestead's 8th makes the list as one of the state's longest par 3s. An elevated tee box helps compensate for the 251-yard length, but most players are still pulling off a headcover in an effort to be pin-high. A very deep green needs to be taken into account, as it is quite capable of altering the posted distance. (Honorable Mention: South Mountain Par 3)
Entrada (Par 5):  Finishing the front nine with the most difficult hole on the course is almost as rare as beginning with it. Nevertheless, Entrada's 630-yard crown jewel breaks the mold. Even at 630 yards, length again takes a back seat in the measure of difficulty, as accuracy reigns. A tight, rolling fairway from tee to green will certainly test the shot making confidence of every big hitter. A colossal dogleg right is only the first obstacle, as the hole is finished off by a tough, undulating putting surface. (Honorable Mention: Wolf Creek Par 5)

9th green at Entrada
Talons Cove (Par 4):  Even with one of the greatest golf settings in Utah, nastiness continue to hold sway, as this 489-yard brute presents its own set of challenges. Playing toward an absolutely awe inspiring backdrop of Utah Lake and Mount Timpanogos will likely be the only gratifying aspect of this hole, as large dunes grace the right rough, and a ravine cuts into the fairway on the distant left. A large green creates a variety of angles to a difficult pin. (Honorable Mention: Tri City Par 4)
Thanksgiving Point (Par 5):  678 yards! What else needs to be said? Not only is this behemoth nest to impossible to reach in two, but the hole begins with a forced-carry of gigantic proportions. Ranked as the course's 6th handicap, this extensive hole is possibly the best example of the afore mentioned handicapping inconsistencies. Put in perspective, it is as long as 2 conservative 339-yard par 4s combined, 3 hefty 227-yard par 3s placed end to end, and is just short of 4/10 of a mile long! (Honorable Mention: Wasatch Mountain - Lake Par 4)
Riverbend (Par 4):  With a prevailing head wind, a demoralizing green-side water hazard, and 487 yards, many Riverbend regulars have suggested changing this beast to a par 5 and making the parallel-running 517 yard 11th (with a prevailing tailwind) a par 4. However, for our purposes - where "mean" is the theme - we like it just the way it is. While laying up on a par 4 may hurt your pride, in this situation it may actually help your score. (Honorable Mention: Ranches Par 3)
Wingpointe (Par 4):  A 452-yard, sharp dogleg right requires particular, calculated risk off the tee in order to be within striking distance on the approach. Check your yardage twice before teeing off, as a cautious "bail-out" straightaway can run all the way through the fairway and leave a horrific approach to the green, while an overly aggressive line to the right will certainly result in a very poor lie among countless mounds. The likelihood of finding an errant drive is determined largely by the length of the thick gorse that lines both sides of the hole. Two bunkers guard the green's front. One of many great holes designed by architect Arthur Hills. (Honorable Mention: Bountiful Ridge Par 5)
Mountain Dell - Lake (Par 5):  These back tees, set 131 yards further back than the next closest set, are the epitome of "the tips!" The massive forced-carry that begins the hole is not an undertaking for the faint-hearted. An impressive canyon runs along the left side for the entire 622 yards. The best set of tips outside of Wolf Creek in Mesquite, Nevada and Hidden Lakes in Sandpoint, Idaho. (Birch Creek Par 4)
Coral Canyon (Par 4):  Strategy is essential in conquering this 488-yard masterpiece. Two unforgiving waste areas criss-cross the fairway, penalizing the careless, collecting balls, and wreaking havoc on any scoring opportunities. Check your yardage (and your ego) before trying to carry the first fairway hazard off the tee, but doing so is a must in an effort to avoid a huge approach shot to a challenging green. (Honorable Mention: St. George Golf Club Par 4)
Soldier Hollow - Gold (Par 3):  As with the two other par 3s making the list, this 230-yard trophy should not disappoint the "Steepest Slope" enthusiasts. Cut into the scrub oak and foothills betwixt the Olympic biathlon trails, the "16th" features drastically elevated tee boxes and a difficult, elongated green. Don't be distracted by the views, as full concentration will be necessary to find the green on your first stroke. Architect Gene Bates' makes the list for a telling 5th time (Soldier Hollow, Old Mill, Green Spring, Talon's Cove, and Riverbend). (Honorable Mention: Stonebridge - Sunrise Par 4)

16th Hole at Soldier Hollow Gold
Wasatach Mountain - Mountain (Par 3):  A very underrated par 3, this 223-yarder again mocks the handicapping of holes, as it requires a tee shot capable of carrying all the way to the pin. An elevated tee box moderates the distance to an extent, but an attractive pond just short of the green offers no forgiveness. Generally a soft green, an aggressive attack on the pin is a good play. Note: The best par 3 in the state receives the honorable mention here due to Thanksgiving Point's occupancy at #11. (Honorable Mention: Thanksgiving Point Par 3)
Glen Eagle (Par 5):  While all good courses endeavor to create a memorable impression with their final hole, most courses choose to use aesthetics, and offer a great opportunity to record an encouraging score. There is always an exception to the rule. Glen Eagle has its own version of creating an unforgettable experience. This 560-yard anchor offers O.B. on the entire left side, a huge pond on the right, and Northern Utah's closest thing to an island green. Reaching this green in two is a monumental accomplishment, but who would expect less from the concluding member of Utah's Steepest Slope? (Honorable Mention: The Hideout Par 4)

Hopefully, this list of 36 grueling holes from 31 great courses will inspire those addicts who have played them all to do it again - this time from the tips, and will inspire those who have not to get out and experience the fantastic variety of golf that this state has to offer. I would love to hear from all of you who feel I left out a hole that should have been included, and from those fearless few who develop their own list.

Honorable Mentions*
Average Length - Par 3s:  243 yards
Average Length - Par 4s:  440 yards
Average Length - Par 5s:  588 yards
Total Length:     7726 yards

*The honorable mention list conforms to the original four parameters.

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