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Located at the Canyons Resort in Park City, this Gene Bates designed golf course is now open, giving golfers a great experience with spectacular views, fast, undulating greens, and many risk/reward decisions.  The course surrounds our luxury resort and traverses up the Canyons Resort over a few of the winter ski runs delivering amazing views of the resort, distant Uinta mountains and Park City area.

It is truly a treat to play this course and enjoy the views and the challenges that mountain golf at elevations of 6500+ feet can bring.  I’ve played it twice now – once in a scramble, so we could grip-it-and-rip-it for a relaxing round — the next time, playing my own ball, required a lot more thought and strategy.   One thing was consistent… my bag was much lighter after each round… let’s just say I lost more than a few golf balls!

I hope you enjoy my hole by hole tour below (click each image for a full size photo).  But, don’t take my word for it… visit Park City and play the new Canyons Golf Course yourself — you won’t be disappointed!

Canyons Resort Golf Course – an 18 hole tour:

Hole #1, 401 yard par 4

Hole #1  is a pretty straight forward hole looking directly toward the Upper Lookout Ridge ski run and the Super Condor lift.  Since it slightly climbs the mountain, it’ll play a bit longer than the yardage on the card.  It provides the first taste of undulating greens, so focus on keeping your second shot below the hole.

Hole #2, 174 yard par 3

Hole #2 looks back toward the Grand Summit resort and plays much shorter than you might expect with the downhill elevation change. Center of the green is a smart play, with virtually no room to the right of the green and a miss left could lead to double bogey, or worse.

Hole #3, 457 yard par 5

Hole #3 bends up the mountain with the first real risk reward decision on the Canyons Golf course. The further you cut the dogleg left potentially leaves a short shot into this elevated green that is well guarded with bunkers, setting up for an eagle putt on a very undulating green. A miss left or right is likely a lost ball, however, with tall grass on the left and rugged terrain long and right. Good luck if you plan to go for it!

Hole #4, 405 yards par 4

Hole #4 showcases a beautiful view from one of the highest tee boxes on the front nine. For the long hitters, this green is possibly drivable due to the huge elevation drop.  But, beware, because the creek in front of the green can easily eat your tee shot and even if you are able to get it there, stopping the ball on the green is another story. Depending on your foursome, this hole can provide some great entertainment!

Hole #5, 327 yard par 4

Hole #5 is a short par 4 but, it will challenge your nerves on the tee with a totally blind, up hill tee shot. You’re probably best off taking a quick drive up the hill to scout out the pin location and make sure the green is clear before hitting off this tee, if you decide to go for it.

Hole #6, 195 yard, par 3

Hole #6 is slightly downhill with amazing multi-mile views toward the Uinta mountains. There are two tiers on this green, so choose your club wisely to find the right level with your tee shot. When the pin is up front, be aware that shots on the left front will likely end up on the right side of the green, possibly, finding the bunker.

Hole #7, 594 yard par 5

Hole #7 presents a challenging tee shot to a narrow landing area.  There is a rock bluff on the right, and, to the left of the natural cart path is big trouble that will likely result in a lost ball. After keeping your tee shot in play, it’s all about getting the lay-up shot in position for a wedge into a green that slopes away from you and is hard to judge the pin placement. It’s no wonder this is the #1 handicap hole on the course.

Hole #8, 185 yard par 3

Hole #8 plays much shorter than the 185 yards on the card. It’s downhill and both times I played the hole, it was down wind. An errant shot to the right and you’ll likely be going back to the tee. Use caution trying to get close to a back pin or you run the risk of going long into the rough, or worse, as the green slopes away just past the center.

Hole #9, 327 yard par 4

Hole #9 is a slight dogleg left, drivable par 4 with a treacherous green. Make sure you are below the hole on this green or you’ll likely watch the ball pick up speed as it runs off the front and back into the fairway. This hole is fun, but, if you relax prematurely, and the green will bite you.

Hole #10, 503 yard par 5

Hole #10 is probably the most intimidating, yet exciting, driving hole on the golf course. With an elevation change of over 300 feet, gauging distance is nearly impossible. If you can find the fairway off the tee, go for it with a blind second shot, or lay up for a better look at the huge green. A fun hole, but, it’s better after having the experience of playing it once. The views from the tee box are incredible and I’ve never seen switch back cart paths like this anywhere!

Hole #11, 404 yard par 4

Hole #11 takes us down to the lower elevation of the Canyons village area, allowing for flatter lies and upward views of Iron Mountain and the Canyons ski runs to the right. No surprises on this hole. Just keep it right of center off the tee or just carry the bunkers for a short shot into the green.

Hole #12, 155 yard par 3

Hole #12 is a short par three facing Iron Mountain and the Canyons cabriolet lift traversing in the background. Don’t be fooled into thinking you can hit the cabriolet with a shot into this green. The lift is further behind the green than it appears from the tee box.

Hole #13, 361 yard par 4

Hole #13 – bunkers line both sides of this fairway, but, a good tee shot will take them out of play. The green is more approachable from the right side, but, you’ll need more carry off the tee to pull that off. Careful of the false front on the green.

Hole #14, 193 yard par 3

Hole #14 has one of the prettiest backdrops on the course with a lining of aspen trees shadowing the distant mountains in the background.  It’s a big green and plenty of undulation will make putting a challenge.

Hole #15, 425 yard par 4

Hole #15 requires a good drive down the left side of the fairway. Miss right and you’ll be searching the ravine for the ball and, most likely, going back to the tee.  Stay focused for your approach shot, because a quick, hard green with lots of undulation makes putting difficult.  You’ll want to be below the hole.

Hole #16, 170 yard par 3

Hole #16 is located near the entrance of the Canyons resort with picturesque views of the Canyons ski mountain in the background. The tee shot is all carry across the lake that guards this demanding green. This hole alone is worth the green fees!

Hole #17, 542 yard par 5

Hole #17 has breathtaking views of the Canyons ski resort, paralleling the Frostwood gondola. This uphill hole plays long and requires three good shots to place a ball in a strategic location on the toughest green on the course. Three putts will be common on this green.  It’s no wonder this is the #2 handicap hole.

Hole #18, 144 yard par 4

Hole #18 may appear easy on the card, but, don’t be fooled. The green makes this hole difficult and the Canyons Resort backdrop is a wonderful view to finish a fabulous mountain golf experience. I can’t wait to play it again!!