13th Hole Sand Hollow Resort at Sunset.

SAND HOLLOW RESORT

RUNDOWN: If I was to close my eyes and picture a golf course on the planet Mars, I would definitely picture Sand Hollow. The red rock and red clay in southern Utah provide a stark contrast to the green of the fairways. Located in Hurricane, UT (don't you dare say that as its spelled, its pronounced Hurricane by the locals) is one of the true golfing gems of the state. Visually, the back nine from number 11 green through hole 15, you will be placed into some of the most spectacular settings for a golf course, anywhere! Playing high above the valley on the red rock cliffs you will not want to finish this round and head back to reality. The course will entirely consume you and you will have no problem enjoying this round of golf. While the back nine may be the star, visually, the entire course is amazing. This is the type of course that you will enjoy the first time you play it or the 50th. The fairways are very generous and provide a great grip it and rip it attitude to the day. You will still have to think your way around this course to avoid the numerous bunkers that are strategically placed around the greens and in fairway landing areas. There are many birdie holes out here, but you can just as easily lose control if your game is not on point. The large greens will test your lag putting abilities as well. Overall, if you have made it to this course, get ready for a spectacular day with amazing views and even better golf.

COURSE INFO AND DIRECTIONS

Designed by John Fought. 
Open to the public. There is also lodging on site which can make this a perfect getaway.
​Rates range from $55 to $145. 
There is a 9 hole links course and a 9 hole Wee course on the property as well. 
4 sets of tees range from 5,306 to 7,315 yards. 

https://www.sandhollowresorts.com

435-656-4653  5662 West Clubhouse Drive, Hurricane, UT 84737

REVIEW AND HIGHLIGHTS

Hole 2 Par 5 - 577 Yards

From the tee box your eyes will be drawn right to the massive bunker sitting smack dab in the middle of the fairway. There is room in the fairway to the left and right of it but the areas are not large. It will take a good poke to clear this thing so you may need to keep left or right. The fairway slopes hard from right to left and will push your shot towards the bunker or the rough. Once you manage to keep away from the bunker you may be laying up with your second. The green sits perched up on a hill with a severe false front and steep slope off the left side. Ending up left is a great way to see your score start to inflate as the shot up can be difficult. If you chunk the shot then expect the ball to roll back to your feet. The large green has some undulations that you will have to maneuver as well. All in all this par 5 is a tough test of your shot making abilities.

Hole 8 Par 3 - 162 Yards

This is a straight forward, shorter par 3 but one of my favorites on the property. Maybe that has to do with me playing here 4 times and being 3 under with no bogeys. For some reason the hole just fits my eye and I have been successful at knocking it close. You have large bunkers sitting on the right and one on the left side of the putting surface. These make for a tough up and down. The rock formations sitting behind the green really add to the beauty of this hole. Take advantage of this shorter par 3 and card a birdie or at worst a par.

Hole 10 Par 5 - 565 Yards

This is my favorite par 5 on the course and is the perfect lead in to back nine and the highlights soon to come. The tee box is elevated and you can see forever here. The fairway begs for you to swing out of your shoes as the landing area is very generous. Do your best to stick to the center of the fairway as there are bunkers both on the right and left side looking to stop your attempt at birdie. The hole runs into the prevailing wind and can make it difficult to hit in two, but there should be no problem hitting it in three. The fairway has a large bunker sitting in the middle on a raised platform that will leave a blind shot into the green. Keep left as there is a small bunker guarding the right side of this relatively small green. The green is very straightforward and should provide a solid opportunity at birdie.

Hole 11 Par 3 - 190 Yards

You will recognize this hole after your round as "the one that gave you your first glimpse into one of the greatest stretches of golf you will see." Playing as a mid length par 3 you can see yourself with a mid to long iron into the green. A large hill on the left side of the green will funnel everything to the right. You can also bring your shot in right to left, but make sure you carry the deep bunkers and definitely avoid going long! Anything long right has a chance of bounding down the cart path into the unknown. Standing on the green you will be able to see what lies ahead. Don't get too caught up on the view yet, make sure to sink your putt and hold on for what is next!

Hole 12 Par 4 - 443 Yards

Hold on to your hats here folks and soak in the view! Our video and pictures can’t quite do this justice! Sunset out on this course would be magnificent! This is where the heart of this golf course starts and will be what brings you back time and time again. Your memories and phone will be filled with the images of the next few holes. From an elevated tee box you will want to avoid the left side of the fairway. Pulling it left and down the cliff will result in a high score while you may get a lucky bounce off the rocks if you spray your ball right. Keep the ball right if possible for the best angle into this elevated green. Take an extra club and avoid the deep bunkers on the right. The green sits in an amphitheater setting and will help bring the ball back towards the putting surface if pulled left or long.

Hole 13 Par 4 - 320 Yards

This hole just continues on as an absolute stunner! While this may be a drivable par 4 for some, you really need to weigh the risk. With that being said, I usually risk it and maybe that is why I usually have a high score on this hole. Laying up can provide a challenge as you will want to keep it left to have the best angle into this green. There are some strategically placed bunkers to add to the difficulty here. On your approach shot you need to avoid the large bunker on the right as a sand save from there can be tough with this narrow green. There is a steep hill on the left of the green that will bring your ball to a collection area and provide a difficult up and down as well. This is the ultimate risk/reward hole with more of a risk out there, what will you choose to do?

Hole 15 Par 3 - 230 Yards "The Devil's Mouth"

Welcome to the signature hole of the course. While the back nine holds a number of holes that could be considered "signature" holes, this is the one that takes the cake. Par 3's usually have the ability to be set up to strike fear yet elicit a sense of excitement. This one is no different and whatever your score might be, that will not determine your thoughts on this hole. Weather you are teeing off from the elevated back tees or amidst the large red rock formations, your view of this green is amazing! The green basically runs all the way to the cliff edge on the left and provides absolutely no bailout on that side. Your only bailout area is short and right in order to avoid a deep bunker framing the front of the green. Hit your shot too high right and you will be left with a horrible chip onto a green that runs away from right to left. The undulations in this green will test your putting skills as well and a two putt is never guaranteed. Do not sleep on this hole as it will require you to hit one of your better iron shots of the day.