Golf Courses Near Salt Lake City
The Ultimate Guide

Many Good Choices

If you’re looking for the best golf courses near Salt Lake City, you’ve got a lot of good choices.

More than most people think.

That’s one of the nice surprises here. Salt Lake City isn’t just a skiing town. It isn’t just a hiking town.

It’s a very good golf town too. And not just in the city itself.

You’ve got strong Salt Lake City golf courses in the valley. You’ve got mountain golf. You’ve got resort golf in Park City.

You’ve got great public options in Davis County and Utah County. You’ve even got a few private clubs and country-club-style places if that’s more your speed.

In this article, I’m not going to talk about private courses because, well, they’re private. You have to be a member or be the guest of a member to play at those.

If you live here, including the outlying areas gives you more places to play. If you’re visiting Utah, it helps you know where to go when you get here.

And if you only have time for one or two rounds, it can keep you from guessing wrong.

Golfers coming into this part of the state of Utah are often surprised by the quality of the courses here. The public golf scene is better than many people expect in this part of the western United States.

That’s the good news. The bad news is that now you’ve got more decisions to make.

Where I’d Start First

If you want my quick take for the best golf courses near Salt Lake City, here it is.

Start with Bonneville Golf Course, Mountain Dell Golf Course, Old Mill Golf Course, Stonebridge Golf Club, Eaglewood Golf Course, Sleepy Ridge, Wasatch Mountain, Soldier Hollow, and Park City Golf Club.

Those are the names I’d put near the top.

They aren’t the only good courses. Not even close.

But they’re the ones that keep coming up when golfers talk about scenery, challenge, conditioning, variety, and overall experience.

If somebody asked me where to start, those would be at the top of the list.

Salt Lake Valley

The Salt Lake City valley has the deepest group of courses.

That’s what makes it so good.

You’re not relying on one standout course. You’ve got multiple strong public courses. Each one feels a little different.

Each one fits a different kind of golfer. And several are close enough to downtown Salt Lake City that you can play a round without turning it into a whole-day project.

That matters if you’re in town on a short trip.

Bonneville Golf Course

Bonneville is one of the signature golf courses near Salt Lake City. 

It has history. It has views. It has a classic layout. And it’s in a very convenient spot on the east bench above the city.

If you want a course that feels distinctly Salt Lake, this is one of them.

You’re up above the valley. You get a more scenic setting. You get that nice bench feel.

And you’re still close to the city. It’s only a short drive from downtown Salt Lake City right near the University of Utah making it especially easy for visitors.

Bonneville is one of those places that works for a lot of golfers. It’s not just for elite players. It’s not just for locals.

It’s simply a strong public course with a good reputation and very pretty surroundings. That’s why so many people start there.

Mountain Dell Golf Course

Then there’s Mountain Dell Golf Course.

This is a different experience entirely. This is mountain golf. Real mountain golf.

It sits up Parleys Canyon at a higher elevation – over 6,000 feet. That changes the whole feel of the round.

It is actually about 15 minutes up the canyon from Salt Lake City on the way to Park City.

In summer, you’ll usually get cooler temperatures than down in the valley. You’ll also get that mountain setting that so many people want when they come to Utah.

The full Mountain Dell Golf Courses setup is a big part of the appeal. You’ve got two courses.

You’ve got room to spread out. You’ve got mountain scenery all around you.

You’ve got multiple holes of breathtaking views. You’ve got a driving range. You’ve got practice greens.

And you’ve always got a good chance at some frequent glimpses of wildlife.

A lot of golfers especially like the Canyon Course. I get that. It’s memorable.

If you like golf in the mountains but still want to play one of the best courses near Salt lake City, this is one of the first places I’d point you.

Glendale Golf Course

Glendale Golf Course is another very strong option.

This one has a broader, more open feel. It gives you water, room, and mountain views. It also has some lake and wetland features that make it look different from the east bench courses.

That’s one of the reasons why it has a loyal following. It has its own identity.

It’s located on the west side of town just off 2100 South and Redwood Road.

If you enjoy a public course that feels spacious and well laid out, Glendale is a good pick. It can work for a wide range of players too, from casual golfers to more serious ones.

It’s one of those courses that tends to stay in the mix year after year because it’s just plain enjoyable to play.

Rose Park Golf Course

Rose Park Golf Course is another one worth knowing.

It sits on the northwest side of the city and has long been a favorite for golfers who want a good solid round without a bunch of fuss.

It’s known for good greens, a walkable layout, and a reputation that has held up over time.

It’s also gotten recognition from Golf Digest which tells you this isn’t just some throwaway muni.

It’s a quality course.

If you’re near the airport, near the northwest part of the city, or just want a round that feels comfortable and playable, Rose Park makes a lot of sense.

Forest Dale Golf Course

Forest Dale Golf Course is the history choice. And I mean real history.

It began as the old Salt Lake Country Club and it’s the oldest golf course in Utah. That alone gives it character.

You can feel that older golf heritage here. It doesn’t need to be flashy. It’s located just south of I-80 off 900 East.

Forest Dale is more about feel. Tradition. Placement. Accuracy. It’s not a giant resort layout.

It’s not trying to wow you with dramatic mountain backdrops. It gives you something different. It gives you an older, tighter, more traditional round near downtown.

Sometimes that’s exactly what you want.

Nibley Golf Course

Then there’s Nibley Golf Course.

Officially, it’s Nibley Park Golf Course. But a lot of people still shorten the name. Either way, it belongs on this list.

Nibley has been a longtime favorite for good reason. It’s centrally located. It’s easy to work into your day.

It has mature trees, a nice city setting, and views toward the Wasatch Mountains. It’s one of those golf courses near Salt Lake City that simply fits.

It fits locals. It fits visitors. It fits a quick round. It fits a relaxed round. It fits golfers who want to sharpen their golf game without committing to a huge destination outing.

That’s why it’s stayed a popular destination.

South and Central Salt Lake County

Suburban Salt Lake County adds even more depth.

This is where you go when you want more than the city courses but still want to stay close to Salt Lake.

Old Mill Golf Course

Old Mill Golf Course is one of the first names I’d bring up here.

A lot of golfers really like Old Mill. It feels a little more polished. A little more elevated. A little more complete.

That doesn’t mean stuffy. It just means it feels like a more premium public golf experience.

You get the views. You get the setting. You get the sense that this is one of the area’s better rounds.

For many players, it delivers spectacular golf with a more refined overall experience. This is one of the places I’d recommend to golfers who want something a little nicer.

It’s located just off Wasatch Blvd. at 6080 South. I love the setting.

It’s also one that often appeals to better players although you definitely don’t have to be a low-handicap golfer to enjoy it.

Meadow Brook Golf Course

Meadow Brook Golf Course is more of a value play.

And that’s not a criticism. That’s a compliment.

Not every round has to be a big event. Not every round has to feel upscale.

Sometimes you just want a dependable course in a convenient location where you can show up, play, and enjoy yourself.

That’s where Meadow Brook fits in. It’s located in Taylorsville southwest of downtown Salt Lake City.

It’s a great place for golfers who want accessibility, decent value, and a round that doesn’t demand a whole production.

South Mountain Golf Course, Draper

South Mountain Golf Course is another good option on the far south end of the Salt Lake Valley.

That matters if you’re staying in Draper, Sandy, or nearby. You can play here without driving back toward the middle of the valley.

The setting feels a little more open too. A little less city. That adds to the appeal.

This is a good course to mention for golfers who want one more solid Salt Lake Valley choice instead of moving farther south into Utah County.

Mountain View Golf Course

Mountain View Golf Course is another good option on the south side.

If you’re in West Jordan or anywhere near the south end of the valley, this one deserves a look. It’s a practical course.

It’s a familiar course to a lot of local golfers. And it fits well for players who want a solid round without needing something dramatic.

It also has some added appeal for people who like organized play. If you care about a women’s league, local events, or that more everyday community-course atmosphere, Mountain View becomes even more appealing.

Located in West Jordan, it’s one of those courses that fits regular play well.

I’d also keep Fore Lakes Golf Course in mind if you want another local name on your radar. It’s also located in Taylorsville.

West Valley City and the West Side

Stonebridge Golf Club

I’ve talked already about some of the west side golf courses near Salt Lake City. The west side just gives you a different golf look.

Flatter terrain. More space. A different feel from the bench and canyon courses.

That’s where Stonebridge Golf Club comes in. Stonebridge in West Valley City is one of the most interesting options because it gives you 27 holes.

That’s a big plus. It adds variety. It keeps repeat rounds fresher. And it makes Stonebridge feel more substantial than a standard 18-hole stop.

That’s part of its appeal. So is the setting.         

This side of the valley has more of that west-side, open-space feel near the Jordan River corridor. It doesn’t look like the east bench. It doesn’t feel like Park City. It has its own identity.

If you like that, Stonebridge belongs high on your list.

Bountiful Area

Go north and you’ll find a couple more good options.

Eaglewood Golf Course

Eaglewood Golf Course is one of the best of the bunch.

It sits up above Bountiful and gives you some very good views. It feels scenic without requiring a long haul into the mountains. That makes it a very appealing middle ground.

You still get that elevated feel. You still get memorable scenery.

And you’re still stay close enough to Salt Lake City that it works easily on a day trip. That combination makes Eaglewood one of the area’s stronger picks.

Lakeside Golf Course

Lakeside Golf Course is another Davis County option worth mentioning.

If you’re staying north of Salt Lake or simply don’t want to drive back into the city, Lakeside gives you another solid choice.

It’s located in West Bountiful. It’s convenient. It’s familiar to a lot of local players.

And it gives you one more useful option in the northern part of the metro.

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Utah County

Yes, Utah County belongs in this conversation too although it’s not a place I spend much time.

But, if you’re serious about finding the best golf around the wider Salt Lake region, there are some great options there.

Sleepy Ridge

Sleepy Ridge is one of the more distinctive rounds in the broader area.

It has a links-style feel that immediately sets it apart. It also has water and wetlands, which give it a different look from many Salt Lake Valley courses.

If you like a course with a little more visual personality, Sleepy Ridge has that.

That’s why people remember it.

Located in Orem, it doesn’t feel generic. It doesn’t feel interchangeable. It has a look and feel of its own.

That makes it one of the better additions to this list of the best golf courses near Salt Lake City if you’re willing to drive a little.

Thanksgiving Point Golf Club

Thanksgiving Point Golf Club in Lehi is one of the best Utah County courses. It feels more like a big-course, championship layout than many public courses.

It looks polished. It plays that way too.

It’s a good fit for golfers who want something a little more upscale and are willing to drive a little south out of the Salt Lake Valley.

Park City & Midway

Then there’s Park City and Midway.

And yes, it deserves its own section.

Golf up there is different. The setting is different. The town feels different. The whole experience feels a little more like a getaway.

Park City Golf Club

Park City Golf Club is the main public name to know.

If you want a mountain-town round with real visitor appeal, this is the obvious starting point. You’re paying more here than you’ll usually pay in the valley but that’s part of the Park City experience.

You’re paying for the setting, the weather, the resort-town atmosphere, and the mountain feel. For a lot of golfers, that’s worth it.

If I were building a golf trip that mixed Salt Lake and Park City, this would be one of the first courses I’d look at.

Wasatch Mountain Golf Course

If you want a mountain golf option 15 minutes past Park City, Wasatch Mountain Golf Course in Midway is a very good one.

It definitely gives you a different feel than the Salt Lake Valley courses.The setting is spectacular. Cooler, greener, and more relaxed.

Actually, Wasatch Mountain has two 18-hole golf courses – the Lake Course and the Mountain Course.

That alone will appeal to a lot of golfers in summer. It’s a public course and is one of my favorites.

Soldier Hollow Golf Course

Soldier Hollow is just down the road from Wasatch Mountain in Midway. It also features two 18-hole golf courses – the Gold Course and the Silver Course.

Both of these also offer scenic mountain views and challenging levels of play.

If you’re willing to drive a little (about 45 minutes from Salt Lake City), you won’t be disappointed by these four courses.

Private Clubs and Resort-Style Options

This is also the part of the region where the conversation starts to shift toward private clubs.

Now, most private clubs are still private. That part doesn’t change.

But if you want something that feels more premium, more polished, or a little more exclusive, the Park City side is where that feeling starts to show up more often.

That includes resort-style options like Canyons. So if you’re chasing that upscale golf feel, this is a good place to look.

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Practice, Lessons, and the Extra
Things That Matter

One thing about the golf scene here is that it isn’t only about the round.

A lot of these courses also give you the extra things that make the day better. A driving range. Practice greens. A decent warm-up area. A pro shop.

A golf cart when you want one. A private golf lesson if you need it. Sometimes even group lessons for people who want to work on their game.

That all matters.

Especially if you’re traveling with a spouse, a partner, friends, or family members with different skill levels.

Some people want a full round. Some just want to practice.

Some just want to hit balls, take a lesson, and call it a day. The better courses around Salt Lake make that easier.

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Final Thoughts About The
Golf Courses Near Salt Lake City

So where should you play?

• If you want scenery, start with Mountain Dell Golf Course, Bonneville Golf Course, Eaglewood Golf Course, Park City Golf Club, Wasatch Mountain and Soldier Hollow Golf Courses.
• If you want classic city golf, start with Glendale Golf Course, Rose Park Golf Course, Forest Dale Golf Course, and Nibley Golf Course.
• If you want a more polished public experience, start with Old Mill Golf Course, Stonebridge Golf Club, and Sleepy Ridge.
• If you want convenience and value, look hard at Meadow Brook Golf Course, Mountain View Golf Course, Lakeside Golf Course, South Mountain Golf Course, and Fore Lakes Golf Course.

That’s really the beauty of golf here.

You’ve got city golf. Mountain golf. Resort golf. Historic golf. Easy rounds. Serious rounds. Scenic rounds.

Good 18-hole courses. Good local tracks. Good places to practice. Good places to compete.

You’ve got a lot. The best golf courses near Salt Lake City give golfers real variety.

You’re not settling. You’re choosing. That’s a good place to be.