Bountiful Ridge Golf Course in Bountiful, UT recently made Golf Digest’s list for best muni in state so I thought I would do a review.
http://www.golfdigest.com/rankings/courses/greatest/2009/08/bestmunys_in50states.
The course was built in 1975 by Utah’s own William Neff, ASGCA. (ASGCA added for Mr. Sims
,
http://www.uga.org/awards/hallfame/neff_w.html). It sits on the side of a mountain bench like many other notable courses in the area and the views are nothing short of spectacular. At $24, the course is affordable to almost all and it’s both a nicely conditioned course and well run operation.
Locally the course is mostly known for its “country club” type feel from the moment you enter the grounds which keeps the tee sheets full when combined with its low fees. If I didn’t know differently, I would have guessed it was originally built as a private facility and then converted, but indeed it wasn’t and the city of Bountiful likes it that way. I give them major kudos that they can make this model work with their very inexpensive fees.
While the course is routed over mostly undulating terrain it’s not quite severe enough to be considered a “mountain” course, but there are a lot of elevation changes to factor in on many shots. Its finest attribute in my opinion is its greens which are often difficult to determine the break due to its aforementioned location on the side of a mountain. While fairway bunkering is non-existent, many of the holes are doglegs which add interest off the tee. The course has a good balance of holes that are short/long, narrow/wide, and even a few interesting forced carries. The bunkering is pretty standard fare and the water feature on the last hole is not to be missed…I really mean this...it’s perhaps the finest obviously fake water feature I’ve ever seen!!!
Overall while it’s a neat experience and one of the better publics in Northern Utah, I can think of several other munis in the area that I would easily rank ahead of this one. While it has a few interesting holes, many are forgettable and they went absolutely nuts with the cart path placements as you will see in the pictures. At best it’s a 3.5 on the Doak scale and only worth a play if you live in the area. With that being said on to the pictures!!
P.S For those who are familiar with this course due to Access Software’s video golf game, I’ll be interested in hearing your thoughts….yes that means you Andy!!
Hole 1 - Par 5
This first hole is a medium length Par 5, where the green can be reached with a well struck tee ball!
The approach in to a green guarded by bunkers left and right.
Hole 2 - Par 3
A medium length par 3 with a downhill tee shot.
The green is actually very severly sloped, and I managed to get up and down for a par from here!!
It was so hot that day, even the gallery was seeking cover.....
Hole 3 - Par 4
This medium length par 4 will get your attention very quickly as missing left or right off the tee means bogey or worse is almost certain.
The approach in after a chip out back to the fairway!
You can get a good look at one of the elevated bunkers that are all over the course. Almost a bit Pete Dye-ish in nature, a variant on the Volcano bunker!
Hole 4 - Par 4
This long par 4 will require all of your attention. Bust a big one over the ridge line and get an extra turbo boost.
The approach in to a fairly forgiving target..
A closer look at the green.
Hole 5 - Par 3
This long par 3 requires a well struck tee shot to find the green as it plays over 200 yards uphill.
Hole 6 - Par 4 - The first of 7 straight par 4s.....
This shortish par 4 requires a right to left tee shot if you want a good look into the green.
The approach in to a pretty vanilla green complex.
Hole 7 - Par 4
A good tee shot is a must to carry the large canyon over to the fairway on the other side. A worm burner will be bogey or worse.
The approach in from the top of the ridgeline.
Hole 8 - Par 4
This was a missed opportunity in my book over what could have been a neat driveable short par 4. It only plays 300 yards, but its uphill all the way and all the trouble is way too close to the green to make it tempting. If the tees were located further to the right and 40 yards up..who knows. Instead its a long iron off the tee...
...with a wedge approach to a very tricky green.
Hole 9 - Par 4
This medium length par 4 really puts a premium on accuracy for the tee shot and approach.
The approach in to a target where you can't miss long or left...and right is no bargain either.
This was a very fun 3 tiered green....by far and away the most undulating green on the course.
Back 9 to come soon!!!