I recently played Forestdale golf course in Salt Lake City, UT. As a quaint par 36 9 holer, this is a super fun course that is a bargain to play at $12. Originally opened in 1906 on ~61 acres, its the oldest course in Utah and was originally founded as the Salt Lake Country Club. In the 1920s, it outgrew its digs and relocated a few miles to the east for a bigger piece of land where they constructed the current 18 hole SLCC. The city eventually bought the original course in 1935 and have thankfully kept it open ever since, even though it was allegedly to be sold on a number of occasions.
While the original designer isn't know to me yet, it has gone thru a few "renovations" and Utah golf HOF native Mick Riley is attributed to having done at least one of these. While some containment mounding and a large pond was added, it still retains its original raised greens, flash faced bunkers, and unconventional 3 Par 3s, 3 par 4s, and 3 par 5s routing.
Housing has indeed sprung up around the course, but its retained much of its old time charm due to its aforementioned greens and bunkering to go along with its numerous old mature trees that come into play on more than a few holes. Additionally a few meandering, mostly dry, creeks have been built into the property on at least a few holes and have been strategically located in desired landing areas. (Thier main purpose serves as flood control relief due to SLC's precipitous location to the Wascatch Mountain Range).
Overall the course is a blast to play as its short length is offset by its teeny greens of which a few are severly contoured. With its super cheap green fees, and updated yet original clubhouse its a cool place to spend a couple of hours should you find yourself in the Salt Lake City area with only not much time to spare.
Enjoy.
#1 - Par 4 - A short par 4 opener with OB lurking.
The approach shot into a small green pinched between 2 bunkers.
A closer look from just short of the green.
#2 - Par 5 A shortish par 5 that is WELL protected at the green. The tee shot!
The approach in after an abysmal 2nd shot!!!
A well protected green with a large bunker right and OB left and long. Mucho caution is necessary if thinking about going home in 2 on this one.
#3 - Par 3 - A shortish par 3 that actually looks a lot better than how this photo turned out.
#4 - Par 4 - Dogleg right hole with a fairly benign looking tee shot requirement....
...but hidden trouble lurks for ill-struck tee shots.
The approach into a green that is gently placed on the slope running away from you.
#5 - Par 5 - A very short par 5, would play as a 4 to most. Very wide tee shot, but with a hidden creek also lurking beyond the crest.
The 2nd shot also crosses over another creek to a fairly accessible green.
A closer look at the grass bunker ready to snare less than desireable shots.
This green is the most severe on the course. When its fast and running in the summer, that pin location can be an absolute beast.
#6 - Par 3 - A long par 3 down the hill to a tiny target. A GIR is a good shot here.
A closer look at the nicely formed green.
An old bridge once used to cross the creek after teeing off on 7.
#7 - Par 5 - Another reachable par 5 where the creek must be negotiated yet again. And yes those 3 pine trees need to go....very out of character with the place.
A look in from the fairway after choosing not to challenge the creek this time.
A closer look in on the approach. The hazard right must be flirted with if going home in 2. I'm not a big fan of ponds, but this one looked fairly natural as built ponds go.
A look at the green from the left after staying clear of the hazard on the 2nd shot.
Looking back during magic hour with the sun setting.
#8 Par 3 - A devilishly short par 3 surrounded by water on 3 sides and a raised green.
A look from the side near the 9th tee.
#9 - Par 4 - A long brusier par 4 finish that plays 449 yards. The big tree must be dealt with on the tee shot.
The approach in from the right hand side.
A look back at the fairway showing the micro-undulations in the setting sun.
The greensite.
