Understanding the Qualities of Sand Hollow

[Matt_Ward]

I just concluded a 10-day trek out west and had the good fortune in scheduling time at the new 27-hole layout called Sand Hollow located in Hurricane, UT -- about 8-9 miles east of St. George.

The layout is the handiwork of architect John Fought and he deserves high marks in allowing the qualities of the land itself to shine.

The main 18 course is complimented by a 9-hole "links" designed layout which works rather well and is quite good and far from being just a support player.

One of the things to keep in mind is that Sand Hollow is layed out with the prevailing SW winds factored into the final equation although it's possible a reverse wind can happen -- as it did during my second day at the course.

A brief hole-by-hole discussion ...

1st hole (447 yards) / par-4

Plays downwind and downhill -- strong players must avoid the cluster of bunkers that are positioned a good bit in front of the green and start at roughly the 325-350 yard area. That may sound like a long ways for someone to reach but with a helping warm wind it's entirely possible to reach them and strong players need to keep that in mind. For those with lesser pop from the tee the ideal landing area is to the left of the bunkers so you can see the entire putting complex. The green is rather large with plenty of subtle movements to make reads a good bit more demanding, Fine starting hole -- can provide for a birdie but more about getting started without too much strain.

2nd hole (577 yards) / par-5

You cross over an entry road to reach the 2nd tee. Again the prevailing SW winds to help here -- the fairway rises and then dips below eye level and is slanted slightly from right-to-left. A far right bunker is your aiming point in which to draw tee shots away from -- if you catch the landing area right -- you can get a slight turbo boost. Reaching the green is indeed within reach of most players. The key is avoiding any serious pulls to the left which only adds to the distance and demands for a 3rd shot pitch.

3rd hole (208 yards) / par-3

Solid hole -- plays more with a helping crosswind -- when blowing from the SW. Green is gigantic and can be a quick three-jack if you simply don't get near the pin on the approach. Toughest location is on the far right side -- as the wind often wants to blow it further and further to the left.

4th hole (463 yards) / par-4

With the prevailing SW wind you play this hole generally into a slight crosswind from right-to-left. You need to avoid a few fairway bunkers that protect the right side -- fairway tilts to the left so a well-played draw pays dividends. The approach is often 2-3 clubs more than the distance if a SW is blowing into the player. Miss left and a sure bogey will be on the card.

5th hole (355 yards) / par-4

Plays generallty downwind in the prevailing SW direction. Strong players can get near the green -- really devoid of much character and is the last good chance for birdie on the front.

6th hole (493 yards) / par-4

The key to scoring at Sand Hollow rests with how you do with the first five holes -- especially with the prevailing SW for the bulk of those holes. If you get the 6th and you have failed to capitaliize on the opportunities presented from the beginning -- then the course will simply extract more and more from you.

The 6th does plays downwind with a SW wind -- the tee shot again is crucial -- an enormous fairway gives the player a sense of comfort but the best play is down the left side to get more rollout and the better angle to the green. There is a huge boulder than occupies the center point -- it's roughly 325 yards from the back tees -- but again the distance can be deceiving because of the flow of helping SW winds. The key is to reach the top of the hill from the left side and there you get a total view of all the pin locations for a green that sits down slightly from the top of crest.

I'll feature the next six holes shortly.

I like what the course provides -- the player needs to get a jump on the course immediately -- because playing back into the prevailing SW winds can be extremely demanding.

One final thing on Sand Hollow -- love the 18-hole putting course ! Another feature to compliment one's time when there.

 

[Rob Rigg]

Matt - Do you have photos you can share? I realize some have been posted here before.

It seems like Fought is starting to really find his wings as an architect. Did you play any of his courses in AZ that he worked on before SH?

I have only played one Fought course - The Reserve - South near Portland, I think it may have been his first solo desing (?) and it had way too much sand in general and flashed bunkering in particular for my taste but it did have a few good holes.

My suggestion that he is improving is strictly based on photos of other courses he has done that have been posted onsite.

[Matt_Ward]

Rob:

I have played a few Fought designs ... The Gallery in the Tucson area -- although I prefer by a large degree the original 18 which he did in concert with Tom Lehman. The South layout is good but not as compelling as his original handiwork there. I also played his work at Wash Nat, Sunriver, and his contributions to Pumpkin Ridge (although Bob Cupp is the main man listed there). I also liked his restoration effort at Phoenix CC, DC anch and his efforts atThe Raven at Verrado.

I don't have any photos -- those posted previously should suffice for people who need to see the real deal.

I like what Fought did at SH with the width dimension and the manner by which he designed the greens. Could have been easy for him to have narrower playing corridors and to have more contours, tiers, etc, etc, with the greens. Course is playable and at the same time puts pressure on the better player to think about what type of strategic decisions need to be made to really shoot a good number.

Cannot overstate the impact of the wind that can blow through Hurrican Valley. You need to get off to a good start when the SW winds blow. The demands do intensify ...

7th hole (577 yards) / par-5

Plays back into the prevailing SW wind and demands three quality shots to escape with a par. Really not a clear birdie hole when the wind is in one's face.

8th hole (162 yards) / par-3

Fairly mundane hole -- but again plays into the prevailing SW winds. Without the wind element -- easiest of the four par-3 holes.

9th hole (433 yards) / par-4

Good quality closer for the inner half. Plays uphill all the way and demands two solid shots ... bunkers in the fairway do keep you aware of their presence. Says 433 yards but for all but the strongest players it's really a short par-5 when the SW winds really howl.

10th hole (565 yards) / par-5

Again you play into the prevailing SW winds. Tee is elevated considerably above the fairway and you need to really be aware of the two fairway bunkers that pinch the landing area. The green sits above the fairway so if you hit your second shot too close it may be likely you won't be able to see the entire green with your approach. Like the 7th -- the 10th is no sure fire birdie hole.

11th hole (190 yards) / par-3

What an eyeful of a hole ! Provides a reverse redan-like concept with the green diagonally angled from lower left to back right. Protecting bunkers guard the right side - but you can use a slope provided to the left of the green to bounce the ball onto the target. Again, with a SW wind in your face - the hole plays far longer -- at least 2-3 clubs more.

12th hole (443 yards) / par-4

Plays downwind with the SW and is also a scenic marvel. The tee bos is quite elevated and you encounter a steep cliff that runs the full length of the left side. A solitary bunker ont he left only serves to pinch in the landing area for the tee shot -- it can be reached by stronger players and really adds a good deal to the hole. Putting surface is about the player and makes it a point in demanding that you know your approach distance. You can bail out slightly right -- but the emphasis is on the word s-l-i-g-h-t-l-y as a high wall of redrock is to be at all costs. The 12th is quite strategic because banging driver needs to be done with the utmost care. Should you lay-back to avoid the bunker and have more fairway area at your disposal - the hole puts it all together -- stunning beauty and strategic calculations to handle.

[Matt_Ward]

The final six holes at Sand Hollow feature some demanding requirements -- followed by a duo that invites you to get back a few strokes that have been lost and a closer that sums up the day quite well.

13th hole (320 yards) / par-4

As I mentioned previously, I am truly smitten by the qualities of the 13th. Fought excelled in locating a hole in a special place on the property. Again, the cliff line you experience on the left side at #12 is again front and center here. You need to be PRECISE and totally COMMITED to what you decide to do at the tee. The big drive option is there -- just be sure to split the uprights with your target line -- it's there but the slightest push or pull and you are in Elvis land -- as in d-e-a-d.

You can also lay-up but there's no automatic bailout on that front either -- something too many architects provide and as a result the overall nature of the decision-making becomes too predictable. The green is quite narrow but is not rigorously contoured as to prevent the long putt from dropping.

Plenty of people talk about the need for quality short par-4's -- Sand Hollow provides a candidate that will leave you talking about it long after the round concludes.

14th hole (525 yards) / par-4

Great change of pace from the 13th -- the extreme back tee provides for a blind drive over a bunker that is placed in the target zone (no more than 100 yards from the tee) so that you have a general site line on where to go. The hole plunges downhill and turns slightly from right-to-left -- working a draw is a major plus -- but you need to be S-U-R-E on your target line before pulling the trigger. Credit Fought for placing other tee boxes further towards the crest of the hill so that those players can see where they are going.

There is a bunker down on the left side of the fairway that will grab strong tee balls that keep on running. With the prevailing SW wind it can be nothing more than a short iron after a solid drive. Don't venture too close to the left side because the cliff plunge is waiting for the self-induced error.

15th hole (230 yards)  / par-3

Just when you think it can't get much better -- Sand Hollow goes one step further. As good as the par-3 11th is -- the par-3 15th is a real gem. The hole provides for a downwin shot from 230 yards -- so it doesn't really play the full length as you play from a slightly elevated tee. The green is angled diaginally from lower right to back left with a neat false front package to the center and to the hard left. Pull it s-l-i-g-h-t-l-y to the left and you will need to repeat the following words -- RELOAD ! The further right you go you then encounter a series of bunkers that are neatly arranged -- could have been a bit more natural in the Doak, Hanse, style -- but they still drive home the point.

With a front pin placement you need to be Tiger Woods to keep the ball on the green and avoid both being short and subject to the false front previously alliuded to or go too far and run the risk of a three-jack from the rear part of the green.

Simply put, the stretch of holes from #12 thru #15 is some of the finest cliff oriented holes I have played in quite some time. If Sand Hollow had an ocean next to them -- their overall net worth would be even greater.

16th hole (369 yards) / par-4

A letdown of a hole -- but it's hard to keep hitting major high notes after the last three. Allows for a make-up of shots for the ones that have been tossed away. Decent yes -- but not special.

17th hole (523 yards) / par-5

Good opportunity for an eagle or birdie depending upon the angle of attack taken at the tee. Plays slightly downhill from right-to-left but the wind is more of a hard crosswind which can push tee shots further to the left side. The bolder play is down the left side and you have to decide if the gamble of shorter distance is worth the risk. The further right you go the more the distance. Laying up is fairly straightforward and not really challenged by the design.

18th hole (435 yards) / par-4

A top qualiity layout needs to have closer which provides a summary statement on the day of your play. The 18th at Sand Hollow is a superb ending hole. Plays back into the SW wind and that can make the effective yardage play anywhere from 30-50 yards longer. The tee shot is uphill all the way -- you can't play pop-gun off the tee and expect an easy par. In fact, you may need you best for power and accuracy here when the SW is kicking in at full throttle. The green is set above the fairway and after encountering downhill / downwind shots it's very easy to come up way short here.

* * *

All in all, Sand Hollow is the major domo of Utah public golf from the ones I have played. Thamksgiving Point used to be the top dog for me but Sand Hollow provides a slew of strategic options, breathtaking beauty and a challenge that can push the limits of all types of players. Hats off to Golfweek for rating it #1 in The Beehive State for public course options. I'll weigh in about the 9-hole Links Course as well. One quick note on the Links Course -- the greensites on that side are beyond those you face with the main course.

What makes matters interesting is the contrast between Sand Hollow and its nearby competitor Wolf Creek in Mesquite. These two layouts will evoke far different emotional feelings and frankly let the debate begin.

[Garland Bayley]

...
I don't have any photos -- those posted previously should suffice for people who need to see the real deal.
...

I don't believe this website has a complete set of photos for this course. Also the course's website doesn't have the photes. Mr. Ward, you have called me lazy in the past. Well right back at you pardner.
 

[Matt_Ward]

Garland:

Photos of Sand Hollow were posted previously on a different thread. I never implied such photos posted here on GCA were complete. You may need to wipe the dust from your eyes. Age has a funny way in distorting what people comprehend.

[Peter Ferlicca]

I will be playing here on Thursday, and Redlands Mesa on Friday, so I will do a full photospread of each course when I am finished.  I am really looking forward to Sand Hollow.  I have heard nothing but good things about it.  Matt did you play the 9 hole links course too, and if you did would you recommend playing it also.

[Matt_Ward]

 PFerlicca:

Enjoy your time there !

The main 18 is clearly the main storyline but the Links nine is quite entertaining. If you play the Links you'll likely encounter the prevailing SW winds I mentioned -- that means the first three holes will play downhill slightly and downwind.

The first hole is merely a warm-up to the rest you will encounter.

The interesting aspect of the Links is the dimensions, contours and overall scale of the putting surfaces. They are really well done and although the tees and fairways need a bit of TLC to bring them into fine form -- the condition of the greens on the Links is really in top form. You will see a double-green on the layout and given the daily winds that blow through out the property there is more than sufficient width to handle most players.

Look forward to your photos -- what's interesting is how Sand Hollow and Wolf Creek in nearby Mesquite will provide a very clear and different design approach to golf course architecture. The debate will certainly be an interesting one.

[Anthony Gray]

  Any Photos?

 

[Kalen Braley]

Here is the review I did of Redlands Mesa a couple of years back.  It should be interesting to see how much if any has changed.

http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,29627.0.html

Kalen

[Peter Ferlicca]

Matt

Is the course walkable, I love to walk, especially the first time I play a course.  It looks like it treks up a mountainside though and it is supposed to be around the mid 90s.

Peter F

[Matt_Ward]

Gents:

One item I failed to mention -- the same management company handles Sand Hollow and Thanksgiving Point in the northern half of UT in Lehi. Hats off to them in having the two best public layouts in all of The Beehive State.


Peter:

Yes, the course -- the main 18 and Links are walkable -- although carts are provided for in the fee. You may need to touch base with the folks at the course if they permit walking during the AM time frames.

The course has plenty of red rock so it can appear to be more hilly than it is.

The real issue you'll need to handle is the intensity of the blowing winds -- playing early helps you avoid that -- if you tee off at 12 noon or later you'll need to be able to make mega adjustments throughout the round.

Look forward to your take on things.

Kalen:

What does your post on Redlands Mesa have to do with Sand Hollow ?

[Matt_Ward]

What's fascinating about the cliff holes at Sand Hollow is that if there was an ocean to the left of holes #12 thru #15 the overall fanfare would be even higher. The holes and what they provide from a design perspective is quite impressive but clearly you have an H20 bias / preference when weighing such holes against those that don't have such an element.

No doubt a course also located in Utah is thought to be less grand when compared to other settings too.

[Bill Satterfield]

Matt, how do you feel Sand Hollow compares to Glenwild?