Architect: Mick Riley (1906)
https://www.slc-golf.com/forest-dale-golf-course/
801-483-5420
2375 S 900 E Salt Lake City, UT 84106
Utah Golf Guy score
| OVERALL | 6.88 |
| BEAUTY | 7 |
| VALUE | 7 |
| PRACTICE FACILITIES | 7 |
| CLUBHOUSE | 8 |
| PACE OF PLAY | 3 |
| CONDITIONS | 8 |
| FRIENDLINESS OF STAFF | 8 |
| FUN | 7 |
| NOT INCLUDED IN OVERALL: DIFFICULTY | 6 |
| TEES | OUT | TOTAL | RATING | SLOPE |
| BLUE | 3126 | 3126 | 116 | 63.9 |
| WHITE | 2621 | 2621 | 102 | 65.7 |
| RED | 2277 | 2277 | 106 | 65.1 |
Course Summary
Forest Dale has the honor of being the oldest golf course in Utah. Built in 1906 as the original Salt Lake Country Club, the course has gone through a number of renovations after being acquired by Salt Lake City in 1935.
The claim to fame of this nine hole track are the original tabletop greens that place a premium on accuracy from every approach shot. Each hole plays different offering variety and strategy off of each tee box. The course offers (3) Par 3’s; (3) Par 4’s and (3) Par 5’s.
Specifics
The clubhouse is old, spacious and unique. The practice putting green next to the #1 tee box is large, undulated and gives a variety of chips and putts. No driving range at Forest Dale but there is a practice area in the middle of the course that allows for short iron practice.
Due to location and popularity, Forest Dale is always quite busy. 5-10 minute waits on each tee box was commonplace for my round. If trying to play a quick nine before work, the pace of play here might not be for you. Recommended to go early to beat the crowds.
The staff was great, both on the phone and in the clubhouse. Met a few workers out on the golf course, most were cordial enough to nod or waive.
BEST HOLES
Signature Hole - #5 Par 5 470 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Par
A beautiful hole that requires strategy off the tee. Two creeks run across the fairway. The first requires a 240 yard carry, the second will take a 310 yard drive (all from the Blue tees). These two creeks create a type of island if your strategy is to land in between them. More room on the right side of this island fairway than on the left. Laying up is a decent option off the tee but gives you a difficult decision on the second shot. Trees create a small opening for the approach shot starting 75 yards from the green.
Green is reachable in two even if you layup off the tee. If you can clear the first creek, you can hit a mid-iron into the green. Toughest green on the course. Narrow on the left side and slopes aggressively uphill. Green is undulated. Fun hole with risk/reward decisions that need to be made for every shot.
Clubhouse Pick: #9
Most Beautiful - #7 Par 5 485 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Par
Pond on the right and creek that runs across the fairway. Must clear 250 yard drive from the blues to clear. Pond juts out on the right side and will come into play if playing from the right fairway. Green is one of the flatter putting surfaces on the course with a gentle downhill slope.
Clubhouse Pick: #4
Birdie Time - #8 Par 3 121 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Par
Two of the shorter par 5’s would generally occupy this spot but since both have already grabbed awards, let’s go with the shortest hole on the course. Water horseshoes around the backside of the green but due to the short yardage, it should never come into play. Bunker on the right side, trees line the backside just before the water. Green slopes gently uphill.
Clubhouse Pick: #5
Likely Bogey - #9 Par 4 449 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Par
Tough finishing hole with pond on the right and heavy trees/road on the left. Right fairway is the recommended landing area as the heavy trees on the left will obstruct your shot to the green. Another creek runs along the fairway, 140 yards short of the green. Big hitters can hit over the creek, short hitters can hit driver and be just fine. Bunkers on both sides of the green. Putting surface is narrow and slopes gently uphill.
Clubhouse Pick: #9
Best Par 3 - #6 214 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Double Bogey
Long par 3 with more trouble on the right than on the left. Trees line both sides of the fairway and a large willow and oak tree cover the backside of the green. Green plays slightly downhill from the tee box. Green slopes uphill, is very undulated and falls off on the backside.
Clubhouse Pick: #6
Best Par 4 - #4 381 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - *Birdie (tainted score on temporary green)
As mentioned before, this hole had workers trimming trees along the green so a temporary green was put into place. I will describe the hole with the actual green even though I was not able to play it.
Dogleg right hole with yet another creek running across the fairway, 200 yards to clear from the Blue tee box. Fairway beyond the creek is wide. Recommended landing are is the left side to stay out of the large tree on the right side. Approach shot is downhill into a wide and deep green. No room behind the green on the left side.
Clubhouse Pick: #9
Best Par 5 - #5 470 Yards
See “Signature Hole”
Clubhouse Pick: #7