Mountain Dell – Canyon Review
Architect: William F. Bell; William H. Neff (1962)
https://www.mountaindellgc.com
Lower Parley’s Canyon Salt Lake City, UT 84109
801-582-3812
Utah Golf Guy Grade
| OVERALL | 8.25 |
| BEAUTY | 9 |
| VALUE | 8 |
| PRACTICE FACILITIES | 6 |
| CLUBHOUSE | 7 |
| PACE OF PLAY | 9 |
| CONDITIONS | 9 |
| FRIENDLINESS OF STAFF | 9 |
| FUN | 9 |
| NOT INCLUDED IN OVERALL – DIFFICULTY | 8 |
| TEES | OUT | IN | TOTAL | RATING | SLOPE |
| BLACK | 3339 | 3448 | 6787 | 72.2 | 128 |
| BLUE | 3183 | 3233 | 6416 | 70.5 | 126 |
| WHITE | 3005 | 3011 | 6016 | 68.4 | 119 |
| GOLD | 2700 | 2747 | 5447 | 65 | 113 |
COURSE SUMMARY
Mountain Dell is a classic, Utah mountain course with various elevation changes, wildlife and views that go beyond description. The course is found up Parley’s Canyon and will remind you of the beauty and diversity that is Utah golf. Mountain Dell is home to two 18-hole golf courses; the Lake course and the Canyon course. This review is focused on the prettier and more challenging of these courses; the Canyon course.
From the yardage booklet: “The Mountain Dell Canyon course features 13 of the original 18 holes at Mountain Dell and five new holes rolling up the eastern canyon carved out of the natural oak brush and rose thickets.”
The course itself plays over 6,000 feet and for those who play in the early morning or evening; moose, elk and large hawks can be seen throughout the course as the Utah Golf Guy personally witnessed.
Extras
For a mountain course, the maintenance staff has done a tremendous job on the grounds. Normally, greens get chewed up by various wildlife but that was at a bare minimum here. The greens played great, not too fast or slow and were manicured almost to perfection. A few dead spots throughout a few fairways and some uneven tee boxes from the tips but overall, this course was in great shape.
The clubhouse is fun, unique and fits a mountain course perfectly. The practice facilities are a work in progress. One of the practice greens was closed down and they are doing serious construction to the driving range.
BEST HOLES
Signature Hole - #14 Par 5 545 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Birdie
A beautiful and strategic Par 5 really sets itself apart from the rest of the Canyon’s holes; and is the Utah Golf Guy winner for the signature hole. From the tee box, decisions must be made on clearing the ravine wit a monster drive or laying up and making this a three shot hole to the green. From the tips, it will take over 260 yards to clear the ravine but will almost guarantee a birdie if you can keep it in play. Playing with the locals, this hole generally has wind at your face that forces you to layup. Fortunately, we had a gust at our backs and were easily able to clear the ravine and finish with a simple 2-putt birdie.
The ravine runs across the entirety of the fairway except for a small opening, about 12 yards wide. The left side of the fairway is a hill that will bring all balls back into the middle. From 150 yards, the hole plays downhill to the green. A small bunker on the front left was unfortunately a swamp. Green is extremely wide and slopes aggressively uphill and then downhill towards the back. This hole could easily be a birdie to a double bogey hole, depending on the tee shot.
Clubhouse Pick: 13, 14 or 15
Most Beautiful - #15 Par 4 444 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Bogey
Beautiful, elevated tee shot to a downhill green. This hole plays significantly shorter than the yardage shows due to the elevation change. Hazards on both sides of the fairway so keep your drive in play. Green is protected by two front left bunkers. Green is large and slopes downhill from all angles. Big hitters can get relatively close to this hole but must be wary of the dangers.
Clubhouse Pick: 11
Birdie Time - #1 Par 4 388 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Par
Beautiful starting hole that will ease you into the round. Mountains tower over the backside of the green and the views from the tee box are breathtaking. Hole plays shorter than the yardage and not a lot of danger unless you end up directly behind a tree in the rough. From 75 yards, the green is uphill on the approach. Green is surrounded by a very large bunker all along the right side. Green is deep and slopes gently uphill.
Clubhouse Pick: 1
Likely Bogey - #12 Par 4 400 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Double Bogey
A blind tee shot (from the tips) is only the beginning of difficulties for this hole. A creek runs across the fairway about 210 yards from the green. The further you hit your tee shot the more narrow the fairway becomes. Distance control is key on both the drive and on the approach. A grove of trees and bushes surround both sides of the fairway as well as behind the green. Approach is uphill to an extremely deep green. False front and false sides all around so must gauge your distance to land and stay on the green. Tough but memorable hole.
Clubhouse Pick: 12 or 15
Best Par 3 - #2 206 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Par
A few great par 3’s to choose from but I’ll choose the first one on the scorecard. Trees line the entirety of the tee shot and leave you an opening wide enough to get through but narrow enough to think about it. A baby draw is the perfect play off the tee shot. Green is protected by a front right bunker. Lots of room behind the green. Green has a ridge running through the middle and is quite narrow. Beautiful hole in the early morning.
Clubhouse Pick: 13
Best Par 4 - #12 400 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Double Bogey
See “Likely Bogey” hole
Clubhouse Pick 15
Best Par 5 - #11 536 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Par
This par 5 plays much longer than the yardage as it plays straight uphill from tee to green. In fact, it is tough to have a level shot in the fairway due to the unbelievable climb from tee to green. Vegetation lines the entire left side of the fairway and the majority of the right side, but the fairway is quite wide. The green is elevated and is easily the deepest on the entire course. In fact, from front to back might be the difference in distance of hitting 3 separate clubs. Two bunkers on the front left, one on the right. Green slopes uphill and from left down to the right. Gauge your distance correctly or you can easily 3 or even 4-putt this green.
Clubhouse Pick: 11 or 14