Mountain Dell (Lake) Golf Course Review
Designer: William Neff, Mike Reid (1991)
https://www.mountaindellgc.com
801-580-3812
I-80, Salt Lake City, UT 84109
Utah Golf Guy Grade
| OVERALL | 7.50 |
| BEAUTY | 9 |
| VALUE | 7 |
| PRACTICE FACILITIES | 5 |
| CLUBHOUSE | 7 |
| PACE OF PLAY | 7 |
| CONDITIONS | 8 |
| FRIENDLINESS OF STAFF | 9 |
| FUN | 8 |
| NOT INCLUDED IN OVERALL – DIFFICULTY | 7 |
| TEES | OUT | IN | TOTAL | RATING | SLOPE |
| BLACK | 3191 | 3554 | 6745 | 71.8 | 135 |
| BLUE | 2903 | 3146 | 6049 | 68.9 | 127 |
| WHITE | 2683 | 2780 | 5463 | 65.8 | 114 |
| GOLD | 2533 | 2533 | 5066 | 66.7 | 121 |
Course Summary
Welcome to the Mountain Dell (Lake) Course review. The original Mountain Dell Golf Course was created in 1962 but was expanded and re-designed into a 36 hole facility opening in 1991. The majority of the new 18 holes became what is now known as the Lake Course. This course was created and sculpted out of the Wasatch Mountains by renowned golf course architect William Neff and PGA Tour Consultant Mike Reid.
The Lake Course features narrow, rolling fairways and dramatic elevated tee shots over water and deep, canyonlike ravines. The clubhouse is older and a little outdated but is still functional. Practice facilities are below average with a very basic driving range and small, basic putting greens.
The staff was great but did not do anything above and beyond to earn a perfect 10 score. Pace was a little slow which had us waiting about 2-3 minutes on average for every tee shot. This course was not difficult but if you are spraying the ball everywhere there is a chance you could lose quite a few balls due to wasteland hazards on most holes. Keep it straight and you will score well on this course.
Specifics
Fairways – Fairways are in good shape for a mountain course. Brown spots everywhere but are all still playable with good coverage. Rough plays easy during the fall months.
Greens – Sandy greens but are all green, fast and roll according to the read. Very few ball marks leaving a smooth roll
Bunkers – Bunkers are full, soft and well-manicured
Tee boxes – Tee boxes were in terrible shape with large dead spots and uneven surfaces everywhere
BEST HOLES
Signature Hole - #17 Par 3 192 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - N/A
Unfortunately, holes #16 and #17 were closed for the round due to the accumulated snow on both these holes. Fortunately, after speaking with the clubhouse, they allowed me to drive out to both these holes to do a full review. Both of these holes are fantastic and it was a shame that these were closed during my round. #17 was so beautiful and intriguing that I had to play one shot from the tips (don’t tell the clubhouse).
The tee shot is elevated and drops over 60 feet to a deep green below. From the tee box you can just see a glimpse of the middle of the hole, being blind to the rest of the green and the bunker that runs across the right side of the green. A creek runs across the front of the hole and, along with the bunker, will collect any short balls. Two bunkers on the back side are ready for any balls that go long. Trees to the left and you will lose your ball if you go to the right.
Green slopes from front to back with a little valley on the back side that continues to elevate to the back of the green. Although the green was pretty chewed up, rest of the hole is absolutely unforgettable. One of my favorite Par 3’s that I have reviewed to date.
Clubhouse Pick: #4/#16
Most Beautiful - #6 Par 4 378 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Bogey
Elevated tee to a slightly downhill, dogleg right fairway. Bunkers line the right side of the hole and play level with the fairway. The right side of the bunkers are held up by a wood wall that is over 3 feet tall. Pine trees line the early part of the left fairway and aspen trees take over from the middle of the fairway to the green.
Big hitters attempt to cut the corner flying their tee shots over the sand bunkers. From the tips you will need to carry 250 yards to clear the bunkers. The fairway is wider than it appears from the tee box. There is room to the right of the fairway bunkers but do not get caught next to the bunker’s wooden walls. Mountains in the background provide a majestic experience.
Clubhouse Pick: #6
Birdie Time - #1 Par 5 513 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Par
Personally, I am not a fan of starting out my round with a Par 5 but this hole plays MUCH shorter than the listed 513 yards. Elevated tee box and a downhill fairway take any drive an extra 20-30 yards if you are able to land on the short grass. The green descends well below the fairway with a bunker on the left side that should not come into play. Deep green allows for an eagle putt or a short chip to be close for birdie to start the round. The green is relatively flat with a gradual slope from front to back.
Clubhouse Pick: #5
Likely Bogey - #11 Par 4 407 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Bogey
An elevated tee box that forces a carry of over 100 yards over brush to a dogleg right tee shot. The fairway slopes dramatically from left to right so make sure that you aim for the left fairway (my ball landed right center FW and ended up in the bushes on the right side). If you go right, you will lose your ball. Fairway has a large valley creating an elevated tee box and green. The green slopes slightly from front to back and right to left.
Clubhouse Picks: #2
Best Par 3 - #17 192 Yards
See Signature Hole
Clubhouse: #17
Best Par 4 - #4 378 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Par
This hole is just plain fun! From the back tees, you will need a forced carry of well over 200 yards to carry a large gorge and well over 220 yards to reach the fairway. If you aim for the green you will need to carry 205 yards to clear the gorge and 265 yards to reach the fairway. A front bunker protects the hole about 310 yards from the tees.
The fairway runs perpendicular to how the back tees are facing, with the green being straight left. If you hit your tee shot straight on how the tees are facing, you will end up flying the fairway and be hitting from the right rough. The front tees have a completely different tee shot but it is still a fun shot. 160 yards from the tee are 2 large pine trees in the middle of the fairway but without the gorge to worry about. Trees on the left and right.
The green sits below the fairway and is very small by Mountain Dell standards. Slopes upward and has two bunkers protecting the front side. If not for hole #17, this hole would be my choice for course’s signature hole.
Clubhouse Pick:#4
Best Par 5 - #14 622 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Bogey
This hole is LONG, but only from the tips. In fact, the tips play 130 yards longer than the blues. Keep your drive center or to the right side of the fairway. Fairway is long and wide with rolling hills and slopes. 50 yards in front of the green is a large fairway shelf on the right side. Green slopes front to back.
Clubhouse Pick: #14