Nibley Park Golf Review
Architect: Harold B. Lamb (1922)
https://www.slc-golf.com/nibley-park-golf-course/
801-483-5414
2780 S 700 E Salt Lake City, UT 84106
Utah Golf Guy Grade
| OVERALL | 6.75 |
| BEAUTY | 8 |
| VALUE | 8 |
| PRACTICE FACILITIES | 7 |
| CLUBHOUSE | 5 |
| PACE OF PLAY | 5 |
| CONDITIONS | 8 |
| FRIENDLINESS OF STAFF | 7 |
| FUN | 6 |
| NOT INCLUDED IN OVERALL: DIFFICULTY | 4 |
| TEES | OUT | TOTAL | RATING | SLOPE |
| BLUE | 2895 | 2895 | 113 | 66.8 |
| WHITE | 2682 | 2682 | 108 | 64.6 |
| GOLD | 2341 | 2341 | 114 | 64.8 |
| RED | 1748 | 1748 | 101 | 59.4 |
Course Summary
Nibley Park Golf Course is the oldest public golf course in Utah, opening in 1922. Due to its age, the course is green throughout with mature trees and shrubbery lining almost every fairway.
This nine hole track stays busy due to its central location and variety of holes. If you stay out of the trees, this course plays quite easy. Streams meander through the course and a large lake affects play on holes 2 and 9. The course is flat, allowing for anyone to walk the course easily.
Specifics
The clubhouse is extremely old, small and outdated but it fits the course. The driving range has over 20 bays but is too shallow for a 3-wood or driver. The putting green is tiny and can only fit about five golfers at a time. They do have a practice green for chipping behind the clubhouse but the green is not mowed and it is poorly maintained.
A nine hole round can be a little slow due to the popularity of this course with locals and older players walking the course. We offered two separate singles to come join us in our group and they both declined, slowing down play dramatically.
The staff from the clubhouse was great, both on the phone and in person. Knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. We did have an incident on the course with someone mowing a tee box and continued to mow during our tee shots.
Overall, this course is entertaining, beautiful and recommended to all connoisseurs of golf. For the price, this course is well worth the value.
Conditions
The course was in good condition. Balls sat up in the fairway and the rough was even throughout. The tabletop greens were looked and rolled great. A few dead spots around the greens and the bunkers played a little thin but overall, the crew did a great job preparing the course.
BEST HOLES
Signature Hole - #9 Par 3 167 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Par
A no-brainer pick for the signature hole. #9 is a forced carry over a large pond. From the tips, need 130 yards to cover the water. About 15 yards of landing area between the front of the green and the water. Bunker protects the entire front side of the green. Most pin placements will be directly over this bunker making this shot a little nerve-racking. The green is small and undulated. Trees line the backside of the green creating a cathedral feel. There is room to the left of the green if the bunker intimidates you.
Clubhouse Pick: 9
Most Beautiful - #5 Par 5 453 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Bogey
The only Par 5 on the course. Trees line the entire left side of the fairway with the street just to the left of them. Right of the fairway has sparse trees and less danger but you will not have an angle to the green. Recommend play is left side of the fairway, giving you a perfect angle to reach the green in two with a short iron. After the drive, you will need hit over a steam about 100 yards from the green. A large tree sits on the right side of this creek so again, left side angle is best.
Green is long and tiered. A large slope on the back right can act as a backstop if used correctly. False front on this green. Trees line the backside of the green creating a beautiful cathedral feel. Easy birdie hole if you can land your tee shot on the left fairway.
Clubhouse Pick: 7
Birdie Time - #1 Par 4 374 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Par
Dogleg left, around the driving range. Long hitters will hit through the fairway so a 3-wood or long iron is recommended off the tee. Aim just right of the driving range net and leave yourself with 100 yards approach shot. Two small fairway bunkers on the right side. Green slopes uphill with a false front. Little to no room behind the green.
Clubhouse Pick: 5
Likely Bogey - #3 Par 3 214 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Par
A long par 3 with some danger. Must clear the creek running across the fairway 30 yards short of the green. No room behind the green, especially the back right. Make sure you have the right yardage to land on the green. Green plays slightly downhill from the tee shot. Green creates a small valley in the middle. Cannot go short, long or to the right on this hole.
Clubhouse Pick: 3
Best Par 3 - #9 167 Yards
See “Signature Hole”
Best Par 4 - #2 361 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Bogey
Short Par 4 that helps with some course knowledge. From the teebox the pond on the right and the wide creek running across the fairway 60 yards short of the green are both blind. From the blues, the creek is 275 yards off the tee so a 3-wood or long iron is recommended. A large tree will cover your angle on the right side so aim for the left fairway.
Green has a ridge through the middle forcing uphill putts from the front and the back. Was in contention for the most beautiful hole.
Clubhouse Pick: 6
Best Par 5 - #5 453 Yards
See “Most Beautiful”