Architect – Richard Bigler (1972)
https://stateparks.utah.gov/golf/palisade/
435-835-465
2200 E Palisade Road Sterling, UT 84665
Utah Golf Guy Grade
| OVERALL | 9.25 |
| BEAUTY | 10 |
| VALUE | 10 |
| PRACTICE FACILITIES | 9 |
| CLUBHOUSE | 7 |
| PACE OF PLAY | 9 |
| CONDITIONS | 9 |
| FRIENDLINESS OF STAFF | 10 |
| FUN | 10 |
| NOT INCLUDED IN OVERALL: DIFFICULTY | 6 |
| TEES | OUT | IN | TOTAL | RATING | SLOPE |
| BLACK | 3293 | 3040 | 6333 | 69.7 | 123 |
| SILVER | 2939 | 2816 | 5755 | 66.8 | 117 |
| COPPER | 2675 | 2655 | 5330 | 68.9 | 122 |
Course Summary
Palisade State Park Golf Course is an absolute hidden gem. If closer to Salt Lake, this place would be packed every day of the week. The layout and setup are just FUN FUN FUN. What sets this course apart from every course in Utah is without a doubt the Par 3’s. Out of the 4 Par 3’s on the course, 3 would be every course in Utah’s best hole without a doubt. In fact, 2 of them made the best Par’s 3’s in Utah List (click HERE for the link).
Let’s start with the beauty of Palisade’s Golf Course. It offers everything. Up high in the mountains, the views of Sterling will blow you awa.. Mountain tops, trees, hills and a beautiful turquoise lake in the background. This course does a great job of mixing mountains, desert and water all into one. About half of the tee boxes offer views that will leave you breathless.
The course is in great condition, with a few random dead spots but overall was great. The layout is just fun, with so many elevation changes and use of the natural terrain. I would not call this course difficult unless you are intimidated by huge elevated shots. Fairways are wide and very forgiving so you can bomb away without too much fear.
For such a beautiful course, I figured the pace of play would be soooo slow. But as a single, I literally had to wait on the tee box of two holes the entire round. The one element that didn’t completely wow me on this course was the very average clubhouse. The pro shop was tiny but it did have a large cafe with lots of seating options.
The staff was amazing and went out of their way to answer all of my questions, even calling in the head pro to come speak with me about the course. I can’t promote this course enough. It is well worth the drive to play this hidden oasis.
BEST HOLES
Signature Hole - #4 Par 3 170 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Par
Clubhouse Pick: 4
There are a handful of holes in the state that are UNQUESTIONABLY the signature hole on the course, and you know as soon as you play it without even seeing the rest of the course. This hole is one of those cases.
Arguably one of, if not the best Par 3 in the state of Utah. A mountain style island green with mountain behind and canyon/cliff in front and to the right of the putting surface. The tee box is elevated so take 8-12 yards off the total yardage. While intimating, know your distance and hit with confidence.
The green is extremely wide. The shallowest area is on the left side and gets deeper the further right you go. Only 3 yards of space between the front of the green and rocks. Maybe 2 yards of space between the back of the green and the protruding mountain. There is a bail out area on the left but it is still a little scary with not much room, forcing you to go for broke.
The iconic pine tree on the right side of this green dons the logo of the course as well as on the front cover of the scorecard. The panoramic views from this tee box are unworldly and are well worth the price of admission. Check out this LINK to see where this hole falls on the Utah Golf Guy’s Best 18 holes in Utah.
The Utah Golf Guy played two balls (with no one waiting) as that is almost a golf right on a hole like this. First ball, landed on the green and landed 2 feet on the back right. Chipped within 2 feet and hit a knee buckler for par. The 2nd ball landed on the front left of the green and stayed on the back left of the putting surface. Rolled my 30 foot lag putt within 4 feet and lipped in my 2nd putt for another par.
Most Beautiful - #15 Par 4 291 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Birdie
Clubhouse Pick: 16
One of the toughest decisions the UGG had to make was narrowing down the Most Beautiful hole. About four other holes were all in the discussion. This short Par 4 made the cut due to the view from the tee box. Mountains on the left, Palisade Reservoir in the background and the view of most of the golf course on the right.
Huge elevation from the tee box making this hole play even shorter than the already short 291 yards listed. Big hitters might need to hit a fairway wood instead of the big dog to reach the green. The UGG averages about 270 yards on his drives and flew the green a good 20 yards, forcing a chip back up towards the green.
Green is wide and has a high shelf on the left and low shelf on the right. Tiny bunker protects the green for those trying to run up their tee shots. Large bunker on the right for any wayward tee shots.
Birdie Time - #7 Par 5 465 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Par
Clubhouse Pick: 2, 6 or 17
Due to the elevation changes of this course, there are a lot of birdie opportunities at Palisade’s with holes playing 30-40 yards shorter than the original distance. However, the UGG chose an uphill Par 5 for his choice. Even with the uphill play from tee to green, if you can keep your ball in the fairway off the tee, even average distance players will have a decent chance of reaching the green in two or at least 10-15 yards short for an up and down birdie chance.
One fairway bunker sits on the right side. Two greenside bunkers; one on each side only come into play on wayward approaches. Other than that, there is not a lot of danger on this hole if you can keep the ball in play off the tee.
Likely Bogey - #10 Par 4 374 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Bogey
Clubhouse Pick: 10 or 11
A tough call between holes 10 or 11 for the most difficult hole on the course. I bogeyed each so both are definitely worthy. The UGG will go with hole #10 as it presents the most difficult green on the course.
The hole plays dog leg left with trees pinching into the fairway on the left side. Choose to go over the top of the trees to cut the corner or play it safe by going to the right side. Hole plays uphill from tee to green and plays even longer with a lifted green on the approach shot. A bunker sits on the right side; 15 yards short of the green. Green is extremely undulated with swells and ridges throughout. One large ridge runs through the first ⅓ of the green and another runs on the backside. Between the approach shot and the contour of the green, this hole is a bogey waiting to happen.
Best Par 3 - #17 128 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Bogey
Clubhouse Pick: 4
Honestly, all four Par 3’s on this course would be almost every other course in Utah’s signature hole. Each Par 3 is unique, beautiful, challenging and overall fun. #2 is a forced carry over water. #4 is one of the best holes period in the state. #14 is a tiny par 3 (85 yards) that plays straight up the hill. But, the UGG would be remiss if he didn’t highlight hole #17 as the 2nd best Par 3 on the course.
Another elevated tee box with gorgeous views of the mountains, lake and other holes on the golf course. The elevation is so high, you might need to play this hole 25-30 yards shorter than the listed distance. I played my 108 yard 56 degree sand wedge and it went 135 yards for the 128 yard distance. False side on the right, everything else slopes uphill from front to back. A hidden bunker sits behind the back right of the hole. Fun, beautiful and challenging.
Best Par 4 - #5 388 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Bogey
Clubhouse Pick: 3 or 5
The best back to back holes on the course are without question #4 and #5. Hole #5 starts off before you even get to the tee box. A huge, stone staircase leads you all the way up a hill to even get to the huge, elevated tee box. Another beautiful view of mountains, lake and a birds eye view of the course. Fairway bunkers on the right side. Fairway is relatively small and narrow. Land on the left side of the fairway for the best approach angle. Approach is downhill. Green is large, both wide and deep. Green has a ledge on the front then slopes slightly uphill from front to back towards the lake. Right and backside bunker protect the green.
Best Par 5 - #13 460 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Birdie
Clubhouse Pick: 13
Another uphill Par 5 that plays longer than the card shows. Slight dogleg left. Fairway bunker on the right side. Overhanging branches with a big tree on the left side pinches into the fairway.
Green has two shelves; lower part on the front left and upper shelf on the back right. Green is peanut shaped and slopes uphill. Green is protected by a front right bunker. Another potential birdie hole.