Talon’s Cove Golf Course Review
Designer: Gene Bates (2004)
801-891-1899
2220 S TalonsCove Drive, Saratoga Springs, UT 84045
Accolades: 2-time Host of the Utah Open
Utah Golf Guy Grade
| OVERALL | 8.38 |
| BEAUTY | 9 |
| VALUE | 9 |
| PRACTICE FACILITIES | 8 |
| CLUBHOUSE | 9 |
| PACE OF PLAY | 9 |
| CONDITIONS | 6 |
| FRIENDLINESS OF STAFF | 9 |
| FUN | 8 |
| NOT INCLUDED IN OVERALL: DIFFICULTY | 8 |
| TEES | OUT | IN | TOTAL | RATING | SLOPE |
| BLACK | 3589 | 3507 | 7096 | 72.5 | 127 |
| GOLD | 3237 | 3226 | 6463 | 69 | 119 |
| SILVER | 2926 | 2948 | 5874 | 66.3 | 111 |
| WHITE | 2590 | 2538 | 5128 | 67.5 | 116 |
Course Summary
Welcome to the Talon’s Cove Golf Course review. Talon’s Cove Golf Club is a links style course located in Saratoga Springs, 12 minutes west of the I-15 highway. Designed by Gene Bates, this course is found on the west bank of Utah Lake, offering fantastic views of the light blue water and the majestic Timpanogos Mountains towering over the background. 7096 yards from the tips, this course offers a great variety for every type of golfer. After the course opened, the Utah Open was hosted here and was received quite well by the participants and the fans.
Beautiful course with stunning views. Great variety and challenges on every hole. The course was not in great shape in the fall but is maintained well in the spring and summer seasons.
Specifics
Fairways – Fairways were in decent, not great shape for the end of the fall season. Large dead spots were found on almost every hole but did not affect any shots. The fairways are firmer than most allowing for long rolls off the tee box (reminiscent of classic links courses).
Greens – The greens are HUGE and are able to handle long approach shots without issues (needed for the long Par 3’s that this course is known for). Ball marks were found everywhere but the course has done a good job filling them. Greens were slower than normal but are generally quick during the summer golf season.
Sand – All the bunkers were needing more sand. Iron contact was rock hard and caused hard contact, impossible to judge distance shots. Bunkers are large and deep.
The practice facilities are very nice. The practice green is large and well-maintained. The driving range is average but quite small. At the end of the range is a practice sand bunker and green which is quite rare in Utah County.
Clubhouse is beautiful, modern and quite spacious on the inside. This is one of the best golf courses in the county and low green fees make it one of the best values in the state.
BEST HOLES
Signature Hole: #6 Par 3 262 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Bogey
One of the best Par 3’s in the state, this hole was a no-brainer for the signature hole. Before you even tee it up, this hole wows you with a mesmerizing view of the beautiful Lake Utah and Mt. Timpanogos in the background. Once you are forced to tee off, a ginormous green surrounded by 3 large and deep sand bunkers awaits you.
Playing 262 yards from the tips, these bunkers are in play for each and every type of golfer. The green is deeper than it looks but is still difficult to land on. A ridge runs through the middle of the green causing a downward slope on both sides. False front on the left side. If you miss the green, miss right, as there is no bunkers or houses on that side with enough room to land the ball without any trouble. Aiming towards the right side of the green is recommended.
This hole has everything. Beauty, length and difficulty all rolled into an elevated tee shot. As you would expect, this hole took quite a few UtahGolfGuy awards. Signature hole, most beautiful and best Par 3 (with runner-up as the most likely Bogey hole).
Clubhouse Pick: #6
Most Beautiful - #6 Par 3 262 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Bogey
See Signature Hole
Clubhouse Pick: #13
Birdie Time - #3 Par 4 375 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Birdie
A slightly elevated tee shot to a sloping fairway. The fairway is protected by 2 large bunkers both about 120 yards from the green. Stay out of the bunkers and you will have a decent attempt at birdie on this large and deep green. A creek runs in front and to the right of the green. Those hitting from the front tees have the opportunity to reach the green (240 yards to fly the creek from the silver tees) and have a chip up for birdie or possibly an Eagle Putt. From the back tees we recommend a layup anywhere on the fairway. Short of the two bunkers leaves 135 yards to the green. If pin is behind the right side bunker, par is the more likely score.
Clubhouse Pick: #3
Likely Bogey - #10 Par 4 465 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Bogey
The drive is paramount to getting off this hole with a par. One of the narrowest fairways on the course with a bunker on the left side. The key is to stop as close as possible to the creek so you can take aim with a short iron to the elevated green. The creek runs 120 yards to the green. The green is guarded by bunkers; 1 left and 1 front right. The green is quite undulated, wide and deep. Most shots will funnel to the middle if you can initially land the ball on the green.
Clubhouse Pick: #6
Best Par 3 - #6 262 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Bogey
See Signature Hole
Clubhouse Pick: #6
Best Par 4 - #16 313 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Par
If not for Hole #6, this would be my selection for the course’s signature hole. The elevated tee shot allows for a classic risk/reward decision. The fairway is wide but is well protected by sand bunkers. To get on the green, the drive needs to be near perfect. A bunker protects the front left of the green and another juts out of the fairway on the right side, leaving a 10 yard area to roll up on the green. The smart play is to layup on the right side of the fairway to leave you with a simple approach at the flag. Green is relatively flat with a gentle slope from front to back.
Clubhouse Pick: #16
Best Par 5 - #9 550 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Par
Uphill tee shot with a dogleg left. Big hitters can cut the corner but need to clear the left side fairway bunker by a good 20 yards to clear the deep left rough. Downhill tee shot to a skinny but extremely deep green. The green is shared with the 18 green but is so large and long that they play completely separate. Green is guarded by a front left bunker and slopes from left to right. Swinging downhill to a 3-club differing green, distance control is vital in keeping away from a 3-putt.
Clubhouse Pick: #13