EXCLUSIVE

TOP 5 GOLF COURSES

in southern utah

By Christian Gates

the best time to golf in saint george, ut is the fall and winter.

At the age of 5, my dad envisioned me being the next golf prodigy after Tiger Woods. This meant every week was filled with trips to the driving range, a quick 9 holes (after dad was off work), or a saturday/sunday a game of 18 holes. Growing up in southern Utah, I was fortunate enough to have more than a handful of beautiful golf courses to play each week-keeping each game just a little different than the last. Having this opportunity showed me at a young age that every course not only looks different, but plays different too. With 18 years of golf experience here in southern Utah, I wanted to share my top 5 courses and how they made it onto this list.

1. Coral Canyon Golf Course

If you were to ask me 10 years ago whether or not Coral Canyon Golf Course would be on my list of top 5 golf courses in Southern

37.5 million

Americans played golf either on a course OR GOLF simulator

Utah, I would have thought you were joking to even bring it up. As of Fall 2020, the course has been under new management, the same management that owns and operates Falcon Ridge Golf Course in mesquite (Another AMAZING course). Since the new management takeover, there have been MAJOR changes to this course improving EVERYTHING. Golfing there in 2022 compared to 2012 is comparable to night and day. The course here plays close to a PGA level. Hitting from the rough is extremely difficult, and the greens play fast. Once you get dialed in, you will have the best time of your life.

2. Sand Hollow Golf Course

(Championship Course) Take away the breathtaking views of landscape from nearly everyhole on this course and what you are left with is an experience with nothing but the best in terms of fairway, bunker, tee box, and green maintenance. The greens here appear a bit spongy but generally play quick. Keep this in consideration when getting ready to sink your bogey putt. Sand Hollow has always been at the forefront of courses to play in St George for a reason.

3. Copper Rock Golf Course

Copper Rock is the most PGA-ready course here in southern Utah. Being the newest addition to the list of southern Utah golf courses, Copper Rock opened in February of 2020. Since its opening it has been privileged to host a number of LPGA events. The course is expensive, with 18 holes costing over $180 in the morning and around $120 in the evening. Because of the price of this course, there is usually a tee-time available when you are wanting to go out.

4. SunRiver Golf Course

The SunRiver Golf Course is surrounded by multiple 55+ age communities that make many people, who don’t live there, think that the course is private. With the prices being fair and a good chance to find a tee-time, SunRiver keeps their fairways, greens, and tee boxes in excellent condition. My favorite part about SunRiver is the driving range. The range has each distance pole marked out to the correct yardage making your time at the driving range more effective. The SunRiver range also gives you the opportunity to hit from grass instead of matts. That alone is a reason to go out and play SunRiver. ‘

5. Dixie Red Hills Golf Course

Red Hills was the first golf course developed by the City of St George back in the 1960s. With the course layout being within the red sandstone rocks, each hole gives golfers something to remember. Although this course isn’t very long in distance (9 holes with only one par 5), there is a challenging obstacle on every hole that can give golfers of all levels a challenge.

Holiday Festivities

New to the area, or looking for new traditions? There’s a lot to do in St George throughout the holiday season. In no particular order, below are a few of our favorites. Merry Christmas!

St George Christmas Village at Red Cliffs Mall – Nov 25th – Dec 31st – $$

There are activities for all the family at: Food and Shopping, pictures with Santa or activities with Mrs. Claus, Ice Skating, a Tree Lot and more. Admission is $20-$25/person. See details and ticket info on their website: stgeorgechristmasvillage.com

The Best Christmas Lights Around Town – Throughout December – Free

For a free and festive evening, hop in the car and see the decked-out houses around town. HedgeHog Electric usually publishes a map each year with about 20 of the brightest homes. We haven’t seen the 2022 map yet, but here’s the link to their 2020 info and map. Car lines around the homes can be long, but worth it!, so plan accordingly.

Tuacahn’s Live Nativity ($) and A Rudolph Story ($$) – Nov 25th – Dec 23rd

If you have ever been to Tuacahn, you’ll know tickets for the Live Nativity are well worth $2$3/person. The Nativity is even great for small children. Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer is a musical performed in the Indoor Hafen Theatre. Tickets start at $29 and the performance is sure to be a treat! Here’s the link to Tuacahn’s December 2022 Events.

Dickens Festival – Nov 30th – Dec 3rd – $

The Festival is indoors at the Dixie Center. Tickets are $8-$10/person, children 3 and under are free. You can buy tickets and get a sampling of the shopping and activities on the Dickens’ Festival website.

North Pole Express at Thunder Junction – Dec 2nd – Dec 19th – $

During the evenings in December, the train at the Thunder Junction park in Tonaquint is transformed into the Polar Express. Tickets are $7 and limited to 250 each night. So, you’ll want to buy them from the St George Leisure Services Office, at 220 North 200 East, ahead of time. Check out St George City’s webpage for more info.

St. George Gingerbread Parade – Dec 17th – Free

The Gingerbread Parade is a Christmas farmers market at Vernon Worthen Park, 300 South 400 East, St George, Utah. The event is Saturday, December 17,2022 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This is the last farmers market of the season!

Run Run Reindeer 5k Family Fun Run – Dec 24th – $$

Ivins City hosts an annual fun run on the morning of Christmas Eve. This is a family friendly event, and costs $25-$35/person. If you wear a Santa suit or elf jumper, you won’t be the only one! For event info and registration, check out the Run Run Reindeer page.