South Mountain Golf Club

South Mountain is south of Salt Lake City in Draper, off I-15 at Highland Drive, then east to Rambling Road, then right. The course was originally built as an upscale private course, routed through a residential community, but was taken over by the city, and is now open to the public. It was designed by David Graham and Gary Panks, The course is tough, be sure to catch the full practice range facility, not something you usually see at munis, very well done, and you'll need the practice for the course! The routing is over a residential neighborhood in the foothills, and is not walkable. Not much in the way of trees along the course, but just off the fairway it's natural rough with scrub brush, sage, land tall fescue type grasses. The course has a good deal of hole variety, long holes require both big drives and second shots to get home in regulation. You definitely get a variety of lies with the hilly and sloping fairways, which are also quite tight in places. Other holes are short but allow risk-reward decisions to the green. Many holes have blind shots and optional landing areas so local knowledge is always useful. Four sets of tees from 5,100 yards to just over 7,000 yards, and from the back tees the course rating is 73.4 with a 130 slope. It's a good overall golf experience, the course and setting is scenic with views of the mountains and out over the valley.It's always been well maintained, the clubhouse and facilities are upscale, and the rates reasonable, just not a good course for the higher handicapper, definitely not the beginner. .