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Golf for everyone

Adia Waldburger Of the Record staff

Golf for many people is just "too" something. It’s too hard or too expensive or takes too much time to learn. However, municipal courses in the area come "too" the rescue with lessons, camps and incentives to get local and tourists out on the green and taking a swing.

Park City Golf Club pro Cynthia Brown says the easiest way for a beginner to get a good start in golf is to schedule a private lesson. Lessons can also be done in a group to cut down on costs. She warns that it takes a little planning – pros usually schedule lessons a week out – but well worth the investment. In about five or so one-hour lessons, pros are usually able to adequately cover different aspects of the game such as putting, swinging and even golf rules and etiquette. She adds that a group doesn’t have to be made of people with the same ability. In fact, she invites families and friends to join together and encourage each other to improve their games.

For travelers who decide to take a spur-of-the-moment lesson, Brown suggest calling around to the area’s many courses to find a pro with an empty slot.

"Most likely there is someone with something open," she says.

Brown also recommends the Park City course’s reduced rates for course play in the evening. She says twilight is a great time for families or beginners to get on the course and hone their games without expert golfers breathing down their necks.

Soldier Hollow Golf Course head pro Chris Newson offers a five-lesson package for rookies looking to learn. He added that there are generally tee times open at one of the two courses and encourages beginner and intermediate golfers to come out, play a round and work on their skills.

He recommends the Golf Wasatch program, which allows people staying at certain Park City hotels to make advanced reservations and receive a guaranteed tee time at Soldier Hollow, Wasatch Mountain Golf Course or the Homestead.

The Park City Golf Club’s women’s leagues are another option. There are levels for every ability and they allow women to find friends and support as they learn the game.

Many courses also offer a driving range and a putting green, but Brown and Newson agree that time spent at these areas should be in conjunction with lessons for first-timers. Time spent hacking around without prior instruction can be frustrating, they say, and can mentally destroy a golf game.

"The ball is just sitting there staring at you," Newson says. "Nothing is more defeating."

"Golf is a simple game played by complicated people," Brown added, laughing.

Lack of equipment may be another hindrance to many people, but almost all public courses offer rentals for all sizes and abilities. Both Brown and Newson noted that rentals are no longer just a beginners’ thing. With airlines limiting people to one free checked bag, many people are choosing just to bring their gloves and shoes, and use rentals when they are traveling.

"They are good quality and it’s affordable," Brown says.

What can’t be rented can be bought in the pro shop of any golf club. "You can come in socks and underwear and be ready to play at most courses," Brown says.

For the younger set, Park City offers a summer golf camp that is one of the most popular sport-specific camps in the area. Brown closes down the course every morning for a week and carefully teaches kids everything they need to know about the game and gives them the opportunity to join the junior golf league. In Wasatch County, youth can partake in camps that rotate between Soldier Hollow, Wasatch Mountain Golf Course and the Homestead. Both camps offer reduced rates through the city for campers with financial concerns.

more information on all of the Park City Golf Club programs, visit http://www.ParkCityGolfClub.org. For more information on Soldier Hollow, visit http://www.soldierhollow.com/golf_course.php. To learn more about the Golf Wasatch program, visit http://www.golfwasatch.com.

Public courses:

Summit County

Park City Golf Club

  • A public municipal course located on Lower Park Avenue.
  • Offers lessons, tournaments and league play. There is a men’s league, women’s 9- and 18-hole leagues and a junior league that compete in tournament play throughout the summer. Golf lessons may be arranged through the course, and costs vary by instructor. Basic rates are $46 for 18 holes for residents with a cart or $32 walking. For non-residents, it is $57 with a cart or $43 walking. Nine holes are $16 for residents walking and $21.50 for non-residents. Season pass is $990.
  • Summer season: May 24-Sept. 29
  • (801) 521-2135 or 615-5800, http://www.ParkCityGolfClub.org.
  • Salt Lake County

    Mountain Dell Golf Course

  • Located at 4616 South Fortuna Way in Parleys Canyon (off I-80)
  • Two 18-hole courses, a mountain view and water tapped from a natural spring. Open until early November. All ages welcome. Fee is $27 for 18 holes on both the Mountain Dell Canyon and lake Courses. Fee is $15 for nine holes on the Mountain Dell Lake Course.
  • Head pro: Mike Brimley, Superintendent: Brent Fornelius. (801) 582-3812, http://www.slcgov.com/publicservices/golf/about.htm for more information.
  • Wasatch County

    Wasatch Mountain State Park

  • Located at 1281 Warm Springs Road in Midway.
  • The park features the Mountain and Lake public courses that combine for 36 holes. The courses are par 72 and nestled in the Wasatch Mountains. The course is very affordable. Cost for 18 holes is $40 with a cart or $27 without a cart. Nine holes are $20 with cart and $13.50 walking. Seniors’ and juniors’ rates are $22 for 18 holes and $11 for nine holes. Golf carts are mandatory on the Mountain course.
  • Head pro is Craig McKay
  • (435) 654-0532
  • Soldier Hollow Golf Course

  • Located at 1370 West Soldier Hollow Lane in Midway at the cross-country skiing venue for the 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
  • It offers two affordable public courses, each 18 holes and par 72. They are named Gold and Silver to reflect their Olympic heritage. Cost for 18 holes is $40 with a cart or $27 without a cart. Nine holes are $20 with cart and $13.50 walking. Seniors’ and juniors’ rates are $35 with cart and $22 without a cart for 18 holes and $17.50 for nine holes with a cart and $11 walking. Golf carts are mandatory on the Gold course. Punch passes and driving range are also available.
  • Head pro is Chris Newson
  • (435)-654-7442, http://www.soldierhollow.com/golf_course.php
  • Private courses

    Summit County:

    Park Meadows Country Club

  • Located at 2000 Meadows Dr.
  • An 18-hole, par-72 private course designed by Jack Nicklaus. Restoration/course improvement project to be completed in summer 2008. Offerings: There are four levels of membership including the equity golf membership, equity option membership, social membership and junior membership.
  • (435) 649-2460, http://www.parkmeadowscc.com
  • Jeremy Ranch Golf and Country Club

  • Located at 8770 North Jeremy Rd.
  • An 18-hole, par 72 private course designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay.
  • (435) 435-649-2700, thejeremy.com
  • Glenwild Golf Club and Spa

  • Located at 7600 Glenwild Drive.
  • This private course is part of a gated community. Glenwild is a 7,541-yard, par-71 course designed by Tom Fazio.
  • 615-9988, http://www.glenwild.com.
  • Promontory- The Ranch Club

  • Located at 8526 North Ranch Club Trail.
  • Features private,18-hole, par-72 course. Nine holes of a Jack Nicklaus-designed course will open this summer. Course is exclusive to members only.
  • Although the course is part of a private community, memberships are available without buying a lot.
  • (435) 333-4010, http://www.promontoryclub.com.
  • Wasatch County

    The Tuhaye Golf Club

  • Located off of U.S. 40.
  • The 18-hole course is private and located within a private community.
  • (435) 615-8395
  • The Homestead Resort

  • Located at 700 North Homestead Drive in Midway.
  • Homestead Resort course is open to all golfers. The PGA Senior Tour Professional Bruce Summerhays-designed course is an 18-hole, par-72 course that measures 5,091 yards from the forward tees and 7,017 yards from the back.
  • Nine-hole fees vary from $22 to $30 on weekdays and $27 to $35 on weekends. Eighteen holes vary from $30-$50 on weekdays and $40-$60 on the weekends. Ladies pay $35 every Monday and seniors may golf for $35 Monday through Thursday after noon. There are also punch cards, private lessons and tournament-hosting options available.
  • http://www.homesteadresort.com/golf/golf.cfm.
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