Utah is home to pristine lakes and waterfalls, irresistible powder snow and majestic mountain ranges. Many do not realize, however, that Utah is also home to some premier golf courses.

With over 121 courses to choose from, here is a sample of 12 of great Utah courses.

Rated the state’s most popular public golf course, Wasatch Mountain Course in Midway, Utah, was voted one of the “Best Places to Play” by Golf Digest. This course boasts a 36-hole facility which includes an 18-hole Mountain Course and Lake Course. The Mountain course is designed to look like mountain contours and is known for its occasional sightings of deer and wild turkeys. At the vantage points, golfers will overlook the scenic Heber Valley. Tree-lined fairways and eight lakes and ponds create a rustic beauty which makes the 18-hole Lake Course a gentler terrain.

Jeremy Ranch is one of the most challenging courses in the state with 18 holes. The fairways are lined in pine and aspen trees as well as low brush. Because the lush bent grass greens are slightly larger than average, the course rewards accuracy from the tee, but don’t worry if you miss a fairway or two. 

Spanish for entrance, Entrada’s desert landscape, red rock cliffs, rolling dunes and black lava beds are perfectly unique backdrops for its lush green course. Opening in 1996, Entrada's 18-hole Johnny Miller Signature Golf Course quickly leaped to the top of major publications' lists such as Golf Digest. 

Spanning 7,714 yards and covering more than 200 acres, Thanksgiving Point is the largest golf club in the state. This Johnny Miller Signature Golf Club was recently named one of the 15 “hidden gems” in the country by Links Magazine.

In 2008, Park Meadows completed a comprehensive $7.5 million golf course restoration project which modernized the entire course. Keeping the original design of Jack Nicklaus through the restoration project, the course features wooden bridges, a lacework of waterways and 105 sand bunkers. It is a championship course that has hosted 10 Senior PGA Tour events.

Embracing Park City’s unspoiled typography, Glenwild’s course makes the transition from course to nature flawlessly. This 7,541-yard, par-71 championship course niche is away from roads and homes, allowing for golfers to truly focus on their game and the scenery surrounding them.

Designed by prominent architect, William Bell, Hidden Valley consistently places in the top 10 golf courses in Utah year after year. Located in Sandy, Utah, Hidden Valley’s 27-hole course has a private, exclusive and undisturbed feeling which serves the name of the course well. 

Located at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, Willow Creek’s spectacular view and 150 yards of manicured lawns has created a picturesque and challenging course for golfers. Being at a 4,700 feet elevation provides Willow Creek golfers great weather and an extra 20 yards on their tee shot.

Located in Springville, Utah, Hobble Creek offers both a 9- and 18-hole course, perfect for a quick lunch tee time or a whole day out. With its pro shop, snack bar, driving range, putting greens and chipping green, you may just want to push everything aside and spend the afternoon at Hobble Creek Golf Course. 

The Homestead Resort has fused technology with natural beauty to create the spectacular 7,000-yard, Par-72 course. It is the only resort in Utah that features an on-property 18-hole championship golf course. It is also the only course that has a GPS Yardage System. The Uplink GPS system features a realistic graphical layout of each hole, actual distances, including hazards and bunker distances, and tips from the pros.

Park City Golf Club  Was first built in 1963 as a nine-hole course, it was redesigned to its current 18-holes in 1976. Surrounded by trees and lakes, this 6,800-yard course has an elevation of 6,700 feet, which can actually add distance to your shots and is nicely temparate in summer months.

One of Orem’s best keep secrets, Sleepy Ridge Golf Course offers golfers the opportunity to truly feel home. With the gorgeous Wasatch Mountains on all sides, Sleepy Ridge Golf Course is a must-play for all golfing enthusiasts. Visit their Web site at www.sleepyridgegolf.com for an interactive view of the golf course.