Green Spring - Utah - USA

Green Springs is a scenic golf course in south western Utah. The first hole is welcoming, fairway bunkers each side with OB left. The green has bunkers left and right. The 2nd hole is the longest par three and is rated the 17th hardest hole. Large bunker front left and moguls right. I am surprised that the third hole is the number five handicap hole. There are a water hazard and a fairway bunker short left that should not come into play. The green is naked, albeit long, narrow and two-tiered. The first par five leans right and is reachable in two. There are several bunkers down the right side. The green is protected with a bunker front left, one right and rear. Good birdie hole. The fifth is a valley par three, well actually an arroyo. Mid-yardage with a two tiered green. The 6th is the longest par four and the number one handicap hole and deservedly so. Off the tee there is a canyon right and OB left. The approach is over a canyon and is pretty much all carry although there is bailout right. The par five 7th leans left and is reachable with a caveat. The fairway runs out into a water hazard ( or dry hazard) about 250 yards from the tee. Thus the second shot will be over 250 yards. I suggest playing it as a 3 shotter. The 8th is a long straightaway par four, OB right water and a large fairway bunker left. This has a large two-tiered green. The front closes with a long par four that bends left. There is OB left and the bunker in the middle of the fairway is about 25 yards short of the green.

The back starts with a good birdie hole. There is OB left and a water hazard creeps in on the right. Take an extra club on the approach. Depending upon when you play the 11th may have left right and straight. Favor the left side of the fairway and the approach is all carry. The 12th is a short par four and a definite birdie oppty. OB left and a large bunker short right. The 13th is a long straightaway uphill par four. OB left and make sure you take an extra club on the approach. The 14th is also a long par four but this one is downhill. There is OB left and waste area right. The 15th is a Florida par three, all carry and is the shortest hole on the course. The 16th is a dogleg right par five. There are a series of bunkers on the inside elbow and OB right. The approach is uphill and also over a canyon. There is bailout room right with a quasi-split fairway. The last par three has a desert carry to a pseudo table top green protected by three bunkers. The 18th is a reachable downhill par five. It leans right has OB left along with a fairway bunker. The green has a bunker front left and one rear middle along with moguls.

Fun course.

Green Spring is the one municipal course of the city of Washington. It is a course best known for two holes, and for good reason, but it's a decent course overall. And the cheaper than the median rates for the area ensure that you won't break your bank playing it, especially if playing at twilight.

The front 9 is the more famous of the two, but that is exclusively because of its signature holes. Make no mistake, they are stunning and make the course worth playing by themselves. But it's otherwise rather basic and flat without too much going for it.

The back 9 is a more well rounded 9. Between holes with constant water in play and some decent uphill and downhill holes, it can keep a player on their toes. It's just that they aren't terribly special for the region.

Notable holes:

-5th: A par 3, it is the first of the canyon holes, it can be intimidating on that alone. But with the right club choice and an accurate shot, it's not too hard. Has a drop area behind the hole for mishits.

-6th: A par 4, and the other canyon hole, it is one of the hardest par 4s in Utah. Drive as far as comfortable down the fairway cause the next shot is across the canyon, a massive 130+ carry to reach the green. A par on this hole is well earned, and a birdie warrants bragging rights.

-11th: A very water heavy par 4, hitting straight off the tee is needed to stay out of the water. Hitting over some will likely be required to reach the green. Another hole where a par is well earned.

-18th: A downhill par 5, It's not quite as exciting as the "elevated tee into a valley" holes found in Mesquite. But it's still a decently fun finish regardless.

With so many great courses in the St. George/Mesquite region, it's tough to recommend this one in particular if you're only visiting once or even twice. But for regular visitors to the area who want some unique and memorable holes to play, it's worth checking out, especially since it's comparatively cheap.