Promontory Club (Painted Valley)

The Jack Nicklaus-designed Painted Valley golf course debuted in 2007, five years after Pete Dye’s Canyon course became the first of the two 18-hole layouts to open for play at the Promontory Club. Up to another three 18-hole courses have been planned for this venue and it’s rumoured that a Tom Weiskopf design could be next to make an appearance.

The Nicklaus course measures a mammoth 8,000 yards in length, which at mountain altitude, is still the equivalent of around 7,300 yards at sea level… so, not for nothing is this course known as the most difficult in the state of Utah.

The scale of the challenge is set out on the first hole of the Painted Valley layout as it’s a mammoth 718-yard par five, rated Stroke index 1. If you were not aware of this layout’s testing credentials before setting out, then you soon will be as you stand on the first tee and survey the flag of the opening hole in the distance.

Water comes into play in the form of creeks at holes 4 to 8 then, on the back nine, there are ponds to contend with on four of the closing five holes. And if you’re wondering where are Jack’s trademark waste bunkers, then look no further than the par four 7th and par five 12th for prime examples of this architectural eccentricity.