Where championship golf meets otherworldly landscapes in Utah’s spectacular southwest.
Southwest Utah may not be the first destination that comes to mind when planning a golf getaway, but Greater Zion is rapidly emerging as one of America’s most unique golf destinations. With its dramatic red rock formations, volcanic lava flows, and championship-caliber courses, this area offers an experience of challenging courses set to breathtaking natural backdrops of sandstone cliffs, red rock formations, and black lava rocks.
A Golfer’s Oasis in the Desert
Located on I-15, just a 90-minute drive north of Las Vegas and 300 miles south of Salt Lake City, Greater Zion is remarkably accessible, especially by plane. The local St. George airport offers direct flights to Los Angeles, Denver, Dallas, Phoenix and Salt Lake City.
Greater Zion boasts over 300 days of sunshine annually and features 14 golf courses within a 20-mile radius. While play continues year-round thanks to mild winters with daily highs in the 50s in December and January, the sweet spots are March through May and September through November. Temperatures are moderate and a light sweater is the heaviest outerwear needed.
Championship Golf Takes Center Stage
The region gained national prominence in 2024 when the PGA Tour returned to Utah for the first time in over 60 years. The Black Desert Resort now hosts a Fall FedEx Cup event with the Black Desert Championship presented by Greater Zion.
In May 2025, Greater Zion made history as the first location ever to host the LPGA Tour, Epson Tour, and Legend of the LPGA Tour in a single month at Black Desert Resort and Copper Rock golf courses.
A Diverse Collection of World-Class Courses
Greater Zion offers an impressive array of courses, each with its own character and challenges:
Black Desert Resort designed by the late Tom Weiskopf, the course stretches to 7,200 yards and represents what many consider the architect’s finest resort course. The layout expertly weaves between ancient volcanic basalt flows, creating a colorful rainbow where black lava rock contrasts with blue water and sky, white sand bunkers, and emerald fairways—all set against the region’s iconic red rock mountains.
Memorable holes include the 190-yard downhill par-3 third hole, which features a bunker strategically placed in the middle of the green, reminiscent of Riviera’s famous 6th hole. The challenging par-5 13th hole offers stunning views of Red Mountain with a curved lake running along the left side, testing both strategy and nerve.
Sand Hollow Golf Course stands as the region’s established star, ranked among the nation’s top courses. This 7,300-yard championship layout is famous for its dramatic elevation changes and heart-pounding holes perched on the edge of breathtaking ravines. The back nine is particularly memorable, especially “The Devil’s Throat”— the tee on the par-3 15th hole — dramatically framed by two steep rock faces with Zion National Park providing a stunning backdrop.
Coral Canyon Golf Course stretches 7,146 yards from the black tees with a challenging rating of 75.2 and 148 slope. However, with five different tee sets, including a golfer-friendly 4,676-yard option, it accommodates players of all skill levels. Recent improvements include redesigned bunkers and new cart paths, all while maintaining views of Zion National Park.
Copper Rock Golf Course is host to the Epson Tour’s Copper Rock Championship. This 6,970-yard layout sprawls across 943 acres of pristine desert landscape and copper mountains providing a cinematic backdrop. The course also hosted the LPGA Legends Championship in 2024 and 2025.
The Ledges Golf Club offers a peaceful desert setting. The back nine is particularly special, with the par-3 12th hole and par-4 14th hole providing gorgeous panoramic views of multi-colored cliffs and red rocks from the rim of Snow Canyon State Park.
Beyond the Fairways
Greater Zion’s appeal extends beyond the tees. The region is a gateway to Zion National Park, plus four state parks that offer world-class hiking, canyoneering, and outdoor adventures. Those seeking an adrenaline-pumping complement to the golf experience can book an OHV tour through sand dunes and towering rock formations. Those who want to relax can sample wine from grapes grown in volcanic soil.
The combination of championship golf, stunning natural beauty and year-round playability creates an experience that’s unique to the southwest. With lodging options ranging from luxury resorts to boutique properties, plus the infrastructure to support major professional tournaments like the PGA and LPGA Tours, Greater Zion has all the elements of a world-class golf destination. It’s a place where every round comes with views that would make even the most jaded golfer pause in appreciation—and where the 19th hole conversations inevitably turn to planning the next visit.
To see all the golf courses and activities go to www.greaterzion.com
