The PGA Tour Fall schedule stops at Black Desert Resort for this week’s Bank of Utah Championship.
Black Desert Resort is a wildly rugged and natural layout known for its ever-present black lava rock framing the fairways and greens from start to finish.
Designed by Tom Weiskopf in 2023, the course features wide fairways with stiff penalties for missing, as the ball will likely come to rest in the rocky landscape. One has the feel of playing golf in the open wilderness at Black Desert Resort; stunning red rock formations, distant mountain ranges, and vast expanses of desert provide the backdrop at every turn.
Let’s take a look at the five best holes at Black Desert Resort.
5. Fifth hole: Par 4, 320 yards
The fifth is a fun, short par-4 that will be drivable, but the green is very narrow and angled from right to left. It is also elevated, so holding this putting surface off the tee will be extremely difficult.
Most players will likely try to poke the ball to a spot just short and right of the green to leave a good angle for a pitch and easy birdie. Accuracy is required, however, as misses to the right will find lava rock, and misses left could leave an awkward uphill pitch from a tight lie.
4. 13th hole: Par 4, 519 yards
The 13th is a very long and difficult par-4 that requires quality ball-striking from tee to green. The fairway is somewhat generous, but a pond hugs the entire left side before turning into a stream that crosses through the hole.
This double dogleg requires a draw off the tee and a fade into the green as the hole bends back to the right. The green is deep and protected by four bunkers: two in front, one on the left, and one to the right. Another spectacular backdrop of rocks and mountains lies in the distance.
3. Seventh hole: Par 5, 589 yards
The seventh is a cool par-5 without any bunkers, but it is very narrow with treacherous accumulations of lava rock surrounding the hole. If the fairway can be successfully negotiated, there is a chance to reach the elevated green in two with an uphill second shot framed by an unbelievable view of red rocks and mountains in the distance.
The most unique feature of the hole is two small black-rock humps in the middle of the fairway that add to the visual appeal and should only come into play on layups after missing the fairway.
2. Eighth hole: Par 3, 152 yards
The eighth at Black Desert is an exciting, short par-3 with a double green shared with the second hole. Desert and lava rock hug the left and back sides of the green, while a bunker guards the front.
The defining feature of this hole, however, is a severe drop-off along the entire right side of the green. A steep, shaved runoff plunges about 12 feet down off the putting surface, sending mishit golf balls tumbling away and leaving a formidable chip back up to the green.
1. Third hole: Par 3, 198 yards
Modeled after the famous sixth at Riviera Country Club, the third at Black Desert is an outstanding par-3. The unique bunker sitting in the center of the green causes this huge putting surface to play much smaller, and this, combined with the elevated back tier, works to divide this green into four small sections.
This hole demands precision off the tee, and misses could leave a very demanding up-and-down for certain hole locations.