Red rock golf in the high desert — stunning views, wide open fairways, year-round play
Hurricane (pronounced "HUR-kin") is the gateway to southwest Utah golf. It's 15 minutes from St. George, 45 minutes from Zion National Park. If you're visiting Zion or doing a Utah road trip, these courses are perfect for a golf break between hiking. The red rock scenery is unmatched. Winter is actually peak season here (while everywhere else is snowed out).
The courses range from forgiving valley layouts to challenging resort designs. Most importantly: you'll have nearly perfect weather March-May and September-November. Summer is hot (95-100°F) but playable with early tee times. Winter is ideal (50-70°F).
Best: October-April. Perfect golf weather — 50-75°F, sunny, minimal wind. This is why people escape to St. George in winter.
Summer: May-September is hot (85-105°F) but still playable. Play early (before 8am) or skip it.
Wind: Spring (March-May) has afternoon breezes. Manageable but noticeable. Afternoon tee times = 1-2 clubs longer.
High desert golf at 2,600-3,000 ft elevation. Red rock bluffs, some water features (mostly in resort courses), wide fairways. Very different from California golf — the light is golden, shadows are dramatic, and the views are genuinely stunning. Ball carries 5-10% farther than sea level.
This is resort golf country. Most courses are designed for vacationers and part-time residents. Pace is relaxed. Prices are fair (not cheap, not expensive). Everyone's here to enjoy themselves and the scenery.
Hurricane is small (15K people). St. George (10 miles) has hotels and restaurants. If you're golfing multiple days, Zion escarpment views beat any clubhouse.
| Your Situation | Best Course | Why |
|---|---|---|
| One round, want beauty | Southgate Golf Club | Red rock views, slope 128, right in Hurricane, $59-79 |
| Resort experience | Entrada at Snow Canyon | Tom Weiskopf design, slope 137, $129-179, stunning layout |
| Best value | LaQuinta Golf Course | Slope 118, $39-59, no frills, fun desert golf |
| Challenge day | Sky Mountain Golf Course | Slope 140, high elevation (3,200 ft), championship design |
| Easiest round | Sunbrook Golf Club | Resort course, slope 122, walkable, beautiful |
| Zion gateway | Southgate (then hike Zion) | 15 min from park entrance, morning golf + afternoon hike |
Red rock views, solid layout, right in Hurricane. Your best local choice.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | 1175 Golf Club Dr, Hurricane, UT |
| Type | Public |
| Holes / Par | 18 / 72 |
| Slope | 128 |
| Yards (tips) | 6,700 |
| Green Fees | $59–$79 (18 holes) |
| Twilight | $39–$49 (after 2pm) |
| Phone | (435) 635-7888 |
The Experience: Designed by Gene Bates. Red rock bluffs frame the back nine beautifully. Slope 128 is moderate — challenging but not brutal. Wide fairways, natural desert vegetation (not overly manicured). Feels authentic to the landscape instead of fighting it. Good pace, honest course management. Twilight rates are a steal.
Best For: First-time visitors, scenic golf, Zion gateway round, easy access.
Tom Weiskopf design. Championship course with championship views.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | 2537 W Sinagua Palms Dr, Hurricane, UT |
| Type | Semi-Private / Resort |
| Holes / Par | 18 / 72 |
| Slope | 137 |
| Yards (tips) | 7,000+ |
| Green Fees | $129–$179 (public play available) |
| Cart | Included |
| Phone | (435) 216-4456 |
The Experience: Tom Weiskopf masterpiece carved through red rock and desert landscape. Slope 137 is genuinely challenging — elevation changes, forced carries, strategic bunkering. But it's beautiful punishment. Wide fairways give you options. Views of Snow Canyon at sunrise are unforgettable. This is the resort experience done right — no shortcuts, no fake stuff, real golf in a real landscape.
Best For: Best-course-of-your-trip, special occasions, when you want championship design, sunset rounds.
Best value, no pretense. Fun desert golf.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | 94 S 700 E, Washington, UT (just south of Hurricane) |
| Type | Public |
| Holes / Par | 18 / 72 |
| Slope | 118 |
| Yards | 6,400 |
| Green Fees | $39–$59 (18 holes) |
| Phone | (435) 673-7981 |
The Experience: Straightforward, no-frills desert course. Slope 118 is manageable. Open layout, fair conditions, fast pace. Not fancy but honest. Good for a quick round between activities. Locals' course vibe.
Best For: Budget rounds, quick play, when you want to move on to other activities.
Scenic resort course. Walkable layout, great for couples or casual play.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | 2366 W Sunbrook Dr, St. George, UT |
| Type | Semi-Private / Resort |
| Holes / Par | 18 / 72 |
| Slope | 122 |
| Yards | 6,600 |
| Green Fees | $69–$99 (public play available) |
| Cart | Included |
| Phone | (435) 627-4440 |
The Experience: Beautiful resort setting with red rock views. Slope 122 is forgiving for a resort course. Walkable in sections, good scenery, relaxed pace. Perfect if you're bringing a non-golfer (they'll love the views while you play). Feels like a club but open to public daily play.
Best For: Couples golf, relaxed rounds, scenery-focused play, resort experience.
Championship challenge. High elevation (3,200 ft). For when you want to test yourself.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | 900 W Sky Mountain Dr, Hurricane, UT |
| Type | Public |
| Holes / Par | 18 / 72 |
| Slope | 140 |
| Yards (tips) | 7,200+ |
| Green Fees | $79–$99 |
| Phone | (435) 627-4450 |
The Experience: Highest elevation course in the area (3,200 ft). Slope 140 is genuine difficulty — tight fairways, elevation changes, water features, championship bunkering. The elevation actually helps (ball carries farther) but the design compensates. Only play this if you're confident. Forward tees drop slope significantly.
Best For: Challenge day, testing your game, when you want to earn the good score.
Scenic desert course with water features. South of St. George but worth the drive.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | 1050 W Ledges Dr, Ivins, UT (15 miles south) |
| Type | Public |
| Holes / Par | 18 / 72 |
| Slope | 130 |
| Yards | 6,750 |
| Green Fees | $79–$109 |
| Phone | (435) 628-3332 |
The Experience: Beautiful layout with red rock ledges and water features (lakes and streams). Slope 130 is moderate-challenging. Well-maintained, good pace. Feels like you're golfing inside a Western movie set. Scenic route to Ivins is part of the experience.
Best For: Scenic beauty, water features, when you want to explore south of St. George.
Sand Hollow Golf Course (Hurricane area, on the way to Zion) — Slope 135, $99–129. Beautiful Bill Coore-influenced desert layout with red rock framing nearly every hole. Tougher than Southgate but a bucket-list course for many. Worth it if you're playing more than 2 rounds in the area.
Green Spring Golf Course (Washington, 10 miles south) — Slope 115, $39–59. Very forgiving public course, great for beginners or quick warm-up rounds. 9-hole option available. Often the cheapest sane round in the area.
Dixie Red Hills Golf Course (St. George) — Old-school city course with massive red rock cliffs as backdrop. Slope 119, $39–55. Walkable, atmospheric, and the views are unreal for the price. Hidden gem.
St. George Golf Club (St. George) — Slope 124, $49–69. Solid municipal-style course, good conditioning, reasonable rates. The locals' choice for quick weekday rounds.
Coral Canyon Golf Course (Washington) — Slope 130, $59–89. Mature 1990s desert layout with water features. Decent option when the bigger names are booked.
Equestrian Estates Golf Club (St. George area) — Mostly private. Limited public play windows. Call ahead.
Friday: Arrive St. George/Hurricane area. Play Southgate (afternoon/twilight rate). Dinner in Hurricane or downtown St. George.
Saturday: Morning: Entrada at Snow Canyon (treat yourself, the marquee round). Afternoon: Quick hike at Snow Canyon State Park (literally next door). Evening: Sunset at Pioneer Park or downtown St. George.
Sunday: Early tee time at LaQuinta or Green Spring (quick round). By noon: 45 minutes to Zion National Park. Afternoon: Angels Landing or The Narrows.
Friday: Southgate (afternoon).
Saturday: Morning at Sand Hollow (the bucket list round). Afternoon at LaQuinta or Sky Mountain (depending on energy).
Sunday: Morning at Entrada (best course of the trip — save it for the freshest legs). Done by noon, drive home.
Total: 4 rounds in 3 days. Pace: aggressive but doable in 60–70°F winter weather.
Day 1: Arrive, play Sunbrook (most walkable, scenic, moderate difficulty). Dinner in St. George.
Day 2: Morning: Southgate together. Afternoon: Snow Canyon State Park or downtown St. George shopping.
Day 3: Drive into Zion for the day. Hike Riverside Walk or Emerald Pools (no permits needed).
If you're driving I-15 between Phoenix and Boise, the Hurricane/St. George cluster is exactly the right "break the trip" spot — about 7 hours from each. One night, one round at Southgate or LaQuinta, eat dinner at George's Corner Restaurant, sleep, drive on.
Hurricane/St. George is perfect for a Zion trip golf break. You get stunning red rock scenery, solid courses, year-round weather, and zero crowds (compared to California). Entrada is your best course. Southgate is your best value + views combo. LaQuinta is your quick warm-up. Winter is when you should go.
This is golf where the scenery is half the experience. Play for the game, but stay for the views.
All fees are approximate. Winter (Dec-Mar) rates and availability vary. Book in advance.