Soldier Hollow Golf Course is a 36-hole public golf course situated in the Wasatch Mountain State Park overlooking Midway, Utah, and was constructed on the property which hosted the cross-country skiing and biathlon events of the 2002 Winter Olympics. It is composed of two courses, Gold and Silver, which were designed by Gene Bates and were opened for play in July 2004. Rates range between $67 and $90 including the use of carts and are lower for Utah residents.
One of the longest courses in the state, Gold measures 7,719 yards from the back tees. Silver features an interesting score card, a par 72 layout consisting of six par 3 holes, six par 4 holes and six par 5 holes. Choosing among them is what this webpage is all about.
Everything in one place
Start here if you want the essentials before reading further.
| What you want to know | The answer |
|---|---|
| Where it is | Inside Wasatch Mountain State Park above Midway, in Wasatch County, Utah |
| How many holes | 36, split between the Gold and Silver courses |
| Who designed it | Gene Bates Golf Design, with both courses completed in July 2004 |
| What it costs | Roughly $67 to $90, with the cart included and a Utah resident discount |
| How to book | Online through Utah State Parks, up to 10 days ahead |
| Pro shop number | 435-654-7442 |
| Season | Generally March through November, depending on snow |
| The Olympic link | The site hosted 2002 Winter Olympic and Paralympic nordic events |
| Worth knowing | Fivesomes are not permitted, and weekends have no ride-along carts |
What happened here before the golf
The Soldier Hollow venue was constructed by the Salt Lake Organizing Committee to be used as the competition venue for the 2002 Winter Olympics. It hosted the biathlon, cross-country skiing, and cross-country part of nordic combined competitions and it also held the biathlon and cross-country competition for the 2002 Winter Paralympics.
The golf course came later and it was completed in July 2004 right next to the competition stadium hence making the course to be the one that could correctly claim that it was built on an Olympic venue rather than next to one.
It is going to hold the same nordic competitions when the Winter Olympics comes back to Utah in 2034. The property is owned by the state of Utah while the venue has been managed by the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation since 2016.
That dual purpose explains a lot about the place. The clubhouse, the parking and the scale of the infrastructure were all built for an Olympic crowd, which is why a state-run golf course has facilities most municipal operations could never justify.
The park the course sits inside
Wasatch Mountain State Park has a total area of 21,592 acres. The park became a nature reserve in 1961 and later a state park in 1968 while Soldier Hollow can be found on its southeastern end.
There are two major reasons why this information is important. First, this park has another 36 holes of Wasatch Mountain Golf Course located just miles away, making a total of 72 holes of state park golf within easy reach. Second, there are no residential units anywhere. The fairways of the course are lined with scrub oak, natural grass, and trees and not property lines.
The place becomes active even when the golf season ends. During winter one gets an opportunity to ski, tube, snowshoe and enjoy sleigh rides. Summer sees people biking, attending a music festival and witnessing an international sheepdog championship.
Gold or Silver, and how to choose
Most visitors get one round here, so this is the section that matters most.
| Course | Par | Back tee | Rating and slope | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 72 | 7,719 yards | 75.4 and 141 | Mountain golf with serious elevation change |
| Silver | 72 | 7,355 yards | 74.2 and 142 | Open parkland that plays firm and along the ground |
The Gold Course
This is the championship course and the one people come for. It is at the highest elevation at the resort, and the front nine is a climb up a steep hill with significant elevation changes throughout both individual holes and between holes.
The scenery does most of the talking. You are taking in views of Heber Valley with the mountain Timpanogos far in the background, and the scenery of the course is mostly of scrub oak and mountain grasses without any planting. The fairways are broad with protection offered from the bunkers, the challenging greens, and the wind, which comes more than expected.
At 7,719 yards off the golf course, this course is among the longest courses in Utah with its 75.4 course rating. Virtually nobody should be playing this course from those tees.
The Silver Course
The Silver is less hilly, more spacious and is known as the friendly course, but this is deceptive as the gradient behind the course is actually 142, just above the Gold.
Its unique feature is the hole formation, consisting of six par threes, six par fours and six par fives, a combination you might spend a lifetime without coming across, and this affects the pace of the game in a way.
There are hardly any trees and water on the golf course, and thus, the ball rolls, and many golfers have likened it to links golf due to this characteristic, where a bouncing approach becomes the right shot as opposed to being one of desperation.
The view here is of Mount Timpanogos.
So which one
Gold if you have time for one round but crave elevation, scenic vistas, and the golf course that receives the accolades. Silver if you desire variety in your scorecard, harder terrain, and an easier physical challenge on a hot day. Do both if you have two days, as they really are different courses.
What it costs and how to book
Pricing moves with season and tee time rather than sitting at one number.
| What you are paying for | Roughly what it runs | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| 18 holes | About $67 to $90 | The cart is included in the green fee at both courses |
| Utah resident rate | Discounted | Available to state residents, so ask when booking |
| Nine holes | Adjusted after 3pm | The afternoon nine-hole rate drops, so late starts pay less |
| Club rental, 18 holes | $75 | Nine-hole rental is $40 |
| Booking window | 10 days ahead | Online through Utah State Parks, which is short by resort standards |
This is a tight schedule. It is advisable to place a reminder for the day when you can book your course for the weekend morning during the summer days or fall color days instead of calling mid-week when you think everything will be fine.
There is a tip about where you will book your slot. Searching for this particular course, there are some websites that look legitimate but redirect to another site, so it is recommended to use the golf course pages of Utah state parks or call the pro shop at 435-654-7442. The pro shop operates from 8:30am to 7pm in the season.
Here are a couple of rules which may catch you unaware. The fivesome is not acceptable in this golf course. There are no spectators riding the cart or accompanying on any days, so if you want a companion who does not play golf, he or she cannot just accompany you in the Saturday slot.
Playing at 5,500 feet and up
The Soldier Hollow golf course is situated somewhere between 5,463 feet in elevation at its lowest point and 5,882 feet at its highest point, and the course is above the stadium, so you’ll be playing somewhere within that vicinity.
Consequently, there are two things worth mentioning. The first is that you’ll hit your ball much farther because of the thin air here by about 8-10%, which is essentially equivalent to one whole club. And since the Gold already has you playing down some steep hills on the first nine holes, the combination may well mean that you will fly the greens if you do not adjust. Club down early and then recalibrate as you play.
The second is the temperature. Being in this elevation, the summertime is noticeably cooler than in the Salt Lake valley floor, which is the major reason why golfers from northern Utah come out here to play in July and August. In spring and fall, it can be cold in the mornings.
When the course is at its best
The season lasts from March until November, with both start and finish being determined by snow conditions as opposed to a fixed date. March and November have a lot to do with luck, and this time of the year you could very well hit the jackpot.
Summer provides the best conditions and the coolest golf experience possible in proximity to Salt Lake City. The period that locals look forward to playing golf in is the late September through early October, when the autumn colors come up in the Wasatch Mountains and the tee sheet is not crowded anymore after summer peak. This period is the only best time to play golf at this golf field in Utah.
Winter closes down the golf course, and the field goes back to being what it used to be before.
Recognition and championship history
Soldier Hollow has collected a reasonable amount of hardware for a state-run facility.
| What it received | The detail |
|---|---|
| USGA championship | Hosted the 2012 U.S. Amateur Public Links, using 17 Gold holes and one Silver hole |
| Golf Digest architecture award | Recognized for architecture in 2007 and 2008, and named Best in State |
| GolfPass Golfers’ Choice | The Gold took the top spot among Utah courses in the 2024 edition |
| Golfweek recognition | The Gold has appeared on multiple best-of lists |
| College golf | The property has hosted collegiate tournament play |
The Public Links detail is the one worth pausing on, because it is a USGA championship played on a course anyone can book for under a hundred dollars. That combination is rare.
What golfers actually say
This particular review photo is skewed in a manner which requires explanation rather than repetition.
Gold receives the highest rating with a rating average of 5.0 in its reviews where each category rate above 4.3, with the conditions rated at 4.9. The Silver receives a rating average which is much lower with only a few reviews which is definitely not enough in number to be taken seriously. Going through individual reviews, the complaints about the Silver center on amenities rather than golf such as inadequate refreshment and restrooms on course, and lack of shaded area on its open course design.
The pace of play is also raised in both courses, but no marshal is raised quite a few times. Tee time helps resolve most of it.
| What is being rated | Gold score | What it reflects |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | 5.0 | The design and routing draw no serious criticism |
| Value | 5.0 | Cart-inclusive pricing on a course of this standard |
| Conditions | 4.9 | Consistently described as excellent |
| Friendliness | 4.9 | Staff rate near the top of every category |
| Pace of play | 4.3 | The weakest area, and better early in the day |
| Amenities | 4.3 | Solid at the clubhouse, thinner out on the course |
Facilities and what is on site
The clubhouse features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the valley, and includes a restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as the Soldier Hollow Lounge. The facility also has a gift shop, and the place is available for rentals for various occasions.
The practice facilities include a driving range, putting green, and chipping area. The instructors provide lessons, and the rate of rental of the clubs is $75 for 18 holes or $40 for nine.
The cart service is included in the price, which is a significant distinction between this course and others in the same price range, and one of the reasons for such high value ratings.
Where to follow the course
The course keeps active accounts worth checking for conditions, aeration schedules and seasonal opening news before you travel.
| Channel | Where to find it | What it is useful for |
|---|---|---|
| @soldierhollowgolfcourse | Course photos, conditions and seasonal updates | |
| facebook.com/soldierhollowgolf | Opening and closing announcements and event news | |
| Official listings | Utah State Parks golf pages | Tee times, hours and the authoritative course information |
| By phone | 435-654-7442 | The pro shop, and the fastest way to confirm anything |
The golf course does not have its own distinct and confirmed X and YouTube channel presence. Information about the venues in general, as well as Nordic and Olympic legacy events, goes through the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation instead.
Final take
Soldier Hollow Golf Course is among the best cases made in American golf that public ownership and course quality need not be incompatible. The operation of 36 holes by an esteemed architect on Olympic grounds, with cart included, for under a hundred dollars and with a USGA championship having been held on the course.
Hit the Gold Course if it is just one round, play when your ten days begin, hit down on your driver due to the elevation from the first tee, and if possible, play in late September. With a second day available, go for the Silver and experience a six-six-six scorecard that is unique in the state.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Soldier Hollow Golf Course?
In Wasatch Mountain State Park above Midway, Utah, in Wasatch County, roughly an hour southeast of Salt Lake City. The golf sits immediately north of the Olympic competition stadium. The pro shop number is 435-654-7442.
How much does it cost to play Soldier Hollow?
Green fees run roughly $67 to $90 for 18 holes, with the cart included in the fee. Utah residents receive a discount, and the nine-hole rate is adjusted downward after 3pm. Club rental is $75 for 18 holes or $40 for nine.
How far in advance can you book a tee time at Soldier Hollow?
Ten days, booked online through Utah State Parks. That is a short window compared with most destination courses, so for weekend mornings in summer or during the fall color weeks it is worth booking the day the window opens.
What is the difference between the Gold and Silver courses?
The Gold is the championship layout, longer at 7,719 yards with major elevation change and views over Heber Valley. The Silver is flatter and more open at 7,355 yards, plays firm and fast with few trees, and has an unusual par 72 made up of six par 3s, six par 4s and six par 5s.
Who designed Soldier Hollow Golf Course?
Gene Bates Golf Design created both courses, which were completed in July 2004. The facility has since been recognized by Golf Digest for its architecture and named Best in State.
Was Soldier Hollow really an Olympic venue?
Yes. It was purpose-built for the 2002 Winter Olympics and hosted the biathlon, cross-country skiing and the cross-country leg of nordic combined, plus Paralympic biathlon and cross-country. The golf courses were added afterward on adjoining ground, and the venue is expected to host the same events at the 2034 Winter Olympics.
Which Soldier Hollow course is harder?
It depends how you measure. The Gold is longer and rated higher at 75.4, but the Silver carries a marginally steeper slope at 142 against the Gold’s 141, meaning it plays relatively harder for the average golfer than its reputation suggests.
Has Soldier Hollow hosted any championships?
Yes. It staged the 2012 U.S. Amateur Public Links, a USGA championship, played across 17 Gold holes and one Silver hole. The property has also hosted collegiate tournament golf.
When does Soldier Hollow open for golf?
The season generally runs March through November, with both ends governed by snow rather than fixed dates. Late September into early October gives the best combination of conditions, fall color and quieter tee sheets.
Is a cart included at Soldier Hollow?
Yes, the cart is included in the green fee at both courses, which is unusual at this price and a large part of why the value scores are so strong. Note that fivesomes are not permitted, and there are no ride-along or spectator carts at weekends.
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