A Wildlife Encounter
Golfers regularly spot deer and wild turkeys roaming the fairways, adding a wild sense of place that city courses just can’t match. The mountain backdrop makes these animal encounters even more memorable.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Wasatch Mountain Golf Course (Lake)
Midway, Utah
Established
1967
Architect
William H. Neff
Access
Public
Par
Par 72
Length
5,573 – 6,942 yds
Green Fees
$$
The verdict
Utah’s Scenic Public Gem
Wasatch Mountain’s Lake Course pairs welcoming fairways with true mountain scenery, making it one of Utah’s best public values. The layout rewards the long game but never feels punishing, and you’ll remember the views as much as the golf. It’s a must for any regional trip.
Course DNA
Difficulty
74
Scenery86
Conditioning81
Shot Variety74
Walkability68
Green Complexity69
Wow Factor78
Design Quality70
Don't miss
Watch for deer and wild turkeys casually sharing the fairways with your foursome.
At a glance
Quick facts
Wildlife sightings
Common to see deer and wild turkeys on course
Ownership
Utah State Parks
Lake vs. Mountain
Lake is more open and less penal than the Mountain layout
Five-some policy
Five-somes are not allowed, helping pace
Practice facilities
Full driving range and practice green
Elevation
Sits above 5,500 feet in the Wasatch Range
Course wildlife
Deer and wild turkey frequent fairways
The design
The architecture
William H. Neff’s Lake Course at Wasatch Mountain delivers a vintage public mountain-golf experience built on openness, flow, and classic routing. The fairways splay out through spacious mountain valley terrain, blending gentle doglegs, reachable par 5s, and a spectrum of par 3 distances. With generous driving corridors and forgiving green surrounds, it rewards the daring player without ever feeling punitive. Strategic shot values increase as you work into the back nine, where elevation, prevailing winds, and long fairways ask for thoughtful club selection. While the Lake course's sophistication is subtle, its playability shines, and the mountain setting creates a lasting sense of place.
Neff’s hallmark was shaping player-friendly public courses that maximize both scenery and scoreability.
Defining features
- Broad, forgiving fairways amid mountain valley
- Mix of reachable and demanding par 5s
- Four distinct par 3 tests, 184–200 yards
- Classic Neff routing with variety and rhythm
- Memorable mountain vistas from many greens
- Wildlife and natural setting add authentic charm
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 8
Mountain Run Par Three
PAR
3
YARDAGE
198
This 198-yard par 3 demands a committed long-iron or hybrid shot against a tableau of mountains. Wind and elevation play tricks, and the large green can leave tricky two-putts.
Play it smart
Trust your yardage and shape the ball into the prevailing wind. Club up to compensate for elevation and watch for left-side pin placements.
Where it bites
Miss short or left and you’ll be scrambling from thick rough with little margin for error.
Course management
Shots to think about
Approach on the 12th (par 4, 447 yds)
Favor accuracy over distance; leaving yourself below the hole creates a much easier up-and-down on this sloped green.
Tee shot on the 1st (par 5, 517 yds)
Start toward the right-center for the best angle, and avoid trying to overpower the opener.
Second shot on the 14th (par 5, 546 yds)
Discipline pays—play a calculated layup rather than chasing reach-in-two glory unless the fairway is perfect.
Tee shot on the 8th (par 3, 198 yds)
Check the wind, club up for elevation, and play to the large center regardless of pin location.
Approach on the 5th (par 4, 375 yds)
A conservative play to the middle green sets up an easy putt; don’t get cute with a tucked flag.
Final putt on fast greens
Most greens roll quick for a public course—play with pace control top of mind.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Strong public-course conditions and speedy greens in peak season.
Pace
Steady pace with normal four-ball rhythm, aided by state-park grouping rules.
Vibe
Casual, recreational, and scenic, fitting public-mountain resort golf.
Dress code
Standard golf attire; no strict private club policy posted.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Mountain Weather Gear
Pack for sudden temperature swings and potential mountain wind—layers are your friend.
02
Arrive Early
Take time to hit the range and soak up mountain air before heading to the first tee.
03
Bring Extra Golf Balls
Errant shots can run quickly into sagebrush or rough thanks to open terrain and elevation.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1967
Lake course opens, designed by William H. Neff
- 2001
Site of Utah State Amateur (facility, specific course not confirmed)
- 2006
Expansion of resort golf in the region builds Midway’s profile
- 2024
Branding refresh by Utah State Parks for both Wasatch and Soldier Hollow
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Scenic But Scoreable
The Lake Course is regionally known for combining open, stress-free landing areas with long, rewarding par 5s. The variety makes it approachable for all, but players still remember its panoramic mountain views long after leaving.
Pace With A View
Thanks to strict no five-some policies and a sensible state-park vibe, the pace of play stays brisk even in prime season. That means more time to soak in the views without feeling rushed.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Constructed as an original design by William H. Neff in the 1960s.
2
Frequently visited by deer and wild turkeys, creating genuine wildlife moments mid-round.
3
Located at over 5,500 feet altitude, adding distance to every club in your bag.
4
The layout offers four distinct par 3s between 184 and 200 yards.
5
There's no five-some play allowed, a rarity for public mountain courses.
Build the trip
If you’re making a Midway-Heber golf getaway
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Soldier Hollow Golf Course
Public
Outstanding public mountain golf, often paired as the area’s best one-two punch.
The Homestead Resort Golf Club
Resort
Quirky resort with unique geothermal crater attractions and a fun, approachable round.
The Canyons Golf Course (Park City)
Public
Modern mountain layout with dramatic elevation changes and Park City vistas.
Glenwild Golf Club
Private
Private, high-end Tom Fazio gem in the Park City area for those with access.
Midway for proximity to both Wasatch Mountain and Soldier Hollow.
Course DNA
If You Like Lake
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match8.2
Country Club of Vermont
Waterbury Center, VermontScenery
Why it matches: What links these two? Makes the landscape part of the experience — a familiar feeling, expressed in Country Club of Vermont's own setting.
Strong DNA Match7.6
The Links at Stono Ferry
Hollywood, South CarolinaWhy it matches: What links these two? A comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character — a familiar feeling, expressed in The Links at Stono Ferry's own setting.
Strong DNA Match7.8
The Valley Club
Hailey, IdahoScenery
Why it matches: If Wasatch Mountain Golf Course (Lake) is your kind of course, The Valley Club is worth a look because it makes the landscape part of the experience.
The architect's other work
More from William H. Neff
Oakridge Country Club
Farmington, UtahUtah’s championship home for tournament golf
Riverside Country Club
Provo, UtahClassic tree-lined test on Provo’s river-bottoms
Community Sentiment
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