Public

Black Desert Course

Black Desert Resort

Ivins, UT, USA
thornton_brown
dawes.nigel
benjaminhouser1
Will Gregoire
scott
+55
18 holesPar 727,393 yds

About this course

Black Desert, carved into the striking Mojave Desert landscape of Ivins, Utah, is a testament to modern golf design, blending challenge and beauty. The property, a former lava flow, now features stark black lava rock juxtaposed against emerald fairways and meticulously manicured greens. The routing requires strategic shot-making and creative course management, rewarding players who can navigate the generous fairways and undulating terrain. While not known for hosting major championships, Black Desert quickly gained a regional reputation for its dramatic visuals and memorable playing experience. Architects Phil Smith and two-time Open Champion David Duval took on the monumental task of crafting a playable course from a barren volcanic landscape. The wide fairways belie the intricacies of the greens, which are heavily contoured, rewarding precision approach shots. Black Desert plays fair but firm, and while it favors no particular shot shape, mastery of the ground game is essential for scoring. The course's unique setting lends itself to unforgettable sunsets and a palpable sense of solitude despite the growing resort community around it. The absence of towering trees emphasizes the scale of the surrounding desert and provides unobstructed views of the nearby red rock mountains. The clubhouse and amenities are ultra-modern, offering a luxurious experience that complements the raw beauty of the course.

Rankings

Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.

118

Best in World

80

Best in USA

1

Best in UT

Quick facts

Location
Ivins, UT, USA
Access
Public
Holes
18
Par
72
Length
7,393 yards
Difficulty
139
Course Vaults score
9.0

Getting there

The gateway to Black Desert Resort is St. George Regional Airport, a compact but capable hub just fifteen minutes west of the property, with direct service from several major cities and ample private aviation facilities for those arriving by jet. Alternatively, Las Vegas's McCarran International lies ninety minutes southwest, offering a dramatic drive that climbs from the Mojave basin into Utah's red rock country. The final approach along Snow Canyon Parkway unfolds like a slow reveal - burnt sienna cliffs rising against impossibly blue sky, the landscape growing wilder and more sculptural until the resort emerges at the base of its namesake lava field, a striking fusion of contemporary architecture and ancient geology.

FAQ

Common questions about Black Desert

Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.

Black Desert has a Course Vaults score of 9.0 out of 10 based on 60 logged golfers.

Yes. Black Desert is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.

Par at Black Desert is 72.

Black Desert plays 7,393 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.

The slope rating at Black Desert is 139.

Black Desert is a 18-hole course.

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