6 months ago
Black Desert is THE penultimate golf experience in Utah! Now, let me start by saying that the course itself isn't necessarily the most interesting in the area. There are others with greater elevation changes and more dramatic views (not to say that the views here aren't impressive -- they certainly are). That aside, it is still a fantastic course, and I didn't find anything left to be desired here -- the whole experience is overwhelmingly positive! The course is thoughtfully designed and carefully maintained. There are many challenges presented by the course, the most predominant being the lava rocks bordering every Fairway. A fortuitous bounce will occasionally create cause for celebration, but mishits are often lost among the crevices. The risk is balanced by the shape of the fairways; they all offer a relatively safe shot. Some fairways require some decision-making; driver isn't always the best option. A couple offer high-risk, high-reward scenarios, including a drivable par 4 on which most of the green is hidden behind a sandy desert hill, with little room to miss right! If you play smart, this course can be beginner-friendly. Bunkers are placed as one would expect -- inconveniently. They're clean, some are quite deep, and the sand is very fine. Exactly what I would expect from a course of this caliber. Fairways and greens alike are carefully shaped in all three dimensions. It's not particularly difficult to read the greens, but many putts absolutely require a precise balance between line and speed! Fortunately, included with green fees is a forecaddie. This is one of the reasons Black Desert is fantastic. Without an extra fee, a forecaddie will accompany your group on the round, give you aim points, distances, and lines, and clean up the bunkers behind you (and even place food orders and possibly hit a celebrity shot). You still get a modern electric cart with a screen which gives you distances and diagrams of fairways and greens. Your food and non-alcoholic beverages are also included! The tacos are fantastic, no matter which ones you get. Finally, green fees include access to: The EXPANSIVE practice facility. The driving range is equipped with Trackman, and has bunkers and pins placed as you might find them on the course (I enjoyed hitting chip shots to an 80-yard pin that was only 10 yards beyond a bunker). The putting green is TWO ACRES, with all sorts of undulations and obstacles. There's also a chipping area, complete with a deep bunker to practice out of. It's the most impressive practice facility I've ever seen, by a country mile! My recommendation: show up to the resort at least two hours before your tee time. Browse the large, modern pro shop before checking in. For your first visit, you'll get a bag tag as a gift, then receive an escorted to the range where they'll go over the facilities and inclusions. From there, grab a bite at the restaurant by the green (but don't overdo it -- you'll have two opportunities during your round to get more food from the other on-course restaurant, and a snack/beverage cart will find you too). Move on to your practice/warm up, loosen up, and your caddie will find you before your round starts to take you to the first tee. After the round, head to the 19th hole, and be prepared for some feedback from the poolside gallery! All in all, I don't think they could offer a better experience. I will certainly be back!
