Lake Powell National Golf Course

High above the rust-red canyons of Page lies a golf course carved by both elevation and an architect’s imagination. Here, the sight of shadows painted on cliffs by the sun, or vistas stretching into the faraway mountains may well distract one from playing golf. But this is no mere diversion in the desert: Lake Powell National Golf Course tests not only driving power, but also nerve, finesse, and careful play.

The course’s character is defined by varied green complexes, strategic hazard placement, and, above all, elevation changes that appear to follow the ground’s natural contours. These shifts in terrain create a careful balance of uphill and downhill approaches; greens perched atop hillocks proved just as tricky to club as those sitting at the end of a downhill slope. On many holes, trees make cameo appearances, while the desert, which waits hungrily beyond the fairways and their rough, poses the headline threat. Bunkers, by contrast, are more deliberate actors: their placement is cunning, often pulling the eye—and the ball—away from ideal lines. Around the greens, bold mounding is common, and several complexes feature dramatic falloffs. The putting surfaces are generously sized, some splitting into two or even three tiers. Their shapes run the gamut—heart-shaped, hourglass, you name it—never simple, few symmetrical. Some tilt enough to invite three-putting. Wide enough to allow strategic driving, these fairways rumble along with subtle and sometimes bolder undulations under their lush surfaces. Often, then, driving the ball will have an air of unpredictability.

Although they are of moderate width, the front nine fairways have enough slope to emphasize straight hitting. By contrast, the back is somewhat more open and adds intriguing risk/reward opportunities. Short par-4s such as seventeen and possibly sixteen are reachable, for example, by big hitters. Ten, the shortest par-5, is short and reachable in two, yet protection from its numerous greenside hazards may give you pause. The twelfth, too, is short enough to allow risk-takers to cut its dogleg.

The course’s architect, Bill Phillips, who designed Lake Powell National in 1995, routed it up and down a mesa (with upper and lower levels) where the lesser slopes are quite scenic as well. His apparent approach was effective: Find every green site that could add challenge, but also build many tees that allowed for a look down–to whatever the degree–on the fairways or greens. This, along with the rough terrain, partly explains the long cart drives from greens to tees. Phillips also added the necessary triangulation among the holes and ‘hole clusters’ since Page can often be a windy place.

Golf Holes of Interest:

The par-5 tenth starts from a high tee and plays downhill to a well-protected fairway. Near the green, sandstone cliffs threaten on the left. Sixteen, a brilliant par-4, begins with a drive to a landing zone backed by a large cross-hazard—a gully—after which the fairway climbs the rise to a small green. Then there is the short but treacherous par-4 seventeenth, where the fairway curls around a pond that essentially fronts the whole of this green, and a gaping bunker sits in front. Even when played conservatively, the seventeenth is a great hole, as it requires a carefully placed drive and accurate pitch. On the other hand, long hitters who successfully drive this green should, if they have a sense of theater, take a bow.

Then there is the brutally tough, 641-yard eighth, which starts off letting you swing with some abandon off the tee. Yet it’s still an ogre of a par-5: the rest of this long, grueling test is about accuracy. On the second shot, you’ll need to carry a wash.

Still, not every hole is ideal: the par-5 fourteenth, for example, seems a bit dull–though its challenge suffices.

Best hole: 7th, par-4, 458 yards:

Seven, the #3 index, plays downhill to an offset fairway from the tee. Hazards? A pond sits on the left side of the landing zone, an imposing sandstone mountain right. Around the green are mounding in the back, the pond (again), and a big bunker to the front/right.

Most interesting hole: 6th, par-3,191:

Given its thirteen-story drop from the tee, the sixth lives up to its signature status. Still, this is one of the “easier” holes: clubbing it is the hard part. But it is watching a tee shot plummet toward the green that tingles the spine.

Aesthetically, this is a singular layout. Starting at the clubhouse (at elevation 4,150) and the very first green, the views seem peerless, but by the third green through the sixth they are almost otherworldly. The vistas are panoramic on this Upper Mesa. Among them, visible in the foreground below, are rugged cliffs tumbling down to the emerald fairways of the golf course, which sit a few miles southeast of the Glen Canyon Dam. There, the Colorado River has cut deep into the red rock and left a dark chasm that contrasts to the vermilion sands around it. Beyond the dam Lake Powell twinkles, slate blue in the midday sun. Look southwest, as well, and the Vermilion Cliffs will be visible; the Kaiparowits Plateau is to the north and northwest.

Conditions:

Overall they were good, but flaws included slow greens (which still rolled accurately) and some patchy spots on a few front-side fairways. In the one bunker I found, the sand was overly compacted. Other than that, the tees, fairways and greenside areas proved excellent.

Playing Experience/Other:

Met up with Andy (a coincidental but fortuitous pairing) who plays here often and reveres this course. He graciously offered thoughts and strategies on every hole and we enjoyed great conversation throughout–an outstanding playing partner. In the pro shop, service was excellent, friendly, and accommodating from the Course Manager, I believe.

Some Conclusions:

One can’t argue with the benefits of playing a course that offers design quality, strategy, challenge, and a continually dramatic visual spectacle. Playing it today, whether grinding through its front nine or considering risk/reward options on back side holes, the layout kept me thinking, almost at all times engrossed in the task at hand.

We were treated like royalty from the minute we arrived. The facility is amazing, the staff is helpful and friendly. One of the nicest covered ranges, and the views are spectacular. This is a "can't miss" if you are vacationing at Lake Powell. Highly recommend!

As a first timer we found the course amazing. The views are incredible! Unfortunately there were multiple times that we didn’t know where the green was. Even with the gps on the cart it was hard to tell. Score card didn’t really help either.

Played this course a few years ago and it was a very nice experience. This time wasn't as good. Overall conditions have taken a serious decline. Fairways were closer to light rough. The rough was ridiculous. Lots of bare spots all over the place. I can only guess why. Perhaps a rough transition, staffing shortages, water problems or a combination of those, these things happen. It looked to me like the mowing in most areas was seriously behind schedule. Some serious effort is needed to get it back into a reasonable condition.

Pluses:

1.Great layout with lots of interesting challenging holes.

2.Very helpful & pleasant red haired woman in the Pro

shop.

3. Reasonable rates on Golf Now.

4. Greens were in very nice condition. Rolled true.

5. Nice warm up/practice area.

6. Great pace of play.

7. Beautiful panoramic views. Unfortunately the North Rim fires obscured these somewhat which was not in any way the fault of the course.

Minuses:

1.See comments above on overall playing conditions.

2. The water treatment plant was sharing unpleasant aromas most of the day.

3. That same aroma seemed to permeate the restaurant as well.

4. Carts were dirty and constantly slowed down and sped up without any help from me. Annoying. Judging from the antics I observed by the cart kids, I understand why.

The last few years have not been kind to Lake Powell Nat'l. Some hard work and cash infusion is needed to bring it back to its former excellent condition.

.

Pro:

1. Excellent layout. Interesting & challenging holes.

2. Helpful & friendly Proshop staff.

3. Greens are pristine.

4. Views are spectacular when the fires aren't raging.

5. Reasonable rates.

6. Excellent warmup, practice area.

Cons:

1. Fairway grass is way too long. Rough is US Open height! Mowing is way behind schedule. Conditions in general have deteriorated over the last few years. Lots of bare spots, Hard clay in bunkers. You can get out, but you better open up that sand wedge.

2. Carts are not smooth driving.

3. On course bathrooms are very rough.

Cons that are not under control of Course:

1.Water treatment plant is currently sharing thier aroma!

2. Sometimes very windy.

3.Smoke from fires is overwhelming

The views are incredible and hitting from the dropoff on the par 3 was really fun.

Start off tuff in rain , but got better the morning went on . Except the the group ahead of that had 6 people playing & didn’t allow us to pass through. Would have made for better golf experience., but overall for the price we managed.

What a gem of a course! The front 9 ( which used to be the back nine) is unbelievably scenic. Great views high over the town and a great view of the dam.

Some of the greens are perched on the edge of cliffs. Hit it long and kiss your ball goodbye. Some blind shots make for difficulty off the tee.

Be aware the many of the holes play uphill quite a bit so the course plays longer than the stated yardage.

Course was in excellent condition. One green had some problems . The greens are pretty slow.

Just a fantastic course even at the rack rate of $79.

Played LPN again this week. As Beautiful as the first time.

Beautiful course & great pace of play. Need to play again as some holes are unique & need to place my ball in different locations. Great Fun.

One of the most scenic golf courses I've golfed , challenging layout with some very forgiving holes

Only issue with the course eas the 9 and 18 green. Very unfair with almost impossible to putt from the upper side on the green, balls just rolls off in the rough.