TalonsCove At Saratoga Springs

Built on the rolling terrain beneath the towering peaks of the Wasatch Range, TalonsCove Golf Club appears a striking presence against the silvery-green backdrop of Utah Lake. It was a terrific “first play” today. This is one of the most creative tracks I’ve encountered over the last five years, feeling much like a seaside links that has been conveyed to the high desert. Most impressive are the immense and sprawling bunkers devised by course architect Gene Bates; they stand guard over the fairways and greens as if gargantuan, sleeping beasts.

Overall, the layout’s design reflects a mildly hybrid nature, mainly combining elements of linksland but also rugged mountain courses. Characteristic of the latter are the dynamic elevation changes–with holes almost always traveling uphill or down: the land heaves and shrinks on a scale seldom seen on a links layout–almost 200 feet above adjacent Lake Utah (Royal Portrush in Ireland, about as rugged as a links gets, rises about 100 feet over its ‘base level,’ which in that case is the ocean). The higher elevations here allow spectacular vistas into the distance, where, across the expansive lake, Mount Timpanogos and the Wasatch Range dominate the landscape.

One of my overriding impressions of TalonsCove is how these broad slopes deliver a bounty of strong driving holes, which are derived from a variety of features. The fairways generally sprawl openly and spaciously, but in some instances the surrounding houses creep in, and they may feel as if they’re pressing too close. As on any links, however, few trees appear here. Some unpredictable bumps and swales and undulations also characterize most of these fairways, but bunkering is the course’s most dramatic signature. These seem something more than traps, monumental in scale and inspired in shape: their lobes radiate out broadly and they sink deep enough to demand more than just technical skill if you hope to escape them. So massive are the bunkers that they often define–not just squeeze–approach shots into greens. Whether single or in clusters, both fairway and greenside bunkers influence the best lines from tee to green.

TalonsCove proved a true test of ball-striking by the time I finished my round. However wide the fairways are, straying too far off them will bring grief, as thick, clinging rough gives way to the untamed, native grasslands. When the wind is up, it will definitely play a role in course management, shaping line of play and club selection. Water hazards are fairly scarce in keeping with the links aura. The scale of the course is reinforced by its enormous, sweeping greens—some tiered, many cleverly and subtly contoured. Even a two-putt on many of these greens, which run very fast downhill, should feel well-earned.

The green complexes, all of them immaculately designed and varied, may feel like puzzles for your short game. The asymmetrical green shapes themselves will encourage careful thinking about where and how to land approach shots.

While the par-3s are uniformly strong, it’s the par-5s that play toughest. Each playing uphill, the first, seventh, and fifteenth are also lengthy tests of accuracy, power, and strategy–and, for most players, three-shotters. Testing every part of your game, they are rewarding when played well. The closing stretch at TalonsCove reaches a memorable crescendo–and all are holes that balance rigor with high interest. A superb finishing hole, the uphill, 440-yard 18th is also the best par-4 on the course.

Most Interesting Hole:

The short, par-4 sixteenth may be the cleverest of them all. A strategic drive-and-pitch hole with a downhill tilt, it begs you to hit the driver. But four bunkers, hunched and waiting within forty yards of the green, suggest otherwise.

Best Hole:

Although six is the signature hole for good reason, I was stunned by the more strategic par-5 thirteenth. With a serpentine fairway that glides downhill, it lures you to crush your longest drive and second shot, despite five fairway bunkers that guard the margins. Better to resist that temptation.

Conditions:

Excellent overall, but tainted a bit by limited patchiness in greens; the grounds crew appears to have controlled their spread; still, the patches do interfere a bit (in places) with putting.

Some Conclusions:

Variety, challenge, aesthetics, and the feel of a links–this Gene Bates course supplies about all you can ask to deliver a highly satisfying round. Besides a raft of excellent holes, it also provides four well-spaced sets of tees and enough balance among tough, moderate, and somewhat easier holes to keep things intriguing.

Does TalonsCove have the “wow” factor? Describing it with just one “wow” doesn’t make the cut.

Talons Cove is definitely one of the best courses in the state. Decent design and layout, however, the rapid construction of new homes have kind of ruined the vibe and visual appeal. As someone who has played this course since the beginning years, it's hard for me to say anything too negative about it. Very playable course for all skill levels and good views of Mt. Timpanogos and Utah Lake. Like I said before, new housing has blocked some of the best views, especially the par 3 sixth. All around, really good course!

The fairways and greens were in great shape. If you managed to find the rough you had to put a good shot together. Some of the bunkers could use some maintenance.

I have played Talons Cove a few times and each time I travel to Utah and I am able to play Talons Cove, I always have a great experience and a great time golfing.

Talons Cove is a links style course with lots of humps, bumps and undulations all around the course. There are not trees at all on the course and the winds are always blowing.

The greens are relatively large with lots of undulations and subtle slopes. The bunkers are very challenging as some have light fluffy sand and others are had and mostly packed dirt.

One of the best features of the course and the many views of Utah Lake and beautiful mountains. Always a pleasure to play in the morning when the sun is coming up over the mountains. The course is worth every penny (great value) and no two holes feel the same.

This course is a links style course with relatively large undulating fairways and strategically placed bunkers. This course also has a good amount of elevation change and inspiring views of Utah Lake. The course is quite long from the back tees and can be very challenging when the wind is up, which it often is. This course is worth every penny and no two holes feel alike.

The staff here are very friendly and accommodating.

The course is in great shape for spring. The greens are tough to read but putt smooth. The layout has great views of the mountains and lake.

This is the second time I have played this course and this course was in excellent condition (minus a few tings). The greens were in excellent condition and were smooth and fast.

The fairways were terrific with thick, smooth grass.

The rough was thick and lush.

The bad thins were the bunkers. The bunkers were awful with no sand at all. I was in a couple fairway bunkers and a couple greenside bunkers and every single bunker I hit out of there was no sand and the bunkers were like hitting off the cart path they were so hard and just plain dirt.

Overall, I really like the course and the conditions (other than the awful bunkers) were great. The staff in the pro shop was very friendly and accommodating.

The course offers spectacular views of Utah lake as well as the surrounding mountains. The scenery is awesome.

The course was great. The greens were fast and very smooth (very few non-repaired ball marks on the greens). The fairways were lush and beautiful. The rough was very thick and challenging to get out of because the grass is so lush and strong. I love the fairways, rough and greens at the course. Probably the thing I love most about the course is the beautiful views you have of the mountains and of Utah Lake. There are several holes the overlook the lake with great views. I would definitely play the course again and again because the course is in great shape with beautiful views. The worst thing about the course are the bunkers. The bunkers were VERY had with hardly any sand at all in them. I was in several bunkers during the day and they were all either hard as rock on just dirt or very muddy from sprinkler water. Fix the bunkers a little and this will be one the best courses in Utah.

Played on a beautiful day with a light breeze and had a great time. Eventually learned that most putts break towards Utah Lake even when it looks like they will break the other way. Lots of unrepaired ball marks on the greens. Some traps had dirt instead of sand and some were muddy due to the sprinklers. Still - lots of fun.

I used to love playing this course, but the conditions have gotten worse each year. Early in the season, the greens looked like no one who played the course owned a divot tool. They were so pockmarked with divots it just was like playing Plinko. We went back this weekend to give it another shot and while things were better, they greens were still among the worst for ballmarks I have seen.

We played on Sunday, after almost ten straight days of rain, and the greens were so hard and cut so short you could not land a ball on them and expect it to hold. One course worker said it was because they bought a new $30,000 mower and cut them very short, but that doesn't explain them being so dry. The staff is always friendly and thanks me for coming out, but its no fun playing when you have no chance of scoring.

The course has three par 3s, par 4s, and par 5 on the front nine. One par 3 plays at 200+ yards depending on tee box which can make it a real challenge. The latter two par fives on the front dogleg to the left in similar manner, but play differently due to bunkering down the side of one at the corner. The back nine has some short par fours that require accuracy off the tee. The two par 5s both bend ot the left, but play differently, except for the bunkers right where your tee shot is expected to land.

All in all, its an OK course, but not what is was and not worth full price in my opinion.

My husband and I played this course twice over the weekend, the first 9 holes and were caught in a downpour of rain on the 9th hole; the staff was amazing and helpful as we came in soaked! Sunday, we played 18 holes. This is a beautifully maintained course; challenging yet forgiving. Every hole is fun, and the it's all very well laid out.

They recently rolled the greens which made putting very challenging, but they did warn us before coming in case that would have made a difference for us, which was appreciated. Even with the rolled greens, we had no complaints.

I don't have a review of the food/beverages but only because we didn't eat or drink anything. I love this course and have nothing but good things to say.

I wish we discovered this course earlier in the year!

Great course! I have golfed this course several times and it's always in great shape. The staff is friend and the facilities are well kept. I would recommend this course for any skill level.

We enjoyed this course very much. Great condition. I would recommend that they pass out ball mark repair tools especially to tournament players.

Another course in the valley claims to be a links course however Talons truly meets the definition. Course is in good condition. I didn't feel the course was just packed with players but pace of play was appropriate.

Wow, beautiful views. Great condition of fairways and greens. It is in a subdivision, but the houses are not in play.

Nice course... Right next to Provo lake so a lot of bugs. Bring bug spray.. Otherwise nice course if you can find a good deal online.

Conditions were soft and perfect, can't beat the price!

This was a very good course. From the start is kept getting more interesting and challenging. I really enjoyed the openness of the greens and the flow of the play. Stay as close to the center and you can find your golf balls most of the time.

Have wanted to play this course for several years and finally did so. Course is in very good condition with beautiful views of the mountains east of Utah Lake. It was quite windy the day we played and I understand it's frequently windy at this course. Wind made it very challenging but it was still lots of fun. Would like to play it again someday.

Course is very fun with challenging holes. Plenty of tee box options to make the course fit your level of play. Very long from the tips, but the gold and silver tees can make the round very enjoyable with some birdie opportunities. Greens and fairways were in good condition. Greens have subtle breaks many of which break towards the lake. Lots of bunkers that don't have sand...just hard dirt...very bad. I understand its hard to fill that may bunkers but at least put some sand in the green side bunkers please. Stay out of the brush unless you want to donate blood to the mosquito bank. Thousands of them! Finally, it was 95 degrees and the snack-bar was closed...and there were people inside. I was hungry & thirsty and they said "sorry we're closed"...poor service that day!