THE ENTRADA AT SNOW CANYON
Las Vegas Golf Course Review 2/24/03 (photos updated August, 2006)
There is something about the hues of the rocks and mountain sides that make the vistas in Utah unique...You will
be treated to an excellent example of the encompassing grandeur of this beautiful state when you play a round
on the 4-star, Johnny Miller designed Entrada at Snow Canyon. Located in St. George - just 45 minutes from
Mesquite and hour and 40 minutes from the Vegas Strip, the Entrada is an outstanding course in a spectacular
setting. This club is now private, but guests of the Inn at Entrada have playing privileges. In other words, to play
Entrada, you must book a package and stay at the Inn at Entrada. This is a first class facility with beautifully
appointed villas and a clubhouse providing upscale amenities including indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs, a
modern workout center, tennis, basketball, sand volleyball and pickleball courts, massage treatments, dining opportunities and more. For information, visit our page for the Inn at Entrada by clicking here.
The Entrada has been recognized by reputable golf publications as one of Utah's best - and we can see why. In
fact, golf Digest has ranked it as the Second Best Course in Utah! The variety of terrain encountered keeps you
on your toes - and is visually stunning. At times we found it difficult to ignore the panoramic vistas while focusing
on the task at hand - which is to put up some good numbers. This was particularly true on the back nine, which
features 3 holes (15-17) that are carved out of a lava field. Land your ball in these rocks and forget it - the jagged
edges will not only ruin your ball - but can be hazardous to your health if you slip or lose your footing, which is all
too easy to do. Red and pink rock mountains, black lava rock, challenging elevation changes - The Entrada is a
significant reason why we recommend St. George/Mesquite as our favorite intimate golf destination in the US!
On property at the Entrada is an ample clubhouse with a pro shop and snack bar. A 6 million dollar project is in
the works, which will have a gorgeous new clubhouse in place sometime in 2006. The grass range is spacious
and is also complimentary to guests with a paid green fee. A practice putting green is strategically located on
the way to the first tee, and a short game area for chipping/pitching is adjacent. On course amenities include well
marked fairways that include 100/150 and 200 yard indicators on the car paths - a much appreciated feature.
Some sprinkler heads are marked, and red/white/blue flags indicate the day's pin placement. If you have not
played Entrada in a couple years, you will find that the residential areas have expanded, but are not obtrusive to
play. Additionally, the desert areas have been cleaned out, making it easier to locate errant shots, and to play your ball from these desert lies.
Four sets of tee provide a variety of yardages (7262, 6868, 6219, 5454) with slopes ranging from 120 to 132.
The average golfer will be suited just fine by the white tee areas, with a 127 slope and 69.9 course rating.
The opening hole at Entrada is a fair one - a simply designed par four that bends slightly left, and downhill on the
approach. The second is quite a challenge. A tee shot that bends right to left over the wooded 150 marker in the
water will leave the best approach. It is easy to drive it through the fairway to the mounding past the cart path. Do
this and your only choice is to lay up. The approach to a green guarded by water front, left and back is incredibly
demanding. The narrow fairway on three is boarded by desert left and OB right. Past visitors to Entrada will
notice that the green complex, which formerly featured a devilishly deep bunker fronting a thin, elevated putting
surface, has been softened and is much more playable. Number four is very open off the tee and is followed by a
simple par three playing uphill to an undulating green with a gorgeous mountain backdrop. Six and seven are par
fours that are similar in design. Six features desert to the right and water along a residential community out of
bounds to the left. The water on the left comes more into play on the seventh, and a pond just past the long
fairway bunker on the right is a hidden hazard. The eighth is a difficult par three, playing long with water and
bunkers guarding the left side. The view from behind the green is spectacular. The longest hole on the course (630 from the tips) finishes out the front. It doglegs right and downhill on the approach.
Number ten plays from a gorgeous elevated tee area, to a narrow, rolling fairway. The approach tightens as
mounding surrounds the green. The water hazard on the left is reachable off the tee on eleven. The natural area
and large waste bunker along the right make the second shot also a tough one. A larger waste bunker along the
left however, has been removed, making this hole more playable. After a tight, downhill par three, you will find
one of the more interesting holes in Utah...Thirteen demands an accurate tee shot, over the middle of the ravine
on the right to a narrow fairway. Stray too far left and your shot will likely run through the fairway into the desert
area. A good shot will cut off significant distance, leaving an easy approach. The par three 14th must carry some
desert bush, but there is ample bail out room to the left. Turn the corner towards the 15th and you will be
confronted with a sight that is reminiscent of golf in Hawaii. Numbers 15 through 18 play through a black rock
lava field. On 15, a lay up past the 150 is recommended, as it is easy to drive through the fairway into no-man's
land. The approach here is extremely tight. From an elevated tee the view of the 16th fairway, surrounded by lava
rock on all sides is quite spectacular. Aim over the edge of the lava formations along the left side for the best
results off the tee. This par five snakes back and forth through these lava outcroppings towards a well guarded
putting surface. Take a par here and get out of town! The fairway on 17 is generous, but the approach to a green
nestled between the jagged black rocks is intimidating. Par is a great score and don't be disappointed with
bogey on this #1 handicap. The finishing hole features another gorgeous elevated tee area. A great tee shot to
narrow fairway that slopes towards the natural desert area along the left is necessary here. The approach to the
tight green complex is even more demanding. Accuracy from tee to green is important on this great closing hole.
We found the Entrada at Snow Canyon to be an incredibly fun and invigorating round of golf. The variety of shots and views is
outstanding. This is a must play for visitors to St. George or Mesquite - and is well worth a day trip from Vegas. Call the pro
shop directly for a tee time and information (435-674-7500) or call Golf Mesquite (888-711-4653) to book golf and stay and
play packages featuring Entrada and other prime area courses. You can also visit our informational page(with map) for the Entrada on our Vegas vacation destination site. See below for links.
View the Two Guys Who Golf Detailed Listing Page for this course with a link to its website (if available): click here
Click here for Golf Mesquite - providing information on Stay & Play packages in Mesquite, Nevada.
Two Guys Who Golf - Las Vegas Golf Informational Pages - Mesquite/St. George Section - Click Here
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