Hole-by-Hole Descriptions

Hole #1 – Cliffhanger
A 170-foot drop-off provides the dramatic start to an 18-hole thrill ride. A few historic courses exist today whose first hole begins with a significant drop in elevation, but none as dramatic as this! The creek and the bunkering on the valley floor frame the landing area and cause most players to think twice about bringing out the big stick. But, with a favorable wind, the long-hitter can attempt to carry the creek and end up putting for the second shot. The smart play is a fairway wood or long iron off the tee.

Hole #2 – Reflection
Staying dry is the key here. The pond extends the entire length of the hole, requiring precision on both the tee shot and the approach. A long iron or fairway wood are the best choices off the tee, leaving a short iron to the green. Risk and reward are designed into this hole, and a well-struck drive by the more aggressive player can leave a short pitch to the green. The green slopes toward the water, so favor the right side with the approach.

Hole #3 – River’s Edge
This demanding par-three calls for accuracy off the tee. The American Fork River guards the left edge of the green, and a daunting bunker protects the right side. Spring run-off in the river adds extra drama, reminding the observant player that driving left here will cost you.

Hole #4 – Straight Shooter
This is the longest par-five on the course, requiring a straight tee and a second shot. The elevated landing area causes errant tee shots to kick into the native grasses guarding both sides of the fairway. The green is open in front, allowing for a pitch-and-run third shot to a gentle and receptive green.

Hole #5 – Live Wire
This is one of the most challenging tee shots on the course. From the tip, a long iron or fairway wood are needed to get home. A ridge bisects the green, making it difficult to get close when the flag is on the back portion of the green. Laying up short is not a bad play, since it is a challenge to get up and down from either the right or left sides of the green.

Hole #6 – Deception
Noting the yardage on the tee, one might think this is an easy birdie hole. Don’t be deceived; this short par-five tests your shot-making ability and course management. While the green can be reached in two shots after a well-struck tee shot, the American Fork Riverbed swallows up your approach if you are short or left. Laying up right of the green will leave you a little wedge shot and a chance at a birdie. The axis of the green rewards this route, but if you are feeling bold, go for it; you just may find an eagle…or a double bogey!

Hole #7 – Ambush
A well-known architect said that good hole design should make for a difficult par and a relatively easy bogey. Considered the toughest par-five on the course, that philosophy was designed into this hole. Two great shots are needed to get to the dance floor, and, once there, you will find two-putting this undulating green to be no small feat. Although not apparent from the fairway, there are three tiers to this green, making the approach shot a bit dicey. The unique shape of the green was patterned after a famous green at Golf de Biarritz in France.

Hole #8 – Fox Hole
Named for a den of foxes residing at the left side of the hole, you will want to keep an eye out at dusk; they have been known to steal a ball or two! This undulating green is framed by a natural drainage guarding the left side of the green. The green sets up for a gentle right-to-left draw, unless the pin is in the back right corner. If you are going to miss the green, short right is the best bet to save par.

Hole #9 – Canyon View
The mountains and the mouth of American Fork Canyon provide a dramatic backdrop to this fun dog-leg right. A fade off the tee is the recommended play. The fairway opens up more than it appears from the tee box, but don’t let your fade turn to a slice, as a creek runs down the right side of the fairway. This elevated green slopes from left to right with a bunker standing guard along the right side.

Hole #10 – Mayor’s Alley
Mother Nature did the real design work on this beautiful par-five. The landing area off the tee is wider than it looks, so take courage and “let ‘er rip.” Favoring the right side of the fairway gives the best angle and view to this “island” green. While you might be tempted to go for the length of this hole in two shots, the green-side creek, tucked just out of view, should make you think twice. If there is a canyon breeze, consider hitting an extra club.

Hole #11 – Breather, or The Point
This short par-three gives you a chance to catch your breath. Bunkers guard the right and left sides of the green, the front bunker placed well short of the green, which can play tricks with your depth perception. Take a little extra club since you are playing to an elevated green. While a straying tee shot will cost, a well-placed shot will provide a chance to get one back from the course.

Hole #12 – Prelude
A lake–partially hidden from view–guards the right side of this fairway. This is not a long hole, so you can get away with a fairway metal off the tee. The entrance to this green is open, allowing for a low runner. However, if you want to get close to a back right pin placement, a high, soft shot is required.

Hole #13 – The Edge
This hole is the start of Cedar Hills Golf Club’s version of “Amen Corner”–a three-hole stretch of golf designed to test your shot-making ability. This uphill par-four is named for the narrow green that is tucked precariously close to the edge of a severe drop-off. Left is a definite no-no, and right isn’t much better. Hit the big stick here to get as far up the hill as possible, allowing for an easier approach. If you can launch the drive past the fairway bunker on the right, you will be rewarded with a relatively flat lie for the approach. The long, narrow green stretches on an axis from front right to back left. A few things to consider in your club selection on this fun approach: pin position, wind, and your lie in the fairway. Oh...and did we mention, don’t go left!

Hole #14 – Mile-High
What you see is what you get. This inspiring par-four sits 5,280 feet above sea level. A safely-struck long iron off the tee will leave a short wedge shot for the approach. Those who are feeling a little more confident can break out the driver and try their chances. Either way, a good tee shot will set up a definite birdie opportunity. Options a' plenty on this hole.

Hole #15 – Rip It
Time to let it fly! This final hole of “Amen Corner” allows for a fairly generous landing area off the tee. Favor the left side of the fairway to improve your view of the green. This par-five is reachable in two shots, but a smarter play is to lay up and take the sand and native area out of play, leaving yourself with a short pitch to this wave-surfaced green.

Hole #16 – Mohave
Named for the expansive bunker that extends nearly the entire length of the left side of the fairway, the contours of this sweeping fairway beckon a slight draw off the tee. There is plenty of room to the right; however, the further down the fairway, the narrower the landing area. A driver can be played here, but the fairway is generously wide at the 200-yard range. This green has plenty of roll, placing a premium on accuracy for the approach.

Hole #17 – Blind Man’s Bluff
This hole is the only blind tee shot on the course. Aim for the left edge of the fairway bunker in the foreground, and let it fly! While the landing area is blind, it's wide enough to allow for a margin of error off the tee. But, no such luck with the second shot; the lake hugs the right and front portions of the green and has been known to sink errant approach shots. A front right-pin placement makes for an exciting approach. You will get a little help from a ridge in the green that funnels shots to this precarious pin placement.

Hole #18 – Double Press
This spectacular finishing hole requires two good shots to get home. The shot from the elevated tee plays down into an old quarry. You don’t need us to tell you that left is not the play. But, take courage; the landing area is more generous than it appears. Choosing the correct club on the approach is critical, since trouble lurks short of the green, and over the green is “No Man’s Land.” Using the phrase coined by the great Bobby Jones, “old man par” is a good score here.

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