The Dead Sea @ Roots

## Roots Disc Golf Course Research Summary **Basic Information:** - **Location:** Jordan River Parkway, 1200 N Redwood Road, Salt Lake City, Utah - **PDGA_URL:** [https://www.pdga.com/course-directory/course/roots-disc-golf-course](https://www.pdga.com/course-directory/course/roots-disc-golf-course) - **COORDINATES:** 40.795474, -111.938479 - **Rating:** 4.1/5.0 (based on ~3,700 UDisc reviews) - **Holes & Par:** 18 holes, Par 54 (alternate long layout up to Par 57) - **Established:** 2014 - **Designer(s):** Salt Lake City Tunnel Runners Disc Golf Club (lead designers: Mike Milne, Marc Grimes, Markus Mika) - **Baskets:** DGA Mach X (18 permanent) --- ### Course History - **Early Origins:** The land now hosting Roots DGC was originally home to one of Utah’s earliest disc golf courses (1981–1986) before being converted into the *Jordan River Par 3 Golf Course*. After the par-3 facility closed in 2014, the Salt Lake City Tunnel Runners worked with the city to restore the site as a disc golf venue. - **Rebirth of a Classic:** With support from Salt Lake City Parks and a public recreation grant, volunteers designed and installed the new **Roots Disc Golf Course**, officially opening on **November 22, 2014**. The Tunnel Runners handled nearly all installation and maintenance tasks, converting fairways, adding baskets, and mapping holes. - **Preservation Efforts:** In 2015, the course faced potential removal during a city park redevelopment proposal. The local disc golf community successfully advocated for keeping the course, emphasizing its popularity and contribution to accessible recreation. Since then, it has remained a cornerstone of Salt Lake City’s disc golf scene. - **Events & Leagues:** Roots regularly hosts leagues (managed by **ElevateUT** and the **SLC Tunnel Runners**) and tournaments, including: - **NADGT B-Tier (2020)** - **Veterans for Vets charity events** - Weekly club leagues and seasonal series --- ### Course Experience - **Terrain & Setting:** The course sits along the **Jordan River**, offering flat, grassy fairways lined with mature trees. While largely open, selective tree placements and OB lines force players to shape drives carefully. The river adds scenic beauty but also risk—especially on holes bordering the water. - **Layout:** - 18 holes (~5,600–6,300 ft depending on pin positions) - Front 9: shorter, technical, tree-lined shots - Back 9: longer, open drives with more wind exposure Alternate pin positions extend difficulty, and some holes feature mandatories for safety and challenge. - **Signature Holes:** - **Hole 9:** Plays along the Jordan River—picturesque but treacherous for overstable throws. - **Hole 12:** Features a triple-mandatory gap through trees. - **Hole 18:** A long finishing hole requiring placement and power to reach a guarded green. - **Play Style & Difficulty:** Roots is accessible to beginners yet challenging for advanced players. Most holes reward precision over raw distance, while the open layout invites risk-taking on windy days. - *Beginner-friendly*: Flat terrain, few forced carries. - *Advanced challenge*: Alternate pins, OB lines, and tree obstacles. - Common feedback: “Balanced, beautiful, and busy.” - **Atmosphere:** The park environment attracts both locals and traveling players. Expect steady crowds, league play, and a welcoming community vibe. Typical round time: 1.5–2 hours. --- ### Amenities & Features - **Tee Pads:** Full-sized **concrete pads** on all holes. Earlier rubber mats were replaced with concrete by 2016. - **Baskets:** **DGA Mach X** baskets (high-visibility yellow, tournament-grade). Alternate pin placements are rotated regularly. - **Signage:** Updated metal tee signs with hole maps, distances, and next-tee indicators. Navigation is straightforward; additional arrows mark longer transitions. - **Practice Area:** Practice basket near Hole 1 parking lot. - **Facilities:** - Restroom (portable toilet on-site) - No drinking fountain — bring water - Benches at select tees - Trash bins at key junctions - **Parking:** Large, free lot accessible via Redwood Road. Hole 1 starts near the parking area. - **Accessibility:** Flat and cart-friendly. - Dogs allowed on leash - Suitable for most mobility levels (limited slope) - **Seasonal Notes:** - **Spring:** River may flood low-lying holes. - **Summer:** Moderate shade, consistent wind. - **Winter:** Playable year-round; occasional snow. --- ### Player Feedback - **Highlights:** - Well-balanced mix of short and long holes - Scenic river views - Excellent local community and league presence - Concrete tees and quality baskets - **Critiques:** - High traffic, especially evenings/weekends - Windy conditions common - Water hazards can be unforgiving --- ### Official References - [PDGA Course Directory – Roots Disc Golf Course](https://www.pdga.com/course-directory/course/roots-disc-golf-course) - [UDisc – Roots Disc Golf Course](https://udisc.com/courses/roots-disc-golf-course-1kPB) - [DGCourseReview – Roots DGC](https://www.dgcoursereview.com/courses/roots-dgc.7250/) - [Disc Golf Scene – Roots DGC](https://www.discgolfscene.com/courses/Roots_Disc_Golf_Course) - [SLC Tunnel Runners Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/groups/SLCTunnelRunners/) - [Salt Lake City Parks – Jordan River Par 3 Redevelopment Info](https://www.slc.gov/parks/)

Roots Disc Golf Course is a tranquil, open park-style layout set along the winding Jordan River in Salt Lake City. The course features lush grass fairways lined with mature trees, providing a mix of shade and sunny expanses. Gentle elevation changes add subtle contours to the mostly flat landscape, with the river meandering along the east side, occasionally coming into play. Baskets are strategically positioned, some nestled among the trees, creating protected greens that challenge approaches. The color palette is dominated by vibrant greens of the well-maintained grass and foliage, contrasted against the blues of the sky and river. Golden hour sunlight filters through the leaves, casting dappled shadows across the fairways. The atmosphere is serene and inviting, offering a peaceful escape within the city limits for a relaxing round of disc golf amidst nature.