Roots Disc Golf Course
The Story
Roots Disc Golf Course sits on land with three distinct lives. Around 1981, this site became Utah's 2nd known disc golf polehole course — possibly one of Steady Ed Headrick's International Disc Golf Centers, though external verification is pending. That course was replaced circa 1986 by the Jordan River Par-3 ball golf course, which operated under the SLC Golf Enterprise Fund until a 2013 National Golf Foundation study found the city's 8-course golf system running an 18% decline in rounds and a ~$500K/year deficit.
On April 22, 2014, SLC Council voted 4-3 to close the Par-3 and transition the site to open space. The SLC Tunnel Runners had already been organizing — their third "Back to the Roots" fundraiser was held at the Par-3 on April 12, 2014, ten days before the straw poll. They had baskets pre-positioned and the layout planned. Just 20 days after ball golf ended on November 1, Roots Disc Golf Course opened on November 22, 2014.
Designed by Markus Mika (primary), Mike Milne, and Marc Grimes, the course features green grass fairways with large old-growth trees, concrete tee pads, and the Jordan River running along the east side. The name references the "Back to the Roots" fundraiser series and the site's 1981 disc golf origins — making it older than Creekside Park as a disc golf location.
In 2025, SLC Parks committed to helping prepare Roots for the USWDGC 2026. The SLC Tunnel Runners continue to maintain and improve the course, including planting trees and coordinating basket upgrades from Mach X to MVP Black Hole Portal baskets. Roots is one of four championship venues for the 25th Annual US Women's Disc Golf Championship alongside Creekside Park, Brighton Resort, and Dragonfly.
Layouts
UDisc
What Players Say
Great municipal course with amazing views, tons of fun and tee locations and great amenities.
Really fun course. Dropped down from Logan to play. Glad I did.
Well kept, and easy to follow! The addition of trees will make this course even better — thanks to the SLC Tunnel Runners for their continued work here.
Very nice 18 hole course. Great shot variety. Slightly technical. Nice mix of forehand/backhand shot shapes. Few ace runs mixed in. Worth a visit if you're in the area or looking for something new!
Short, sweet, stunning. 10/10
Maintenance
The SLC Tunnel Runners serve as the community organization at Roots, coordinating volunteer maintenance and course improvements. SLC Parks Division handles mowing and general park upkeep. Baskets are owned by the Tunnel Runners — the only course in the area where baskets were club-owned rather than municipality-owned. Dave Roper (PDGA Utah State Coordinator) serves as TD and organizer for events at the course.