Golfing the Canadian Rockies
Golfing in The Canadian Rockies
Banff, Alberta
A lot of people get the impression that a trip to Banff is a time where you pack as many activities as you can into a day. These people are generally right! However, what some people don’t realise is that the Rockies is home to some of the worlds best golf courses. It is the perfect breeding ground for stunning and unique fairways, testing greens and all with the added spice of the backdrop of the gorgeous Rocky Mountains . If you are bringing the clubs as well as the skis, here are a few of the best options to provide food for thought.
Silver Tip, Stewart Creek, Banff Springs Golf.
Ask a local Banffite and they will tell you that Silver Tip is highly rated by all who have played. The dramatic views, extreme elevation changes and challenging holes make it a very desirable option for the (patient) man or woman who loves their golf. The fairways roll with the slope of the hill so tee shots can often be quite demanding but it forces you to use your imagination to dig yourself out of trouble. The greens are constantly manicured and kept in impeccable shape.
Green fees: $175 include cart with GPS, twilight $105, evening 9-holes $79; Jr (10-17) with adult half price
Address: 1000 SilverTip, Canmore AB
Telephone: 1877 323 3633
Kananaskis Country Golf Course
Kananaskis is all about variety. Designed by Robert Trent Jones, this 36-hole course has water on 20 holes, 142 sand traps and 4 tee positions so meditation beforehand is recommended. GolfDigest has consistently called this one of the top courses in North America. ScoreGolf magazine readers voted it ‘best’ for destination, golf and value. Rate it for yourself!
Green fee: $90 ($70 for Albertans).
Address: 26 km (16 mi) S of Hwy l on Hwy 40 Kananaskis Village, AB CA T0L 2H0
Telephone: 1877 323 3633
Windermere Valley Golf Course
This par 66 course is located in a picturesque little valley. Very family friendly and unpretentious, it is a popular choice amongst locals. Its beautiful rolling greens are challenging for the better players but also manageable for those with handicaps in the double figures. If you just want to get a bit of practice in, it also has a driving range and lessons can be arranged if requested. Very affordable.
Green fees: $30.
Address: 1881 Windermere Loop Rd, Invermere, 2 hrs SW of Banff via Hwy 93/95
Telephone: 1877 323 3633
Stewart Creek Golf Club
Stewart Creek is located just below the Three Sisters Mountain and boasts views so beautiful that you may struggle to concentrate on your ball. It is highly rated by Golf Digest with 4.5/5 stars. Forests, creeks, rock outcroppings and old coalmine entrances are just a few of the features that make this pricier course special.
Green fees with cart and driving range: Mon-Tues $175; Wed-Sun $195; twilight $125; reduced in May.
Address: 1 Stewart Crk Rd via Three Sisters Pkwy.
Telephone: 1877 323 3633
Greywolf Golf Course
Voted “best course in BC” by Score Golf in 2005, Greywolf is a challenging course with 4 tee positions, bentgrass and water on 10 holes. As with most Rockies courses, Greywolf has a spectacular mountain view to calm you down if it’s a bad day on the course. There are plenty of rocks to smash your clubs if things aren’t going so well! Green fees: $99-$149 include cart; twilight $89.
Address: 1860 Greywolf Dr Panorama BC
Telephone: 1877 323 3633
Radium Resort
Designed by Les Furber, Radium Resort follows high banks above the Colombia River. It has a testing 75 bunkers, water on 4 holes and four tee positions. The course has tree-lined fairways and dramatic elevation changes to ensure variety. Head there early to avoid people traffic.
Green fees: $79 (Fri-Sun, –before noon $125 includes cart; afternoon $110 with no cart)
Telephone: 1877 323 3633
Canmore Golf & Curling Club
Canmore Golf club is semi-private. It is located on the banks of the Bow River, with well-manicured fairways, greens and tees. It has all the necessary facilities: Pro shop, putting green, driving range and also a restaurant and banquet facilities for 400 people if you decide to have a giant party!.
Green fee: $75. Cart rental $34. Twilight rates. 20 min E of Banff townsite.
Address: 2000-8 Ave, 1-888-678-4785 or Canmore AB T1W 1Y2
Telephone: 1877 323 3633
Fairmont
Another mountainside course, Fairmont offers a classic 18-hole championship layout. It is very family friendly and much more affordable than some of its competitors. The price is reflected, however in its relative simplicity. The Colombia River winds through the course though offering some diversity from tee shots.
Green Fees: $75 ($69 after 1 pm), Sat/Sun $80.
Address: 2 hrs South of Banff via Hwy 93/95.
Telephone: 1877 323 3633
Copper Point Golf Club
Thoughtfully designed by Gary Browning, making maximum use of hills and ravines to enhance the natural beauty. Excellent water features, mountain views and even occasional wildlife sightings mean that actually playing golf is just the icing on the cherry. Green fees: $85 ($125 Fri-Sun, Hol) twilight $70 – includes power cart.
Address: 492 Cemetery Rd, Invermere, 2 hrs SW of Banff via Hwy 93/95.
Telephone: 1877 323 3633
Eagle Ranch
Bill Robinson designed, 18-hole 6646 yd course with open fairways, canyons and hoodoo formation. The course is excellently maintained and the staff is super friendly. Voted best conditioned BC golf course in 2005, it is a favored by golf fanatics on more of a budget.
Green fees: $90-$130 include cart with GPS and range, evening 9-holes $55.
Address: Invermere, 1.75 hrs South of Banff via Hwy 93/95.
Telephone: 1877 323 3633
Stanley Thompson Course at the Banff Springs
Don’t listen to the self help books, the Stanley Thompson course is all about size. It has huge greens, plenty of water, sand hazards and stimulating terrain. It is one of the most challenging to play in the area so make sure you bring plenty of patience with you and an Enya CD for the way home.
Green Fees: May $149, May 31-Sep 30 $219.
Telephone: 1877 323 3633
