The 15 best golf courses in Canada

The 15 best golf courses in Canada

Golf in Canada is a must for any enthusiast. The country's golf courses are among the most beautiful in the world and are set against stunning backdrops of coastline, mountains and farmland.

Whether you play on PGA Tour courses, private clubs or public courses, the majestic scenery enhances the experience and makes every round seem like a dream. From coast to coast, each province offers stunning courses that promise unforgettable golf adventures.

Discover the best of golf Canada has to offer.

Cabot Cliffs – Mabou, Nova Scotia

Cabot Links quickly rose to near the top of the Canadian top 100 rankings after its opening and also made it into the world top 100. Just three years later, Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw's Cliffs course, set on varied terrain overlooking the Gulf of St. Lawrence, opened with high expectations.

St. George's Golf and Country Club – Toronto, Ontario

The Royal York Golf Club, now St George's Golf and Country Club, was founded in the 'Roaring Twenties' with funds from the Canadian Pacific Railway and opened in 1929. Designed by Stanley Thompson, this course in downtown Toronto was later renovated by Doug Carrick in 1992.

Cabot Links – Inverness, Nova Scotia

In 2012, five years after introducing Sagebrush to British Columbia, Rod Whitman opened Cabot Links in Nova Scotia. Located on a former coal mine near Inverness, this course offers Canada's first authentic links course overlooking the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Banff Springs – Banff, Alberta

Located in the stunning Canadian Rockies, Banff Springs Golf Club challenges golfers to stay focused amidst stunning scenery. Established in 1911 by the Canadian Pacific Railway, the course was redesigned by Stanley Thompson in 1927, cementing its iconic status.

Jasper Park Lodge – Jasper, Alberta

Jasper Park Lodge is nestled in Alberta's rugged Canadian Rockies and overlooks Lake Beauvert. Designed in 1925 by renowned architect Stanley Thompson, the course features fairways lined with stunning mountain peaks and lake views, providing an unparalleled golfing experience.

Highlands Links – Ingonish Beach, Nova Scotia

George Knudson called Cape Breton Highlands the “Cypress Point of Canada” because of its beauty. Designed by Stanley Thompson in 1939, the Highlands Links Course in Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Highlands National Park is his “mountain and ocean golf course.” Known for its rugged terrain and Audubon certification, this traditional out-and-back course brings golf into harmony with nature. The par-5 6th hole, Mucklemouth Meg, in particular, shows Thompson's sense of humor. Following severe weather in 2010, Ian Andrew led a two-year project to restore the course, including the original bunkers and extensive tree clearing.

Capilano – West Vancouver, British Columbia

Capilano Golf & Country Club is dramatically set against the mountains of British Columbia, offering stunning views of Vancouver Harbour and Mount Baker. Opened in 1937, the course was designed by Stanley Thompson and required tremendous engineering feats. The course was blasted out of a hillside lined with fir trees and rocks. Known for its tight, narrow fairways and clever bunkers, Capilano has remained largely unchanged since opening. Carrick Design has overseen renovations since 1993, including a recent reconstruction of the 14th green to restore its original Thompson character. Despite the vagaries of the weather, Capilano's stunning setting leaves a lasting impression.

Hamilton (West and South) – Hamilton, Ontario

Hamilton Golf & Country Club, known locally as Ancaster, is set on the scenic, wooded grounds of the former Grange Farm. The club features three nine-hole loops: South, West and East. Designed by Harry S. Colt, the West and South Loops opened in 1916, with the East Loop added by Robbie Robinson in 1975. Hamilton has hosted several Canadian Opens, most recently won by Rory McIlroy in 2019. In anticipation of future tournaments, architects MacKenzie & Ebert began renovating all three nines in 2019, starting with the West Loop, followed by the South Loop and finally the East Loop.

Toronto Golf Club – Mississauga, Ontario

The third oldest golf club in North America, Toronto Golf Club was founded in 1887 by James Lamond Smith of Aberdeen. Initially played on farmland, the course moved to Mississauga in 1911, where Harry Colt designed a new course. Construction cost over $200,000, and included international labor and Finnish grass seed. Howard Watson added nine holes in 1921. Known for its natural hills and strong par 4s, the club hosted three Canadian Opens between 1914 and 1927. Martin Hawtree renovated the course in 2009-2010 in preparation for the 100th anniversary celebrations in 2012.

Memphremagog – Magog, Quebec

In 2007, Paul Desmarais, one of Canada's richest people, and his business partner Jean Monty funded the Memphrémagog golf project. They commissioned esteemed architect Tom McBroom to build a course for an exclusive membership of fewer than 50 golfers on rugged terrain in southern Quebec. Known as “Magog,” the course features dramatic elevation changes and challenging greens. Despite some criticism of its severe unevenness, Memphrémagog is considered one of McBroom's best designs. With its classic bunkers and picturesque clubhouse overlooking Lake Memphrémagog, this private course is well on its way to becoming one of the most enchanting in the world.

National Golf Club of Canada – Vaughan, Ontario

The National Golf Club of Canada, an exclusive men-only club, attracts attention for being one of the most challenging golf courses in the world. Designed in 1975 by George Fazio and his nephew Tom, it features narrow, undulating, tree-lined fairways and challenging greens. Despite its exclusivity, the course's excellent reputation remains undiminished. Tom Fazio recently modernized the course to maintain its original difficulty. Known for its tricky, fast greens, the National remains a top challenge. Lee Trevino's course record of 67 strokes from the 1979 Canadian PGA Championship still stands.

Sagebrush – Quilchena, British Columbia

Located on a remote 389-acre hilltop overlooking Nicola Lake in British Columbia, Sagebrush Golf and Sporting Club opened in 2009. Designed by Rod Whitman with developer Dick Zokol and agronomist Armen Suny, the course features 18 unique fairways and a minimalist design. Despite initial acclaim, financial problems forced its closure in 2014. Under new ownership by Andrew Knott, significant investment has been made to restore Sagebrush. The club reopened in 2021 and now aims to reclaim its status as Canada's top golf course, with restored facilities and luxury accommodations for an exclusive golf experience.

Royal Montreal (Blue) – Montreal, Quebec

Golf in Canada is older than in the United States, thanks to early Scottish immigrants. Founded in 1873 by Scots reviving their national sport, the Royal Montreal Golf Club is the oldest golf club in North America. Originally a simple 9-hole course in Mount Royal Park, it received royal patronage from Queen Victoria in 1884. The club moved to Dixie in 1896 and then to Ile Bizard in 1959, where Dick Wilson designed 45 holes, including the famous Blue Course. Known for its huge greens and challenging play, the Royal Montreal has hosted numerous Canadian Opens and the 2007 Presidents Cup, cementing its prestigious legacy.

Humber Valley (River) – Little Rapids, Newfoundland and Labrador

Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains of western Newfoundland, Humber Valley Resort opened in 2006. Its 18-hole River Course, a design by Doug Carrick, opened two years later and features a par 72 layout over wooded, gently rolling terrain. Notable holes include the par 3 5th hole, which leads over a lake estuary, and the short par 4 8th hole, which features an elevated green. Highlights of the back nine include the challenging 10th hole, often played into the wind, and the easy-to-access 15th hole, which is surrounded by water hazards.

Victoria Golf Club – Cheltenham, Victoria

Established by British emigrants on the south coast of Vancouver Island in 1893, Victoria Golf Club remains the oldest club at its original location in Canada. The course has been expanded from a 14-hole course to an 18-hole course and has hosted numerous Canadian Amateur and Ladies Amateur Championships. It is known for its stunning ocean-view holes and is often referred to as the “Pebble Beach of Canada.” Despite its relatively short length of just over 5600 yards, Victoria offers a challenging and scenic round. Thanks to its inviting microclimate, golf is playable year-round and visitors are welcome by prior appointment.