Top Ten Public Golf Courses In Canada

ByAl Foreman

What is the best course you have ever played? Let me guess you have heard that question multiple times over your golf days. It’s a common question when the boys and girls go out for a round of golf in Canada and usually after a couple of beers. We are always on the search for the best public courses throughout the vast land of Canada and the goal is to one day plan the ultimate Canadian golf vacation.

The list below are the top public golf courses in Canada that you can play at and get one of the best experiences you’ve ever had!  We dove deep into to every province from the east coast of Nova Scotia all the way to the west of British Columbia.

1. Cabot Cliffs Golf Course

cabot cliffs golf canada
  • Location: Inverness, Nova Scotia
  • Designed By: Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw
  • Built: 2015
  • Par 72, 6765 yards
  • 18 Holes – $200 to $280 CAD (Resort Guests)
  • 18 Holes – $260 to $340 CAD (Non-Resort Guests)

Since it’s opening Cabot Cliffs has gotten the number one spot on everyone’s list of Top Canadian Golf Courses. A public course with several jaw dropping ocean side holes is the reason many make the trip out east to play it. Not a cheap play per round but there are 36 holes to try out and worth every penny if you are a true golf enthusiast. Public or Private – it is the best golf course in Canada!

2. Fairmont Jasper Park Golf Course

jasper park golf canada
  • Location: Jasper, Alberta
  • Designed By: Stanely Thompson
  • Built: 1928
  • Par 71, 6663 yards
  • 18 Holes – $209 to $225 CAD

Whether you are an aspiring golf pro or just a weekend hacker, Jasper Park Lodge golf course has it all. Jasper was built with resort goers in mind and has more width in the fairways and forgiveness for bad tee shots along with more open greens to help golfers of all levels enjoy their round. Set in the Rocky Mountains, the views are spectacular and the elevation will help your tees shots go farther.

3. Fairmont Banff Springs Golf

banff springs golf course
  • Location: Banff, Alberta
  • Designed By: Stanley Thompson
  • Built: 1928
  • Par 71, 6938 yards
  • 18 Holes – $207 CAD

If you are visiting #2 on our list of best golf course in Canada then stay a few days in Banff and check out Banff Springs. Also in the mountains this course still brings golfers from across the country even though the original layout from 1928 was changed to accommodate the growing popularity. As busy as the course can get in the summer months,  par 3 holes like The Devil’s Cauldron (4th hole) is what make people flock to Alberta. The hole drops about 70 feet over a glacial pond with an incredible mountain backdrop.

4. Cabot Links Golf Course

cabott links golf course
  • Location: Inverness, Nova Scotia
  • Designed By: Rod Whitmann
  • Built: 2012
  • Par 70, 6854 yards
  • 18 Holes – $200 to $280 CAD (Resort Guests)
  • 18 Holes – $260 to $340 CAD (Non-Resort Guests)

If you are going to play the best golf course in Canada – Cabot Cliffs, then try out the other top course in Nova Scotia – Cabot Links. As the name implies it is a links style course which some golfers love and others don’t but the beauty of the scenery remains the same and it’s worth playing here to get another great experience.

5. Muskoka Bay Resort Golf

muskoka bay golf course
  • Location: Gravenhurst, Ontario
  • Designed By: Doug Carrick
  • Built: 2006
  • Par 72, 6849 yards
  • 18 Holes – $189 CAD (Summer)
  • 18 Holes – $159 CAD (Spring/Fall)

Granite outcrops dot the course and errand tee shots will bounce unexpectedly…but that’s the fun of golfing in the Muskokas. Teeing off on some holes you will see dramatic elevation changes but some of the elevated tees leave you with a great view of your tee shot sailing into the tree lined fairway…you hope!

If you get a chance to chat with the starter our local pro shop guys you can hear some great stories about famous athletes who have rolled through recently. They actually have a helicopter landing pad so those with the bankroll can fly in and out with ease. From what I heard Steph Curry is frequent helicopter visitor during the summer and one hell of golfer.

6. Greywolf Golf Course

greywolf golf course canada
  • Location: Panorama, British Columbia
  • Designed By: Doug Carrick
  • Built: 1999
  • Par 72, 7140 yards
  • 18 Holes – $159 CAD

Expect total elevation changes of about 400 feet during your round at Greywolf. Spectacular views and perfectly manicures terrain make this course a must play!

7. Humber Valley Resort – River Course

humber valley river golf
  • Location: Deer Lake, Newfoundland
  • Designed By: Doug Carrick
  • Built: 2006
  • Par 72, 7140 yards
  • 18 Holes – $91 CAD

Built in a resort complex for the wealthy the fees to play remain reasonable compared to some of the other best golf courses on this list. Harder for the average Canadian to get to but once you see the Appalachian Mountain views and the spectacular 10th hole with a 180 foot drop to the fairway below…words cannot fully express why you should play here!

8. Predator Ridge Golf Course

predator ridge golf course
  • Location: Vernon, British Columbia
  • Designed By: Doug Carrick
  • Built: 2009
  • Par 71, 7034 yards
  • 18 Holes – $185 CAD

Originally built as just 18 holes, it has since expanded to 36 holes all under the guide of Doug Carrick. Views of the Okanagan Valley and Okanagan Lake are just some of the sites you’ll witness walking or riding this resort course.

9. Highland Links Golf Course

highland links golf course
  • Location: Ingonish Beach, Nova Scotia
  • Designed By: Stanley Thompson
  • Built: 1941
  • Par 72, 6600 yards
  • 18 Holes – $130 CAD

Set in the Cape Breton Highland National Park the 3rd and 4th hole make you realize why this is such a great golf course. The third plays over a lake onto a green surrounded by bunkers and trees leading up to a short par four 4th hole with wide fairways leading to an undulating green that will require a second putt unless you are a few feet away from the pin.

10. Tobiano Golf Course

tobiano golf course
  • Location: Kamloops, British Columbia
  • Designed By: Thomas McBroom
  • Built: 2007
  • Par 72, 7110 yards
  • 18 Holes – $110 CAD

A true test of golf ability off the tees, your tee shots will require distance and accuracy or face trouble and/lost balls. Weekend hackers may want to step down a tee box to enjoy the round and the beauty of the surroundings instead of frustrating trips into the woods looking for balls.

Just Missed The Cut

  • Rockey Crest Golf Resort (Muskoka, Ontario)
  • Whistler Golf Club (Whistler, British Columbia)
  • The Ridge at Manitou Golf Club (McKellar, Ontario)
  • Links At Crowbush Cove (Morell, PEI)
  • Stewart Creek Golf Club (Canmore, Alberta)

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