Golf in Canada
Including Big Sky Golf Club, Cabot Cliffs, and Cabot Links. On the map.
The vibe
Golfing here feels like a scenic escape, with courses carved directly into dramatic coastal cliffs or dense, towering forests that make every shot feel isolated from the world. The season is strictly defined by the warmer months, as the courses are often buried under snow for half the year. It is a welcoming, visitor-friendly scene where the pace is relaxed and the atmosphere is far less formal than traditional club culture.
Big Sky Golf Club, Pemberton
British Columbia
SoftwareSimian / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Situated at the base of the dramatic Mount Currie in Pemberton, this championship parkland course offers wide bentgrass fairways and stunning alpine views. Golfers travel here for the tranquil valley setting and exceptional course conditioning near Whistler.
Access. Located a short drive north of Whistler village. Bookings can be made online in advance.
Notes. Operating season runs from May through October. Afternoon winds can occasionally influence play.
Cabot Cliffs, Inverness
Nova Scotia
Jmwharris / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Adjacent to Cabot Links, this course is frequently ranked among the top in the world for its breathtaking cliffside holes overlooking the ocean. It provides a more dramatic, elevated experience compared to its sister course, making it a must-visit for international golf travelers.
Access. Part of the Cabot Cape Breton resort complex; accessible via the same travel routes as Cabot Links.
Notes. Requires advance booking well in advance. Walking-only course.
Cabot Links, Inverness
Nova Scotia
Jmwharris / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Located on the rugged coast of Cape Breton, Cabot Links is Canada's first true links course, offering dramatic views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It is a bucket-list destination for golfers seeking an authentic, walking-only links experience reminiscent of Scotland.
Access. Fly into Halifax (YHZ) and drive approximately 3 hours, or use the local airstrip in Port Hawkesbury.
Notes. Open May through October. High winds are common. Walking-only policy.
Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course, Alberta
Alberta
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Nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, this Stanley Thompson masterpiece is famous for its stunning mountain vistas and challenging layout along the Bow River. It is a quintessential parkland destination for those who want to play golf in a dramatic alpine setting.
Access. Located in Banff National Park, accessible via a 90-minute drive from Calgary International Airport (YYC).
Notes. Short season from May to early October. Wildlife sightings (elk/bears) are common.
Fairwinds Golf Club, Vancouver Island
British Columbia
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Set along the rocky shores of Nanoose Bay on Vancouver Island, Fairwinds offers a scenic and challenging parkland test carved through Douglas fir forests. Golfers travel here for the dramatic elevation changes, ocean glimpses, and immaculate conditioning.
Access. Accessible via a scenic drive from Nanaimo or a ferry trip from Vancouver to Vancouver Island. Tee times can be booked online in advance.
Notes. Best played between May and October. Proper golf attire is required.
Greywolf Golf Course, Panorama
British Columbia
Laine Ewaschuk / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
Perched high in the Purcell Mountains of British Columbia, Greywolf is renowned for its dramatic alpine layout and the iconic Cliffhanger par-3 hole. Golfers seek this course for its breathtaking mountain vistas and thrilling shot values across deep canyons.
Access. Located at the Panorama Mountain Resort, reachable by car from Calgary or Cranbrook. Resort stay-and-play packages are available.
Notes. Open seasonally from late spring through early autumn due to alpine snowfall. Mountain weather can change quickly.
Highlands Links, Ingonish
Nova Scotia
jockrutherford from Owen Sound, ON / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Located in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, this historic layout is a masterpiece of design that blends seamlessly into the rugged coastal terrain. It is a legendary Canadian course that offers a unique mix of parkland and coastal scenery.
Access. Located on the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia; best accessed by car from Sydney or Halifax.
Notes. Seasonal; weather can change rapidly due to its coastal location.
Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club, Alberta
Alberta
Designed by Stanley Thompson, this course is carved through a dense forest in the middle of Jasper National Park. It is widely considered one of the most beautiful parkland courses in the world, featuring spectacular views of Mount Edith Cavell.
Access. Located within Jasper National Park, accessible by car from Edmonton or via the scenic Icefields Parkway from Banff.
Notes. Seasonal operations; strict dress code and high demand for tee times.
Legends on the Niagara, Niagara Falls
Ontario
Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Featuring two championship courses set against the backdrop of the Niagara region's historic battlefields, this facility offers grand-scale public golf. Golfers travel here for the immaculate routing, expansive practice facilities, and proximity to Niagara attractions.
Access. Located a short drive from Niagara Falls, Ontario. Tee times can be booked online through the Niagara Parks golf portal.
Notes. Open from spring through late autumn. Standard golf dress code applies.
Trickle Creek Golf Resort, Kimberley
British Columbia
easyplex / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
Tucked into the rugged landscape of the Kootenay Rockies, Trickle Creek is a classic parkland layout designed by Les Furber. Golfers seek this resort for its peaceful wilderness setting, undulating greens, and dramatic mountain scenery.
Access. Located in Kimberley, British Columbia, accessible via the Cranbrook airport or driving from Calgary. Resort stay-and-play packages available.
Notes. Operational from May to October. Mountain wildlife sightings are common.