The 8 Best Mountain Golf Courses
Regardless of where you peg it up, playing golf in the mountains is always exhilarating.
For most sports, being in the “nosebleed” section sucks. (If the bad view doesn’t bring you down, the bellowing belligerents will.) However, for golfers, the higher the better. Indeed, the benefits of the mountain golf genre are fairly obvious: the ball goes further, the elevated tee decks are awesome and the natural settings sublime.
There are plenty of mountain courses to choose from within easy driving distance of Calgary. And, regardless of how well you play in these lofty places – even if there are a few insult-throwing, half-in-the-bag hackers in your foursome – it’s going to be an elevated, I’m-a-beast-off-the-tee experience.
Here are eight mountain golf courses that will leave you dizzy with delight.
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
The holes that loop around Lac Beauvert on Jasper’s famed Stanley Thompson-designed masterpiece comprise, in my mind, the best stretch of golf in Alberta. The setting is so peaceful, so perfect, and the scenery is so spectacular, you’d be forgiven for thinking the technical aspects of the course are secondary. They’re not. This course is as playable as it is beautiful.
Insider Tip:
Jasper might be the most enjoyable golf course to walk in Western Canada, so put your comfy shoes on and hoof it.
Overall Rating: 10
Fairmont Banff Springs
Hole 4 at the Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course.
Thompson’s other famous Alberta mountain course is also a righteous experience. Similar to Jasper’s, the par-3s here – especially the famous Devil’s Cauldron hole – are phenomenal. But, unlike Jasper, this is a beast of a track that will humble the higher handicaps.
Insider Tip:
After teeing off on the elevated 15th hole, dart into the old Waldhaus Restaurant, the original 1920s clubhouse, and grab a cool can of Keith’s for the finishing run. But don’t throw it at anyone.
Overall Rating: 9
Greywolf Golf Course
photography by evan schiller
Situated high in the alpine at Panorama Mountain Village, Greywolf epitomizes what the mountain golf genre is all about. Stunning cliffside greens, aerie tee decks, icy creeks and amazing vistas are par for the course. The only bogey? The start is a bit of an uphill grunt.
Insider Tip:
After golf, hunker down at the brand-new Cliffhanger Restaurant and eat New York striploin steak with peppercorn cream sauce until they have to cart you off the premises.
Overall Rating: 9
The Wilderness Club
Located a few Bubba bombs into Montana (near the border town of Eureka), the Nick Faldo-designed course at The Wilderness Club excels on every level. The layout tumbles and rolls through a beautiful, secluded setting, and the lodging at the club is first-rate. This is the perfect golf getaway for your group of four, eight or 12 golfers.
Insider Tip:
Don’t leave town without a cup o’ joe and a healthy, homemade meal at Cafe Jax in Eureka.
Overall Rating: 9
Silvertip Golf Course
Similar to Press Level Seating at the Saddledome, the initial bad rap here was the “extreme” nature of the experience. Even though the Canmore course is still no teddy bear, it’s certainly not the ferocious, man-eating grizzly it once was. Few courses can muster the drama, the views and the crazy elevation changes found at Silvertip. This is mountain golf on steroids … and it’s awesome.
Insider Tip:
Leave your driver at home. And, just like the Press Level, stay well away from the railings and drop-offs.
Overall Rating: 8.5
Golden Golf Club
The sneaky-good Golden Golf Club is one of those places that, once discovered, requires many return visits. While the unpretentious vibe is just about as cool as the long-haired locals, the layout’s isolated feel, creekside holes and soaring views will win you over.
Insider Tip:
Bring a camera and watch for bears, deer, eagles and other forms of wildlife. Also, the quaint, course-owned RV park beside the driving range offers a perfect hideaway.
Overall Rating: 8.5
Trickle Creek Golf Resort
photograph by jeff sveen
Routed on the side of Northstar Mountain in Kimberley, Trickle Creek is like an edge-of-your-seat roller coaster ride. While the nausea that is sometimes associated with that may be negative, rest assured, this is a white-knuckle ride you will enjoy. The course starts slow but revs up for a redline run to the finish.
Insider Tip:
Grab an inexpensive golf package (check the course’s website for various specials) and stay at the nearby Trickle Creek Lodge. It’s a 4.5-star resort with nearly every amenity you can think of.
Overall Rating: 8
Stewart Creek Golf Course
Hugging the rocky slopes of the Bow Valley near Canmore, the Stewart Creek Golf Course is a peaceful parade through the pines. The Gary Browning-designed layout features his trademark minimalist style of golf course architecture. In other words, not a lot of mounding, bunkering or “forced” man-made features are apparent. Even the old mine entrances on the site were left intact.
Insider Tip:
After your round, you’d be silly not to park your-self on the patio and plow your way through a plate of Rocky Mountain Nachos.
Overall Rating: 8