Everyone should visit the Canadian Rockies at least once in their lifetime. It’s home to some of the most spectacular views on the planet, plus the opportunity to spot wildlife that you’ll never see again. 

For nature lovers, the Rockies are heaven. You could spend years here and still not see it all: the world’s largest Dark Sky Preserve, the biggest icefield below the Arctic Circle, ancient and beautiful rock formations, and a unique three-ocean peak, to name just a few iconic experiences. 

And if you’re a golf lover, you’re in for a treat. The Rockies are also home to a group of courses featuring some of the most majestic views in the golfing world. Don’t think that’s all they offer, though—if you’re looking for an excellent round of golf, you’ll find it here, no matter what your skill level. Check out these golf courses in the Canadian Rockies and add them to your “must-play” list! 

Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course

The first thing you’ll notice about Banff Springs is its breathtaking beauty. Panoramic, 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape are the standout feature of this course but don’t think that’s all it’s got going for it. 

As well as jaw-dropping vistas, the course layout is exciting for golfers of all abilities. The current 18-hole layout was created in 1928 by golf architect Stanley Thompson and, at the time, was the most expensive course ever made, costing over a million dollars. 

There’s also a 9-hole course, Tunnel Mountain, so it doesn’t matter what your ability or your time constraints are. There’s something for you here. Located on the outskirts of Banff National Park, you’re right in the middle of magazine-worthy natural beauty here. 

The Devil’s Cauldron

Banff Springs is known for being the home to one of the world’s most famous holes—the par-3 4th hole, ominously known as the Devil’s Cauldron. It’s not for the faint-hearted, featuring an elevated tee and a sloped punchbowl green that’s nestled between bunkers and requires a carry over a lake to reach. 

There are no bad holes in this course. Each one is thoughtfully laid out, and there’s a stunning view from every tee. You’re surrounded by mountains, forests, and rivers—but no words can truly do it justice. 

You may be surprised to learn that there’s not a lot of elevation change, despite being a mountain course. But that doesn’t make it a walkover… You’ll be faced with sizable bunkers, natural hazards, and the constant threat of being distracted by the backdrop. 

More Than Just Golf

While the price tag might cause you to waver in your resolve to play here, remember that you’re paying for much more than just the golf. Along with the gameplay, you’re experiencing the majestic surroundings and the legacy of Banff Springs. It’s an experience every golfer should have at least once. 

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf

Jasper Park is probably the second most well-known and loved course in Alberta after Banff Springs. Created by the same architect, Jasper has the same majestic energy and unforgettable views as its sister course. 

Golfers of all skill levels will need to bring their A-game to this course, which is layered with features such as elevated tee boxes, natural hazards, and dramatic bunkering. Enclosed by pine trees and with four mountain ranges as its backdrop, the course is every bit as beautiful as Banff Springs. 

Excellent Routing

The course is routed around the natural landscape to create an exciting layout with some challenges. Unlike Banff, there’s a good bit of elevation change on the Jasper course. Some holes reach an elevation of over 10,000 feet! 

There’s enough variety throughout the course to keep any golfer interested. Numerous tee positions allow beginners and advanced golfers to play a round suited to their abilities, and there’s a good mixture of tricky hazards and shots throughout. 

Interestingly, Jasper is not a championship course. But it’s a close second to the famous Banff Springs and absolutely worth a play when you’re in the area. 

Bonus Wildlife & Activities

As well as the amazing gameplay, Jasper is known for its wildlife sightings! You’re bound to see some of the local animals and birds during a round, so keep your eyes peeled. 

Being located on a resort, you’ll also find a number of activities to keep you busy when you aren’t on the course… Or for the family to indulge in while you’re swinging your clubs. Tennis, biking, walking trails, and even horse riding are other options to round out your stay. 

Silvertip Golf Course

Another course with awe-inspiring views of Canmore’s Rocky Mountains is mountain golf at its finest. Be prepared for a challenging round, with 600 feet of elevation changes that live up to the rocky nature of the surroundings. 

Silvertip themselves call their course “playing on the roof of the world”, and that’s truly how it seems. It’s located high in the Rocky Mountains, affording golfers a stunning view over the vast natural beauty of the south side of the range. Every hole features a picturesque view, so note that there’s plenty of distraction that no amount of training can prepare you for. 

Challenging Lies

The layout is routed specifically to take advantage of the elevation changes, with elevated tees, serious contours, and dramatic lays throughout. You won’t find any forced carries or crazy shots, and there’s always a safe way to play each hole. But it’s visually intimidating, so might be tough for beginner golfers. 

While there’s no specific signature hole, most who play here consider the 4th and the 18th to be their favorites and more memorable than others. The par-4 4th hole stretches to 454 yards in length and is tightly packed with trees, giving it an intimate feeling. Play it straight to avoid landing in the trees on the left or in the water to the right. 

The finishing hole is also a firm favorite, a par-4 with a spectacular backdrop. Choose between setting up an approach shot with iron or attempting to cut the corner with your driver. Either way, getting to the green is a challenge, with a pond guarding it on the left and the welcoming view of the clubhouse on the right. 

Canmore Golf and Curling Club

If you’re looking for a great round with amazing views that’s a little friendlier on the wallet than the other courses we’ve already mentioned, Canmore Golf and Curling Club is a great choice. It’s a private club, but they feature non-member tee times if you’re just passing through. 

Set alongside the Bow River, there are stunning views of the Three Sisters from everywhere. It’s not as dramatic as the courses we’ve already mentioned, but it’s got a lovely atmosphere and still brings that true mountain feeling. 

The course is generally forgiving, and it’s a little shorter than some of the championship-like courses. This one’s a good choice for beginners—you get the beauty of a mountain course without the intimidation of the flagship courses. 

Canmore also has a great practice area, featuring a double-ended driving range, a putting green, a short game practice area with 3 greens, a sand trap, a pitching area, and a two-hole practice course. 

Plus, they offer TrackMan virtual golf! If you want to play a round in the dead of winter, there’s no stopping you. 200 courses to choose from, games and challenges, plus a full-swing assessment are just a few things this simulator offers. 

Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club

Stewart Creek is a much younger course than the others, designed in 2000. But like the rest, it’s located in the midst of the unparalleled scenery of the Rockies. It was laid out almost as is, without much construction at all, so it has a natural, flowing feeling to it. 

Elevation changes make it a challenging play, and tree-lined fairways give it a compact, intimate feeling despite it having vast, open views of the surrounding peaks and forests. The clubhouse sits above the course, looking down onto the fairways. 

The course itself is just over 7,000 yards long and features a nice array of strategic holes. You won’t be bored on this course—every hole offers something interesting, and the typical mountain course elevated tee box is instead used sparingly on this course, which makes those holes with higher tees easier to appreciate. 

There are a few residential buildings sprinkled throughout the first three holes. But from there, it’s just you, your clubs, the mountains, and the trees. It’s also a great course for less experienced golfers—although it’s definitely not a boring course, it’s forgiving and not too tricky. Just hit straight, and you’ll be good to go! 

Brewster's Kananaskis Ranch Golf Resort

At the foot of Yamnuska Mountain lies this interesting golfing experience, running along the north shores of the Bow River. It’s very reasonably priced for the area, and while it doesn’t have the same “wow” factor as some of the others, it’s well worth a play if you’re looking for a round that’s affordable and still has amazing views. 

It’s a short course, reaching just 5,606 yards, but it’s ideal for golfers of all abilities. Take the family, gather a group of friends, or head out for a round on your own. The expansive views and fresh mountain air are worth the time you spend on the course! 

The holes mostly consist of long par-3s and short par-4s, so there’s not a lot of variation. However, you will be presented with many risk-or-reward opportunities throughout the course, keeping it interesting. 

With sleek greens, generous fairways, strategically-placed bunkers, and water hazards, Brewster’s offers great play for most golfers. Don’t expect it to rival the likes of Banff Springs and Jasper, but for what you pay, it’s an excellent day out. 

Kananaskis Country Golf Course and Club

Kananaskis Country Golf Course and Club feature two distinct layouts and 36 holes in total. It’s government-owned and widely considered to be Alberta’s home course. Both courses—Mount Kidd and Mount Lorette—were ruined by flooding in 2013, with 32 of the holes needing to be completely revamped. It reopened in 2018 and is worth a round (or two!)

It’s not far from the hustle and bustle of the city, but it feels like you’re in another world. The views are to die for, and it’s not hard to forget all about the “real world” while you’re swinging your clubs here. 

This club is situated 5,000 feet above sea level, which gives your long shots some extra distance. Prepare to leave with some new personal records, but don’t let that make you complacent—you’ll need to keep your wits about you to get a good score here! 

Neither of the courses is easy, although they feature six tee positions so all golfers can get off to a good start. Pine-tree-lined fairways, an abundance of doglegs, a variety of water hazards including Kananaskis River and multiple small creeks, and close to 150 crushed granite bunkers provide more than enough challenge for even the most experienced of players. 

Seniors, juniors, and residents of the city get special rates. But even if you’re visiting, the green fees are pretty reasonable for the golfing experience you get. Plus, if you complete your round in under 4 ½ hours, you’ll get a little gift from the pro shop! 

Conclusion

The Canadian Rockies might be more well-known for their natural beauty and wildlife, but golfers will enjoy every moment of playing a round here. If you can only play one, Fairmont Banff Springs is the one we recommend, but all the courses on this list are worth spending a few hours on. Anywhere you go here, you’ll be lucky enough to play with a beautiful backdrop, so don’t miss your chance to snap a few photos while you’re here! 

Even if you’re not a golfer, many of these courses have top-class restaurants on-site, where you can grab a meal and marvel at the scenery. Just remember—most of these courses are closed in the winter… As stunning as they are, you can’t slog through slow and battle winds to play a round of golf! 

About the Author 

Jordan Fuller is a retired golfer and businessman. When he’s not on the course working on his own game or mentoring young golfers, he writes in-depth articles for his website, Golf Influence.