Calgary Golf

[OilersBaby]

So my husband and I were planning a spring/summer trip to Calgary...he's an obsessive golfer. He was wondering what the best golf course in Calgary was. He's been to Kananaskis and some other stuff outside Calgary city limits..but was wondering what the best golf course was inside the city, and if you know the prices, how much it is.

Thanks!

Lookin forward to being back in Calgary!

[Rhettzky]

That's tough, there are many private courses in the city limits that will let you book a tee time but charge you a freaking arm and a leg. As far as the other courses go a course that has very long holes for a guy who loves his driver would be Sirocco, it's on the South side of the city by Spruce Meadows (Approx. $80 or $90 cart included). My favorite course to play that is a decent price is always Shaganappi which is close to the core (Approx. $40 fee, $20 cart). Heather Glen is just west of the city on Glenmore trail and has 27 holes that are playable. So if he wants to do two rounds in a day he could golf the grove (9 holes) and the hills (9 holes) as an 18 in the morning and do the hills (same 9 holes) and the creek (new 9 holes) in the afternoon. Price is about $60 bucks there too. A decent course to work on short game is Douglas Dale which is only a par 60 so there are a lot of par 3's and if he is really advanced he may get bored with it. About $60 as well.

There are plenty of others in town too but those are my fav's out of the one's I've been to.

[OilersBaby]

Sweet! Thanks for the info..Im going to let him go golfing while I go to an afternoon hockey game (he's not a hockey fan unfortunately, but I dont golf so it works out).

[Lanny_MacDonald]

If you're coming all the way from San Jose, Ca, I doubt your husband is going to enjoy playing any of Calgary's over-played muni's. If I were to pick out the golf courses to play in Calgary I would hit the following:

1) Heritage Pointe. Probably the finest facility accessible to the public in Calgary. It's expensive (~$125 CDN) but if your husband is as obsessed as you sugest I suspect he is used to paying top dollar to golf in California. There are 27 holes there (Heritage, Pointe and Desert), all of them great.

2) Glen Eagles. Just outside of Calgary, in Cochrane, it is a British style couse that offers some of the most spectacular views possible. A must play when in Calgary IMO.

3) Wintergreen. Its in Bragg Creek, but its almost like playing mountain golf without going to the mountains. It does have a drainage problem, so it can be a little moist from time to time. The elevated tee boxes will make him feel like he's a crusher.

4) Country Hills. This is very nice as well. Its in the north end towards the airport and is another course that is very British in style. I suspect he'll really enjoy it.

5) Elbow Springs. A decent enough track that has 27 holes, each with their own personality. I really like the courses as they give you a taste of Calgary's foothill feel.

Do your husband a favor and get out to Silver Tip or Stewart Creek in Canmore (west of Calgary in the Rocky Mountains). Both are featured in the Golf Digest photograph series and have some of the most breath taking scenery you will ever see. You can't miss opportunities to play the great courses IMO, and both of these rank up there just for the setting.

If I were organizing your trip, and basing it on 3 rounds, I would have him play Heritage Pointe (Heritage and Pointe courses), Glen Eagles and Silver Tip. He will have some amazing stories to tell his golf budies back home. If you're doing just one round, have him to Hertiage Pointe. He'll love it!!!

[Mccree]

Originally Posted by Lanny_MacDonald

4) Country Hills. This is very nice as well. Its in the north end towards the airport and is another course that is very British in style. I suspect he'll really enjoy it.

5) Elbow Springs. A decent enough track that has 27 holes, each with their own personality. I really like the courses as they give you a taste of Calgary's foothill feel.

Aren't these two private.

I have tried to book a tee time at Country Hills and they did not let me because I was not a memeber.

I have never played or tried to book a round at Elbow springs but I have heard it was private.

[calf]

Originally Posted by Mccree

Aren't these two private.

I have tried to book a tee time at Country Hills and they did not let me because I was not a memeber.

I have never played or tried to book a round at Elbow springs but I have heard it was private.

I believe Country Hills is semi-private, but some of the holes are members only.

Elbow Springs is definitely semi. I played there last year...I think it was $75-80 for the green fees (mid-week). I'm pretty much a hack, but this course was especially tough for me.

[Jonrox]

I'll put in another good word for Heritage Pointe and Silvertip.

At Heritage Pointe I prefer to play Heritage and Pointe - the Desert only serves to inflate my score and frustrate me. I'm not sure if you can request which 9's you play, but I would try for these.

Don't miss Silvertip whatever you do. There are some very "unique" holes, the likes of which he's probably never played anywhere else. It is a beautiful course and the new clubhouse should be open by then (if it isn't already).

Don't go to Sirocco. It is a brand new course and definitely feels like it. Give that course a few more years and it will be a lot better (hopefully they'll eventually get their clubhouse built as well).

[Lanny_MacDonald]

Originally Posted by Mccree

Aren't these two private.

I have tried to book a tee time at Country Hills and they did not let me because I was not a memeber.

I have never played or tried to book a round at Elbow springs but I have heard it was private.

Things may have changed since I lived in Calgary, but Country Hills has 36 holes, 18 of which are semi-private and 18 which are members only. Elbow Springs was semi-private as well, and usually pretty easy to get a tee time.

[underGRADFlame]

Originally Posted by calf

I believe Country Hills is semi-private, but some of the holes are members only.

Elbow Springs is definitely semi. I played there last year...I think it was $75-80 for the green fees (mid-week). I'm pretty much a hack, but this course was especially tough for me.

Up until 2 years ago this was true, but it has now become fully private, which sucks as it has 2 beautiful 18 hole courses.

[Lanny_MacDonald]

Originally Posted by underGRADFlame

Up until 2 years ago this was true, but it has now become fully private, which sucks as it has 2 beautiful 18 hole courses.

That sucks. Calgary could definitely use some more golf courses!

[Shawnski]

If driving isn't a concern (i.e. Silvertip) consider sending him out the other direction to Drumheller. The back nine there is unbelievable. One of my favourite places to golf. And it is more reasonable than either of Heritage or Silvertip.

[edn88]

Speargrass and Sirocco Golf courses are both decent courses, but I agree with Lanny - Heritage Pointe and Glen Eagles are both fantastic, but I would substiture Stewart Creek for Silvertip (most people prefer Stewart Creek). Honestly though, there is no better golf value in the world than Kananaskis.

[toonmaster]

Two words.....Priddis Greens

I believe it is private, but if there is any sliver of hope at playing this course, it is a must!!

I think they have 2 seperate eighteens, I played the one called Raven, and it was an unforgettable experience

It has been host to the LPGA as well as a multitude of amateur events

http://www.priddisgreens.com/

[brownie]

I'll put D'arcy Ranch in the mix here too,its only a short drive south about 20 mins. Its 80 bucks with a cart,but like everywhere else its hard to get a tee time.Shouldn't be too bad for a single though.And as EDN88 said Kananaskis is the best deal in the country.

[toonmaster]

Originally Posted by brownie

I'll put D'arcy Ranch in the mix here too,its only a short drive south about 20 mins. Its 80 bucks with a cart,but like everywhere else its hard to get a tee time.Shouldn't be too bad for a single though.And as EDN88 said Kananaskis is the best deal in the country.

Please oh please don't go to the D.R.

While it is a "good deal", you much rather play Heritage Pointe or even Cottonwood. Heck even Highwood in High River is a better option and it was flooded out a couple years ago.

As a former employee, and coming to Calgary from out of town (and country?), it is not worth playing D'arcy Ranch, but it is just my opinion

[brownie]

Originally Posted by toonmaster

Please oh please don't go to the D.R.

While it is a "good deal", you much rather play Heritage Pointe or even Cottonwood. Heck even Highwood in High River is a better option and it was flooded out a couple years ago.

As a former employee, and coming to Calgary from out of town (and country?), it is not worth playing D'arcy Ranch, but it is just my opinion

Yeah great idea suggesting Cottonwood....its private so not much chance on getting on there.And what have you got against DR???LOts of elevation changes,lots of bunkers,greens arent always the best but overall I think its a great course.Sure Hpoint is awesome but a more reasonable price is DR.IMO

[toonmaster]

^^

I've played cottonwood a dozen or so times, but i am not a member...I guess you just need to know people

With my dislike for DR, lets see:
1. former employee, treated like ****, and the only reason why I stuck around was the local free golf
2. with all the free golf, i played the course way way way too much, it is just boring for me, hence the 'imo'
3. the greens are actually quite decent, they go through their ups and downs but overall some of the best around, and doing it with a lackluster budget, but the bunkers, the greensides were redone recently, within the last year, they are S H I T, plain and simple, every last one of them, some of the worst i have ever played
4. the staff is excellent, maintainence to pro shop is top notch, but the owner and upper management can suck my left nut

absolutely it is a great deal, good course setup and good service for very reasonable pay

but personally if you are traveling to calgary, imo, it is not the course you want to play

edit: i guess what i am trying to say is through my experiences there are better courses out there that may be more expensive but provide better quality. These courses are levels above what DR provides especially to someone who is travelling into the city of calgary

[edn88]

Originally Posted by brownie

Yeah great idea suggesting Cottonwood....its private so not much chance on getting on there.And what have you got against DR???LOts of elevation changes,lots of bunkers,greens arent always the best but overall I think its a great course.Sure Hpoint is awesome but a more reasonable price is DR.IMO

The secret is golfing at Heritage on weekends after 2pm, when a foursome is $300 ($75/golfer includes carts) - the hitch you must have a foursome.

So, this is pretty much the second best deal on golf in Calgary area besides K Country

[fanforever1986]

highland rules. Nothing better than golfing in a wife beater.


In all honesty though...when it comes to paying for a round of golf in Southern Alberta, if you don't see mountains you're not getting your money's worth.

Greywolf trumps all, however its in Invermere.

[Dion]

Nanton has a wonderful 18 hole golf course. The front 9 was recently redone and it's a bargain compared to other courses near buy. Only 80 kilometers south of Calgary.

Monday thru Thursday one can play 18 holes for $40 which includes a cart. Friday thru Sunday it's $53 including a cart. And best of all it's never busy during theweek and one can always get a tee time.

The Highwod in High River is way over priced and the atmosphere is too aloof. One who isn't a member is treated like a second class citizen.