The top 10 golf holes in British Columbia

The magnificent landscapes of British Columbia are perfect for a dramatic brand of golf

The magnificent landscapes of British Columbia are perfect for a decidedly dramatic brand of golf. Not surprisingly—given the mountains, the coastlines, the pristine valleys and everything else—the province is home to some of North America’s prettiest golf holes.

Of course, making top 10 lists is always dangerous. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and golf, especially, is notorious for inviting passionate opinions on what is great, what is good, and what should be bulldozed. So no doubt you’ve got your own worthy list of British Columbia’s best golf holes. And that’s good. I’ve also got mine. Perhaps sometime in the near future we can get together and discuss. These are in no particular order.

Hole 6, 175 yards, Par 3, Greywolf Golf Course, Panorama Mountain Village 

For sheer drama, the famous Cliffhanger hole at Greywolf cannot be beat. The spacious green, perched high on top of the precipice, is certainly hittable. However, a poorly struck shot requires ropes and carabineers to retrieve. 

Hole 5, 440 yards, Par 4, Kokanee Springs Golf Resort, Crawford Bay

Dubbed the Poop Deck, this straightaway beauty demands a laser-straight tee shot to a sand-surrounded fairway. The mid-iron approach must then clear the spirited mountain creek and avoid the nasty green-side bunkers. Par feels like a birdie.

Hole 17, 135 yards, Par 3, Radium Springs Resort, Radium Hot Springs

Situated high above the vast Columbia Valley Wetlands, the closing run at The Springs Course is always memorable. The short 17th, which features a thin green hard on the ravine, is the trump card. 

Hole 8, 540 yards, Par 5, Tobiano, Kamloops

Careening high above Kamloops Lake and featuring a do-or-die tee shot over the gulch, the beautiful 8th at Tobiano captures the raw and rugged charm of one of the most exciting courses to play in the country.

Hole 5, 175 yards, Par 3, Predator Ridge Ridge Course, Vernon

With dazzling lake and mountain views and a massive emerald green that sits well below the tee deck, this postcard-pretty hole is one you could never tire of playing.

Hole 15, 200 yards, Par 3, Talking Rock Resort, Chase

The visuals here (the bunker-guarded green is backdropped by the shimmering waters of Shuswap Lake) are simply stunning. But don’t get too distracted. A bad swing here and you could easily ruin your score. 

Hole 8, 175 yards, Par 3, Fairmont Chateau Whistler Resort, Whistler

Squeezed between a sheer rock wall and a pristine pond, the slender green on the signature 8th at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club is tough as nails to hit. Par is elusive here. Good photos aren’t.

Hole 17, 215 Yards, Par 3, Nicklaus North, Whistler

 Hugging the tranquil shore of Green Lake, the super-strong 17th at Nicklaus North requires a bold strike with a long iron. Don’t let the gorgeous surroundings mesmerize you too long.

Hole 8, 375 yards, Bear Mountain Valley Course, Victoria

This short, one-of-a-kind par 4 features an elevated tee, rocky outcrops, a creek, lush rainforest, beautiful bunkering, strategic options and dazzling views. What’s not to like?

Hole 2, 425 yards, Sagebrush Golf & Sporting Club, Merritt

Tumbling and rolling along the arid, grass-lined slopes high above Nicola Lake, the par 4 second at Sagebrush—now open to the public—showcases the exquisite beauty of this Rod Whitman design.

Andrew Penner is a freelance writer and photographer based in Calgary. His travel column will appear monthly in GolfWest.