Ontario is home to some of the most highly regarded golf courses in North America. Stunning courses that capture that diverse landscape of SW Ontario surround the Kitchener-Waterloo area. We have outlined some of the province’s top ranking courses within an hours drive of the city.
Westmount Golf & Country Club
(Images courtesy of Golf Advisor)
“Designed by renowned architect Stanley Thompson, Westmount is one of Canada’s premier golf facilities. Westmount Golf & Country Club boasts a stunning 18-hole championship course in the heart of K-W. Since its opening in 1931, Westmount has been consistently ranked among the top 15 courses in Canada.
The gently rolling terrain of our parkland course guarantees you will almost never hit from a flat lie. Instead, you can expect – as we like to call it – a Westmount lie.”
– Westmount Golf & Country Club
Deer Ridge
200 Deer Ridge Drive, Kitchener
(Images courtesy of Score Golf)
“A timeless classic that has been heralded by golf publications from around the world. A course that is an enduring test for the club player and is always fun regardless of how many times you’ve taken the challenge. A tournament venue where history was made.
Deer Ridge is the rare combination of all of these elements. Crafted by Canada’s legendary Thomas McBroom, a designer known for his indelible golfing concepts that have resonated with players the world over, Deer Ridge is unlike any other creation in the architect’s canon.”
Cutten Fields Golf Course
190 College Avenue East, Guelph
(Images courtesy of Golf Advisor)
“Established in 1931, this Stanley Thompson design is one of his classics, boasting rolling topography and a superior layout making every round at Cutten unique and keeps the avid golfer wanting more.
A Historic Stanley Thompson designed 18-Hole championship golf course and first class tennis facility. As a private club our members enjoy first class amenities which include a state of the art short game practice facility and driving range, four Har-Tru clay tennis courts, our historic clubhouse and the best patio view in the City, where members have the opportunity to enjoy an exceptional dining experience amongst great friends.”
Brantford Golf & Country Club
(Images courtesy of Brantford Golf & Country Club )
Brantford Golf & Country Club is the 4th oldest golf club in North America.
“It has been said a great course is defined by its golfers. If that’s the case, there are few greater courses in Canada than Brantford Golf & Country Club. Much of this success is due to its remarkably timeless golf course, a tremendously well-crafted design created by the team of Nicol and Stanley Thompson along with George Cumming, with later revisions by Robbie Robinson.
The group created a routing that is easily walked, allowing golfers to take in the stunning views of the Grand River while testing their abilities and concentration. Fairways meander up slopes to well guarded greens, while golfers need a deft touch to avoid wandering creeks. Through it all Brantford is fun and enjoyable, a course where par can be a challenge, but losing a golf ball is difficult as well.”
– Brantford Golf & Country Club
St. George’s Golf and Country Club
1668 Islington Avenue, Etobicoke
(Images courtesy of St George’s Golf and Country Club)
St. George’s Golf & Country Club ranks #1 among the ‘Top 100 courses in Ontario’, and #2 among the ‘Top 100 courses in Canada’.
“In 1929, Robert Home Smith had a vision – to build a fine course that would stand the test of time. There have been several enhancements to the club and course over its 90-year history. At the heart of every new project or improvement is respect for those who’ve come before, and a commitment to preserving and honoring St. George’s storied past. We continuously look to the future to provide our members with a world-class course and excellent club experience that they can be proud of.
St. George’s continues to receive much praise for its classic design, particularly its undulating greens, winding fairways and outstanding four finishing holes – which provide endless pleasures and challenges. The course will peak your interest, drive your passion and test your ability.”
– St. George’s Golf and Country Club
Greystone Golf Club
(Images courtesy of All Square & Hamilton Halton Brant)
“Sculpted into the edge of the Niagara Escarpment, Greystone is one of the most scenic and respected parkland courses in the ClubLink family. One of the earliest creations – and among the most popular – of architect Doug Carrick, Greystone winds harmoniously through tree-lined hills and valleys. The fairways are generously wide, but tighten at landing areas and climax with green complexes protected by flash-faced bunkers in the style of Stanley Thompson.
Greystone’s greens along the rugged escarpment are renowned for their speed and contour, and are challenging to read. The elevation changes are tremendous, providing spectacular views, but Greystone is a lovely walking course.”
The Toronto Golf Club
(Images courtesy of Golf Advisor)
The Toronto Golf Club ranks #4 among the ‘Top 100 courses in Ontario’
The Toronto Gold Club was established in 1876 and is the third oldest golf club in North America. Originally located on the Fernhill property in Toronto, the Club moved to its current location on the banks of the Etobicoke River in 1911. The purchase of the new property was completed early that year, and, at the same time, the well known English golf architect, H.S. Colt, was brought from England to design the new course. The Colt Course was ready for play in the autumn of 1912. In 1919, the Club purchased additional land to the north, and on this was constructed a new nine-hole course (Watson Course) which was ready for play in 1921.
The Toronto Golf Club has hosted the Canadian Open five times; twice at its old location in 1905 and again in 1909, and three times at its current location (1914, 1921 and 1927). The Toronto Golf Club has hosted the Canadian Amateur Championship nine times, more than any other club.
Glen Abbey Golf Club
(Images courtesy of Golf Advisor)
“Designed by legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus, Glen Abbey has hosted the RBC Canadian Open, a PGA Tour event and Canada’s National Open Championship, 28 times.
Glen Abbey Golf Club boasts a spectacular clubhouse facility including ‘Eighteen’, a sumptuous year-round dining experience open to the public, and a variety of beautiful banquet, meeting and seminar rooms.
The property is also home to the Academies of ClubLink, the headquarters of Golf Canada, the Canadian Golf Museum and Hall of Fame, and the TaylorMade Performance Lab.”
Osprey Valley Golf Resorts
(Images courtesy of Osprey Valley)
“Osprey Valley is a one-of-a-kind destination just north of Toronto, featuring an unparalleled golf experience that includes three distinctive Doug Carrick courses all ranked inside SCOREGolf’s Top 100 Courses in Canada. In 2018, those three courses became the first in Canada to join the prestigious TPC Network as TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley.
With a welcoming atmosphere and something unique for every kind of player who loves the game of golf, Osprey Valley is Your Golf Experience.
Devil’s Pulpit & Devil’s Paintbrush
3035 Escarpment Sideroad, Caledon Village
(Images courtesy of Devils Pulpit)
Devil’s Paintbrush ranks #5 among the ‘Top 100‘ courses in Ontario.
“The DPGA is comprised of two outstanding courses, Devil’s Pulpit and Devil’s Paintbrush, and committed to providing a world-class experience for Members and Guests to enjoy!
To take the meandering road into the Devil’s Pulpit and then stand on the first tee, high above the fairway, is a quick lesson in how much there is to admire about this course. Arrival offers a panoramic view of tees and greens tucked into the hills, accented by wind-blown fescue grasses. Then, the first hole tumbles to the fairway and green far below as the golfer begins a memorable journey. To play the Pulpit is to feel exhilarated — from start to finish, it’s a gallery of golf holes as art.
A rollicking landscape. Double greens. Seemingly random bunkering. Expansive views from every point. The ball bouncing hither and yon. Golf on the ground and in the air. Yes, the Devil’s Paintbrush “is indeed a jewel,” says Scott Abbott, co-founder of DPGA with the late Chris Haney. “You have to play it three or four times before you understand the course. It’s so true to the origins of the game.” That means golf as play – at the ’Brush, one truly “plays” the game.”
Burlington Golf & Country Club
422 North Shore Boulevard East, Burlington
(Images courtesy of Bernard Dupuis)
“The Burlington Golf and Country Club was incorporated through the efforts of a number of prominent Hamilton and Burlington citizens in 1922. The first nine holes were opened in 1923 with the completion of eighteen holes and a clubhouse in 1924.
The undulating topography of the property with its sandy loam and attractive location on Hamilton Bay offered exceptional natural raw material for the design of a golf course. Today’s challenging layout, still essentially that designed by Stanley Thompson, Canada’s leading contemporary golf course architect, was constructed under the watchful eye of Andy Anderson, the club’s first professional, who himself had a fine record of golf course construction in his native Scotland.”
– Burlington Golf & Country Club
Hamilton Golf & Country Club
(Images courtesy of HGCC & Hamilton Rising)
Hamilton Golf & Country Club ranks #2 among the ‘Top 100‘ courses in Ontario.
“Few country clubs in North America match the natural beauty of Harry Shapland Colt’s parkland masterpiece that sits along the edge of the Niagara Escarpment. Founded in 1894, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious clubs in the country, with a rich golf history and family connections to the local community that spans generations.
In 2016, HGCC celebrated 100 years in Ancaster, where members have enjoyed the pleasure of playing the game over 27 holes on what was originally known as, “The Grange” farm. The current clubhouse opened in 1929 and is a historical icon in Canadian that continues to be thoughtfully upgraded with modern amenities to create an ambiance second to none.”
– Hamilton Golf & Country Club
Beverly Golf & Country Club
1211 2nd Concession Road West, Copetown
(Images courtesy of Beverly Golf & Country Club)
“Beverly Golf & Country Club is an exclusive, member-owned private golf club, featuring a beautiful 18-hole golf course, with full practice facilities and putting green, swimming pool and majestic clubhouse.
Our limited number of golfing memberships makes all the amenities offered at the Club very accessible to all our members. With its parkland setting, mature trees, groomed fairways and well-placed bunkers, you will never tire of the Beverly’s challenge and beauty. With four sets of tees, the course provides an enjoyable experience for all levels of golfers.”
Heron Point Golf Links
(Images courtesy of Thomas McBroom)
“In the roster of great courses designed by Canadian architect Thomas McBroom, Heron Point Golf Links, although one of his earliest, still ranks among his best. Around the rolling landscape of Lake Dunmark near Ancaster, McBroom has fused three different themes into a seamless whole that builds in momentum to one of the greatest finishing holes in Canadian golf.
He delivers as taste of Carolina lowlands golf through a mix of rolling meadowlands and wetlands, Canadian parkland golf through dense stands of trees, as well as links-style golf with fescue-covered mounds and turbulent terrain. The well-protected greens are a highlight of your round, featuring run-offs, ramps and a heady mix of contour.
Heron Point provides an easy and peaceful walk for golfers with a number of forced carries over the lake or environmentally sensitive areas. The finishing holes build to a tremendous climax punctuated by the 18th which calls for a 220-yard carry from the back tees.”
Tarandowah Golfers Club
(Images courtesy of Golf Advisor)
“Pure Golf is rooted in the history and traditions of the game. It is wind swept and has undulating fairways and greens protected by deep, sod-faced bunkers and bordered by wispy fescue grasses. Pure golf plays dry and fast and all the trouble is on the ground between the golfer and the hole. Pure golf requires courage, skill and strategy.
Tarandowah’s course designer, Dr. Martin Hawtree is a third generation English golf course architect in the longest serving golf design office in the world.”
London Hunt & Country Club
1431 Oxford Street West, London
(Images courtesy of London Hunt & Country Club )
Welcome to the London Hunt and Country Club, a meticulously landscaped hideaway featuring a 7200 yard, 18-hole championship golf course, ten professional clay tennis courts, fitness facilities, trap and skeet fields, a 72,000 square foot Georgian style Clubhouse featuring dining options for every palette, and a 300 seat ballroom.
Our distinction as one of the finest country clubs in Canada draws the most successful professionals in the area and abroad to Membership and inspires us to endlessly create an experience beyond all expectations.
The story of the London Hunt and Country Club is one of vision and commitment spanning over 130 years dating back to March 30, 1885 when a group of stalwart equestrians formally organized civilian hunting buffs into the London Hunt Club. Over the years, amenities such as golf, tennis, trap and skeet and fitness were added to enhance the Membership experience.
With a history of its Members excelling in business, athletic and charitable arenas it’s no wonder the Club continues to host guests from all over the world. As you will learn in looking through more than twelve decades of history, times change, but our commitment to providing Members with the most exceptional Membership experience offered does not.
Mississaugua Golf & Country Club
1725 Mississauga Road, Mississauga
(Images courtesy of Mississauga & Country Club & Golf Canada)
Regarded as one of Canada’s most historic and significant golf clubs, Mississaugua’s golf course is a natural jewel hidden in an urban setting. With a history on the property of more than 100 years, Mississaugua offers a classic setting and style, with modern agronomy and conditioning.
An easy, charming walk, with holes regularly running along and over the Credit River, Mississaugua has tested the game’s best for decades. It remains a challenge and delight for those who play it, and is rare in presenting options and shots that golfers of varied abilities can achieve.
The final hole is one of the best closers in Canada, with its green set on the edge of the valley and perched in front of the club’s outdoor patio. Every great course tells its story over 18 holes. Mississaugua’s tale is unveiled throughout the round, culminating in a conclusion that is unforgettable.
