- Group of 4 of us are heading to Banff for the first time for a golf trip in August and playing 5 rounds. Travel day Wednesday (no golf), 36 Thursday, 18 Friday, 36 Saturday, and travel back home Sunday (no golf).
- For those who have been, anything in particular we should know before we go, must-visit restaurants/bars in the Canmore/Banff area, etc.? We'll be staying in Canmore.
- Tee times are booked (outside of Kananaskis that opens soon), rental car and AirBnb already booked too:
- Thursday: Banff Springs and Silvertip
- Friday: Greywolf
- Saturday: Kananaskis (which course should we play?) and Stewart Creek
I know it's a fair amount of driving…so trying to determine whether Greywolf is worth it? We are staying downtown Canmore, so centrally located between Banff Springs and Kananaskis.
Would love any recommendations on anything we should know – thanks
by AdImpossible884
22 Comments
i mean it would make sense to play 36 at mt kidd and mt lorette. the two kananaskis courses are unbelievable
another logical 36 would be silvertip and stewart creek (silvertip gets a lot of undeserved hate because you can’t hit driver on every tee box and actually have to take a thoughtful approach to navigating the course)
if it were me, i’d do another 36 with 18 at the canmore golf and curling club and banff springs
greywolf is way out of the way, you’re doing 4.5 hours of driving just to get there and back again
you’d be better to do a trip next year to BC, where you can catch some of the dozens of insane courses out there, greywolf included.
All great courses but lots of driving there. You probably know, but Kananaskis has two 18s. I would skip Silvertip (not a big fan) and do Stewart Creek that day instead. Then do the 36 in Kananaskis in the second last day… also have lunch there too as food is very good. Makes your last day golf much easier, and getting back to Calgary.
While Silvertip is fine, it’s probably the worst (IMO) of all the courses you have listed. It’s resorty and gimmicky.
For food in Canmore, crazyweed is solid. Bridgette Bar too. The Iron Goat pub has duck wings that are really good but it’s a bit off the beaten track.
In Banff, there is a tapas place Brazen that I thought was decent. They have a snitzel place near the hotel/course that I have always wanted to try but never got there. Been there forever.
There is a random pizza place in Windermere (near Greywolf) called Pow that I love. More casual, it’s basically a shed that serves Detroit style. There is a pub beside it called the Whitehouse and it’s like something from Deliverance. Skip food at Greywolf. I’ve never had a good meal there.
Banff springs is worth it but nothing too spectacular. Silvertip was my favourite when I was out there, mountain golf at its finesr
Hit up the Vermillion Room. Good spot.
Silvertip is the best for views, like said by others undeserved hate. Stewart creek is my fav and kananaskis courses is probably you’re best bang for your buck in all of North America.
If you play silvertip and have a bad time idk wtf is wrong with you
One of a kind course with some super fun tee shots and approaches
I love Silvertip, it has some awesome views and is a tough course. The first time I played there in the late 90s I was eight years old and shot 172.
Thanks for the invite
Dont listen to these people about driving. Yes that’s a long day to play Grey Wolf, but it’s by far the best course on your list. Especially if you won’t be back up here again. Make sure to cross that off. Must play.
Both Kananaskis courses are amazing. Can’t go wrong with either. I will caution you that the last few years have been tough to get tee times.. absolute crap shoot in the queue. Be ready to adjust your schedule if you don’t get one.
Don’t sub in Canmore GCC over any of the ones on your list unless you don’t get a Kan tee times.
Enjoy your trip and remember to account for elevation – ball flies far up here!
Bear spray is always nice to have in the bag.
All of your course selections are banger. Stewart Creek is underrated imo and I would personally choose it over Silvertip. Will second everyone praising kananaskis too, you can’t go wrong with either course there.
As for restaurants, Grizzly house in Banff has some unique fondues you can try if you’re into a more cozy feel. If you want to try local beers, Grizzly Paw brewery in Canmore is an option.
As special as Greywolf is, it’s way farther out than the others. Absolutely worth the drive if you can make it, just be aware of that. If I can offer an suggestion, it’s to take an afternoon just to walk around Banff(be it on a travel day or otherwise). There’s a nice little walk next to the falls by the course that’s easy and has some great views. The town itself is always bustling and you can get great mountain views just walking next to the river. Same goes for Canmore. The nature is beautiful, please be sure to enjoy it!
All things said, western Canada is stunning, and you guys are gonna have a ton of fun I promise
I’m from the area. There is a lot of time driving in your schedule – I’d probably break them up by areas to be more time efficient. I’d skip Greywolf as it’s a long commute.
I’d personally do:
Thursday: Mount Kidd + Mount Lorette (Kananaski)
Friday: Banff Springs (can add Canmore golf – curling here)
Saturday: Silvertip + Stewert’s creek
Kananaski can be very slow on the weekends (4.5+ hour rounds are common). Both sides of Kananaski are worth playing. It’ll also be easier to get morning tee times on Thursday versus the weekend. You could do both 36 with lunch/dinner in-between at the club house and end at the Kananaski Nordic Spa for twilight if you are able to get earlier tee times
Banff has good restaurants and decent night life as well. I would recommend LUPO, The Bison, Ramen Arashi, and Block. You could play another 18 at canmore golf and curling on the way back.
Silver tip, stewert, Canmore golf, 36 at Kananaskis
Grey wolf is 3 hours away. If you’re doing that why not just stay out there and play copper, eagle ranch and radium instead
On top of all the golf and food options, I love the Banff Tea Company… especially for those that are tea people. Lots of great teas from all over. I’m very fond of a good Scottish Pu’erh… and honestly, a good strong tea after night of libations always helps.
Enjoy… get to Kananaskis at all costs. It’s breathtaking.
Avoid Canadians.
Bring plenty of golf balls!
This looks incredible
Sounds like an incredible plan tripped out.
Where are you coming in from? If you don’t get the opportunity to play lots of mountain golf, then keep Silvertip on your list. I have played the course once and that’s enough for me, it’s a silly built course but the views are incredible and it’s fun with friends. If you don’t get a lot of mountain views where you’re from then I’d keep it in the plan.
Kananaskis is incredible, try your hardest to get a tee time at both Lorette and Kidd (I prefer Kidd, but they’re both great). The F&B at Kananskis is some of the best you’ll experience while out here so 36 in a day out there would be perfect. Try to give yourself 1.5-2 hours between the rounds, keep in mind the sunsets really late here in August so don’t be scared of a 4:30 tee time if that’s all that’s available for your second 18.
IMO Greywolf is worth the drive every single time. It’s my favourite course in the Canada. The design is fantastic and the views are amazing. The whole atmosphere is big leagues from the second you get on the property. You’ll see a handful of courses as you drive through Radium and Invermere but don’t be discouraged, Greywolf is the cream of the crop in that area and you’re not missing anything that you won’t be getting in Banff.
Don’t settle for Canmore GCC. It’s fine but if you need to pivot then pivot to Stewart Creek.
Banff Springs is a can’t miss, yes it’s a hefty price but it’s worth it. If you’re a purist and love golf architecture then you’ll love it. It’s challenging and beautiful and rewarding all in one. Piece of advice…work on your bunker game before playing it lol
Now all that’s left is to cross your fingers and hope that no wildfires take the views away from your group. Best of luck with the Kananskis tee times, have a few of your buddies hop into the queue to be prepared 👍🏼
Kananaskis booking is very difficult. They open an entire month on one day and you get randomly sorted into the portal. You may have better luck 3 days in advance of the day you play. They is when people actually have to pay and commit to being there. Banff Springs is awesome. If you have a morning tee time there is a breakfast buffet included. Look into the Stanley Thompson society, members get a strep discount on green fees. Greywolf is stunning but a hell of a drive. Worth it.
Bring at least 72 joints.
If there’s a bear on the fairway let him play through.
Stewart creek, Kidd, and pay the $400 to check off Banff springs from the bucket list. If you do the drive I like greywolf better than them all but it’s out of the way drive wise. Greywolf had a second round for half price deal last time I played there.