SCOREGolf’s Top 59 Canadian Public Golf Course Rankings are back! Using a rating scale that measures beauty, strategy, challenge, design, conditioning, Par 3s, Par 4s, Par 5s and fun factor, SCOREGolf’s Top 59 Canadian Public Golf Courses is the most authoritative ranking in Canada that always ignites a great debate.
Check out all of the countdown posts here: 59–51 | 50–41 | 30–21 | 20–11 | 10-1
40-31 of SCOREGolf‘s Top 59 Canadian Public Golf Courses
40. Green Gables
Cavendish, P.E.I.
Stanley Thompson, 1939 (Thomas McBroom)
SG Rating: 7.4964
2023 Rank: 53
Canada’s smallest province has a high concentration of golf courses and the Stanley Thompson-designed Green Gables is a must see given its long history as an Island gem. The famed farmhouse can be seen on the front nine while the best stretch of golf holes is on the back, along the Lake of Shining Waters.
39. Wildstone
Cranbrook, B.C.
Gary Player Design, 2011
SG Rating: 7.5089
2023 Rank: 56
Wildstone is peacefulness personified with lovely fairways framed by tall pine trees, golden fescue and white-sand bunkers. The Cranbrook, British Columbia, course is the only Gary Player Design layout in Canada.
38. Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu – St. Laurent, Richelieu
La Malbaie, Que.
Herbert Strong/Darrell Huxham, 1926/2004
SG Rating: 7.5115
2023 Rank: 46
A Herbert Strong design that combines with a more modern Darrell Huxham nine, the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu features some eye-popping holes that make for a fun round. The stunning opening assignment on the St. Laurent nine, which plummets towards the water, is phenomenal.
37. Bear Mountain – Mountain
Victoria, B.C.
Jack and Steve Nicklaus, 2008
SG Rating: 7.5257
2023 Rank: 55
The Mountain Course at Bear Mountain is one of the country’s most dramatic layouts given its extreme elevation changes and great finishing stretch. There are many thrilling hole here, but none more so than the clifftop par-3 14th hole overlooking Victoria Harbour.
36. Le Diable
Mont Tremblant, Que.
Michael Hurdzan/Dana Fry, 1998
SG Rating: 7.5305
2023 Rank: 44
Le Diable — or, The Devil — is a solid golf course in Quebec’s popular Mont Tremblant area that’s known for its trademark red-sand bunkers and massive greens. The course was designed by Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry and always makes for a fun round.
35. Northern Bear
Sherwood Park, Alta.
Jack Nicklaus, 2002
SG Rating: 7.5600
2022 Rank: 35
Number 35 Northern Bear is a Jack Nicklaus Signature design with fairways that meander through tall trees while navigating several lakes. The course is popular pick for public golfers around Edmonton and has hosted PGA Tour Americas events.
34. Dundarave
Roseneath, P.E.I.
Michael Hurdzan/Dana Fry, 1999
SG Rating: 7.5614
2023 Rank: 28
Dundarave has long been a delightful visit for locals and visitors alike. Red-sand bunkers and holes along the Brudenell River make for stunning visuals, with the most noteworthy frame being the stunning par-4 eighth. On this list, it is No. 34.
33. Black Bear Ridge
Belleville, Ont.
Brian Magee, 2005
SG Rating: 7.5818
2023 Rank: 24
Belleville, Ontario’s Black Bear Ridge shines out of the gate and coming home, with the opening holes on both nines particularly memorable and the finishing stretch a top-notch trio. The late Brian Magee, Black Bear’s original owner, designed the course himself.
32. Talking Rock
Chase, B.C.
Graham Cooke/Wayne Carleton, 2007
SG Rating: 7.5843
2023 Rank: 27
Graham Cooke and Wayne Carleton combined on a layout that’s all kinds of fun near the shores of Little Shuswap Lake. Though heavily bunkered, Talking Rock is roomy enough not to be overly penal and its isolation amid woods puts golfers at ease. The par-3 15th and the 18th, hugging the water, are the most memorable holes.
31. Tarandowah
Avon, Ont.
Martin Hawtree, 2007
SG Rating: 7.5931
2023 Rank: 32
Tarandowah is a links-style course that actually plays like a proper links, unlike other tracks with that word in their name. That’s because of its firm turf, gnarly fescue, cool bunkering, shapely greens and susceptibility to high winds. The Martin Hawtree course begins slowly but picks up steam by the fifth hole.