Playing golf in Vancouver Canada (NO POLITICS!)

[Edward_Majorwin]

> @Roadking2003 said:

> I'm doing research for a golf trip to Whistler and Vancouver next summer. We will play six courses. What are the best six courses in this area?

All the Whistler courses are pretty much frickin A, very nice. You should play at least two up there if you're making the drive.

Head back to the Vancouver area for some more...I'll just throw some out for ya

North Vancouver - Northlands and Seymour (public on Monday only)

Coquitlam - Westwood Plateau

Surrey - Northview Ridge (kind of must do since our old PGA event was played there) and Morgan Creek

Langley - Redwoods and Pagoda Ridge

Abbotsford - Ledgeview

 

Hope you figure it all out and head our way next year, cheers Roadking

 

 

 

 

 

[duffer987]

> @Roadking2003 said:

> I'm doing research for a golf trip to Whistler and Vancouver next summer. We will play six courses. What are the best six courses in this area?

 

You've been to Whistler before right? So whatever order you already have the four in + Seymour + a GVRD private. If you want a day trip than Sandpiper.

There's nothing in Vancouver you'd call a destination course. Enjoy the restaurants and the city, but I would never recommend anyone go there specifically for the golf. And that's not taking into account my POV or your POV on golf courses, but across the board.

[lhahn]

Westwood Plateau is a POS now FYI

[Roadking2003]

> @duffer987 said:

> > @Roadking2003 said:

> > I'm doing research for a golf trip to Whistler and Vancouver next summer. We will play six courses. What are the best six courses in this area?

>

> You've been to Whistler before right? So whatever order you already have the four in + Seymour + a GVRD private. If you want a day trip than Sandpiper.

> There's nothing in Vancouver you'd call a destination course. Enjoy the restaurants and the city, but I would never recommend anyone go there specifically for the golf. And that's not taking into account my POV or your POV on golf courses, but across the board.

 

How about Bear Mountain? Are those courses worth a side trip?

[KBong]

> @lhahn said:

> Westwood Plateau is a POS now FYI

Did you play there recently?

Anyone else play there recently to comment on the conditions.

Read some comments elsewhere and supposedly it's in ok shape now....supposedly.

 

I haven't played there in years and heard in the past few years conditions have been bad.

 

[duffer987]

> @Roadking2003 said:

> > @duffer987 said:

> > > @Roadking2003 said:

> > > I'm doing research for a golf trip to Whistler and Vancouver next summer. We will play six courses. What are the best six courses in this area?

> >

> > You've been to Whistler before right? So whatever order you already have the four in + Seymour + a GVRD private. If you want a day trip than Sandpiper.

> > There's nothing in Vancouver you'd call a destination course. Enjoy the restaurants and the city, but I would never recommend anyone go there specifically for the golf. And that's not taking into account my POV or your POV on golf courses, but across the board.

>

> How about Bear Mountain? Are those courses worth a side trip?

 

IDK TBH - I haven't played it, but it does look pretty west coasty and scenic!

I do know that adding the island into it, is a whole other ball game of faffing about with ferry queues.

A full trip to the island fair enough, or even a 50/50, but not to pop over for one round IMHO.

[tips09]

> @duffer987 said:

> > @Roadking2003 said:

> > > @duffer987 said:

> > > > @Roadking2003 said:

> > > > I'm doing research for a golf trip to Whistler and Vancouver next summer. We will play six courses. What are the best six courses in this area?

> > >

> > > You've been to Whistler before right? So whatever order you already have the four in + Seymour + a GVRD private. If you want a day trip than Sandpiper.

> > > There's nothing in Vancouver you'd call a destination course. Enjoy the restaurants and the city, but I would never recommend anyone go there specifically for the golf. And that's not taking into account my POV or your POV on golf courses, but across the board.

> >

> > How about Bear Mountain? Are those courses worth a side trip?

>

> IDK TBH - I haven't played it, but it does look pretty west coasty and scenic!

> I do know that adding the island into it, is a whole other ball game of faffing about with ferry queues.

> A full trip to the island fair enough, or even a 50/50, but not to pop over for one round IMHO.

 

Definitely not worth a day trip just for golf. A couple days on the island with golf and other things might be worth the trip. Don’t get me started with bc ferries I was born and raised on the island so my hate for them is very strong.

[duffer987]

> @tips09 said:

> > @duffer987 said:

> > > @Roadking2003 said:

> > > > @duffer987 said:

> > > > > @Roadking2003 said:

> > > > > I'm doing research for a golf trip to Whistler and Vancouver next summer. We will play six courses. What are the best six courses in this area?

> > > >

> > > > You've been to Whistler before right? So whatever order you already have the four in + Seymour + a GVRD private. If you want a day trip than Sandpiper.

> > > > There's nothing in Vancouver you'd call a destination course. Enjoy the restaurants and the city, but I would never recommend anyone go there specifically for the golf. And that's not taking into account my POV or your POV on golf courses, but across the board.

> > >

> > > How about Bear Mountain? Are those courses worth a side trip?

> >

> > IDK TBH - I haven't played it, but it does look pretty west coasty and scenic!

> > I do know that adding the island into it, is a whole other ball game of faffing about with ferry queues.

> > A full trip to the island fair enough, or even a 50/50, but not to pop over for one round IMHO.

>

> Definitely not worth a day trip just for golf. A couple days on the island with golf and other things might be worth the trip. Don’t get me started with bc ferries I was born and raised on the island so my hate for them is very strong.

 

Have friends that moved to the island to raise their kids. I've not seen them in person since 2007 ;)

[Roadking2003]

> @tips09 said:

> > @duffer987 said:

> > > @Roadking2003 said:

> > > > @duffer987 said:

> > > > > @Roadking2003 said:

> > > > > I'm doing research for a golf trip to Whistler and Vancouver next summer. We will play six courses. What are the best six courses in this area?

> > > >

> > > > You've been to Whistler before right? So whatever order you already have the four in + Seymour + a GVRD private. If you want a day trip than Sandpiper.

> > > > There's nothing in Vancouver you'd call a destination course. Enjoy the restaurants and the city, but I would never recommend anyone go there specifically for the golf. And that's not taking into account my POV or your POV on golf courses, but across the board.

> > >

> > > How about Bear Mountain? Are those courses worth a side trip?

> >

> > IDK TBH - I haven't played it, but it does look pretty west coasty and scenic!

> > I do know that adding the island into it, is a whole other ball game of faffing about with ferry queues.

> > A full trip to the island fair enough, or even a 50/50, but not to pop over for one round IMHO.

>

> Definitely not worth a day trip just for golf. A couple days on the island with golf and other things might be worth the trip. Don’t get me started with bc ferries I was born and raised on the island so my hate for them is very strong.

 

Was thinking more along the lines of three days and two rounds of golf there. Then fly home from Victoria.

[tips09]

> @Roadking2003 said:

> > @tips09 said:

> > > @duffer987 said:

> > > > @Roadking2003 said:

> > > > > @duffer987 said:

> > > > > > @Roadking2003 said:

> > > > > > I'm doing research for a golf trip to Whistler and Vancouver next summer. We will play six courses. What are the best six courses in this area?

> > > > >

> > > > > You've been to Whistler before right? So whatever order you already have the four in + Seymour + a GVRD private. If you want a day trip than Sandpiper.

> > > > > There's nothing in Vancouver you'd call a destination course. Enjoy the restaurants and the city, but I would never recommend anyone go there specifically for the golf. And that's not taking into account my POV or your POV on golf courses, but across the board.

> > > >

> > > > How about Bear Mountain? Are those courses worth a side trip?

> > >

> > > IDK TBH - I haven't played it, but it does look pretty west coasty and scenic!

> > > I do know that adding the island into it, is a whole other ball game of faffing about with ferry queues.

> > > A full trip to the island fair enough, or even a 50/50, but not to pop over for one round IMHO.

> >

> > Definitely not worth a day trip just for golf. A couple days on the island with golf and other things might be worth the trip. Don’t get me started with bc ferries I was born and raised on the island so my hate for them is very strong.

>

> Was thinking more along the lines of three days and two rounds of golf there. Then fly home from Victoria.

That’s a solid end to the trip for sure. Victoria is a fun city for pretty much all age groups. It’s a beautiful city to spend a few days in if you are from out of town.

 

[duffer987]

> @tips09 said:

> > @Roadking2003 said:

> > > @tips09 said:

> > > > @duffer987 said:

> > > > > @Roadking2003 said:

> > > > > > @duffer987 said:

> > > > > > > @Roadking2003 said:

> > > > > > > I'm doing research for a golf trip to Whistler and Vancouver next summer. We will play six courses. What are the best six courses in this area?

> > > > > >

> > > > > > You've been to Whistler before right? So whatever order you already have the four in + Seymour + a GVRD private. If you want a day trip than Sandpiper.

> > > > > > There's nothing in Vancouver you'd call a destination course. Enjoy the restaurants and the city, but I would never recommend anyone go there specifically for the golf. And that's not taking into account my POV or your POV on golf courses, but across the board.

> > > > >

> > > > > How about Bear Mountain? Are those courses worth a side trip?

> > > >

> > > > IDK TBH - I haven't played it, but it does look pretty west coasty and scenic!

> > > > I do know that adding the island into it, is a whole other ball game of faffing about with ferry queues.

> > > > A full trip to the island fair enough, or even a 50/50, but not to pop over for one round IMHO.

> > >

> > > Definitely not worth a day trip just for golf. A couple days on the island with golf and other things might be worth the trip. Don’t get me started with bc ferries I was born and raised on the island so my hate for them is very strong.

> >

> > Was thinking more along the lines of three days and two rounds of golf there. Then fly home from Victoria.

> That’s a solid end to the trip for sure. Victoria is a fun city for pretty much all age groups. It’s a beautiful city to spend a few days in if you are from out of town.

>

 

Agreed. That's make for a nice place to stay and an excellent change of pace before returning to Austin. Right in town Victoria Golf Club looks really fun to play.

[WestCoastHacker]

Here's my $0.02:

 

1. Vancouver Island - The Island is an excellent place to play golf. Victoria GC and Royal Colwood are among my favourite courses in the province. If you are a member of a private club you have a decent chance of getting on both. I think Colwood even had limited public tee times a few years back. Not sure if they still do. On the public side, I'd have a look at the two tracks at Bear Mountain, Olympic View and Highland Pacific. I have also heard good things about Crown Isle and Story Creek although I have not played either of them. There is plenty of good golf on the Island and you could have a good trip even if you never saw the mainland.

 

2. Whistler - There are some good resort courses in Whistler. They are all expensive, scenic and a pleasant place to spend the day. I don't think anything up there is architecturally significant but that may or may not matter to your group.

 

3. Vancouver - All the best golf in Vancouver is private. If you have connections, the private tracks in the city are excellent. I'd single out Capilano, Shaughnessy and Vancouver GC as the best of the bunch. Marine Drive, Point Grey and Seymour are also good.

[lhahn]

skip bear mountain. play colwood and victoria gc if you can get on. FYI victoria charges a fee even with reciprocals whereas colwood may not.

[ryu123]

Victoria GC is absolutely beautiful. It’s not a long course, but the holes by the water are spectacular.

 

The Valley course at Bear Mountain is okay: the Mountain course is just a long tough slog, and at $270 Canadian is overpriced.

[noodle3872]

Heading down to Homestead Farms Golf Club in Lynden WA tomorrow. Supposed to be in great shape. $42 Cdn for 18 holes is more than fair too!

[shokosugi]

> @noodle3872 said:

> Heading down to Homestead Farms Golf Club in Lynden WA tomorrow. Supposed to be in great shape. $42 Cdn for 18 holes is more than fair too!

 

I played there once last summer and it was super windy-made it lots of fun! It seemed like most holes were against the wind and up to a 3 club wind at times so make sure you bring a club you can hit a stinger off the tee.

[2bGood]

> @WestCoastHacker said:

> Here's my $0.02:

>

> 1. Vancouver Island - The Island is an excellent place to play golf. Victoria GC and Royal Colwood are among my favourite courses in the province. If you are a member of a private club you have a decent chance of getting on both. I think Colwood even had limited public tee times a few years back. Not sure if they still do. On the public side, I'd have a look at the two tracks at Bear Mountain, Olympic View and Highland Pacific. I have also heard good things about Crown Isle and Story Creek although I have not played either of them. There is plenty of good golf on the Island and you could have a good trip even if you never saw the mainland.

>

> 2. Whistler - There are some good resort courses in Whistler. They are all expensive, scenic and a pleasant place to spend the day. I don't think anything up there is architecturally significant but that may or may not matter to your group.

>

> 3. Vancouver - All the best golf in Vancouver is private. If you have connections, the private tracks in the city are excellent. I'd single out Capilano, Shaughnessy and Vancouver GC as the best of the bunch. Marine Drive, Point Grey and Seymour are also good.

 

Great advice overall. I think if you are visiting the area you should play mountain courses if you can and course that are unique to the area. So my advice leans more towards golf that typifies the area rather than the 'best' course. Kind of like I play links in Ireland even though they have great parkland courses.

 

So in the lower mainland Capilano and Seymour would fit the bill for fine examples. Great views and very good golf. I think Shaughnessy is the best course of the bunch though - but it is parkland course overall. Seymour is open to public one day a week and worth playing if you don't have private club hook ups. It recently moved to number 3 on my list over VGC (but VGC is a great course). Cap and Shaunghnessy and VGC have lots of pressure on their tee sheet from members, so a reciprocal might be tough as they are even limiting the guests that us members can bring right now at some of them. If you want public course recommendation lets us know as there are a few worth playing.

 

In a controversial way I will say Furry Creek is worth considering for an out of town visitor. It is about as West Coast Canada Scenic as it gets. The golf is secondary and this course is in no way a golfers course. If you like great views and hitting crazy shots (off cliffs, out to islands, over ravines) then this place is worth a look. I have not played it in years and I am sure I will get blasted for recommending it as it is not a local favourite- given it all about giving you great view and less about giving you great golf. It is on the way to Whister.

 

Up at Whistler I prefer the Whistler Golf Club, and Big Sky. But the other course are great too and I find there is not consensus on the best one to play (in a good way).

 

The island has lots of good golf. Royal Colwood is a special place. Only golf course I have ever played in an old growth forest. Some of the trees are just amazing. Victoria GC is great with some wonderful view and Ocean Side holes.

 

Crown Isle is great. I like both Bear Courses.

 

 

 

 

[mattdubya]

> @2bGood said:

> > @WestCoastHacker said:

> > Here's my $0.02:

> >

> > 1. Vancouver Island - The Island is an excellent place to play golf. Victoria GC and Royal Colwood are among my favourite courses in the province. If you are a member of a private club you have a decent chance of getting on both. I think Colwood even had limited public tee times a few years back. Not sure if they still do. On the public side, I'd have a look at the two tracks at Bear Mountain, Olympic View and Highland Pacific. I have also heard good things about Crown Isle and Story Creek although I have not played either of them. There is plenty of good golf on the Island and you could have a good trip even if you never saw the mainland.

> >

> > 2. Whistler - There are some good resort courses in Whistler. They are all expensive, scenic and a pleasant place to spend the day. I don't think anything up there is architecturally significant but that may or may not matter to your group.

> >

> > 3. Vancouver - All the best golf in Vancouver is private. If you have connections, the private tracks in the city are excellent. I'd single out Capilano, Shaughnessy and Vancouver GC as the best of the bunch. Marine Drive, Point Grey and Seymour are also good.

>

> Great advice overall. I think if you are visiting the area you should play mountain courses if you can and course that are unique to the area. So my advice leans more towards golf that typifies the area rather than the 'best' course. Kind of like I play links in Ireland even though they have great parkland courses.

>

> So in the lower mainland Capilano and Seymour would fit the bill for fine examples. Great views and very good golf. I think Shaughnessy is the best course of the bunch though - but it is parkland course overall. Seymour is open to public one day a week and worth playing if you don't have private club hook ups. It recently moved to number 3 on my list over VGC (but VGC is a great course). Cap and Shaunghnessy and VGC have lots of pressure on their tee sheet from members, so a reciprocal might be tough as they are even limiting the guests that us members can bring right now at some of them. If you want public course recommendation lets us know as there are a few worth playing.

>

> In a controversial way I will say Furry Creek is worth considering for an out of town visitor. It is about as West Coast Canada Scenic as it gets. The golf is secondary and this course is in no way a golfers course. If you like great views and hitting crazy shots (off cliffs, out to islands, over ravines) then this place is worth a look. I have not played it in years and I am sure I will get blasted for recommending it as it is not a local favourite- given it all about giving you great view and less about giving you great golf. It is on the way to Whister.

>

> Up at Whistler I prefer the Whistler Golf Club, and Big Sky. But the other course are great too and I find there is not consensus on the best one to play (in a good way).

>

> The island has lots of good golf. Royal Colwood is a special place. Only golf course I have ever played in an old growth forest. Some of the trees are just amazing. Victoria GC is great with some wonderful view and Ocean Side holes.

>

> Crown Isle is great. I like both Bear Courses.

>

>

>

>

 

funny i have never played furry creek but was going to recommend squamish gc bc it's pretty fun layout wise and still scenic. i love that course.

[duffer987]

^Just go for a hike or a walk along the beach to get the views and save the money ;)

That place is a steaming pile of

[2bGood]

> @duffer987 said:

> ^Just go for a hike or a walk along the beach to get the views and save the money ;)

> That place is a steaming pile of

 

Tell us what you really think?

 

 

Jokes aside - I do know that Furry Creek is disliked by many, but what don't you like about it?

[Phireside]

I would almost say that Furry Creek is a must play for out of towners for the scenery alone.

 

I've played once and enjoyed Cordova Bay on the Island. I would go back.

[duffer987]

> @2bGood said:

> > @duffer987 said:

> > ^Just go for a hike or a walk along the beach to get the views and save the money ;)

> > That place is a steaming pile of

>

> Tell us what you really think?

>

>

> Jokes aside - I do not that Furry Creek is disliked by many, but what don't you like about.

 

Nothing unique, just the usual:

* Pretty much every shot on the course is predetermined

* Having to hit non-driver on loads of holes

* Hazards or woods or cart paths beside every hole

* Overall lack of naturalness of the holes, it only exists because modern equipment enables it to be

* Needing to take a cart

* Forced layups followed by forced carries, I don't know how women, seniors, juniors, not particularly good players would get around the course

* Stupid planted trees along the signature hole, which makes it look sh1te and I can only assume messes with the view off the tee

Northlands and the falls pull off the mountainside shtick better IMHO

TBF, I've not been there in a decade, but assume none of that has improved :)

[WestCoastHacker]

> @duffer987 said:

 

> Nothing unique, just the usual:

> * Pretty much every shot on the course is predetermined

> * Having to hit non-driver on loads of holes

> * Hazards or woods or cart paths beside every hole

> * Overall lack of naturalness of the holes, it only exists because modern equipment enables it to be

> * Needing to take a cart

> * Forced layups followed by forced carries, I don't know how women, seniors, juniors, not particularly good players would get around the course

> * Stupid planted trees along the signature hole, which makes it look sh1te and I can only assume messes with the view off the tee

> Northlands and the falls pull off the mountainside shtick better IMHO

> TBF, I've not been there in a decade, but assume none of that has improved :)

Amen! I played it once 7-8 years ago. Never went back. My take on it is that if you are an avid golfer it isn't worth the money or the hassle to get there. If you are a casual golfer (ie. you play once or twice a summer) it's probably as good as any place to take in the views and gave a few beers in a cart.

 

[WestCoastHacker]

> @TheShaun said:

> I would almost say that Furry Creek is a must play for out of towners for the scenery alone.

>

> I've played once and enjoyed Cordova Bay on the Island. I would go back.

 

I thought Cordova was OK. It was very wet when I played it so I should probably go back and give it another look.

[Phireside]

> @WestCoastHacker said:

> > @TheShaun said:

> > I would almost say that Furry Creek is a must play for out of towners for the scenery alone.

> >

> > I've played once and enjoyed Cordova Bay on the Island. I would go back.

>

> I thought Cordova was OK. It was very wet when I played it so I should probably go back and give it another look.

 

I played it in the middle of summer 2017 and played Olympic View on the same trip. Conditions were night and day. OV was completely baked out. CB was unreal. Fairways like lush green, smooth carpets, unbelievably receptive and true greens.

[tips09]

Anyone been out to swaneset recently? Heading there Sunday morning and just wondering how conditions are these days.

[Edward_Majorwin]

> @tips09 said:

> Anyone been out to swaneset recently? Heading there Sunday morning and just wondering how conditions are these days.

 

Played the Links recently and it was in fine condition, same for the Resort a couple weeks earlier. All good Tips, fire away!

[KBong]

...

[KBong]

> @tips09 said:

> Anyone been out to swaneset recently? Heading there Sunday morning and just wondering how conditions are these days.

 

I played the Links course at Swaneset 2 weeks ago....it was in good shape...the greens were just a bit slow.

 

 

[The Beav]

> @tips09 said:

> Anyone been out to swaneset recently? Heading there Sunday morning and just wondering how conditions are these days.

I played the Resort twice in the last month. Conditions are good, not great. Greens are firm and fair. My main complaint is that whatever they use to cut the rough doesn't seem to actually pick up the grass cuttings so there's loose dead grass EVERYWHERE...seems odd for a golf course.