Golfing in Waterton

If you love to golf, there is no better place to enjoy the game!

Situated on Hwy 5, just after the Red Rock Parkway, Waterton Lakes Golf Course first opened with 9 holes in 1922, making it one of Canada’s oldest. Construction from 1929-1939, expanded this now 18-hole Stanley Thompson-inspired course, which is sure to challenge you.

Photo Courtesy of Travel Alberta / Katie Goldie

And surrounded by impressive mountain scenery, the majestic views of the iconic Prince of Wales Hotel and the sparkling water of Upper Waterton Lake, golfing here will also take your breath away.

This public course is open seven days a week, from early May until October and offers a full range of amenities including club and cart rentals, a pro shop, a practice green and a licensed clubhouse. A 5-year improvement plan is well underway. The fairways are lush and the greens are among the best in Alberta. Plus, there’s a good chance that you’ll come across the oftenpresent deer, elk, and on occasion, a bear.

Thompson’s genius for simplicity and mischief are here for all to see. For example, your tee shot on the Par 3, 13th must cross a 100 foot deep valley, to a tiny, shallow green that’s carved into the mountainside. Don’t be short and watch the wind! The trick is to hit just a little long, to just above the green and trickle back down - hopefully onto the green.

Sweeping lake and valley views on the 18th hole’s elevated teebox can prove a hazard, so aim to stay focused and finish strong.

Photo Courtesy of Travel Alberta / Katie Goldie

However, some argue…

It simply doesn’t matter how you play on this course. The scenery is so magnificent that the score is irrelevant.

Post-game patio beers at the full-service clubhouse are a must. Stay for a meal and enjoy hearty fare, prepared by a Red Seal chef. With such unforgettable surroundings and super-friendly staff, golf just seems the natural thing to do around here.