Canada

From windswept coastal links in Nova Scotia to the rugged beauty of the boreal forest in Saskatchewan, or the mountains of Alberta and British Columbia, Canadian golf offers an embarrassment of riches. With more than 200 courses covered in our provincial guides, this national list takes on a tougher challenge: distilling the very best of the best from coast to coast.

Our criteria haven’t changed — thoughtful course design, strategic interest, and unforgettable settings still lead the way — but here the spotlight shines brighter and narrower. A course that’s a “must play” within its province might not make the cut nationally. Take The Links at Crowbush Cove, for instance; a gem in PEI’s lineup, but when viewed against the country’s finest, it falls short of this elite list.

Must Plays are the crown jewels of Canadian golf. They include Stanley Thompson’s five masterpieces, modern oceanside links in Cape Breton, a mountainside Rod Whitman adventure, a pair of Harry Colt golden-age designs, and a beautifully preserved Walter Travis/C.H. Alison collaboration in rural Quebec. These are the 11 absolute must play golf courses in Canada that anyone would travel across the country to play. Do whatever you can to play them. And with new designs on the way from WAC Golf in both British Columbia and Quebec, as well as a new oceanside 36-hole resort at Fox Harb’r in Nova Scotia will we soon see more courses added to this list?

Medium Recommendations highlight exceptional courses that largely complement our must plays — places worth making a high level of effort to visit if you’re nearby or looking to round out a trip. We factor in proximity to population hubs and other top-tier courses. Although farther outlying courses such as The Algonquin - a coastal retreat in scenic St. Andrews-By-The-Sea, New Brunswick and Waskesiu, with its bold fairway contours rivalling those at Cape Breton Highland Links, in Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan, earn their places here.

Light Recommendations are the delightful supporting cast — courses that bring charm, challenge, and a little wow-factor without demanding a special pilgrimage. They’re perfect add-ons to a Canadian golf adventure. Think of this list as inspiration for high-quality golf experiences but only for those that don’t require a long detour or a major splurge (everything being relative to your perception of cost and value).

We recognize these lists include both private and ultra-exclusive clubs while not every reader will have access to all of them, our goal is to highlight architecturally significant golf across Canada, regardless of ownership model. This is your passport to the essentials of Canadian golf.