The Canadian province of New Brunswick offers fantastic golf courses, most of them open to the public. The Algonquin of Saint Andrews is by far the best course of the province, but if you don’t have the chance to try it out, here is our top 10 list to help you choose from the many available courses. Take a look and let us know your thoughts!
Best Golf Courses in (Province/State)
1. The Algonquin (St. Andrews)
Rating: 5.0/5.0
The city of St. Andrews is located in the south west of New Brunswick, almost touching the border of this state with Maine. Its name comes from no other than the famous Scottish city were golf was originated, so there’s no doubt that here must lie an outstanding golf course!
And that’s what The Algonquin is. This resort course was created back in 1894, as a 9-hole pitch and putt layout for the Algonquin hotel guests. Some years later, more holes were added, and it was not until 1920 when Donald Ross was hired to modify the whole track and create a true and magnificent course. After that, two more renovations were done: one in the year 2000, done by Thomas Broom; and another one in 2016-17, by Rod Whitman. (Top 100 Golf Courses, s.f.)
The course has the beauty of the ocean accompanying you throughout the whole round, as it is set on the shores of the Passamaquoddy Bay. The best ocean views are in the back nine!
As for the holes, the signature ones are the par 3 12th and the following par 5 13th. What breathtaking views! However, there are many other strong holes such as the 3rd, 6th and the 16th.
A great practice facility completes the course, featuring a driving range and a short game area.
In a nutshell, a fantastic opportunity to play golf in a course with outstanding vistas, well-designed holes and the company of the sea. However, take into account that rates are not cheap, ranging from $85 to $125 per round.
2. Fox Creek Golf Club (Dieppe)
Rating: 4.9/5.0
Since its opening in the year 2005, Fox Creek has established itself as one of the top courses in New Brunswick. The main reasons of this? Its exquisite maintenance, constant challenges and jaw-breaking views.
Graham Cooke crafted a course that counts with many great features: hardwood forests, creeks, ponds, undulated fairways and greens and strategic bunkering.
A perfect example can be the magnificent 7th hole: a par 4 which starts with a carry over a creek to a tree-lined fairway, to continue with an approach shot to a green protected by some bunkers and a pond. Another great hole is the par 3 13th, with two big ponds on both sides of the green. Or the following 14th, an intimidating par 5 with four water hazards: 3 ponds and a creek.
This great experience comes with a price of $99 per round. There are also membership options for those wanting to enjoy this course several times a year, with some interesting discounts and promotions.
3. Gowan Brae Golf and Country Club (Bathurst)
Rating: 4.8/5.0
Also known as the ‘Pebble Beach of New Brunswick’, Gowan Bae is set in the city of Bathurst, overlooking the Bay of Chaleur and the Bathurst Harbour in most of its holes. Originally designed by Robbie Robinson in 1958, it was later redesigned by renowned architect Graham Cooke.
The back nine of Gowan Brae is famous in New Brunswick, as it represents a true test for any golfer, no matter the skills. The 12th is the perfect example of this, a par 4 featuring a dogleg to the right, a sloped fairway and a triple tiered green. The following 13this even tougher: a long par 4 with a sloped to the right fairway and finishing on an elevated green with bunkers on its left side. Finally, the signature hole 17th presents a par 3 with a narrow green, usually played into the wind.
Apart from golf, there are other amenities in Gowan Brae, such as the possibility of organizing weddings, golf tournaments and conferences. A well-stocked pro shop is also available for visitors here.
As for rates, Gowan Brae is cheaper than the previous courses, with green fees that may oscillate between $40 to $60 per round. An absolute bargain for this gem of a layout!
4. Kingswood Park Golf Course (Fredericton)
Rating: 4.6/5.0
Here we find another design by Graham Cooke, this time accompanied by also legendary Darren Huxham. Kingswood Park opened in 2002 as a part of the Kingswood Resort and it has been seen as one of the best layouts of New Brunswick since then, and by far the best one located in the capital city, Fredericton.
The facility counts with 27 holes, divided in two courses: the 18-hole Signature Course and the 9-hole Executive Course. Obviously, our attention will go to the Signature one.
The track counts with numerous white pines, ponds and marshes. The signature hole 14th features even a 30-foot waterfall! Apart from the great scenery, lots of elevation changes and contoured greens give the course a great deal of challenge.
5. Royal Oaks Golf Club (Moncton)
Rating: 4.5/5.0
Rees Jones, son of the renowned golf architect Robert Trent Jones, designed this course together with Keith Evans, opening in the year 2000. Located in the city of Moncton, this parkland links-style course counts with two par 3s and two par 5s on each nine. There almost no trees standing on the course, which are substituted by dunes surrounding the multiple lakes.
Apart from the golf, Royal Oaks has a huge clubhouse where it is possible to celebrate all type of events, an award-winning practice facility and lessons, and a fine restaurant.
As for the summer rates, there are two options: playing a walking round, for $69; or with cart, for $89.
6. Fraser Edmunston Golf Club (Edmunston)
Rating: 4.4/5.0
Located in the Madawaska County, in the northwestern side of New Brunswick, lies the Fraser Edmonton Golf Club. Built back in the year 1926 as a nine-hole course, it was not until the 30s when the clubhouse was constructed. In 1947 another nine were added, becoming an 18-hole layout and completely redesigned by architect Albert Murray. Finally, in 2011 Darrel Huxham was hired to make some renovations.
If we have to describe this course with two words, those are beauty and challenge. Featuring some panoramic views of the Madawaska River, some hardwood forests and mountains and colored skies, this track has great power to distract you from the game, which counts with some tricky holes.
The opening hole already warns you about what it is about to come: a par 4 with a dogleg to the right, which finishes with a well-bunkered green really difficult to read and approach. But the toughest of the holes must be the 7th, which is said to be the most difficult hole of New Brunswick: a par 4 with a very long tee shot, which plays into the wind and with very narrow fairways and a dogleg to the left. If you don’t hit an accurate tee shot, reaching the green can turn into an adventure!
But there are also fun holes here: the 4th, for example, is a scenic downhill par 3 with a carry over a railway track. The 12th is another great par 3, with a carryover a pond to a well bunkered green.
7. Rockwood Park Golf Course (Saint John)
Rating: 4.3/5.0
This municipal 18-hole course is located in the Rockwood Park of Saint John, one of the biggest urban parks in North America. Although being quite short (it does not reach the 6,000 yards from the back tees), its hillside terrain forms some great elevation changes that give some challenge to the golfer, while being fair and enjoyable for everybody. The fantastic views of the natural landscape are also another reason to visit this gem.
There are multiple great holes here, but to choose one, we stay with the 3rd: a par 3 perfect for hitting a fade from the tee, with a carry over a pond to reach a green protected by three bunkers.
The green fees here are quite affordable, ranging from $30 to around $40 per round. There also the option for memberships, which round the $1000 for adults. However, if you are younger than 40, the membership goes down to $700, and there are even more interesting discounts for students and juniors.
8. Grand Falls Golf Club (Grand Falls)
Rating: 4.2/5.0
Grand Falls is a city located in the Saint John River Valley, only 40 minutes to the south of Québec, and practically touching the U.S. border of Maine. This beautiful location makes it a scenic and precious course that will be the delight of every golfer.
The best holes here include some water hazards: the 2nd and 16th are two par 3s with huge carries over water.
As for green fees, Grand Falls counts with some reasonable rates, which range from $20 to $45 depending on the time of the round and the season.
9. Pokemouche Golf Club (Landry)
Rating: 4.1/5.0
Located in the city on Landry, in the eastern side of New Brunswick, Pokemouche lies on the shores of the Pokemouche River, just in the heart of the Acadian Peninsula.
Its short 5,967 yards don’t affect to the playability of this course, which counts with some fun and challenging holes. Check out the par 3s 4th and 6th, with two great carries over water; or the tough 8th, a par 4 where the fairway goes narrower and narrower, ending with a tiny green well-protected by two bunkers.
Rates at Pokemouche are similar to Grand Falls, fluctuating between $28 to $40.
10. Sussex Golf and Curling Club (Sussex)
Rating: 4.5/5.0
To finish our list, we find the Sussex Golf and Curling club, located in the city of Sussex, in the south of New Brunswick. The course counts with 18 holes, wooded and open, forgiving and enjoyable for players of all levels, and featuring some water hazards, bunkers and rolling terrain.
The challenge here comes in its two finishing holes, which some people say to be the most difficult finishing holes in the whole province. The 17th is a par 4 which features a creek which divides the fairway in two, leaving the players with an important choice (most will choose the wider right side); to finish with an elevated green. Finally, the 18th is an uphill par 4 with a carry over a pond from the tee.
As you probably have already imagined, golf is not the only sport here. Here you have a perfect opportunity of trying curling, one of the typical Canadian sports, in case you want to have a break from golfing for a day!
Wrap up
As we have seen, New Brunswick is no stranger to golf, and these are only 10 of its many amazing golf courses. There are probably others that deserved to be in the list but we did not quite catch them. Feel free to leave us comments about courses that deserve to be highlighted.
