The large Canadian province of Québec has golf running through its veins. Proof of this is that it is home of the oldest golf club in North America, the Royal Montréal, founded in 1873. As a result of this, La Belle Province counts with a wide variety of courses, both public and private. Most of them are located in the south, in the Montréal area, and take advantage of the beautiful landscapes surrounding them.
From the hundreds of public courses in Québec, we have chosen the top ten. Let’s get down to business!
Best Golf Courses in (Province/State)
1. Mont Tremblant Resort – Le Géant (Mont-Tremblant)
Rating: 5.0/5.0
Located in the south of Québec, approximately an hour and a half drive from the capital, Montréal, Mont-Tremblant is known in Canada for its ski facility. In 1992, the resort was purchased by Intrawest, who hired Thomas McBroom to build what would be Le Géant course.
Finally, it was in 1995 when the course opened to the public, offering a summer attraction for the skiing resort. It had some formidable reviews from all the best Canadian golf magazines, due to its magnificent conditions. More than 50 strategic bunkers, two lakes, well-groomed fairways, contoured greens and fantastic elevation changes that gives some dramatic and fun shots throughout the whole course, all of them with the jaw-dropping views of the Laurentian Mountains.
A great example can be its closing hole, the great 18th, that may easily be its signature one: a par 4 which plays downhill from the tee to a fairway which drops almost 50 meters, with great panoramic views of the Lake Tremblant.
As for the rates, they can range from CA$59 to $139 in peak season. In their website it is possible to book a tee time and check the availability!
2. Le Maître de Mont-Tremblant (Ville de Mont-Tremblant)
Rating: 4.9/5.0
Le Maître is the result of the collaboration of master architects Gene Bates, Graham Cooke and Darrel Huxham along with former Masters champion Fred Couples, who together designed this masterpiece situated in the Mont Tremblant region in Québec.
This is a semi-private club, which means that if you are not a member, your only possibility for playing is if you are a guest of the resort. So, if you are going on holidays to this area and are eager to play some golf, we strongly recommend to think about staying here for some days!
Elevation changes, scenic vistas and pine forests will accompany you throughout the whole course, making Le Maître a wonderful experience. It also has some variety in the topography, counting with some parts with marshlands, others with some dense forests and some others more open and rolling.
As for the amenities, the course counts also with a great clubhouse, a practice facility, tennis courts and a fine swimming pool.
3. Mont Tremblant Resort – Le Diable (Mont-Tremblant)
Rating: 4.8/5.0
We continue with the layouts in Mont-Tremblant. After the success of ‘Le Géant’ at the Mont-Tremblant resort, its owners decided to open a second course, this time with the design of architects Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry, which finally opened in 1998.
Same as Le Géant, Le Diable plays on a hilly terrain, which creates some great changes in elevation that demand some uphill and downhill shots, really fun to play and maybe more intimidating than its sibling. Lots of sandy waste areas cover a great part of the track, something you will already see in the opening hole. Water is also present, although only in the front nine, with some carries like the one in the fun par 3 6th hole or the also par 3 3th hole. However, the signature one may be in the back nine: the 15th is a scenic par 5 which plays downhill, with some astonishing views of the lake as background.
As for the green fees, they are the same as Le Géant, with a minimum of around CA$60 and a maximum of CA$139 during the summer season.
4. Fairmont le Château Montebello (Montebello)
Rating: 4.7/5.0
Originally founded as a private club in 1930, le Chateau (meaning ‘castle’, in French) is set on the stunning and aptly named town of Montebello, which in Italian means ‘Beautiful mountain’. It was in 1929 when Stanley Thompson designed its beautiful golf course, which opened in 1931 as also a private track. This private status lasted until 1970, when the property was sold to Canadian Pacific Hotels, who made it open to the public.
Dense forests and changes in elevation are expected on this layout, with some incredible views of the Laurentian Mountains, all of it with a sense of seclusion that will make you feel like it’s only you and nature out there. A great example is the 4th hole, with some exceptional views from the elevated tee box. However, if we look for challenge, check the dramatic 9th hole, called the ‘Ravine’, a par 3 to an elevated tiny and sloped green. From the back nine, the 14th is quite intimidating, with a water hazard protecting the green.
Another masterpiece is its clubhouse, a perfect mix of rusticity and luxury, which counts with a bar called Le Mulligan & Terrace, perfect to have lunch after a round.
The facility also counts with a practice range, chipping area and putting green; a golf shop, golf lessons and the possibility of renting clubs and carts.
And, although its name may seem like an expensive place, let’s not get fooled: green fees here are quite reasonable, ranging from $50 to $85 in the peak season.
5. The Kanawaki Golf Club (Kahnawake)
Rating: 4.6/5.0
Only a 20 minutes-drive from Montréal, Kanawaki Golf Course was founded back in 1914, with a first 15-hole layout designed by brothers Albert and Charles Murray. It was in 1914 when they added another three holes to complete the whole 18-hole professional layout.
However, obviously lots of changes have been made from its original layout built over a century ago. The front nine is practically the same one, with some minor changes made to the greens of some holes; but the back nine has two new designed holes: the 11th and the 12th.
The signature hole is the 9th, a par 3 with views to the clubhouse where accuracy is essential. In their website there is a great course tour with beautiful images of each hole.
The Victorian clubhouse is also some piece of art, with an impressive verandah which overlooks the last hole of the round.
As a curiosity, this course was featured on the Disney movie ‘The Greatest Game Ever Played’, with a young Shia LaBeouf as the main actor.
6. Fairmont Manoir Richelieu -Tadoussac & Richelieu (Charlevoix)
Rating: 4.5/5.0
The Fairmont Manoir Richelieu Resort counts with 27 holes, from which its original 18 were designed by Herbert Strong, opening in the year 1925. It was not until the end of the 90s that Darrel Huxham made a full renovation, also adding another nine holes to the layout, called ‘The Saint Laurent’.
From the three nines, the best option is to play the original ones, the Tadoussac and the Richelieu nines. The greatest challenge here are the greens, which while being large, there is plenty of undulation and speed, something that will make you suffer in more than one hole.
However, from the 27 holes, the most engaging may be one of the Saint Laurent course: its 3rd hole is a par 5 reachable in two, where hard hitters will be delighted.
Rates for 2018 range widely, from green fees of $45 to $119 from July to September, the peak season. However, if playing in the afternoon, the peak season rate goes down to $65!
7. Royal Ottawa Golf Club (Gatineau)
Rating: 4.4/5.0
This historical club was founded back in 1891, starting as a 9-hole that soon transformed into a 12-hole layout, located in the city of Ottawa. Then, 10 years after its foundation, it was moved to its current location at the other side of the Ottawa River, which separates Quebec from Ontario. The city at the other side of the river is Gatineau, now home of the new course.
The golf architect Tom Bendelow designed its new course, this time with 18 holes, which was later revised by former winner of the British Open, Willie Park Jr. This championship layout was called ‘The Royal Ottawa’ course.
There are some fantastic holes on this layout. The most memorable may be the two par 3s 11th and 12th, called ‘Little Misery’ and ‘Bide a Wee’ respectively, with two tricky greens where a par should be celebrated. Apart from these two, some other great holes are the par 5 4th hole, which counts with a double dogleg; and the short par 4s 7th and 10th, which call for a birdie.
The course also counts with another 9-hole course, called ‘The Royal Nine’, and what is called the jewel of the facility. Here lies the perfect opportunity for beginners to start playing this great sport!
8. Club de Golf de L’Ile de Montréal – Ireland (Montréal)
Rating: 4.3/5.0
This club counts with two 18-hole courses, the Ireland and the Island, both great. However, our personal choice is for the Ireland, a classic Irish links style track featuring some rolling dunes, few trees, large greens, undulated terrain and blind shots, making it easy for the wind to play along. As its sibling course, it was designed by architect Pat Ruddy.
The course counts with great innovative holes, from which we can name a few. The best par 3 may be the 16th, which plays downhill to an elevated green full of bunkers and sand hazards. Another memorable hole may be the tough 4th, a par 4 with a landing area really well protected by bunkers.
And best part of all: the ridiculous rates, that normally range from $35 to $50. But there are also some discounts for those willing to wake up early, in what they call ‘Early Bird promotion’: $29 per round! Some incredible value for a fantastic course like this one.
Rating: 4.2/5.0
Graham Cooke designed the Falcon in the year 2001, what has been said to be a ‘compact, yet challenging and beautiful’ golf course. Cooke made sure of respecting the natural terrain, molding the track to its surroundings in a perfect way. The result is a natural layout with undulated, tree-lined fairways and lost of sand waste areas throughout the whole course, a signature feature from Cooke.
From the front nine, best holes can be the par 5s 2nd and 8th, both doglegging and full of hazards. As for the back nine, it counts with three par 3s, three par 4s and three par 5s, something quite unusual. In this case, the best holes can be the par 3s: the 12th, the 15th and the 17th.
Rates here are normal, fluctuating from $40 to $75. However, on their Facebook page the publish special discounts on a regular basis.
10. Club de Golf de L’Ile de Montréal – Island (Montréal)
Rating: 4.1/5.0
The last position of our list goes to the Island course at L’Île de Montréal. Designed by Pat Ruddy as its sibling links course the Ireland, this time we are in front of a parklands-style track, full of trees, marshlands and water hazards, more contoured fairways, long holes and lush rough…
That is why this course offers a totally different experience than the Ireland, and the only reason why it is less talked about is because its neighbor course is more unique and rare. However, the Island course is no joke, and has hosted some professional tournaments recently.
The best holes can be the three consecutives 7th, 8th and 9th, a par 4, 5 and 3 respectively, all of them scenic and challenging at the same time. As for the hardest hole, check out the 18th, a par 4 full of water and sand hazards that will punish the short hitters.
The advantage of the Island versus the Ireland course is its cheaper fees, saving up around $5 per round, and having the same discounts and promotions.
Wrap up
So that’s it! Remember to check the one that fits you best and see if it meets your expectations. Have fun, and good luck on your round!
