Golf in Canada is experiencing an unprecedented surge in popularity. Canadians played over 74 million rounds last year—an astonishing 24 percent increase from the last study in 2019. This surge has propelled golf travel to new heights, contributing to a staggering $14.2 billion industry.
According to industry reports, golf-related travel now accounts for a significant portion of the market, with domestic and international tourists seeking high-end golf experiences that blend sport with world-class hospitality, fine dining, and scenic landscapes.
Media exposure also fuels golf’s popularity, with Netflix’s hit documentary series Full Swing bringing the sport to a broader audience. The series, which offers an inside look at the lives of professional golfers on and off the course, has enthralled both avid golf fans and newcomers to the sport. As golf tourism flourishes, the cultural impact of such media coverage continues to drive interest in professional tournaments and destination golf experiences worldwide.
Canada is the third-largest golfing nation in the world, boasting 2,363 golf facilities, 921 of which are nine-hole courses. The provinces of Ontario and Quebec, home to around 60 percent of the nation’s population, contain just under half of all golf facilities. Mirroring the welcoming nature of most Canadians, almost 90 percent of all courses in the country are open to the general golfing public, making the sport widely accessible and a significant draw for golf tourists.
One of the most notable local developments is the recent acquisition of Tobiano Golf Course by JK World Group, a Coquitlam-based company. This premier Kamloops course, consistently ranked among Canada’s best public golf destinations, opened on March 28 for the 2025 season under new ownership and a new name, the GreenTee Country Club Tobiano.
According to Tobiano’s head golf professional, Shannon McGeady, the operation will be very similar to past years in terms of membership, bookings, and tee times. This will be McGeady’s 11th season at Tobiano, and she is excited about the upcoming golf season.
“I think for me, personally, and for a lot of the management team, it’s just a bit of excitement about the future and having a company that wants to grow the brand. They’re about luxury and customer service, and it’s exciting to be a part of something different, something new, something that I think is going to be really beneficial for Tobiano and take it to that next level. I’m grateful that I’m still a part of it and hope to continue with that.”
Multi-course itineraries in Canada
For avid golfers, the chance to play at Canada’s most celebrated courses is a dream come true. As McGeady, a seasoned golfer who has competed nationally, put it, “I’ve been fortunate enough that I’ve got to play some pretty iconic courses in Vancouver; I mean, Capilano and Shaughnessy have to be right up there. They’re pretty amazing golf courses.”
But she also highlighted the charm of lesser-known gems, adding, “I think some of the ones I played growing up in North Saskatchewan don’t get a good rap, but White Bear and Kenosee are beautiful golf courses. If no one’s experienced that, it’s amazing.”
McGeady, who has played across Canada, recalled one of her most challenging yet memorable rounds at Ken-Wo Golf Club in Nova Scotia. “It kicked my ass, but it was a gorgeous golf course, for sure. That would definitely be one of my favorites.” The allure of challenging layouts and stunning scenery make golf travel in Canada an extraordinary experience for players of all levels.
In British Columbia, McGeady acknowledged that Tobiano is in a league of its own, stating, “I mean, Tobiano, how do you not say this? It’s one of the top golf courses in the country, North America, and the world, right? It is quite an amazing golf course.” Yet, for a more casual, fun round, she suggested Chinook Cove Golf Club in Barrier, a unique course with two distinct styles of golf with four holes one way and five the other. “It’s such a cool little golf course. The back nine at Sun Peaks is also one of my absolute favorites. It’s so much fun and has a really cool layout.”
A multi-course trip itinerary offers the perfect blend of flexibility, variety, and scenic beauty for travelers looking to tee off in Canada’s most spectacular settings. Across Canada, golfers have more than 2,300 courses to explore, each offering a unique experience, from the rolling terrain of Kamloops to the windswept coastlines of Nova Scotia.
This summer will be McGeady’s first golf road trip, and she’s heading to the Kootenays for back-to-back days of golf. “We’ve booked six or seven rounds in eight days, and we’re going through the Kootenays, so we’ll be playing Greywolf, Bootleg Gap, St. Eugene Mission, Wildstone, and Golden. So, this will be the first time in my life that I will do that, and I’m so excited about it,” said McGeady.
The Vancouver Island Golf Trail offers championship courses set against stunning coastal scenery. Bear Mountain Resort in Victoria features two Jack Nicklaus-designed courses, while Olympic View Golf Club presents breathtaking ocean views. Crown Isle Resort in Courtenay provides a lush course with luxury accommodations, and Storey Creek Golf Club in Campbell River is a hidden gem surrounded by old-growth forests.
The Canadian Rockies provide awe-inspiring courses for golfers who love dramatic landscapes. Banff Springs Golf Course, a Stanley Thompson masterpiece, showcases mountain vistas, while Silvertip Resort in Canmore delivers dramatic elevation changes.
A golf road trip through Ontario unveils some of the country’s most iconic courses, blending championship layouts with stunning scenery. Muskoka Bay Club in Gravenhurst is nestled among Muskoka’s famous granite rock and forests, offering a visually stunning challenge. The National Golf Club of Canada in Woodbridge is one of the most demanding courses in the country, while Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, a former host of the Canadian Open, features Jack Nicklaus’ renowned “Valley Holes.” Cobble Beach Golf Links in Owen Sound provides a scenic, links-style experience with sweeping views of Georgian Bay.
Quebec offers a mix of championship golf, rich history, and French-inspired cuisine. Le Diable and Le Géant in Mont-Tremblant feature mountain backdrops and challenging layouts. Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu in Charlevoix sits perched above the St. Lawrence River with breathtaking views. Club de Golf La Tempête in Quebec City is a premier private course that allows visitors to play by booking three days in advance.
Nova Scotia’s iconic Cabot Trail offers some of Canada’s most lauded and picturesque golf destinations. Cabot Cliffs and Cabot Links in Inverness offer Scotland-inspired, oceanfront golf, while Highlands Links in Cape Breton is a Stanley Thompson classic that embraces the rugged coastal beauty.
Canada’s golf travel scene is thriving like never before. So, pack your clubs, hit the road, and experience Canada’s booming golf travel industry one spectacular course at a time.