Playing golf in Vancouver Canada (NO POLITICS!)

[Golfnuck]

On 5/11/2024 at 1:35 PM, Shushwap said:

We need people to post pics of where there playing. 

I love to see course pics 

So many places I will never get to play 

 

I apologize in advance as I know this is off topic or at least not in the spirit of BC courses.  

 

Just came back from here last week.  Weather was great and got to play 3 decent courses.

 

 

[Shushwap]

That's amazing 

Post up more pics if you have them.. I love to see courses I'll never play 

 

[Golfnuck]

6 hours ago, Shushwap said:

That's amazing 

Post up more pics if you have them.. I love to see courses I'll never play 

 

 

Hope I am not offending anyone as I continue to stay off topic with pictures not of BC courses.

 

I have been very fortunate in the last few years and have been able to knock off my two bucket list courses.

 

If I could only do one it would definitely be Old Course.

 

Thought I was nervous over the 1st drive but I would say both my drive and 2nd shot on 18 was more nerve racking.  Too many people, cars and windows on the right side which looks to be just yards away.  My caddie is a retired London constable and I think he did quite well as he pointed out to a condo unit on the third floor of the building to the right of 18 that he lives in !!!!!! 

 

 

Edited May 28, 2024 by Golfnuck

[myspinonit]

16 hours ago, Golfnuck said:

 

Hope I am not offending anyone as I continue to stay off topic with pictures not of BC courses.

 

I have been very fortunate in the last few years and have been able to knock off my two bucket list courses.

 

If I could only do one it would definitely be Old Course.

 

Thought I was nervous over the 1st drive but I would say both my drive and 2nd shot on 18 was more nerve racking.  Too many people, cars and windows on the right side which looks to be just yards away.  My caddie is a retired London constable and I think he did quite well as he pointed out to a condo unit on the third floor of the building to the right of 18 that he lives in !!!!!! 

 

 

What was the fee?....I heard it really has skyrocketed (like everything else I guess).

[Golfnuck]

5 hours ago, myspinonit said:

What was the fee?....I heard it really has skyrocketed (like everything else I guess).

 

It was 270 pounds which in Sept of 2022 converted to CAD$405.  To me it was well worth it.  It has gone up to 320 pounds in 2024.

 

Now lets compare to Pebble Beach.  In order to pre book into Pebble Beach Golf Course you need to stay a min of 3 nights on property.  My room was US$1,300 per night and I had one of the lower priced rooms as I faced the 1st tee vs the 18th green.  Then the round was US$625 or approx CAD$860.  Plus the caddie "referral fee" of US$100.  Then the caddie fees on top.  Spanish Bay was US$335 which I feel is good value cause I liked it from a pure golf point of view over Pebble (I know I will get slammed here).  Spyglass Hill was US$465.

 

Overall the feeling I got at Pebble was of them extracting every little $$$ from us poor folks (relatively speaking) as the truly wealthy give us a chance to look at how nice their world is.

 

In Scotland I felt welcomed and that they wanted to show us the history and traditions of golf.  I managed to hit a lot of bucket list courses - St. Andrews Old Course and Jubilee, Carnoustie (Championship Course), Kings Barn, Royal Dornoch (while not one of the big names it is the club I would most want to have as my home club), Castle Stuart, Turnberry (Ailsa) and Royal Troon.

 

All in my 10 day Scotland trip was not that more expensive than my 4 day Pebble Beach trip.

[Golfnuck]

A couple of more pictures.

 

First is the nightly piper at Spanish Bay walking down the 2nd hole.

 

Second is part of the back 9 at Pacific Grove GC which is a public course not part of the Pebble Beach Resort.  The back 9 is fantastic and the green fee was US$64 !!!!!!  Their 17th hole a par 3 that is right beside 17 mile drive.  Added a picture of the 17th hole.

 

 

Edited May 29, 2024 by Golfnuck

[IcemanYVR]

That sounds like an amazing trip @Golfnuck glad you had a chance to play those. I played Pebble 20+ years ago before I had kids, and it didn’t cost anything near what it does now.  We played Pasatempio over Spanish Bay, and that’s still one of my top fav courses ever. 

[Golfnuck]

8 minutes ago, IcemanYVR said:

That sounds like an amazing trip @Golfnuck glad you had a chance to play those. I played Pebble 20+ years ago before I had kids, and it didn’t cost anything near what it does now.  We played Pasatempio over Spanish Bay, and that’s still one of my top fav courses ever. 

 

Like a lot of people I had a health scare that made me change my perspective of waiting till I retire before hitting all the bucket list items.  My golf bucket list is complete and now on to other items.

 

I think Pasatempio is still a great course unfortunately I ran out of time and $$$ to play it on this trip.

[The Beav]

Did a little golf trip to the Island this past weekend.  Not sure what took me so long, but man, just phenomenal golf courses, conditions, weather...everything.  Truly a weekend trip that should have been a week or two.  Highlight was having an incredible opportunity to play Victoria Golf Club on a picture perfect evening.  It was everything I imagined it would be, and even more somehow.

[The Beav]

Some photos from the weekend:

Gorge Vale

 

[Phireside]

6 hours ago, The Beav said:

Did a little golf trip to the Island this past weekend.  Not sure what took me so long, but man, just phenomenal golf courses, conditions, weather...everything.  Truly a weekend trip that should have been a week or two.  Highlight was having an incredible opportunity to play Victoria Golf Club on a picture perfect evening.  It was everything I imagined it would be, and even more somehow.

Is it Pebble of the PNW?

[Phireside]

I played Redwoods yesterday. First time since reopening. It was nice to get back out there. Other than the trees in the inside of 9 being removed, I didn't notice any difference. Greens were, meh. Low lying areas still were a bit muddy despite no rain for the past several days. 

 

$109, was it worth that? No. But I guess that's the world we play in these days...

[The Beav]

Bear Mountain - Mountain course

 

Didn't get a ton of pics.  Spent most of the day in the woods and trying not to hold up groups behind.

 

Course is really fun.  1st hole is a banger par 5 and sets the tone.  A handful of tricked up holes and a real test of golf.

[The Beav]

Bear Mountain - Valley course 

 

Absolutely amazing track.  Favorite mountain course I've played I think.  Fun holes, birdie opportunities, quite a bit more forgiving off the tee than the Mountain course.  Tons of elevation change but other than a couple early mega-drop holes it never gets stupid.  Some if the best looking par 4s I've seen.  

 

[The Beav]

Victoria GC

 

I won't even try to use my limited vocabulary.  This is the best front 9 I've ever seen anywhere.

 

 

[The Beav]

3 hours ago, Phireside said:

Is it Pebble of the PNW?

I've never played Pebble, or even seen it in person, so couldn't say. 

But they've gotta be pretty comparable. 

Maybe the only knock Id have on Victoria is that it doesn't finish on the ocean like Pebble does, but holes 3-10 are just fabulous.  The rest of the course is so fun too.  Truly a course anyone could play everyday and love every round.

 

[Chanceman]

Loved Victoria. A wonderful course. A touch below Pebble though. We also played Royal Colwood which is very different but also superb.

[Shushwap]

21 hours ago, The Beav said:

I've never played Pebble, or even seen it in person, so couldn't say. 

But they've gotta be pretty comparable. 

Maybe the only knock Id have on Victoria is that it doesn't finish on the ocean like Pebble does, but holes 3-10 are just fabulous.  The rest of the course is so fun too.  Truly a course anyone could play everyday and love every round.

 

Loved all the pics.. Thanx for posting 

Out with some back issues this year from the looks of it 

All I  get to do now is watch YouTube and look at stunning pics 

[mukster]

On 6/11/2024 at 2:24 PM, Shushwap said:

Loved all the pics.. Thanx for posting 

Out with some back issues this year from the looks of it 

All I  get to do now is watch YouTube and look at stunning pics 

Sorry to hear. 

[myspinonit]

On 6/11/2024 at 2:24 PM, Shushwap said:

Loved all the pics.. Thanx for posting 

Out with some back issues this year from the looks of it 

All I  get to do now is watch YouTube and look at stunning pics 

Also sorry to hear that.

[tips09]

On 6/10/2024 at 4:51 PM, The Beav said:

Bear Mountain - Valley course 

 

Absolutely amazing track.  Favorite mountain course I've played I think.  Fun holes, birdie opportunities, quite a bit more forgiving off the tee than the Mountain course.  Tons of elevation change but other than a couple early mega-drop holes it never gets stupid.  Some if the best looking par 4s I've seen.  

 

The valley course is honestly one of the most underrated courses on the island and as an island resident it’s a pretty good value. People seem to over look it because the mountain course is the more Instagram worthy of the two. Looks like you had a great Victoria golf trip and thank you for sharing photos of VGC as that’s probably as close as I will ever get to seeing the course. 

[Phireside]

We teed off at MC this AM before the heavens opened up. Made it a few holes before we turned around and picked up some rain checks. Course was unplayable in a matter of about 20 min.

[Kale_m]

Played both courses at bear mountain this weekend. Definitely liked valley more. The greens were really tricky. 
 

mountain was good. Some dumb pin locations.

 

both courses conditions were immaculate though

[The Beav]

7 hours ago, Kale_m said:

Played both courses at bear mountain this weekend. Definitely liked valley more. The greens were really tricky. 
 

mountain was good. Some dumb pin locations.

 

both courses conditions were immaculate though

Agree on all counts.  The conditions were so good I was shocked.  Absolutely pure.

[Golfnuck]

On 6/10/2024 at 5:01 PM, The Beav said:

I've never played Pebble, or even seen it in person, so couldn't say. 

But they've gotta be pretty comparable. 

Maybe the only knock Id have on Victoria is that it doesn't finish on the ocean like Pebble does, but holes 3-10 are just fabulous.  The rest of the course is so fun too.  Truly a course anyone could play everyday and love every round.

 

 

I've been fortunate enough to have played both.  While Victoria is fantastic and holes 7 - 9 are spectacular it really does not compare to Pebble.

 

Also before I was able to play Pebble I often heard from others that Bandon - Pacific Dunes is just as good as Pebble and sorry but it is not.

 

Pebble is in a league of its own.  Many courses (like Victoria) have a stretch of great seaside holes but Pebble has so many of them in one course.

 

Beav - before I was lucking enough to play Pebble last month I thought it would not live up to the hype but it does.  It is eye dropping spectacular.  However at the rates they are charging it is not a place I will be going back to soon.  Is it worth the money???  Hard to say but for me if I could only do Pebble or the Old Course I would do the Old Course.

Edited June 17, 2024 by Golfnuck

[The Beav]

8 hours ago, Golfnuck said:

 

I've been fortunate enough to have played both.  While Victoria is fantastic and holes 7 - 9 are spectacular it really does not compare to Pebble.

 

Also before I was able to play Pebble I often heard from others that Bandon - Pacific Dunes is just as good as Pebble and sorry but it is not.

 

Pebble is in a league of its own.  Many courses (like Victoria) have a stretch of great seaside holes but Pebble has so many of them in one course.

 

Beav - before I was lucking enough to play Pebble last month I thought it would not live up to the hype but it does.  It is eye dropping spectacular.  However at the rates they are charging it is not a place I will be going back to soon.  Is it worth the money???  Hard to say but for me if I could only do Pebble or the Old Course I would do the Old Course.

That's great input.  Pebble will remain on my bucket list for plenty more years at their current rates haha, but perhaps one day.   

[adamc92]

I took a road trip this spring down through Oregon and California. Walked on to Pebble day of for $695 without any trouble. Easy to avoid the $2,000 hotel fee that comes with it if you can plan around it. 

 

I think comparing Pebble to Victoria, or any course in Canada, is out of line. No course here can compare to the history, conditions and feeling you get anywhere on the property. 

 

I will say this...

 

Now that I have played Pebble once, if I was given the choice of a free round at Pebble, or, free rounds at Pasatiempo, Poppy Hills and Pacific Grove (equal value for a single round) I am taking the latter three over Pebble. I think once you play and experience Pebble once, it may be difficult to replicate the feeling. If those three other courses were anywhere else in the world and outside of Pebble's shadow, they would be held in much higher praise. 

 

Chambers Bay still the best public course on the west coast (in my opinion, which is likely wrong). Pebble 2, Pasatiempo 3, Dunes 4, Pac Dunes 5. 

 

I hear Gamble Sands is special, but not sure if it is in that territory? 

[adamc92]

Have had this one on the list for a long time. Made it out to Highlands Links. This was the best public course in Canada 15-20 years ago. The creation of Cabot, and new ownership amid the Parks Canada scuffle have dropped it down the list a bit, but an absolute must in my opinion for anyone heading out that way. 

 

Did not get to take enough photos because I was enjoying it so much. We walked 4 rounds in two days. 

 

Couple things...

 

1. They did Stanley Thompson proud. Between preserving his house, the statue, the pictures on every hole with a story and plaques, anyone into course architecture will be overjoyed going around the property. When you are standing in the density of the place, it's unfathomable how the place was built with just two machines. We found about 9 "original" tee boxes. These are no longer used for day to day play, but they are mowed and maintained quietly on the side. They were how he intended the course to play, but would cause some pace issues if in the normal rotation. We snuck in a few the final three rounds once we noticed them. 

 

2. Holds true anywhere in the world, the bigger adventure to get to the course, the more enjoyable the course is. Nevermind the fact it takes 7.5 hours to fly there, the 4.5 hour drive from the city is spectacular. There is something to be said about how small and desolate the town is which adds to the experience.

 

3. The feeling of being on the course is unique. This is by far the most isolating golf course experience I have been in, and I think it might be fair to say it's probably the most isolated Canadian course? Honestly, between holes 7-13, it is kind of spooky how alone you are in this dense, unforgiving forest. The acoustics of playing are chilling, because it is dead silent. I grew up in Northern Sask, and there is a legitimate fear people have of open space. Behind 10 green there is a crystal clear creek that runs, standing there was the first time I felt totally alone in a long time. It was creepy, but amazing to experience on a golf course. 

 

4. The greens are nuts. Not outrageously quick, but there is so much in every green, a true Thompson classic, which is what it is meant to be.

 

5. Journey from sea (1-4) to mountain (5-13) to sea (14-18) is really neat. Love the fact that no two holes cross or run adjacent. It is a true out and back layout. 

 

Not all positive though!

 

Cabot in a way ruined this course. But it is not the fault of Cabot, it is the fault of Highlands ownership. When you go to Cabot, the service is obnoxious and over the top. Anything you want, you can have, and if it is not readily available, someone will get it for you. The on course experience is equally over the top in terms of amenities, availability and service (especially with caddies). This is the standard that is set for top courses in Canada. Cabot is 1-2, but the same applies for Banff, Jasper and even Predator, all in the top 10 like Highlands. However, when you go from Cabot to Highlands, the drop off is so noticeable. The parking lot is a gravel pad. The pro shop is old, unorganized and run by kids stepping around discount racks. We did not use carts, but the carts were ~20 years old, beat up, no GPS, no windshields. On the course the half way shack was closed, which for a top 10 course is unacceptable especially on Friday/Saturday in June and 20 degrees. However, I penalize Highlands more because the layout goes out and back and no two holes run adjacent. There are no water stations or ability to fill up anywhere on course. You don't have another option because you cannot go back to the restaurant/pro shop. There was no cart going around either. You must load up water and food at 1 because there is nothing again until 18 green. The restaurant can't really be called a restaurant. Don't get me wrong, beers on the patio overlooking the Atlantic post round are incredible. But the best a top 10 course has to offer can't be hot dogs on a roller. Table stakes for standards on a course this great just need to be higher, and sadly new ownership whiffs a bit. 

 

I am nitpicking because I am old and bitter, but, also because it is sad that such an incredible course and layout which as much Canadian history as any course here has to offer sits neglected in an amazing part of the world. A must play if you make it out there. 

 

 

 

Edited June 17, 2024 by adamc92

[Chanceman]

Adam,

Thank you so much for that heartfelt analysis. It makes me want to go to Highlands even more!! Yes it does beggar the mind to see this kind of thing happening. I guess the idea of going remote is not for the modern golf tripper. But it sounds kind of Scottish. - like going to the Hebrides. Very appropriate for that part of Canada. 
I am going to play Banff and Jasper in August and hopefully Highlands and the Cabot’s in a year or two. Running out of time (and money).

Thanks again.

[unskinnybop99]

On 6/17/2024 at 4:40 PM, adamc92 said:

Have had this one on the list for a long time. Made it out to Highlands Links. This was the best public course in Canada 15-20 years ago. The creation of Cabot, and new ownership amid the Parks Canada scuffle have dropped it down the list a bit, but an absolute must in my opinion for anyone heading out that way. 

 

Did not get to take enough photos because I was enjoying it so much. We walked 4 rounds in two days. 

 

Couple things...

 

1. They did Stanley Thompson proud. Between preserving his house, the statue, the pictures on every hole with a story and plaques, anyone into course architecture will be overjoyed going around the property. When you are standing in the density of the place, it's unfathomable how the place was built with just two machines. We found about 9 "original" tee boxes. These are no longer used for day to day play, but they are mowed and maintained quietly on the side. They were how he intended the course to play, but would cause some pace issues if in the normal rotation. We snuck in a few the final three rounds once we noticed them. 

 

2. Holds true anywhere in the world, the bigger adventure to get to the course, the more enjoyable the course is. Nevermind the fact it takes 7.5 hours to fly there, the 4.5 hour drive from the city is spectacular. There is something to be said about how small and desolate the town is which adds to the experience.

 

3. The feeling of being on the course is unique. This is by far the most isolating golf course experience I have been in, and I think it might be fair to say it's probably the most isolated Canadian course? Honestly, between holes 7-13, it is kind of spooky how alone you are in this dense, unforgiving forest. The acoustics of playing are chilling, because it is dead silent. I grew up in Northern Sask, and there is a legitimate fear people have of open space. Behind 10 green there is a crystal clear creek that runs, standing there was the first time I felt totally alone in a long time. It was creepy, but amazing to experience on a golf course. 

 

4. The greens are nuts. Not outrageously quick, but there is so much in every green, a true Thompson classic, which is what it is meant to be.

 

5. Journey from sea (1-4) to mountain (5-13) to sea (14-18) is really neat. Love the fact that no two holes cross or run adjacent. It is a true out and back layout. 

 

Not all positive though!

 

Cabot in a way ruined this course. But it is not the fault of Cabot, it is the fault of Highlands ownership. When you go to Cabot, the service is obnoxious and over the top. Anything you want, you can have, and if it is not readily available, someone will get it for you. The on course experience is equally over the top in terms of amenities, availability and service (especially with caddies). This is the standard that is set for top courses in Canada. Cabot is 1-2, but the same applies for Banff, Jasper and even Predator, all in the top 10 like Highlands. However, when you go from Cabot to Highlands, the drop off is so noticeable. The parking lot is a gravel pad. The pro shop is old, unorganized and run by kids stepping around discount racks. We did not use carts, but the carts were ~20 years old, beat up, no GPS, no windshields. On the course the half way shack was closed, which for a top 10 course is unacceptable especially on Friday/Saturday in June and 20 degrees. However, I penalize Highlands more because the layout goes out and back and no two holes run adjacent. There are no water stations or ability to fill up anywhere on course. You don't have another option because you cannot go back to the restaurant/pro shop. There was no cart going around either. You must load up water and food at 1 because there is nothing again until 18 green. The restaurant can't really be called a restaurant. Don't get me wrong, beers on the patio overlooking the Atlantic post round are incredible. But the best a top 10 course has to offer can't be hot dogs on a roller. Table stakes for standards on a course this great just need to be higher, and sadly new ownership whiffs a bit. 

 

I am nitpicking because I am old and bitter, but, also because it is sad that such an incredible course and layout which as much Canadian history as any course here has to offer sits neglected in an amazing part of the world. A must play if you make it out there. 

 

 

 

 

Great review. I agree with everything you wrote. I loved Highlands.....everything from the drive, isolation of holes, greens, variety of layout, views, forest, water, etc.  Keltic Lodge was cool as well.