Playing golf in Vancouver Canada (NO POLITICS!)

[The Beav]

8 hours ago, Shushwap said:

What is full rate at mc in the summer 

I think last year it was $135-$140 Walking and a power cart is $27.50pp.

[Golfnuck]

On 4/6/2025 at 6:21 PM, The Beav said:

Man is it even possible to take a bad photo at VGC? It always POPS

 

Yes it is a pretty special place.

 

I know progress marches on but the front 9 is now surrounded by residential towers and the views towards the west now has more cement towers vs trees.

 

A long look back.

 

 

 

And today ............

 

 

Edited April 8 by Golfnuck

[myspinonit]

The Vancouver Parks Board is entertaining a proposal at next Monday’s meeting for paid parking at the Vancouver Golf Courses, initially I understand at Langara and Fraserview.  

 

Here is the Agenda and where to send any comments.  I hope some of you take the time to do so. https://parkboardmeetings.vancouver.ca/2025/20250414/AGENDA_PB20250414.pdf

Edited April 8 by myspinonit

[Phireside]

On 4/7/2025 at 5:39 AM, The Beav said:

I think last year it was $135-$140 Walking and a power cart is $27.50pp.

I think they went to dynamic pricing last year so I would guess weekends could have been higher. I think with players club I maxed at $120 all in last year. I was $111 this past weekend. A non players club guy in my group shelled out $135.

[Shushwap]

1 hour ago, Phireside said:

I think they went to dynamic pricing last year so I would guess weekends could have been higher. I think with players club I maxed at $120 all in last year. I was $111 this past weekend. A non players club guy in my group shelled out $135.

I had a look and they did state dynamic pricing for this year... I plan to make the voyage down to play there this year along with a round up at westwood....Hope to sneek a round in at the falls either on the way down or the way home

[Phireside]

Windy as I've ever experienced at MC today.

[Shushwap]

Anyone ever use sports box ai 

[myspinonit]

On 4/12/2025 at 9:45 PM, Shushwap said:

Anyone ever use sports box ai 

I guess that's a betting thing.  No idea. 

 

But speaking of "box",  our Okanagan neighbour, watching the news tonight I guess golf course dust-ups aren't confined to the Burnaby courses.  Quite the hootenanny on one of the Kelowna courses ...all caught on video to the eternal detriment (possibly life-changing) and internet life of those involved. One guy apparantly got a broken jaw. 

 

And ...another segue..Regarding dumb  golf course stupid injuries, sadly I'm missing all this sun on the course. After a notably erratic 15 holes my first time out on April 3 somehow I actually stayed down on my drive on 16, pured it, but did something wretched to soft tissue just below the right knee. No fracture. Doc at Urgent Care I finally saw last week and my chiro both sayI should be ok to play in a couple of weeks. Doesn't feel like it yet, but fingers crossed.

 

Edited April 16 by myspinonit

[Shushwap]

2 hours ago, myspinonit said:

I guess that's a betting thing.  No idea. 

 

But speaking of "box",  our Okanagan neighbour, watching the news tonight I guess golf course dust-ups aren't confined to the Burnaby courses.  Quite the hootenanny on one of the Kelowna courses ...all caught on video to the eternal detriment (possibly life-changing) and internet life of those involved. One guy apparantly got a broken jaw. 

 

And ...another segue..Regarding dumb  golf course stupid injuries, sadly I'm missing all this sun on the course. After a notably erratic 15 holes my first time out on April 3 somehow I actually stayed down on my drive on 16, pured it, but did something wretched to soft tissue just below the right knee. No fracture. Doc at Urgent Care I finally saw last week and my chiro both sayI should be ok to play in a couple of weeks. Doesn't feel like it yet, but fingers crossed.

 

Lol I seen the video.. that was interesting 

Sorry to hear you are laid up.. I pulled a muscle in my back as well.. hoping to get out with the crew at the end of the week 

Sun has been shining and I'm stuck in the house.. I hope everyone is gearing up for a beautiful golf season 

I'm ready to go..once the back cooperates 

[Phireside]

Back to MC again today. Again very windy.

 

Not sure if this is telling or not, but in my 3-4 rounds at MC this year, I've not seen any of the "regulars" from years gone by. I'm still playing my regular Saturday tee time. I've also noticed that the greens have far more un-repaired pitch marks. Wonder if the regulars have finally given up on this place and the riff raff are finding the tee times now.

[myspinonit]

15 hours ago, Phireside said:

Back to MC again today. Again very windy.

 

Not sure if this is telling or not, but in my 3-4 rounds at MC this year, I've not seen any of the "regulars" from years gone by. I'm still playing my regular Saturday tee time. I've also noticed that the greens have far more un-repaired pitch marks. Wonder if the regulars have finally given up on this place and the riff raff are finding the tee times now.

Any chance that the  past years "regulars" around your usual tee time were from across the line taking advantage of a great course at a favourable exchange rate? If so, one surmises they could choose to avoid potential issues this year crossing the 49th parallel either way.

Edited April 20 by myspinonit

[Phireside]

2 hours ago, myspinonit said:

Any chance that the  past years "regulars" around your usual tee time were from across the line taking advantage of a great course at a favourable exchange rate? If so, one surmises they could choose to avoid potential issues this year crossing the 49th parallel either way.

Nope. All of those that I had spoken to in the past were local. There were some WA plates in the lot when I was packing up at the end of my round yesterday.

[The Beav]

On 4/19/2025 at 2:54 PM, Phireside said:

Back to MC again today. Again very windy.

 

Not sure if this is telling or not, but in my 3-4 rounds at MC this year, I've not seen any of the "regulars" from years gone by. I'm still playing my regular Saturday tee time. I've also noticed that the greens have far more un-repaired pitch marks. Wonder if the regulars have finally given up on this place and the riff raff are finding the tee times now.

There has been an uptick of "others" who play slow and don't treat the course well.  I guess we should stop telling people how good it is eh? Haha.   

I know a couple groups have decided to go private to one of Beach Grove / Richmond / Semi, but not sure about the rest.  

[Phireside]

MC again today. Course is mint! Got around in normal time today. The past 3 weeks had been brutal. 4:30+

For various reasons we've been a twosome as some guys have had other obligations. Apart from my previously noted observations about MC this year, each of the past 3 weeks, the guys who joined have been die hard flag out people. Our foursome never bothers with the flag, so this has taken some getting used to. To each their own but I personally find it a nuisance.

[Shushwap]

I haven't played a ton this year as the old back has  been bad 

I ran out to the short game area at pred today to work on some easy swings to keep things moving

The few times I have been out... it seems as if there are more part time golfers il call them 

Playing this year 

It couldn't care less if someone shoots 120.. I'm out to enjoy the day 

Hoping to run out to salmon arm this week.. excited for the first round out there 

I plan to get down and try out this great mc you all talk about as well 

Edited May 4 by Shushwap

[The Beav]

10 hours ago, Phireside said:

MC again today. Course is mint! Got around in normal time today. The past 3 weeks had been brutal. 4:30+

For various reasons we've been a twosome as some guys have had other obligations. Apart from my previously noted observations about MC this year, each of the past 3 weeks, the guys who joined have been die hard flag out people. Our foursome never bothers with the flag, so this has taken some getting used to. To each their own but I personally find it a nuisance.

Nice.

Our group is unfortunately (for me) making the decision to play MC less often.  The costs have just risen a bit too high for a lot of them.  We'll be adding a steady diet of Fraserview/Riverway etc to keep costs down.  

 

I've started looking into some private options again but from where I live there's just nothing desirable. 

[Golfnuck]

On 5/4/2025 at 6:27 AM, The Beav said:

Nice.

Our group is unfortunately (for me) making the decision to play MC less often.  The costs have just risen a bit too high for a lot of them.  We'll be adding a steady diet of Fraserview/Riverway etc to keep costs down.  

 

I've started looking into some private options again but from where I live there's just nothing desirable. 

 

Beav - which area and what private clubs have you looked at?

[The Beav]

18 hours ago, Golfnuck said:

 

Beav - which area and what private clubs have you looked at?

Just scouting so far, but:

 

Meadow Gardens

Pitt Meadows

Beach Grove

Semiahmoo 

 

I doubt I'll take the plunge. They are all just a bit too far from me or just plain difficult to get to.

[Golfnuck]

3 hours ago, The Beav said:

Just scouting so far, but:

 

Meadow Gardens

Pitt Meadows

Beach Grove

Semiahmoo 

 

I doubt I'll take the plunge. They are all just a bit too far from me or just plain difficult to get to.

 

Wow kinda opposite ends of the lower mainland.  

 

Meadow Gardens - I really think they have the possibility of being a really good private golf club.  The club house has really good bones.  I have not been inside the men's locker for over 10 years so I don't know if much has changed but I remember it as being good.  I like the course and I don't think it gets as much rain as Swaneset.  Need to figure out how to make the 1st and 10th holes better.

 

Pitt Meadows - I have a couple of friends that are members there so have played there quite a bit.  They have done a lot to dry out the course.  Driving range is not great but adequate.  No real short game area except for the large putting green.  Between Pitt and Meadow Gardens I would favour Meadow Gardens.

 

Beach Grove - I love this course and I would join it if I lived in the area.  It is hard to access unless you live in the area (get plugged up with ferry traffic).  Range is limited and not a good short game area.  The club house is really good and suits its purpose well.

 

Semiahmoo - while it is private it is not a member owned club and that offers up some issues.  I have a business associate that is a member there and he told me this year the members were told there would be limited capital spending on the course as the owners needed to save money to operate the hotel.  It is a really good layout and the best of the 4 you listed.

Edited May 6 by Golfnuck

[Shushwap]

What are the must play courses outside of mc 

[IcemanYVR]

Just now, Shushwap said:

What are the must play courses outside of mc 

Everyone has their favourites, but for me, outside of MC, it’s Northview (Ridge), Fraserview, and although a big drive, Sandpiper. 

[Shushwap]

2 minutes ago, IcemanYVR said:

Everyone has their favourites, but for me, outside of MC, it’s Northview (Ridge), Fraserview, and although a big drive, Sandpiper. 

Nephew has turned into a golf junky... family is blaming me 😆 

He's on the sunshine coast and was asking what are the courses to pla in the city as he calls it.. anywhere in the lower mainland 

I figured I would ask here 

[Phireside]

1 hour ago, IcemanYVR said:

Everyone has their favourites, but for me, outside of MC, it’s Northview (Ridge), Fraserview, and although a big drive, Sandpiper. 

I'd also throw Riverway in to this list. Maybe even Redwoods now that it's open again.

[The Beav]

13 hours ago, IcemanYVR said:

Everyone has their favourites, but for me, outside of MC, it’s Northview (Ridge), Fraserview, and although a big drive, Sandpiper. 

I would agree with this list, and I'd add Redwoods.  Fraserview might actually be my favorite course in the area to be honest...there's just something about it that always leads to a fun round of golf.  It's not the shiniest or the prettiest or the toughest or anything, but it has a lot of "half-par" holes and isn't trying to kick your teeth in.

20 hours ago, Golfnuck said:

 

Wow kinda opposite ends of the lower mainland.  

 

Meadow Gardens - I really think they have the possibility of being a really good private golf club.  The club house has really good bones.  I have not been inside the men's locker for over 10 years so I don't know if much has changed but I remember it as being good.  I like the course and I don't think it gets as much rain as Swaneset.  Need to figure out how to make the 1st and 10th holes better.

 

Pitt Meadows - I have a couple of friends that are members there so have played there quite a bit.  They have done a lot to dry out the course.  Driving range is not great but adequate.  No real short game area except for the large putting green.  Between Pitt and Meadow Gardens I would favour Meadow Gardens.

 

Beach Grove - I love this course and I would join it if I lived in the area.  It is hard to access unless you live in the area (get plugged up with ferry traffic).  Range is limited and not a good short game area.  The club house is really good and suits its purpose well.

 

Semiahmoo - while it is private it is not a member owned club and that offers up some issues.  I have a business associate that is a member there and he told me this year the members were told there would be limited capital spending on the course as the owners needed to save money to operate the hotel.  It is a really good layout and the best of the 4 you listed.

Yeah. I live in the downtown Langley area so Meadow/Pitt are 20 minutes away in no traffic, but 45 minutes in mind numbing traffic most of the day.  Beach is 45 minutes, Semi is 30 min plus a border crossing - but neither would ever be "on my way" to or from work.  One advantage to Meadow Gardens is that I've heard they are very junior friendly and my little guy loves to play, but the course itself is probably my least favorite of the bunch.  I've also heard concerns of too many members/not enough "high demand" tee times there.

 

As I type this out, I think the best solution is to just move haha!

[The Beav]

14 hours ago, Shushwap said:

What are the must play courses outside of mc 

While not an inspired course layout or anything, Northlands is always a crowd pleaser to bring out-of-towners to, and isn't priced ridiculously.  

[Phireside]

1 hour ago, The Beav said:

While not an inspired course layout or anything, Northlands is always a crowd pleaser to bring out-of-towners to, and isn't priced ridiculously.  

Lol, to each their own. It's by far the closest course to my home and I would only send my enemies there. 

[IcemanYVR]

I’m really thinking Northview should have gone semi-private, but there’s probably  too many corporate events that would get in the way of any potential membership. I think that was the original plan when they opened in the 90s. 

[myspinonit]

No one has mentioned McCleery.  Though Fraserview is almost universally an old school, tree-lined favourite,  McCleey isn’t a bad track and is probably the prettiest of the  Vancouver Parks   courses and fairways are often in better condition than FV.

Edited May 8 by myspinonit

[Shushwap]

Now were getting somewhere... Soon the beer bottles will be flying lol

This is why I love to ask questions to a crowd of people as everyone has there own opinion

Same goes for courses here in the interior... The crew I play with all think salmon arm is the greatest in the valley... Its nice... I played there today actually

I would personally take Talking rock pre fire over Salmon Arm

How about you all are there any courses in the interior that you think are must plays

[myspinonit]

1 hour ago, Shushwap said:

Now were getting somewhere... Soon the beer bottles will be flying lol

This is why I love to ask questions to a crowd of people as everyone has there own opinion

Same goes for courses here in the interior... The crew I play with all think salmon arm is the greatest in the valley... Its nice... I played there today actually

I would personally take Talking rock pre fire over Salmon Arm

How about you all are there any courses in the interior that you think are must plays

I really liked Tower  Ranch the one time I played it years ago, but memory serves there were a number of forced carries that might not be enjoyable for me now. Played   Fairview Mountainquite a few times  and generally enjoyed it (after I seemed to always be  brain-dead playing the short second hole). 

 

 

Edited May 8 by myspinonit