Checking in here for the southerners, specifically Lethbridge. Good to see some Alberta boys chopping up Kidd v. Lorette (it’s Kidd by a mile right?).
If you can handle the faint smell of the 9am free crack giveaway, there’s some sneaky good golf around here 
Cheers!
Lethbridge is sneaky good!
Also, windy. Always windy.
And yeah, its Kidd by a mile… I looked at my scorecard from Lorette this summer and I made 7 pars and a birdie in the middle of the round, because it just wasn’t that complicated. And for those that know me… that ain’t my game!
@Bunk and I did a 36 holes day last summer of Waterton and Crowsnest - banger of a day, but I’d play 9 rounds at Waterton for every 1 at Crowsnest. We’ll hit you up on the next one for sure!
Yeah I mean the wind is a problem, but hey it’ll sharpen your game too.
Gotta say I’m shocked about the Waterton > Crowsnest take. Waterton has some charm no doubt, but there’s some special holes on Crowsnest. Maybe I give it extra points from knowing how the old course was and how much of a glow-up it’s had.
Magrath, Cardston, Paradise Canyon, and my home track Picture Butte all are good stuff to check out.
I think my issue was, I remember what it was and what good value it was. Playing Waterton, with all its history, the quirk and fun greens, and at such a good price - Crowsnest felt a little soulless?
Like, the staff were just so pleased with themselves, scoffed at us playing Waterton in the morning (“oh you’ll like this WAY better, Waterton isn’t good”) and it’s just kind of expensive now.
I dunno, maybe we were tired and didn’t bring our best, but I felt there were too many holes the same - elevated tee shot down to a fairway, hit back up to a green - and I only really remember the holes I didn’t like, rather than the ones I did. And I played pretty well! I didn’t shoot a million and am bitter or anything like that.
I’ll give it another shot, but I’d be way more likely to do Waterton plus something in Lethbridge for a mid-summer 36’er.
I agree with Canadian Golf (and Curling) Hall of Fame sportswriter Bob Weeks. If there is one course to play for the rest of your life, it’s Jasper Park Lodge. I prefer it over Banff. But it is a 4.5 hour drive from Edmonton. Kananaskis is great and close to Calgary, but also check out Innisfail for the drive between Calgary and Edmonton. For 12 or more you can contact Kananaskis directly but they may be limited for availability now. Online booking starts March 25th
Sounds like we found another local. The 2025 Alberta roost is growing in numbers.
Waterton > Crowdnest. Crowsnest is a good deal and would be 100 bucks more if it was in canmore vs down south. I like crowsnest but its short and gimicky in spots where it shouldn’t be imo. I bought a old volskwagen westfailla so I’ve already got a couple weekends planned to go down to waterton play golf and kayak on the lake.
I’m fine with either side at Kan, it’s disappointing though as they had a chance to build something truly special there and they didn’t. Jasper over Banff slightly but that gap is way closer than Banff vs anything else in the area.
Gap would be closer if Banff used the old routing. Not starting and finishing at the Springs is still such a bummer…
Also, love the drop-in with the fire takes! Also they’re all accurate and we’ll take no further questions thanks all much appreciated.
Fully agree there the original first tee shot was awesome, I mean it still is awesome it would’ve just been such a great way to start the round, and ending with a short iron into now 14 would be awesome.
Haha I know its been a bit since I’ve posted, I do have some strong takes though. Since it was mentioned above I really like Glencoe forest, I also think I’d quit golf and maybe just end it all if I had to play it every day, its just a battle, but I do think its good, the other courses do nothing for me there though. Like when I make the turn at the country club I have a big ol smile on my face (even though 9 and 10 suck) as I go grab a milk shake from the shack, when I make the turn on forest I’m trying to figure out if I can fasten a noose out of my towel.
I also think I’d rather play canmore than Stewart or Silvertip, absolutely over silvertip.
Hell yeah. This is absolutely the move! Maybe the most underrated course in southern AB.
Hearing some courses in Lethbridge opening this weekend
Man, now I’m so torn. I have at least 3 ski days to use that are already paid for, I’ve now played 45 holes outside already this year, and I can’t get properly motivated for either activity. Trying to sell myself on spring skiing, because I’ll be sad when the snow is done. But all I want to do is go play golf…
TPC Fox Hollow is opening on temps this weekend apparently.
I’m skiing for the next couple weekends and then flying to vancouver to play a little golf with my brother. I don’t think I’ll touch clubs in Alberta till the 20th
Man, it has been YEARS since I played there. Although did play it on St Patrick’s Day one year, so that lines up! Needed a hammer to get tees in the ground, but was fun to be out.
That said, I am also skiing this weekend and next. Happy to convince myself its still winter here for a couple more weeks… it seems based on my reply above, I’m coming around hard on it still being winter!
We have ranges open in the city already from what I hear but winter isn’t quite done with us yet up north.
Strong chance I skip work on Thursday and/or Friday next week to ski. Monitoring the forecasts closer than I do for golf!
Lucky, I’m going to Edmonton to coach hockey. I was at Louise on Sunday and there were some fun spring skiing pockets.
Same! Went from icy, to great spring, to so wet it was sticky didn’t it… although the vibes at the bars were immaculate with DJs and stuff. It was a great spring ski day!
Howdy all! Fairly new to the Nest and came across this thread. I figured I would pop in and check out this thread. Nice to see some folks in Alberta part of this group.
I live in Fort McMurray, so not YYC, but I usually make it down to Edmonton and Calgary to golf (as well as other locations across Canada and the US - I am a bit an an addict).
Look forward to chatting with you all and maybe getting a round or two in during my travels!
