When the weather turns and the North Shore mountains come out from behind the clouds, a lot of us start thinking about where to play a round close to home. The good news is that you do not have to leave the city to find a real course. Vancouver has a handful of public courses run by the Park Board, plus a few short courses that are perfect for an after-work nine. We have rounded up our favourites below, from championship layouts along the Fraser River to a pitch and putt tucked into Stanley Park.
Fraserview Golf Course
If you ask local golfers about the best public course in the city, Fraserview comes up again and again. Fraserview is a well-maintained, traditional-style course with topographical changes along majestic, tree-lined fairways that overlook the Fraser River. The elevation changes give the course real character, and the tree-lined holes reward a thoughtful round over a hard swing.
It is a full championship layout, so it suits regular players looking to test their game, but the Park Board keeps it welcoming for everyone. There is a driving range on site, and the Fraserview Golf Academy offers lessons for learners of all levels, taught by PGA of Canada Professionals. The clubhouse is open to the public seven days a week, so you do not need to be playing to stop in. You can book tee times through the free VanGolf app, which is the easiest way to lock in a spot during the busy summer months.
Langara Golf Course
Langara has been part of Vancouver golf for nearly a century, and it still holds up beautifully. The course was built in 1926 by the Canadian Pacific Railway and later updated by Canadian architect Thomas McBroom. That long history is part of the charm, and it sits right in the middle of the city near the Canada Line.
Do not let the friendly setting fool you, though. It is a classic course with curved, tree-lined fairways that are easy to walk, a tough par 71 that is still good for players of all skill levels. The large rolling greens make scoring a challenge and, with its narrow fairways, accuracy off the tee is important. If you want a course you can walk after work without driving out of town, Langara is hard to beat.
McCleery Golf Course
Out in Southlands, McCleery is the course for golfers who like a bit of trouble to navigate. McCleery has narrow fairways and many water hazards, and it sits in a beautiful setting with mature trees and lots of water features. The water comes into play often enough to keep you honest, and the mature trees make it feel a world away from the city around it.
Like the other Park Board championship courses, McCleery is set up to help you get better. The McCleery Golf Academy offers private, semi-private, and group lessons for all skill levels, and there is a driving range on site. It is also a popular spot for weddings and corporate events, with a clubhouse and patio you can book for the occasion.
Family-Friendly Pitch And Putt
Not every round needs to be eighteen full holes. When you are introducing the kids to the game, or you just want a relaxed hour outside, Vancouver’s three pitch and putt courses are exactly right. The pitch and putts at Stanley Park, Queen Elizabeth Park, and Rupert Park are open again for the season, running daily, and a round costs about nineteen dollars per person. Clubs and balls can be rented inexpensively, the holes are all par threes, and each course has eighteen of them.
The Stanley Park Pitch and Putt might be the prettiest of the three. It offers sculpted fairways, mature trees, and lush greens alongside English Bay, minutes from downtown, with 18 holes ranging from 40 to 100 yards and a setting bordered by a rhododendron garden. Over at Queen Elizabeth Park, you get a round wrapped in one of the city’s most beautiful gardens, and it is easy to reach on the Canada Line. It has 18 short, contoured par 3s, none over 110 yards, which makes it a perfect course for those new to the game. And in East Van, Rupert Park is a local favourite with a bit more bite. It is a par 3 course with elevated greens and a series of ponds, with holes between 50 and 100 yards, and it has been named the home of the First Tee of Greater Vancouver.
A handy tip for regulars: a monthly pass or punch card works at all three pitch and putt courses, so you can play whichever one is closest on the day.
A Few Things Worth Knowing Before You Go
The three championship courses all share the free VanGolf app, which makes booking a tee time quick and keeps you up to date on news and specials. Youth age 18 and under can play a free round at the Park Board courses when accompanied by a paying adult, which is a lovely way to bring a young golfer into the game without the cost adding up.
The pitch and putts work a little differently. Tee times there are first-come, first-served, and singles or doubles will be merged to form groups of three or four. On a sunny weekend you can expect a wait, so an early start or a weekday evening is your friend.
Questions People Often Ask
What Is The Best Golf Course In Vancouver?
It is a tough call, because the city’s public courses each have their own appeal. If we had to point you to one championship course, Fraserview is the one locals talk about most, with its river views and rolling, tree-lined fairways. If you are newer to the game or playing with family, the Stanley Park Pitch and Putt is a wonderful place to start.
Are There Golf Courses Right In The City?
Yes. The Vancouver Park Board runs six courses inside the city: three championship courses at Fraserview, Langara, and McCleery, and three pitch and putt courses at Stanley Park, Queen Elizabeth Park, and Rupert Park. You can play a real round without ever leaving Vancouver.
Do I Need To Be A Member To Play?
No. All of the Park Board courses are open to the public. The championship courses take bookings through the VanGolf app, while the pitch and putts are first-come, first-served.
