Golf Course Review by: Billy Satterfield
Rankings:
The Takeaway: The most historic course in Calgary, the city's namesake course features some of the best greens that can be found in Canada in terms of design and conditioning. The start and finish of each nine is where Calgary shines with the rest being solid but not exceptional. Grade B-
Quick Facts
Designer: Willie Park Jr. 1922 (Tom Bendelow original layout 1908)
Cost: Private
Phone Number: 403-243-3530
Course Website: Official Website - Visit Calgary Golf & Country Club's official website by clicking on the link provided.
Directions: Get here! - 5788 Station A, Calgary, Alberta T2H 1Y3 – CANADA
Photos: See additional photos of Calgary Golf & Country Club
Similar Course:
What to Expect: Located just a few miles south of downtown, the Calgary Golf and Country Club sits on prime real estate along the Elbow River. The terrain features significant movement throughout and trees frame all the fairways to create a parkland layout. The historic layout was redesigned over 100 years ago (1922) and features one of the most memorable opening holes in Canada; a short par five with a 100+ foot climb from tee to green that plays much longer than the yardage on the scorecard would indicate. In fact, the beginning and end of each nine delivers the most noteworthy holes while the remaining holes are generally solid but not exceptional. That being said, the highlight of the course is certainly the greens with alluring slopes and endless pin positions that create lasting intrigue while also creating the ability to ramp up the difficulty when needed. Enjoying one of the more unique routings in golf, Calgary Golf & Country Club has the front nine laid out in the middle of the property while the back nine represents the exterior boundaries of the course routed in an anti-clockwise direction; something I've only seen at Cherry Hills Country Club in Denver. Overall, Calgary Golf & Country Club is a course that would be easy to enjoy everyday but doesn't offer overly compelling design features beyond the greens.
By the Numbers
| Tees | Par | Yardage | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | 70 | 6503 | 71.6 | 134 |
| White | 70 | 6115 | 70.1 | 130 |
| Gold | 70 | 5588 | 67.9 | 125 |
| Red (Ladies) | 71 | 5443 | 72.5 | 131 |
Individual Hole Analysis
Signature Hole: 18th Hole – 456 Yard Par 4 – Widely regarded as the best finishing hole in Alberta, the 18th at Calgary G&CC features a huge drop from the tee and plays to an angled fairway with the Elbow River flanking the right side. The two fairway bunkers are in play on the left which will make players consider flirting with the water on the right by challenging that side of the fairway. The approach shot plays across flat terrain to a green protected by bunkers at the front corners while the towering bluffs of the Elbow River create the backdrop. It is a dramatic hole that can't be forgotten by anyone that plays it.
Best Par 3: 17th Hole – 199 Yards – The 17th features an attractive setting with a deep swell separating the tee from the green and effectively giving some depth to the visuals. While the bunkering around the green may grab your eye, it is the intense putting surface that should cause the most fear as three, or even four, putts can occur here with more ease than one might imagine. The false front is the first pitfall to avoid, so take enough club to reach the center of the green, but going long and left will result in finding some native area you want nothing to do with.
Best Par 4: 9th Hole – 353 Yards – The closing holes on each nine create the most memorable tee shots at Calgary G&CC with dramatic cliff locations. At the 9th, the tee shot plays straightaway to a fairway featuring bunkers on each side and a pond coming in from the left and fronting a portion of the green. You may not think the pond is in play off the tee, but with the wind moving and the elevated tee, the ball can sail longer than usual and be a threat to go for a swim. While not as exciting, the smart play is a tee ball short of the bunkers which will still leave you with just a wedge into the green. But if your score doesn't matter, take a rip and see how close to the green you can get!
Best Par 5: 1st Hole – 468 Yards – The iconic opening hole at Calgary Golf and Country Club ascends more than 100' uphill enroute to the greensite. A pair of bunkers sit on the right side of the fairway in the driving zone just before reaching a flattened portion of the short grass. Finding the fairway will give players the choice to reach the green in two which will play two clubs longer than the yardage will indicate and will be to a blind landing spot. The sloping doesn't stop at the green as the front edge is tilted steeply back towards the fairway while the upper portion features more subtle movements.
Birdie Time: 10th Hole – 291 Yard Par 4 – The back nine starts with a unique driveable par four that ascends uphill before doglegging right out of view to the greensite that is blocked by a tree line. The undulated fairway yields very few even lies, but a big cut shot with the driver can put a tee ball up near, or on, the green. Players that layup to the corner will have a short wedge shot into the green with an opportunity to take dead aim at the flag.
Bogey Beware: 3rd Hole – 439 Yard Par 4 – A long par four by the course's standard, the 3rd bends to the left off the tee with bunkers on each side of the driving zone. The downhill nature of the tee shot will provide a bit of extra yardage, so favoring the left side will be beneficial in providing extra room to land on. The greensite features a dip in front that is full of divots from players who hit the front of the green but with not enough force to stay on top of the putting surface and are instead repeled back towards the swell. The slightly raised putting surface features plenty of break in it which makes saving par a challenge.
