Golf Course Review by: Billy Satterfield
Rankings:
The Takeaway: One of the most unique courses in Alberta, there are some holes at Silvertip that will leave you scratching your head and others that are a ton of fun. Definitely not a layout for everyone, but certainly scenic and memorable. Grade B
Quick Facts
Designer: Les Furber 1998
Cost: $125 - $200 (Dynamic pricing) Click for current rates
Phone Number: 1-877-877-5444
Course Website: Official Website - Visit Silvertip Resort 's official website by clicking on the link provided.
Directions: Get here! - 2000 Silvertip Trail, Canmore, Alberta T1W 3J4 – CANADA
Photos: See additional photos of Silvertip Resort
What to Expect: Perhaps the most polarizing course in Alberta, Silvertip is a wild ride with severe elevation changes and jaw-dropping mountain views. After the first few holes I had strong doubts that Silvertip would be much more than a gimmicky layout hoping to attract tourists that visit Canmore on their way to Banff. However, after getting halfway through the front nine, Silvertip began offering better holes that made more sense for the location and landscape. The inward holes are the superior nine at the property with several enjoyable offerings, including the stunning downhill 13th hole which falls over 100 feet from tee to green while delivering a panoramic view of the Three Sisters mountain range. No one is going to play this course and feel it is a traditional routing or dare try to play it without a cart, but if you are looking for a dramatic setting with big elevation changes then Silvertip delivers all day long. The conditioning is solid, but not spectacular, and doesn't enhance or deter from the overall experience. Much like Wolf Creek in Mesquite, NV, Silvertip isn't the type of course I'd want to play everyday, but it is a fun ride to take when in the Banff area.
By the Numbers
| Tees | Par | Yardage | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tournament (Grey) | 72 | 7149 | 74.6 | 146 |
| Professional (Black) | 72 | 6587 | 71.5 | 140 |
| Championship (Blue) | 72 | 6166 | 69.9 | 140 |
| Silvertip (White) | 72 | 5826 | 69.0 | 129 |
| Forward (Red/Ladies) | 72 | 4822 | 68.8 | 133 |
| Short (Yellow) | 72 | 2666 | ||
Individual Hole Analysis
Signature Hole: 13th Hole – 454 Yard Par 4 – The 13th at Silvertip is simply one of the most inspiring holes to play in all of Canada. With the Three Sisters mountain range creating the backdrop and an elevated tee yielding an exciting setting to drive from, you'll want your camera ready to take video of your foursome bombing balls from this impressive setting. The approach shot plays to a green that is much wider than it is deep and is also angled from front right to back left. The prominent ridge in the center of the green behind the deep horseshoe bunker creates two distinctive sides to the putting surface that should be considered when attacking the flag. Carding a par here will only add to the enjoyment of this iconic hole.
Best Par 3: 15th Hole – 173 Yards – A beautiful one-shotter that plays over a pond to a green framed by a towering mountain backdrop, the 15th will require a well-struck shot to find safety. A bunker is found long and left to catch players trying to avoid the water, but the ideal tee shot utilizes the tier in the middle of the green to spin shots back towards the day's pin. However, pins on the top tier will stand as a difficult location to access as the green narrows and is found beyond the tier.
Best Par 4: 18th Hole – 464 Yards – Players that can draw the ball on demand will rejoice at the closing hole as the fairway bends to the left and plummets down a hill that features 100' in elevation drop. A bunker is located on each side of the fairway of the driving zone, but big hitters can carry them and put themselves in a position to be just a wedge in. The multi-tiered green is flanked on the left by a turquoise pond while the Canadian Rockies that create the backdrop never stop with their inspiring vistas.
Best Par 5: 14th Hole – 598 Yards – I'm a fan of good uphill holes, and while this one can be extreme for some players, it is a memorable offering where par always feels like a good score. The wide fairway is framed by trees on each side and bends to the right as it ascends to the greensite. From the middle of the fairway to the top of the green will require 50' of elevation to climb, and coming up short will often result in watching your ball begin tumbling back down the fairway. You'll need a high spinning shot to hold the green, so the ideal play here is to hit your second shot to a wedge distance and try to flag hunt from there. The view from the green back down the fairway with Three Sisters in the background is impressive to say the least.
Birdie Time: 1st Hole – 345 Yard Par 4 – The opening hole sets the mood for Silvertip; beautiful but often perplexing. The 1st hole features a blind, or semi-blind, tee shot depending on how you play it. Laying up with a mid-iron can be played to a visible portion of the fairway while taking a longer club over the bunker on the left can result in balls cascading down the hill towards the green over 50' below. Players that get familiar with the hole will get more comfortable going for the green and starting their round with a birdie while newcomers may elect to play it safe while still putting a scoring club in their hand with the second shot.
Bogey Beware: 2nd Hole – 523 Yard Par 5 – This hole is ridiculous. While the Three Sisters mountain backdrop is beautiful, there wasn't enough real estate utilized for a hole of this length. The tee shot plays well downhill to a bowled fairway where the shaping admits the lack of ground used by trying to compensate with unnatural sloping. Balls kick harder from right to left than they do the opposite, and the large fairway bunker on the left side gets a workout. The approach shot then plays to a well bunkered green found in an amphitheater of trees. Players that miss the fairway can nearly guarantee putting a bogey or worse on your scorecard and the frustration with the penal nature of the hole will have many walking off scratching their head.
