For exceptional golf in a spectacular setting, the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is the ideal choice. Your golf vacation in Canada will take you to the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Banff Springs National Park, with bright blue lakes, hundreds of glaciers, and over 1,000 miles of hiking trails.
And that’s before you get started on the 18-hole course here or other exceptional courses in Banff. The signature hole, “The Devil’s Cauldron”, is a daunting par 3 as much for the dramatic scenery as the challenging play. It plays 200 yards from an elevated tee over a glacial pond to a firm green with Mount Rundle as the backdrop.
The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel has welcomed guests, celebrities, and royalty to the Canadian Rockies since the late 1880s, making it both a historical and iconic destination for your Canadian golf vacation.
Offering 739 elegantly appointed rooms, heated indoor and outdoor pools, a luxurious spa, and a variety of restaurants, you’ll be well looked after here. The hotel also packs in a selection of seasonally appropriate activities, and the classic mountain town of Banff is just moments away from shopping and more dining options.
Banff Springs is part of the historical tapestry of Canadian Golf. Nestled in the Canadian Rockies, one of the world’s most picturesque and photographed golf destinations, Banff Springs has more than a century of tradition, community, and history.
Banff prides itself on being both traditional and progressive (it was one of the first places to start hosting women’s golf tournaments) while having an impressive design heritage. The original 9-hole course was opened in 1911 by William Thomson, who trained under the one and only Old Tom Morris at St. Andrews.
There aren’t many Donald Ross designs that have been developed to achieve greater acclaim, but the Stanley Thompson Course is one such layout. The original 9-hole course was opened in 1911 with Ross then expanding and opening his 18-hole design in 1923. But in 1924 Thompson’s gem – the course at Jasper Park located just up the Icefields Parkway – debuted and stole all the thunder.
The owners, the Canadian Pacific Railway, then sought out Thompson to better Jasper and create “the final word in golf.” Which in 1929 on the Bow River Valley Floor he achieved with its majestic surrounding mountain backdrop. Costing $1 million to construct, pocket change by today’s standards, it was the most expensive course ever built at the time.
Known as “The Castle in the Rockies,” the Resort has played host to Royalty both of the English and golf variety. Edward Prince of Wales played the nine-hole course in 1919 and came back for the completed Ross version in 1923. King George VI with the Queen Mother, Kate & William and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor have all spent time here. An interesting note the Railway kept the course open during WWI to help booster the morale of the local residents.
Gene Sarazen played an exhibition here in 1936 and Norman, Nicklaus, Daly, Garcia and Ames played a Skins Match in 2006. Other celebs of note include Marilyn Monroe who was shooting a movie and her husband at the time, Joe DiMaggio, who was enjoying shooting scores on the course.
Regarded as the signature course at Banff Springs, the Stanley Thompson layout is the one most golfers come to play. Redesigned by Stanley Thompson in 1928 from earlier work by Donald Ross and William Thomson, it was reportedly the most expensive golf course ever built at the time. The course is home to several iconic holes, including Devil’s Cauldron (4), Big Bow (12), and Wampum (14).
Added in 1989 by designers Geoffrey Cornish and Bill Robinson. A shorter and more compact course that offers players a faster round while preserving that unique mountain character that Banff is so well known for. Sitting at around 3,300 yards and playing as a par 36, it was designed as a layout to complement and not compete with the 18-hole championship course.
A golf itinerary in the heart of the Canadian Rockies takes you up close and personal to some of the country’s most dramatic scenery. Enjoy a 6-night adventure, including 5 rounds of golf on our recommended Rockies itinerary.
Perched high on the slopes of Sulphur Mountain, Rimrock Resort offers one of Banff’s most luxurious mountain retreats and is a premier choice for visiting golfers. The resort combines refined accommodations with breathtaking views of the Canadian Rockies, creating the perfect balance of championship golf and alpine relaxation. With exceptional dining, world-class amenities, and easy access to Banff National Park, Rimrock Resort is an ideal home base for an unforgettable golf vacation in the heart of the Rockies.
Visitors are welcome to play at Banff Springs, but advanced booking is strongly recommended, particularly during the summer months. Green Fees are dynamic and vary by season and time, with the peak summer having the highest fees. Golf attire is required: collared or mock-neck shirts, golf shorts or trousers, and golf or running shoes are accepted.
Banff is full of amazing golf courses, but it’s also a huge region, so here are some recommendations for nearby courses to check out.
Often considered the modern counterpart to the traditional Banff Springs. The course was built on reclaimed mining land and incorporates old industrial features for a rugged but fun adventure.
One of the most visually dramatic areas in the Rockies region. The course is carved into the lower slopes of Canmore, featuring lots of verticality and sweeping views of the Bow Valley.
A roughly 45-minute drive from Banff. Kananaskis offers 36 holes to play with, both courses built by the legendary Robert Trent Jones Sr.
Banff Springs is located within the town of Banff, which is in Banff National Park, Alberta. It’s typically accessed from Calgary International Airport, which is roughly 1.5 to 2 hours by car. Most visitors use either a private transfer from the airport or rent a car, as public transport is highly limited in this area.
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Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course; Banff Springs GC
Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course, 405 Spray Avenue, Banff, Alberta T1L 1J4, Canada
Stanley Thompson 18 opened 1927 (course origins in the 1920s)
Mountain golf season typically May–October; tee times usually from early morning to late afternoon.
Stanley Thompson 18 – 18 holes, par 71, 6,938 yards from the back tees; classic parkland/mountain course following the Bow River beneath Mt Rundle and Sulphur Mountain; course rating around low 70s with slopes in the low-130s from the back tees.
Tunnel Mountain 9 – an additional 9-hole layout added in 1989, providing a shorter option and allowing 27-hole rotations.
Part of the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs ‘castle’ hotel complex with spa, pools, multiple restaurants and bars, easy access to Banff town and national park activities.
Frequently ranked among Canada’s top resort courses; the Devil’s Cauldron par-3 4th hole is one of the most photographed holes in golf.
Within driving distance of Stewart Creek and Silvertip in Canmore, Kananaskis Country and local courses such as Canmore Golf & Curling Club.
Banff Springs Golf Resort is located in Banff, Alberta, within the stunning Banff National Park.
Yes, golf carts are available for use at Banff Springs Golf Course.
Banff Springs offers stunning views of the Canadian Rockies and a challenging 27-hole course designed by Stanley Thompson.
The course is open from May to October, with summer offering the best playing conditions.
