Fairmont Banff Springs

The Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course offers a unique golfing experience, attracting and challenging golfers from around the world with its award-winning design and captivating scenery. You’re sure to be inspired by the distinctive hole designs and intriguing optical illusions created by the surrounding mountains. 

Located in Banff National Park, the Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course’s setting is particularly special. The Fairmont Banff Springs hotel, often referred to as Canada’s “Castle in the Rockies,” overlooks the course, which meanders along the Bow River under the iconic peaks of Sulphur Mountain and Mount Rundle. 

Stanley Thompson Course

The Stanley Thompson Course was originally built with 18 holes in 1928 by its namesake, a Canadian master golf course architect. It later received an additional nine holes, the Tunnel Mountain Course, when it was upgraded by golf architects Cornish and Robinson in 1989. The par-71 course is a very traditional design with many well-placed bunkers – Thompson’s trademark. The par-3, fourth hole – the legendary “Devil’s Cauldron” – is one of the world’s most famous holes. Golfers must hit their tee shot over a turquoise lake to a sloped, bowl-shaped and heavily bunkered green. Because of its location at the very bottom of Mount Rundle, it takes longer to dry out after winter and isn’t playable until late May, but most agree that it’s well worth the wait. 

Try the Heritage Golf Experience where you can play the course the way Stanley Thompson designed it, with original equipment from the 1930s. 

Tips

The Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course is well known for its wildlife sightings, so don’t be surprised if you see bears, caribou, moose or bull elk on the fairways. For information about wildlife safety, please see the Parks Canada website. Make sure to bring a camera to capture the incredible scenery. 

Amenities and Services

The course offers a Pro Shop, full-service restaurant, and golf academy with PGA of Canada professionals on site. A driving range and practice facility are also included in the price of your green fees. Non-golfing guests may purchase access to the driving range from the Pro Shop. A complimentary shuttle service can take you to and from the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel.

Food and beverages are available from the Snack Bar located at the clubhouse and on-course beverage carts. For a delicious and satisfying meal after a day of fresh air and activity, tuck in to some hearty southern barbecue at Stanley’s Smokehouse Restaurant, with unforgettable views of the fairways and surrounding rivers and mountains.

Awards

• Ranked #4 Canada's Best Public Golf Courses by SCOREGolf in 2015
• Ranked #6 in SCOREGolf's Top 100 Courses in 2014
• Named the winner of the Extraordinary Golf Hotel Award by Extraordinary Traveller Magazine in 2014