Located in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, just a few hour's drive from Vancouver or Calgary for a golf road trip (or easily accessible by plane), Kelowna offers breathtaking scenery, beaches and waterways, wineries and vineyards, and some incredible golf courses. Take on some of Kelowna’s top golf courses during a golf vacation that can include wine tours, beach days, and boating. For your consideration here are our top Kelowna golf courses and recommendations for things to see and do during your visit:
#1 Tower Ranch Golf & CC
Fresh from ranking 55th on SCOREGolf’s Top 100 Golf Courses in Canada, it wasn’t hard to pick the winner when it comes to the top golf course in Kelowna. The incredible Thomas McBroom design at Tower Ranch, paired with a location overlooking the Okanagan Valley equals a Kelowna golf experience like none other.
#2 Black Mountain Golf Club
Incorporated into the Okanagan landscape and making use of the topography and vegetation of the region, Black Mountain Golf Club offers a dramatic golf course featuring bent grass greens and perfectly manicured fairways.
#3 Gallagher’s Canyon Golf & CC
Tee off at Gallagher's Canyon set on a benchland above Kelowna, where the Bill Robinson design is surrounded by kilometres of orchards and vineyards, with fairways routed up, down, and side-hill throughout the challenging layout for a round of golf that keeps even the Mackenzie Tour - PGA TOUR Canada players on their toes.
#4 Harvest Golf Club
The idyllic course at Harvest Golf Club winds through orchards and vineyards, offering spectacular views of Okanagan Lake and Kelowna below. The 7,109 yards of challenging golf is one of Graham Cooke’s finest designs and is a perennial local favourite.
#5 Kelowna Golf & CC
Take in a round of classic golf set against the beautiful backdrop of the shale face of Dilworth mountain, surrounded by massive stately ponderosa pines. Conveniently located in the heart of Kelowna (but absolutely serene), Kelowna Golf & CC is a perfect place to enjoy tournament-tested golf.
#6 Kelowna Springs Golf Club
Take in a round of classic golf set against the beautiful backdrop of the shale face of Dilworth mountain, surrounded by massive stately ponderosa pines. Conveniently located in the heart of Kelowna but absolutely serene, this is a perfect place to enjoy tournament-tested golf.
#7 Okanagan Golf Club – Bear Course
Set adjacent to Kelowna International Airport (YLW), you can be teeing off a mere half-hour after landing. Here you’ll find 36 holes of golf featuring two of Canada’s favourite golf designers. On the Bear Course, 6,900 yards of classic Nicklaus Design awaits, complete with dramatically sculpted fairways trimmed with stately pine trees and fescue.
#8 Okanagan Golf Club – Quail Course
As a perfect pair to the Bear Course, Les Furber's 18-hole Quail Course is carved from a ponderosa pine forest featuring dramatic elevation changes and multi-tiered fairways.
#9 Shadow Ridge Golf Club
Another golf course conveniently located near the airport, Shadow Ridge boasts incredible green conditions and offers a golf challenge for all levels. Willow trees scattered throughout the course lend to a more classic experience, then combined with various water hazards and strategically placed bunkers to ensure a challenging round of golf.
#10 Sunset Ranch Golf & Country Club
The natural beauty of Sunset Ranch is rivalled only by its exceptional course conditions and playability for golfers of all skill levels. It’s no surprise that this course is considered one of the best courses in the Okanagan with stunning vistas contributing to the beauty and challenge of this “must play” Kelowna golf course.
Honourable Mentions
The Pinnacle Course at Gallagher’s Canyon
Two Eagles Golf Course & Academy
Top Aprés-Golf Activities in Kelowna
Off the golf course, there's no shortage of terrific things to do throughout the Okanagan Valley. Rent a bike or take a stroll on the Kettle Valley Trail through Myra Canyon for spectacular views and a trip through train tunnels and over trestles. Take an Okanagan Wine Tour to explore and taste a few of Kelowna's incredible wineries - you can even enjoy a picnic lunch on some of the grounds for a delightful afternoon in the countryside. Food tours are also a popular pursuit, with Okanagan Foodie Tours taking you on an exploration of Kelowna's many gastronomical delicacies.
And of course, Okanagan Lake is a huge draw for visitors and locals alike. Besides the beaches, you can carve out your own piece of paradise with a pontoon tour or boat rental. For a relaxing afternoon, walking the waterfront is popular, as is touring some of Kelowna's orchards to sample fresh fruit (or pick your own). At the end of the day, the hardest choice you may have to make is where to eat - with a host of popular spots not only offering delicious food, but also incredible views!
Find more things to see and do during your Kelowna golf trip, or check out Kelowna golf packages or order a golf guide to plan your next BC golf trip!
