The Best Golfing in the Okanagan Valley

The Okanagan attracts golfers from all over the world, who come to play the great variety of beautiful courses set in a warm, dry and unique landscape. With cliff-hugging fairways, rolling orchard-covered hills and sweeping lakeside terrain, Kelowna and Vernon offer some of the most spectacular courses in North America. An added bonus for those on the fairway, the region is also bathed in a whopping 2,000 hours of brilliant sunshine every year. This means the golf season in the Kelowna and Vernon area is among the longest in Canada.
Courses for both the pro and the novice
Are you a fan of nerve-racking bunker shots and steep elevation changes that would make a Sherpa dizzy? Or perhaps you prefer long, wide fairways and more mellow terrain?
No matter where your skill level lies, you’ll find your perfect course for an incredible golf game in the Okanagan. Take on the tricky approaches at the ego-busting Quail Course or put your driver to the test on the massive fairways found at the Harvest Golf Club. With more than 20 courses in the Kelowna area alone, the toughest part may be simply figuring out which one to try first.
Ample amenities included
The Okanagan Valley’s fantastic courses are matched with top-notch amenities, like gourmet restaurants and pro shops run by true golf experts. There’s nothing like kicking back with a cold drink after a day of golf. And since just about every course in the Okanagan is set amid spectacular scenery, most clubhouses feature restaurants and bars with eye-popping panoramic views.
Here’s a list of our top gorgeous golf courses in Kelowna and Vernon:

1. PREDATOR RIDGE 71 AND 72

There are two exceptional 18-hole courses at Predator Ridge in Vernon, each earning it’s own spot on this list.
The par 71 Predator course receives awards annually, ranking it as one of the top courses in Canada. The course was designed by renowned architect Les Furber and offers a challenge for all golfers as you play through rolling hills, long grasses and undulating greens. This is one of only two public courses to rank in Score Magazine’s Canadian Top 25.
Details

• Par: 71
• Yardage: 7090
• Opened in 1991
• Architect: Les Furber
• Two-Time Host of the World Skins Game

The more challenging par 72 Ridge Course opened in 2010 and was awarded the best new golf course that year. Course architect Doug Carrick designed the course to take advantage of the natural rolling topography of the area. With stunning views, scenic fairways and rocky granite outcroppings, this course is an absolute delight to play.
Details

• Par: 72
• Yardage: 7123
• Opened in 2010
• Architect: Doug Carrick
• Voted Best New Course in Canada by SCOREGolf in 2010

Location
301 Village Centre Place, Vernon, BC V1H 1T2
1-888-578-6688
www.predatorridge.com
 

2. TOWER RANCH GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

This is a rugged, fast-playing 18-hole course that blends stunning views with challenging fairways.
Make no mistake: The Tower Ranch Golf & Country Club is a true player’s golf course. Dramatic elevation changes and quick, true greens provide a worthy test for golfers of any skill level. But the sweeping views of distant valleys just might distract you from the tee (at least, momentarily).
Designed by master greens architect Thomas McBroom, Tower Ranch has been consistently ranked among the top 3 best Canadian golf courses by both SCORE Golf and Golf Digest.
After a day on the links, settle into Carrington’s Restaurant & Lounge, located at Tower Ranch’s 10,000 square foot clubhouse, and take in panoramic views of Kelowna and Lake Okanagan. A pro shop and fitness centre round out the amenities.
Details

• Par 72
• Yardage: 7,212
• Rating: 71.7
• Slope: 133
• Designer: Thomas McBroom

Location
1855 Tower Ranch Blvd, Kelowna, BC V1P 1R2
1-877-491-8211
www.golftowerranch.com
 

3. THE HARVEST GOLF CLUB

Set among the Okanagan’s iconic apple orchards, this course might seem a little less challenging than its championship-caliber counterparts in Kelowna. But looks can be deceiving.
A mellow playing field and minor elevation changes do make these links ideal for less experienced golfers. That all changes once you hit the massive greens. Multiple platforms and challenging terrain will test even the most accomplished putter. And if you’re seeking an opportunity to pull out that driver, The Harvest is full of wide-open fairways.
While teeing off, you’ll also be treated to magnificent views of Okanagan Lake and rolling orchards. In fact, 54 acres of this 254-acre course are covered in five different varieties of apple trees. So if you get peckish while on the fairway, just reach up and grab a snack.
Details

• Par: 72
• Yardage: 7,109
• Rating: 72.9
• Slope: 127
• Designer: Graham Cooke

Location
2725 KLO Rd, Kelowna, BC V1W 4S1
1-800-257-8577
www.harvestgolf.com
 

4. GOLF CLUB AT THE RISE

Rising more than 1,000 feet above Vernon, this topsy-turvy course serves up some of the best scenery in the Okanagan.
The 18-hole Golf Club at the Rise is not for the faint of heart. The steep terrain makes for some awkward lies and occasional blind shots – but that’s just part of the fun.
These links, perched near the northern tip of Okanagan Lake, feature a truly unique cliff-hugging layout. Most golfers realize this before they even arrive at the first hole – the road up to The Rise is uphill all the way, twisting past vineyards and haute real estate before finally arriving at the course.
The Golf Club at the Rise is billed as the only the only Fred Couples signature course in western Canada – although his design partner Gene Bates deserves equal credit for these adventurous fairways. But despite the enjoyably challenging terrain, it’s the sweeping valley views that steal the show.
Details

• Par: 72
• Yardage: 6,843
• Rating: 72.8
• Slope: 137
• Designers: Gene Bates & Fred Couples

Location
8500 Rising View Way,Vernon BC V1T 5G4
1-877-243-7417
www.therise.ca
 

Visit the Okanagan for the Ultimate Golf Holiday

If you would like to take a golf trip to the incredible Okanagan Valley, our Destination Experts would be more than happy to help you find the ideal accommodation in Kelowna or Vernon! Give us a call on 1.877.902.1616 or email us at [email protected] – we are available 7 days a week.