Niagara Falls is one of Canada’s top golf destinations, with 3 courses making the list of the 25 hidden gem golf courses in Canada. It’s a special area for golf because the region’s natural beauty is the perfect backdrop for classic parkland designs. The mix of challenge and charm will impress golfers of all skill levels.
Due to its southern location, it also has one of the longest golf seasons in Ontario, meaning golf trips can happen from mid-April to the end of October. These 6 best golf courses in Niagara Falls are ones you don’t want to miss when golfing in the area.
Grand Niagara
Grand Niagara is often referred to as one of the best golf courses in Niagara Falls and a must-play. Named #57 on SCOREGolfs top 59 public golf courses in Canada, its beautiful wide fairways are playable by all skill levels. The course was designed by legendary golf architect Rees Jones and features a mix of water and sand hazards and set on the backdrop of the Welland River.
UPDATE FOR 2024: The best 9 holes in Ontario! Grand Niagara is now entering a new chapter, having been reduced to 9 holes. Only 3 years removed from being one of the best golf courses in the country and with the same turf crew in charge, Grand Niagara is hands down delivering the best 9 hole experience in Ontario, and perhaps even the best in the country. Play 9 holes twice for a full 18 hole experience. Playing Grand Niagara 9 holes twice for a full 18 hole experience is still considered the 4th best golfing experience in Niagara in our opinion (and the opinion of our clients). Don’t fall into the old trap of saying “Oh, it’s only a 9 hole course, we’ll go find a different course to play at”. Playing 9 holes twice at Grand Niagara is better than most 18 hole experiences in Niagara. Trust our expertise on this one, we know what we’re talking about!
Legends Battlefield
Legends Battlefield is part of the incredible Legends on the Niagara golf complex and boasts a link-style course with wider fairways, letting you bring out the big stick more often. The fairways are bordered by lots of tall fescue, and 7 of the 18 holes feature water hazards, adding an additional level of challenge.
Peninsula Lakes
A little outside the hustle and bustle of Niagara Falls, you’ll find Peninsula Lakes Golf Club. Built on what used to be a sand and gravel quarry, this 27-hole course is perfect for groups who want to book more than 18 holes for the day but play less than 36. They partner with some renowned hotels and B&Bs in the area to offer some great Niagara Falls stay and play packages, so you can continue to enjoy the area even when you’re off the course.
UPDATE FOR 2024: Prices have gone up! Peninsula Lakes is a gem, and we love the track. It might be a little pricey for most golf crews now though. Golf and cart is now $350 + tax / golfer. If you have the budget for this, we say go for it. This is one of the better golfing experiences in the Niagara Region.
Legends Usshers Creek
Usshers Creek is the other 18-hole course in the Legends on the Niagara golf complex. For groups looking to play 36 holes per day, this complex is a fantastic place to do so. Legends offers two exceptional championship courses. Usshers Creek, with its wetland hazards, knee-high fescue rough and high winds, has an extra level of challenge, but it’s open enough that it’s still playable by all skill levels.
Thundering Waters
Thundering Waters, as the name suggests, is located only 1500 yards from the thundering Horseshoe Falls and is one of the best golf courses in Niagara Falls. It’s a quirky course, with 6 par 3s, 6 par 4s and 6 par 5s, so you’ll need to be ready to make strategic club selections. Because of the courses’ tie to John Daly, many golfers expect it to be a wide-fairway, long, grip it and rip it course. But it’s the opposite. It’s a shorter, tighter golf course that puts emphasis on club selection and shot making.
UPDATE FOR 2024: Bunkers aren’t the greatest! Thundering Waters is 5 minutes from downtown Niagara Falls. We encourage all of our groups to play this track because it is a fun course, fun layout, and super convenient, but we also give you the lowdown so that you are aware. The bunkers at Thundering Waters aren’t the greatest, so if your crew are golf snobs (and it is OK if you are!!), then this wouldn’t be the course for you. If you crew is looking for a good time, appreciate the convenience of having your golf course close, this is the perfect spot for you.
Whirlpool
Whirlpool golf course is one of the last designs by the Godfather of Canadian golf architecture, Stanley Thompson. It’s a great 18-hole, par 72 course, but for the history alone, it has to be played! The course scored #49 on SCOREGolfs top public golf courses in Canada and backs onto the beautiful Niagara whirlpool and gorge.
Check out our Golf Trips!
Whether you are planning a golf trip for this year, or are just browsing ideas for your next bucket-list trip idea, we encourage you to check out golf packages and reach out if you have any questions. For more info, visit our Muskoka golf packages and Niagara golf package
