8 Calgary Golf Courses Named Among Canada’s Best in 2026 Ranking

Calgary and the surrounding region have once again made a strong showing on Canada’s golf map, with eight courses in and around the city earning places on the country’s list of the 100 best golf courses.

The latest ranking highlights the quality and variety of golf available across southern Alberta, from courses along the Elbow River and Calgary’s foothills to spectacular mountain layouts in Kananaskis, Canmore and Banff.

The national ranking is released every two years and evaluates golf courses across Canada based on a range of factors. A panel of 90 volunteer golf experts assesses courses using nine criteria, including beauty, design, challenge, strategy, course conditioning and the quality of par three, par four and par five holes. The overall enjoyment or fun factor is also considered.

Among the Calgary area courses included in the latest ranking is Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club’s Hawk Course, which placed 96th nationally.

The Hawk Course maintained its position from the previous ranking. Located west of Calgary in the foothills, the course is recognized for its natural surroundings and scenic setting.

Kananaskis Country Golf Course’s Mt. Lorette Course ranked 89th, representing one of the notable improvements among the Calgary area courses. It moved up 10 positions from its previous ranking.

The public course is known for its spectacular Rocky Mountain scenery and a layout that incorporates the area’s natural landscape. Several holes cross the winding river, adding both visual appeal and strategic challenges to the golfing experience.

The Glencoe’s Forest Course in Calgary placed 81st. The course dropped from 70th in the previous ranking but remains firmly among Canada’s top golf destinations.

The Forest Course is known for its demanding layout, strategic design and greens that are protected in ways that can challenge golfers throughout a round.

Further west, Stewart Creek Golf and Country Club in Canmore ranked 60th nationally. The course experienced one of the larger changes in the ranking, falling from 31st in the previous edition.

Despite the drop, Stewart Creek remains one of the region’s highly regarded mountain golf experiences. Its setting among the Rocky Mountains, combined with significant elevation changes, creates a course that can challenge golfers while offering spectacular scenery.

Kananaskis’ Mt. Kidd Course was ranked 58th in Canada, down from 50th previously.

The course winds through a dramatic mountain valley, with the Kananaskis River and glacial streams forming part of the surrounding landscape. The combination of mountain terrain, natural water features and changing elevations makes the course particularly distinctive.

Back in Calgary, Mickelson National Golf Club placed 32nd in the national ranking.

The course moved down from 26th in the previous ranking but remained well inside the country’s top 50. Its design features broad fairways, rolling terrain and distinctive bunkering, creating a layout that rewards strategic play.

Calgary Country Club recorded one of the strongest improvements among the city’s courses, moving into 30th place nationally.

The historic club rose two positions from the previous ranking. Its roots date back to 1911, and its location along the Elbow River gives the course a combination of history, natural scenery and a challenging golf environment.

The highest ranked course connected to the Calgary region was Fairmont Banff Springs, which earned eighth place nationally.

The iconic mountain course slipped only slightly from its previous seventh place ranking but remained inside Canada’s top 10. Located beneath the Rocky Mountains, the course is widely recognized for its spectacular scenery and distinctive mountain setting.

The Banff course has also attracted attention from professional golfers, adding to its profile among golf enthusiasts across Canada and beyond.

The results demonstrate the strength of Alberta’s golf landscape. In addition to the eight Calgary area and nearby courses included in the ranking, several other Alberta courses also earned national recognition.

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge was the province’s highest ranked course, finishing fifth overall.

Other Alberta courses appearing on the national list included The Old Course at Wolf Creek in Ponoka, Royal Mayfair in Edmonton and Blackhawk in Nisku.

The national title went to Cabot Cliffs in Nova Scotia, which secured the top position in the latest ranking.

For Calgary golfers, the results provide another indication of the city’s strong position as a destination for both local players and visitors. The region offers an unusual combination of urban golf facilities, foothills courses and mountain layouts, giving players access to dramatically different experiences within a relatively short distance.

The rankings also highlight the continued importance of course design, natural surroundings and playing conditions in determining what makes a golf course stand out nationally.

From the historic Calgary Country Club to the mountain landscapes of Kananaskis and Banff, the latest list showcases the remarkable range of golf experiences available across the region.

For anyone planning a golf trip to Alberta, the latest rankings offer plenty of reasons to explore courses in Calgary and beyond. With eight courses from the wider region earning places among Canada’s best, golfers have an impressive selection of nationally recognized layouts close to home.

Courtesy: dailyhive