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The 10 Best Golf Courses in Thunder Bay – And Shoot a Tee-rrific Swing in a Hole!
Golf is a sport that many find hard to understand. Why spend hours swinging a club and walking all over a vast green space under the sun? But for those who play, it’s a mentally stimulating and relaxing experience all at the same time.
It’s basically a sport where you can test your skills while enjoying the fresh air. And when it comes to the best golf courses, Thunder Bay is where you’ll find scenic locations with creative layouts that will have you swinging into action.
We’re sharing our favourite golf courses in Thunder Bay, Ontario, because we don’t gatekeep cool places like these, where tee times are ace! Time to quit puttering around and swing on… pun intended.
Strathcona Golf Course
– Media credit: ellacurrieee
Address: 500 Hodder Avenue
Contact: (807) 683-8251
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 7 am – 8 pm
Amenities: Clubhouse, putting green, practice net stall, tee boxes, and pro shop
Pricing: $$
If you’re searching for a more challenging golf course in Thunder Bay, Strathcona Golf Course is a fantastic spot. It’s a 6,509-yard course close to Lake Superior, with thick wooded sections on the rolling hills.
It’s a bit of a shaky ride, but the stunning scenery elevates the experience!
Strathcona Golf Course is a Par 72, with 18 holes that will test your skills with its elevation gain and bouncy parts. It’s not what we would recommend for beginners.
The course is in good shape, as everything is well-maintained, and it’s reasonably priced given it’s a municipal golf course. And with a licensed clubhouse, golfers can have a drink and relax after finishing a round.
Pro Tip:
Stick to weekday mornings to avoid busy hours. You don’t want to wait around when there’s a backup in the holes.
Chapples Golf Course & Driving Range
– Media credit: chapplesgolf
Address: 530 Chapples Park Drive
Contact: (807) 625-2582
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 7 am – 8 pm
Amenities: Driving range, putting green, pull carts, club rentals, pro shop, and clubhouse
Pricing: $$
Avid golfers who want to bring their kids, friends, and significant others can swing by Chapples Golf Course & Driving Range. The 18-hole Par 71 course isn’t the most challenging, making it ideal for all skill levels and ages.
The driving range allows visitors to practice their swing, and there are putting greens to sink the ball. The Yamaha gas golf carts make it easy to access the 6,207-yard land, although pull carts are also available if you prefer walking.
The greens are in fairly decent shape, with some rough spots here and there, but ultimately a solid round. Expect busy times, though, since this is a more accessible spot for all skill levels, it naturally brings in more people.
Pro Tip:
Go in the morning, with a start at around 8 or 9 am, to avoid being stuck waiting in a couple of holes when it’s crowded—not literally, though!
Fort William Country Club
– Media credit: fortwilliamcountryclub
Address: 1350 Mountain Road
Contact: (807) 475-8925, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8 am – 7 pm
Amenities: Driving range, rental clubs, tournaments, membership
Pricing: $$$
One of our favourite golf courses in Ontario is Fort William Country Club, as it’s surrounded by wooded terrain and outstanding views of the mountains. The place is cared-for, and you can tell the greens are in top condition.
It has the full 18 with a total Par 72, and a slightly challenging course due to the trees, ponds, and slope. Adults and kids can play—it even offers junior memberships. Overall, it makes for an interesting layout that won’t be too tough to finish.
The beverage cart is never missing, and you can easily get drinks while on the course. After a round of golf, the lounge offers hearty meals—and yes, this is open for members and non-members.
Just a heads up: There’s a dress code at this Thunder Bay golf course. Avoid tank tops and ripped clothing, and stick to appropriate golf wear.
Pro Tip:
Booking a tee time isn’t the easiest here, so it’s best to call them in advance to make sure you get a spot. Walk-ins aren’t guaranteed—actually, there’s a slim chance you’ll get in.
Whitewater Golf Club
– Media credit: whitewatergolfclub
Address: 1961 King George’s Park Dr, Rosslyn
Contact: (807) 475-4653, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 7:30 am – 9 pm
Amenities: Rental clubs, pro shop, driving range, junior membership, golf lessons, and tournaments
Pricing: $$$
Located 20 minutes from Thunder Bay, the Whitewater Golf Club offers 9-hole and 18-hole courses with a Par 72 layout. There’s a total of 7,293 yards and five sets of tees.
The beautiful views with jack pine groves and occasional wildlife sightings make this course a nature-lover-slash-golfer’s paradise. The layout, with its rough bits, slightly weedy bunkers, and pebbles, makes it quite challenging, but the greens are in overall good condition.
Whitewater Golf Club is also one of the spots for golf lessons near Thunder Bay, as it has coaching and instructional programs. Competitions are held regularly, but these are for members only.
Pro Tip:
Book your tee time 4 hours before dusk to cut on green fees. You can save $20 or more, depending on the day.
Centennial Golf Course
– Media credit: lulee16
Address: 320 Thompson Road
Contact: (807) 767-4600
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8 am – 9 pm
Amenities: Cart and club rentals, pull carts
Pricing: $
The Centennial Golf Course is one of the 9-hole courses in Thunder Bay, making it ideal for beginners and casual golfers. It welcomes all skill levels since the whole layout isn’t challenging, albeit not the easiest either.
The fairways are serviceable, but not the widest. The greens aren’t bad, but expect some dry areas here and there that can lead to a couple of poor swings.
Pro Tip:
Try more controlled swings for a better shot in the fairways.
Dragon Hills Golf Course
– Media credit: 915ckpr
Address: 975 Onion Lake Road
Contact: (807) 768-8633
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 9 am – 8 pm
Amenities: Driving range, cart rentals, tournaments, pro shop, and more
Pricing: $$
If you’re aiming to play golf in a course with a nice layout, Dragon Hills Golf Course should be on your list. The design has a good flow that’s ideal for avid golfers and beginners, but the greens aren’t always in their best shape.
The course isn’t the easiest—the forested parts and water features make it a tad challenging. It’s not tough to do overall, but it may force you to practice swinging a bit more.
There’s a driving range to practice on, as well as tournaments for seasoned players to join. All in all, this golf course is a solid place in Thunder Bay to learn a few moves.
Pro Tip:
Pop in right after they open to avoid busy times. On crowded days, you want to avoid bottlenecks in the course.
Thunder Bay Country Club
– Media credit: thunderbaycountryclub
Address: 1130 Golf Links Road
Contact: (807) 345-8225, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 7 am – 9 pm
Amenities: Pro shop, cart rentals, clubhouse, pull carts, and more
Pricing: $$
Located in the heart of the city, Thunder Bay Country Club has a challenging course with a unique layout. Expect lots of trees that add a sprinkle of competitive vibe to your overall play, so it’s not too quick to finish.
There are also some sand traps and water features that can lead to some interesting shots. The scenery is incredible, too, allowing the players to have an even more relaxing time while golfing.
By the way, it has 9-hole and 18-hole courses, so you can start with the quicker option if you’re a beginner. It’s perfect for getting a feel of the layout before moving on to a longer game.
Pro Tip:
Play a round of golf after 3 pm for cheaper rates.
Northern Lights Golf Course
– Media credit: northernlightsgolfcomplex
Address: 540 Twin City Crossroad
Contact: (807) 935-2687
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8 am – 8 pm
Amenities: Driving range, putting green, restaurant, cart rentals, and more
Pricing: $$
The family-friendly Northern Lights Golf Course is a 3,341-yard, Par 3 with 9 holes. It has 4 tee boxes, making it ideal for beginners and kids learning to play—there’s also a driving range to practice your swings.
This is one of the top golf courses in Thunder Bay when it comes to views, because there’s an endless blue sky and lots of open spaces. The layout has some tight fairways, but it’s not unforgiving, even for kids and beginners.
After a round, you can relax at the clubhouse (which is licensed, by the way). It’s a good place for drinks and snacks with your golf buddies.
Pro Tip:
For beginners, call the golf complex to see if the golf simulators are open for business. You can try indoor golfing first before the real deal.
St. Urho’s Golf Course & Driving Range
– Media credit: chris.gardner.pga
Address: 2165 ON-588, Nolalu
Contact: (807) 475-8804
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 7 am – 9 pm
Amenities: Driving range, golf cart and club rentals, and pull carts
Pricing: $
Just a short drive from Thunder Bay, you’ll find a hidden gem: St. Urho’s Golf Course & Driving Range. This 3,094-yard par 36 with 9 holes is perfect for a relaxed round.
What makes it so great? It’s not intimidatingly difficult, making it ideal for players with kids tagging along. The entire layout is pretty chill, rarely crowded, and you won’t have to worry about a long wait, even when your play is more relaxed.
Another bonus is its location in Nolalu. While you’re there, you can explore the area and grab a bite to eat. There’s even a cafe right across the road for a quick snack!
Pro Tip:
The drive to Nolalu takes under an hour on a good day. Head out early to avoid congestion in downtown Thunder Bay.
Emerald Greens Golf Course & Driving Range
– Media credit: emeraldgreensgolfcourse
Address: 2370 Dawson Road
Contact: (807) 767-4511, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 7 am – 10 pm
Amenities: Driving range, club rentals, outdoor patio, restaurant, in-house catering for events, and more
Pricing: $
Tee times are interesting at Emerald Greens Golf Course & Driving Range. Though it’s a 9-hole course, its clever layout with multiple tee blocks on each hole allows you to play a full and varied 18-hole round.
The course itself is in excellent condition, with smooth surfaces that are easy to walk on, and a great mix of holes. It provides a solid challenge for any golfer, perfect for both beginners and experienced players to enjoy a round.
There’s also a driving range to practice some swings in, perfect for junior golfers and first-time visitors. After your round, head over to the on-site restaurant or swing by the fully stocked gazebo for a snack or drink.
Customer service here is ace, too! If you purchase beer, the staff will loan you a cooler with ice to keep your draughts cold while on the course.
Pro Tip:
Call ahead for twilight hours to save a couple of loonies. It’s not available every day, so it’s best to check first.
